RIDGID's New Top Tier Brushless 1/2" Hammer Drill R86115 Review | Milwaukee Gen 2 With Less Power 

Right! Use the right tool for the job and sometimes a larger drill is just what is needed.

I’m on the other end of that view, I think I’ve only used my Octane HDD once, I find it’s too bulky and heavy for daily use. I almost never need that power. I prefer my Gen5X brushless drill. I do like the Octane impact driver a little better than the Gen5X brushless. I also have the Octane jigsaw and 1/2” impact wrench (mid torque). I think the smaller form factors are going to be quite popular, along with the more compact batteries. However, I think the loss of the 3Ah Octane battery is a big deal. As seen here, it supplies a little more power than the 4.0Ah (even the new max output), and should supply more than the old 5.0Ah while being lighter and more compact than any of the 4/5Ah batteries. The loss of the larger Octane batteries will be a non-issue once the new 6/8Ah max output batteries ship. Sure, the ability to check the charge level and lock the Octane batteries is nice, but I’ve never considered it essential.

Final notes, I think simplifying the product line to brushed, subcompact brushless, and regular brushless is a smart move. I think they went with a 4Ah rather than 5Ah for two reasons. Mostly, because in 18650 cells, 2.0Ah cells can deliver more power (higher current) than 2.5Ah cells, so a 4.0 will have more power than a 5.0 pack. The other is marketing, consumers will see less difference between a 5.0 & 6.0 than a 4.0 & 6.0

@@geoffstrickler Great points.

Absolutely! Octane is not dead. I'll be be keeping and using mine until something better comes out cause so far I haven't found it.

I have no clue why they feel that drill should be dropped.

Sure glad i got mine! 🤩

Yea. About to be deals galore!

in canada they are sold out....

Why grab the Octane hammer drill? Just get the new hammer drill with a max output battery.

@@wlwhistlelucy1868 because its a beast compared to the new seemingly low budget line. The new drill nor the new batteries are powerful enough compared to the octane line. The batteries dont even push 21700 cells. They can keep all that ryobi esh tools.

Ridgid never sold a Gen5X drill with 800inlb. The closest was the brushed model at 780inlb. The Gen5X brushless was 700inlb. The Octane drill was the first and only previous Ridgid cordless drill to meet or exceed 800inlb.

@@geoffstrickler maybe your right. I’ve had it for so long I forgot what the advertised torque was

LOL. Look in the description. There is a video where we compare the OCTANE beast to the Milwaukee. This new drill is a complete wuss compared to the older model.

My milwaukee gen2 fuel hammer drill was worse than that from factory. Used it like that for a couple months and sent it in. Fixed and sent back in 6 days for free.

Mine has zero wabble. Love mine.

Walmart sells the Hart line, Made by TTI who owns Ryobi and Miwalukee and contracts the Ridgid name from Emerson.

No matter how you slice it, this drill is now the top tier of the Ridgid line.

Ridgid owns RYOBI. So yeah, I think they want that LSA on the lesser. More reliable tools

Donny, Most brands put a battery in the kit. However, they make you buy the best battery for the tool’s performance separately. Ryobi might have come out with a higher torque hammer drill first, but Ridgid has since released one.

I think TTI is make Ridgid the orange Milwaukee. IMHO, you might see the day when Milwaukee is held to a higher standard than Home Depot will carry and all the "older" Milwaukee stuff will be Orange. That is why they are moving to smaller "more powerful" tools.

​@@WorkshopAddict I hadn't thought about it that way but it's still sort of the same end result whether it's closer to current ryobi or past Milwaukee, the tools are seem to be weaker. 800lbs vs 1300lbs for the octane (yes yes, who needs it, but still), and the max output 4ah is weaker than the 3ah octane battery. That seems like a real downgrade of both the tool and the batteries. AND, how old was your 3ah octane? You were comparing a possibly well used battery to a brand new fresh max output... Ridgid was claiming the max output batteries were more powerful than the octane batteries so it's really nice to see this test because that doesn't seem to be the case here when you showed the 3ah did better... There aren't many tests comparing batteries on the ridgid ecosystem (none comparing octane to non octane) so it was really nice to see this. Thank you.

I HATE the paid info-mercials. I try my best to give you all the good info. I am not perfect either though.

Well said

When buying into the rigid line, I saw no reason to get the octane line, before I even thought they'd be phased out. The Gen5X line has been a proven competitor for every other color.

IMHO, that is the correct thing to do.

Yeah I finally ordered a high output 6.0 last night.

I agree. I would have used a Octane 9.0 ah battery with that 21/2" hole maker. I know the Octane is now considered last generation batteries but for now it's the biggest one we've got. One other thing I've started doing is purchasing changeover adapters for my batteries. So far I just got the Makita to Milwaukee adapter, but this allows me to use a 6.0 HO 21700 cell battery with my Makita tools. I might do the same if I can find some Milwaukee --» Rigid or DeWalt --» Makita or DeWalt --» Rigid adapters. I wouldn't use the adapters all the time but it would allow me to bump up the performance of my Rigid and Makita tools when the conditions require a need for more power. I also just got into some of the DeWalt Flex Volt tools since I already had a few batteries. For pure power these 60 volt tools are just beasts. Knowing the Makita 40 volt tools will be coming to the US soon makes me think most of these companies will be increasing the voltage on all their tools just to keep up. That's already happening on the OPE. EGO had their 56 volt line and was licking ass so everyone one else had to increase the voltage of their tools just to keep up. Now we're seeing Ryobi with 40 volt OPE tools but even DeWalt is pushing 2 x 20 volt batteries for their lawn mowers. Before you know it they'll have 2 x 60 volt flex volt mowers that give you 120 volts of DC power. Talk about an insane about of portable cordless power in your hands! Lol It might sound crazy but watch where we'll be in just 10 short years.

The Makita top drill has the best chuck

This is taking the place of the OCTANE.

Or maybe their stepping up and getting rid of the diy cheaper tools and are finally going to compete with Red, Yellow and Teal. Time will tell, but I doubt it because it’s to late in the game.

Actually, I think them literally taking a step back will finally put them in major competition with Dewalt and Milwaukee. Kind of sad that's what's required. Because there isn't a Milwaukee in the world that could match up to my Octane hammer. That's simply a fact. So it sucks that they need to rebrand and make compact power tools that are less powerful just because lame people can't man handle a drill

@@akaredcrossbow Ridgid wasn't the same as all those around the house tools. They were the only brand to still make power tools. They've been the best brand since the 40s and they still are. Literally none of those tools are able to keep up with the Octane line, so like, wtf ate you even saying? Lol

@@akaredcrossbow You realize those "cheaper" tools and batteries, both, were made of higher quality materials and products than every brand you suggested right? And if you imagine them to be comparable than how come they can't confidently give a LSA? Maybe because Milwaukee motors are made of shit metals that break down fast and Dewalt straight up can't deliver quality. They can deliver power though... by pushing power from a high volt battery that's over qualified for the tool it's in, hints the overheating with every use and ridiculous required recharge rate

@@Mik3yLow I will give the hammer drill win to Rigid because of the BPM, but they are extremely close in comparison. One tool out of how many doesn’t make it though. I want a platform that I can trust, plus get the job done that uses the same battery platform as the other tools in my arsenal and that’s Milwaukee hands down. Throw in some Dewalt and Makita for certain specific jobs like woodworking/ carpentry and you’re all set, all other tool companies should just throw in the towel. If I want one use cheap tools that I don’t care about, then it’s off to harbor freight, but I won’t invest in a battery and go with Rigid, Ryobi or kolbalt tools so I can own one capable tool. My Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita setup gets the job done without worrying the tool is going to break. I don’t mind spending the extra money for the peace of mind.

That is what I am told. We obviously only have the 2 and 4Ah now and the 6 and 8 coming. But, that leaves the OCTANE 9AH as one that would still provide more runtime, just maybe not the peak amps. It is going to be interesting!

I love my Octane Hammer drill too.

@@JB-ot9hi great tool

I showed that in the video.

The Ryobi drill could do the 3-5/8" hole hawg. LOL.

Yes, the center 2 of the battery are the temp sensors. Not the outside two. There was a bit of an odd point in my comment.

@@WorkshopAddict Gotcha, yeah the way it came out i thought you were saying the temp sensor lines were going to used for higher draw tools lol.

@@nobodytoyou4887 So many thoughts going through my head and what I am thinking seems to get jumbled with other thoughts.

Thanks George.

@@WorkshopAddict 👍☺️

Yes it does. That is odd, so watch out for scams.

@@WorkshopAddict I would be ordering directly from Amazon, not a third party seller. Other places are way less expensive than Lowes for the Metabo impact wrench too.

I do not know what batteries you have.... The Flexvolt is MUCH more powerful, so if you need power, that is the only way to go. Your other choice would be the power detect or flexVolt advantage that would give you more power with larger batteries, but still wont match the real Flexvolt.

@@WorkshopAddict 6ah flex and 5ah batteries. 18v 6/8/10 ah are not for sale in europe

I'm comparing flexvolt vs flexvolt advantage recip

@@olgajoachimosmundsen4647 you have 3 part numbers in your post. Hard to follow. Do you need the power?

I'm wondering if the flexvolt advantage is better or not for me. I can't chose between more power, or the chance to use 18v batteries. How big is the power difference?

It will keep up, at least as far as we know, since we only have a 2 and 4 Ah max output to try.

@@WorkshopAddict That is good news. Hopefully that means my Octane drill won't sag if I have to get a new battery.

I see a ton of drills come through and Dewalt used to be the worst, now they are better and TTI is bad. It might just be the luck of the draw.

Makita has the best chucks

I think that longer overload protection is what was stopping me from making it through the wood 100 percent.

It is a defect... Sadly, every brand seems to be this way now.

@@WorkshopAddict so I guess I got lucky at the time thank you for your response back to me I wonder if your case in for the Milwaukee Gen 2 would fit this

@@bluemantom77 Yes, that Chuck would fit this.

They do not make the Ridgid Octane line anymore. If you can find a Ridgid, buy it.

Keep going back and get one that is semi decent.

Really its not many drills or brands that don't have a certain amount of wobble. And that's from brand to brand and also tool to tool!

@@vickavelli1032 it’s only one I’ve had issues with to where it was so obvious it needed to be fixed I have few dewalt and probably 10-12 makita no problem and had a Milwaukee that had to return numerous times cause of trigger or wouldn’t work at all

This drill is what you will get.

Yea I see what you mean. I didn't think about that one. That would be both a bomber and a disappointment!. Wow.! I will be taking great care of my entire Ridgid collection from hear on out. No more leaving out on the ground in the rain. Lol! Glad i bought into Dewalt as my Top brand as well!

It is a downgrade unfortunately. It is smaller with less power. The head guy there runs ryobi and ridgid and is trying to get rid of the ridgid line and run a 3 riered ryobi line. It is all about money. Sad, because it is tearing ridgid apart.

@@WorkshopAddict The LSA claims don’t help their profits, so getting rid of the only brand that is eligible would make business sense, if that’s all they care about. However, Ridgid is supposed to be releasing outdoor power equipment this year, so that should help them.

@Diligent Dave Home Depot owns the rights to the Ridgid Power tool brand. So no matter how hard they want to dump Ridgid, they can't. It will not ever compete with Milwaukee again, ever.

@@WorkshopAddict People can hype Milwaukee up all they want, but Milwaukee has left a bad taste in my mouth. I’ve already gotten two defective Milwaukee drills this year. One was the gen 4 m18, and the other one was the gen 3 m12. It might be time for me to look away from the TTI brands altogether.

@@WorkshopAddict TTI is who I think is limiting Ridgid from competing with Milwaukee.

That’s exactly what TTI wants out of this.

Yeah I'm in Ryobi for a ton of stuff so will keep Ryobi for all that, mower, weed whip, blower, inflator, a bunch of other stuff but for the stuff where I need real power tools I've gone red.

I had to go yellow. Just could never afford to go red.

@@vickavelli1032 In many cases Yellow is superior to Red imo. In others Red is. Making them equal over all.

They did simplify. Now you have Brushed, Sub-Compact brushless and Brushless. All others are gone.

You're welcome

And your gen 2 isn't comparable to any one of my Octanes. They're stepping down to be within your range. Those shit companies should be happy that the Octane line didn't sell better because people like you can't man handle a 'power' drill 😆