This is why we loved RIDGID SubCompact Impact Wrench
I charged up the batteries for both of the Ridgid SubCompact Impact Wrenches and took them over to our test bench, where I was curious about just how much torque they could actually deliver. To my surprise, they delivered more than enough power, with the 3/8 inch drive Anvil delivering an impressive 530 ft-lbs of max torque while the 1/2 inch Drive Anvil clocked in at 600 ft-lbs. The best part is that they were very easy to control due to the three speed settings and nine distinct torque settings. In addition, these impact wrenches come equipped with an LED light which helps you get into those tight spots without any issues at all.
Overall, I was quite impressed with these new subcompact 18 volt impact wrenches from Ridgid – not only did they have plenty of power but also a great set of features that make them incredibly useful for anyone who needs some extra oomph on their projects. They’re available now at Home Depot, either as a kit or just as a bare tool depending on your preference and budget. As far as warranty goes, Ridgid offers a lifetime service agreement so if anything ever goes wrong you know you’ll be taken care of. As a Rigid fan, I was excited to check out their new SubCompact Impact Wrench. The kit comes with the battery, impact wrench and charger. I would recommend upgrading the charger if you’re buying into the platform – it’s worth spending an extra bit of money for a better one.
We tested R872071 and R872081 Impact Wrenches
The two models of the RIDGID SubCompact Impact Wrench are 3/8″ drive (R-872071) and 1/2″ drive (R-872081), and are virtually identical apart from their size differences – though the 1/2″ model may be slightly heavier than its smaller counterpart. Both have four modes: three regular speed settings increasing in power incrementally from one to three, plus an auto mode which allows it to slow down once it removes or tightens a fastener. It’s powered by 18V Rigid Lithium Ion batteries and features a brushless motor with variable speed trigger so you can control how much RPM is delivered depending on how much input you give on the trigger finger. It has maximum torque of 250 foot-pounds breakaway torque although its predecessor exceeded that mark when tested under pressure. In Speed 1 we get 850 RPM max while in Speed 2 we get up to 2100 RPM and 2800 RPM max in Speed 3 with 3800 impacts per minute across both tools regardless of size difference due to their same hog ring style friction ring anvils used for sockets that require no detent push but provide enough friction to hold them securely until they’re ready to be removed again. These have measurements of 5 13/16 inches height with 2 Amp Hour batteries installed plus 4 7/8 length without any battery attached making them more compact than other previous versions while still providing ample power when needed. I recently had the opportunity to review RIDGID’s SubCompact Impact Wrench. This tool is incredibly small and lightweight, measuring only 9 inches in length with a battery installed, which makes it perfect for tight spaces or hard-to-reach areas. It also weighs just shy of three pounds with its 3/8 inch drive model, making it easy for even smaller hands to maneuver. The new Tri LED light design that surrounds the head displays much better than prior models, allowing you more visibility when working in dimly lit environments.
How did we test this impact wrench?
To test this impact wrench I put both their 3/8 inch and ½ inch drives on my torque test bench from RIDGID where I tested how much torque each could apply by slowly increasing from 100 foot-pounds up until it failed to remove a fastener. Although I wasn’t able push them too far due to limitation of power output they provided impressive results; generating 250 foot-pounds plus on their half inch drive model – easily enough power to loosen stubborn bolts.
Is it good for greater access into tighter spaces?
Overall I found RIDGID’s SubCompact Impact Wrench very useful and convenient as an everyday tool for most projects around the home or garage since its relatively small size allows you greater access into tighter spaces while still providing plenty of power without sacrificing comfort during extended use. Additionally, if you don’t need all that extra muscle then this might be your ideal choice as one can easily use either model with less fatigue due its light weight construction.
Can you use it to torque down a couple of fasteners?
Having the right tools is essential for any job, so I was excited to put the RIDGID SubCompact Impact Wrench to the test. To start off, I used it to torque down a couple of fasteners at 100 foot-pounds and then attempted to break them free using the impact wrench. The lowest setting on this tool is 150 foot-pounds so that’s where I started.
6 amp hour battery
Using a 6 amp hour battery, I took it up to 400 foot-pounds and had no issue with breaking it loose. With 500 and 600 foot-pound settings, however, things got interesting – especially when we went up against bigger fasteners. After attempting both 500 and 600 foot pounds with no luck in loosening them up, we decided to come back down a bit to 550 foot pounds.
At 500 feet pounds again (with full battery), success. We couldn’t quite get 550 but were still able keep an eye on our indexing mark while doing so. This time around though, 10 seconds wasn’t enough – the bolt didn’t budge until after that mark had already passed by us.
Is SubCompact Impact Wrench ok for light duty work?
Overall my experience with this SubCompact Impact Wrench from RIDGID was very positive; while it may not be capable of handling some of those higher settings just yet, its performance at lower levels make me confident in recommending this as an excellent choice for small projects or light duty work. The first thing I noticed about this tool was that it had a 3/8 drive, which makes it great for smaller fasteners and bolts. To test its strength, I torqued two fasteners – one with a 6 Amp Hour battery and the other with a 2 Amp Hour battery – to 400 foot-pounds at mode three power setting. The 6 amp hour battery easily broke both free in under 10 seconds while the 2 amp hour battery took longer but still managed to break them free eventually. This showed me that not only does this tool have good power delivery but also maintains its torque levels even when using different batteries or adapters.
RIDGID Impact Wrench was tested again
I then tested the same process again but this time set each of the fastener’s torque level up by 50 pounds; 450 and 500 foot-pounds respectively for each of them at mode three power setting, however this time I used a 3/8 drive with welded adapter instead of just having an adapter in there as before (as I didn’t have half inch drive available). Contrary to my expectations, the 3/8 drive couldn’t manage either of these levels of torque whereas the half inch drive could easily manage both without any issue whatsoever leading me to conclude that if you’re looking for something where you really want your impact wrench stretched out fully then get yourself one with half inch drive model instead since they are more powerful than those with 3/8 drives.
Torque
Finally, switching back over to 2 Amp Hour battery on half inch Drive model once more, we were able successfully torque our last Fastener down from 500 foot-pounds all way down back 400 without issue proving further that despite being subcompact size wise, RIDGID Impact Wrench packs quite a punch. First of all, I was impressed with how light it is – under three pounds for the half inch drive and even less for the 3/8-inch drive. This makes it very easy to carry around and use without getting tired quickly. The tri LED lighting surrounding the fastener means you can always get a good view of what you are doing regardless of conditions or time of day.
What about RIDGID SubCompact Wrench’s power?
Power wise, it really does deliver on its claims with 500 ft-lbs of torque achieved using a 6 amp hour battery and 400 ft-lbs when used with a 2 Amp Hour battery – both numbers are very impressive considering this is meant as a subcompact tool. It should be sufficient enough for most applications including removing lug nuts from passenger cars and light duty trucks (up to 150ft-lbs). That being said, if you come across any instances where there are over tightened lug nuts or corrosion present then this may struggle due to its size so you may need something more powerful or revert back to using breaker bars in such cases.
RIDGID SubCompact Impact Includes a battery charger
The price point is also great at $189 USD for the SubCompact kit which includes a battery charger and lifetime service agreement (if registered within 90 days) compared to just 149 USD if bought bare tool only – an extra 40 bucks well spent in my opinion. All things considered, I would definitely recommend this tool as it offers great value while delivering on power promises despite its small size – perfect for those looking for something lightweight yet effective.