Ridgid made a statement earlier this year with the launch of the updated Ridgid generation 5 Cordless 18 volt powertools known as X5 – power tools that surpass the boundaries of brushed motor cordless technology. Now a few more tools have been added to the new X5 line such as a new 18V GenX5 cordless sander, cordless fan, and new flexible cordless LED dual mode LED worklight.
Let’s begin with the 18V sander. This new model R8606B, a 13 cm random orbit grinder, is now available. This is very interesting considering there are very few cordless sanders today, off the top of my head I can think of Makita, Bosch, and Ryobi that have cordless sanders of their own without thinking too hard. I dont know too much about Ryobis cordless sander but I do know that Makitas sander is also a random orbit sander and offers 2 speeds. What makes this Ridgid stand out is it offers complete control over the speed with the inclusion of a variable speed dial for 7,000-11,000 RPM and features a soft start so as to not damage the material upon starting up. According to Ridgid this new sander can run up to 40 minutes with a 4.0 ah battery. It uses 13 cm hook and loop sandpaper discs and has a built in dust collection with a small cloth bag acting as a filter / dust collector sticking out the back side. The dust bag can be removed to allow the use of a vacuum hose for even greater dust collection. The sander can accept both 1-1/10 cm and 2-
- GEN5X motor technology permanent magnet motor maintains speed and power under load for corded-like performance
- AirGuard technology collects up to 90% of dust for a cleaner work area
- Additional 4.0Ah hyper-li-ion battery sold separately for extended run-time of 40 minutes
- Variable speed dial allows you to adjust speed for different applications
- Dust-sealed switch increases longevity of the tool
- Work surfaces are protected from gouges by soft start and brake pads
- Hex grip micro-texture enhanced for secure gripping and maximum user comfort
- On-board vacuum adaptor fits 1-1/4 in. or 2-1/2 in. standard vacuum hose
- For quick and easy bag emptying, use the Quick-Release Dust Bag
- 100% compatible with every generation of RIDGID 18-volt batteries
Next on the list is the new 18V cordless fan model R860720B. This is a hybrid fan as it can be powered by any Ridgid 18V battery and can also be powered by the grid by plugging it into any extension cord. The fan claims to be the most powerful on the market, thanks to a technology called Covert Air Technology. This new fan puts out 475 cfms although the actual air speed in mph is not listed and can be control through a variable speed dial on the front. Like other cordless saws on the market, the head pivots down and upto240 and it can also be mounted on mounted on a wall with screw slots or on exposed studs with built in slide out hooks. The new fan has a run-time of just 22 hours with a 4.0 Ah battery.
- Covert air technology quietest and most powerful professional fan in the industry
- Extended run-time over 30 hours with 4.0Ah hyper lithium-ion batteries (sold separately)
- Maximum airflow produces the best-in-class 475 CFM
- 240 head rotation directs airflow where desired
- More than 10 options for hanging on the jobsite
- Variable speed dial allows you to adjust the fan speed easily
- With grip micro texture, integrated rubber handle offers maximum portability and comfort.
- The fan blades are protected by a sturdy base and cage construction that can withstand harsh jobsite conditions.
The Flexible Dual mode LED worklight R8692B, an 18V cordless light, is last on the list. This dual mode light has a unique head. On one side, there is a clear lense which focuses the light and can be rotated to expose the opposite side. The same LED light can also be used on the other side. It creates an area light that covers more area. This may look like a simple light at a quick glance but it features a long flexible multi position neck so you can position the head of the light as you wish. It uses a single LED that puts out a bright 170 lumens of light and can give you just over 20 hours of light with a 4.0 ah battery.
- Flexible neck secures work light in a variety of work environments for hands-free operation
- Dual-mode area light function that emits bright light to illuminate entire area
- Double-mode spotlight function provides precise light for specific tasks.
- Extended run-time over 20 hours with 4.0Ah hyper lithium-ion battery (sold separately)
- For the lifetime of your work light, you will not need to replace the bulb.
- 170 lumens
All being Ridgid power tools, they all come with Ridgids famous limited lifetime warranty and for the moment being are all sold as bare tools. These tools are available in stores now and can be bought at Home Depot. The following pricing is available:
18V 13 cm Random Orbit Sander18V Hybrid fan
18V Flexible Dual Mode LED Worklight
