18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless SubCompact 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (Tool-Only)

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Nov 10, 2020

This new design is a nice improvement to the compact line up. This works flawlessly with any of R...

This new design is a nice improvement to the compact line up. This works flawlessly with any of Ridgids 18V batteries, I have some older Li-ions and tried them and they worked no problem as well as the newest Octane versions. Without a battery the drill has a nice overall weight and feel. easy to hold and comfortable. the weight really comes from the battery. so depending on what size you use, your mileage will vary. With the largest 9 ah battery the drill does become heavy, which is not typically an issue for DIY work. the weight comes into play if you are doing a lot of work and are holding the drill for long periods. I added a comparison photo to the review so you can see the size difference compared to a compact version and the sub-compact. I also compared it size wise to the newer compact Dewalt 20v drills and it is comparable in size. I drilled 20 2 inch screws into pine studs using each drill and the same battery. Performance was identical on both which was impressive. both drills got slightly warm toward the end. The difference it did notice is that this brushless drill is a bit quieter and also there is a momentary delay when you press the trigger, similar to that split second delay when you turn on an LED light. something you will soon forget but I did notice it. I have used this on several small projects around the over the past 3 weeks, not one negative to mention. I did not install the belt hook, I always add them but never end up using them. This has an LED light in the base where the battery connects which lights the work area well. and is activated by a small switch on the trigger which allows you to light the area without having to engage the drill. I didn't bother providing run times as it will be completely dependent on the battery you chose

by Tano

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1 person found this helpful

Nov 2, 2020

A powerful drill in a delightfully compact package. I love that this drill is small and light eno...

A powerful drill in a delightfully compact package. I love that this drill is small and light enough to easily use one-handed (I have small hands and have struggled with the balance of the larger Ridgid drills). Plus it fits easily into tight spaces! And all without sacrificing power or durability. Really love having this on hand for any and all kinds of projects.

by Emily

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1 person found this helpful

Nov 2, 2020

This subcompact drill is very easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and light enough to hold in awkwa...

This subcompact drill is very easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and light enough to hold in awkward positions. It has an LED light to see in dark or shady spots, and a comfortable non-slip grip. I'm really liking how easy this is to use, and still has 400 lbs. of torque. Since this hand tool is compatible with my other RIGID tools, I can use the same batteries and chargers. This is a great hand tool, and has a super warranty.

by Bkk

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1 person found this helpful

Nov 1, 2020

Sometimes it is necessary to have two of something around the house. In my case, we are a husban...

Sometimes it is necessary to have two of something around the house. In my case, we are a husband/wife team and jobs go a lot faster if we each have tools. This drill/driver runs on batteries we already own because most of the tools in our shop are Ridgid. This particular model is smaller in stature that our other one, but it has plenty of power for everything we will need it for. The torque is easy to change on the front dial. Everything about it is solid and made for work and it is a bonus that it fits in smaller hands.

by horsin

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Oct 31, 2020

I'm angry that it doesn't come with a battery. That was really disappointing. Now I need to go ...

I'm angry that it doesn't come with a battery. That was really disappointing. Now I need to go to Home Depot and get a battery, which I'm going to do cause I like how light weight it is and the design. Hopefully the battery want weight it down. Seems girl friendly and I really couldn't wait to use it, but miner set back should have read the box better, my fault.

by Yoyo

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Oct 30, 2020

For its size and weight (not heavy at all), this is one powerful drill! The 18V subcompact dril...

For its size and weight (not heavy at all), this is one powerful drill! The 18V subcompact drill has a 24 position clutch ring allowing you to adjust your torque depending on your project. It also comes with 2 speed settings. Another really nice feature is that the drill has a built-in LED light to help illuminate the workspace. I must mention that this drill does not come with a battery/charger - you must purchase them separately. The drill is compatible with all Ridgid 18 V batteries. I have been using this drill to assist me with finishing my basement and have been very happy with its performance thus far. Would highly recommend!

by Gregg

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Oct 27, 2020

RIDGID 18 VOLT SUBCOMPACT DRILL/DRIVER Being invested in the Ridgid tool systems for a long while...

RIDGID 18 VOLT SUBCOMPACT DRILL/DRIVER Being invested in the Ridgid tool systems for a long while now, the opportunity to test the New Subcompact 18-volt Drill/Driver from Ridgid seemed like a perfect fit. This 18-volt Drill/Driver I found was a better fit than I had imagined. Years ago, when Ridgid came out with their 12-volt line of power tools they hooked me, with Jobmax Series of 12-volt tools. I quickly found the 12-volt Drill & Driver set fit right in with most trim and electrical work. Even as all of the manufacturers of power tools came out with more and more powerful and very effective tools, I quickly found use for these more powerful tools in the trades. I found usefulness in all aspects of Construction trades & Cabinetry. No matter what manufacturers tools I purchased and used day in and day out I continue to reach for my 12-volt Ridgid drill to do the fine drilling and driving tasks that would come up. Due to the size, control and adjustability of the 12-volt drill no one else seemed to be able to get the power and controllability, in a small enough package and still get the weight just right. That was until this Subcompact Ridgid Drill/Driver came along. The weight is within a few ounces of the older Ridgid 12-volt system, as you can see in the majority of the pictures I have included. The majority of the weight differential between the two seems to be due to the larger battery, which allows for longer run times and that extra power you occasionally need. As for controllability, the new 18-volt Subcompact Combination of Drill and Driver in this unit is obtained by the torque adjustability and the machines two speed control. I do believe Ridgid has made another group of converts to the full 18-volt power system with this drill/driver. It's hard to say no to a tool that can give you the large degree of controllability in a package that can provide the user with more power when needed. The weight is so close for the bare tool in comparison to the 12-volt drill and the 18-volt drill, fatigue will never become an issue to opt for the weaker 12-volt system again. When used with a 3ah Octane battery the run time is more than triple of that you can get out of a 3ah 12-volt battery. If you are looking for a system with lighter weight and a small size factor you really should consider moving to the Ridgid 18-volt tools you will not be let down by the new tools coming out from Ridgid.

by RLatham

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1 person found this helpful

Oct 25, 2020

Very nice small but powerful drill. It is brushless and is represented to have all metal gears, weighs less and is more compact then the regular hammer drill driver. The Ridgid 18v subcompact drill model R8701B comes without battery and charger (sold separately), but is compatible with all Ridgid 18v batteries. I already have and use Ridgid hyper lithium 18v 4.0Ah batteries and charger; so I was ready to go with those. I already have and use a Ridgid 18v hammer drill/driver model R86116, and am able to compare the new subcompact with my existing larger drill driver. I have provided a photo of both drills side by side to show the size difference. They are not the same tool and each has its particular purpose. The subcompact is great for those times you need a good drill but don’t need all of the features of a hammer drill/driver. My hyper lithium batteries weigh approx. 1 pound. My Ridgid drill driver without battery weighs 3 pounds and with battery 4 pounds. The new Ridgid subcompact without battery weighs 2 pounds and with battery 3 pounds. My drill driver is 2 ½ wide and 7 ½ inches front to back. The subcompact is 2 inches wide and 6 ½ inches front to back. The reduced weight and size does not sound like much, but makes a big difference when carrying, holding and using the drill and in tighter work places. The larger drill driver with settings for drilling, driving, and hammer mode, is more powerful and versatile for heavy duty work, but the subcompact drill performed quickly and efficiently drilling test holes in 2X4 stud wood from 1/8 inch to 1 inch; and screwing down 3 ½ inch screws into a 2X4 without pilot holes. This subcompact Ridgid drill driver performance is very satisfactory. It is powerful for its size and lightweight and would be excellent for most, if not all, around the house jobs and DIY uses.

by silverback