CRAZY tool news day. We’ve got blades from DeWALT, 14 New tools from RIDGID, and most shocking of all, high vis vests and a fish tape repair kit from Milwaukee! Let’s go!
I know you guys want me to get to that sexy fish tape repair kit first, but then you wouldn’t watch the whole thing. So, we’re starting with DeWALT, who announced 12 new large diameter saw blades, claiming up to 3x life compared to their Precision Trim Miter Blades. So, either their old blades, suck and this one is better, or their old blades are great, and these are amazing. I’ll assume the latter, primarily due to the 214 5-star reviews the old blade has at lowes.com.
The new blades include 10” blades in 24, 40, 60 and 80 tooth blades, and a 12” in 40, 60, 80, and 100 tooth general, finish and ultra finish blades. They’ll all start hitting the stores next month.
Next up, RIDGID, Ryobi’s older, more professional, and less popular brother, launched 14 new tools today, focused on their Brushless tools that are designed to take advantage of their 18V MAX Output Lithium-Ion batteries. That includes the new RIDGID™ 18V Brushless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw, which claims to cut faster than a 15A corded saw, to the tune of one linear foot of triple stack ¾” OSB per second. That’s pretty fast. It’s also the lightest rear handle in it’s class. Not sure who’s in his class. He might be homeschooled, so take that with a grain of salt.
But if you don’t need a rear handle, (wuss) they also announced the new RIDGID™ 18V Brushless 7-1/4 in. Standard Circular Saw that tops out at 5,400 RPM.
They also announced a new RIDGID™ 18V Brushless High-Torque Hammer Drill/Driver with 1,250 in-lbs of torque, and it’s now more compact and lighter which is always good.
There’s the new RIDGID 18V™ Brushless 3/8 in. Ratchet, with 55 ft-lbs of torque up to 250 RPM. It also comes in ¼” and ½” anvil. They say it’s compatible with their new protective boot, which sounds hot.
Need something bigger?… you heard me. This is the new RIDGID™ 18V Brushless 4-Mode 1/2 in. Mid Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring. It delivers 650 ft-lbs of torque, has 3 speeds, and an auto-tightening mode. It’s smaller than it’s predecessor, and also compatible with a new Protective boot they didn’t show us. Besides the Friction Ring version, there’s also a Pin Detent version with identical specs… and boot style.
Finally, RIDGID announced the new 18V Brushless 4-1/2 in. Paddle Switch Angle Grinder. It claims 25% more power than things with 20% less power than it. Doesn’t take a math-a-magician to figure that out. 9,000 RPM. Tool free wheel and guard adjustment, and of course a paddle switch as God intended. I tried to put Paddle Switch for life on a tshirt, but as it turns out, paddle, switch, and grinder are not 3 words that work well together, outside of our industry.
RIDGID also announced a bunch of new Sub-Compact Brushless tools, staring with the RIDGID™ 18V SubCompact Brushless One-Handed Reciprocating Saw, which is now 40% lighter and 25% more compact, presumably than it’s predecessor, a ⅞ in stroke length, 3,200 Strokes per minute, and best in class performance… again, homeschooled? I don’t know.
There’s also an iddy bitty RIDGID™ 18V SubCompact Brushless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw, which comes in at a silly 5.4 pounds, 5,000 RPM, 2 ¼” depth of cut, and absolutely cute as a button.
Rounding out the sub-compact tools, is this RIDGID™ 18V SubCompact Brushless 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill, 375 in-lbs of torque, and optimized bit insertion depth. Sarah wouldn’t let me include the joke I wrote for that line.
There were a few more 18V tools added including an LED Stick Light, LED Spotlight, Hybrid Panel Light that looks like the whatever emoticon. There’s a new 3/8in crown stapler, a jobsite radio with bluetooth, a speaker with bluetooth, a jobsite fan with hybrid power source, This new compact heat gun, and a compact hand vac.
To power all these tools, RIDGID also announced an all new 8ah MAX Output Lithium Ion Battery, a dual port simultaneous charger, and a 6 port sequential charger.
But lets be honest, you’re not here for new RIDGID tools or DeWALT blades, you’re here for Milwaukee’s insane new vest!
THIS is the ALL NEW Milwaukee AR/FR Cat 1 Class 2 * 3 High Visibility Yellow safety vest, and if I may say so myself, this dude is wearing the hell out of it! And that’s not even his final form. BOOM. Sleeveless vest. Who knew! These vests are Arc Rated and Flame Resistant, so they’re perfect for that lineman who has everything. These are the first vests dedicated to the power utility crowd.
They keep you safe, without slowing you down. They have 10 pockets, quick size adjustments, and durable pass through slits for fall protection gear. They also come in breakaway design, for when you get caught or snagged on something, or if you’re looking to spice up your stage routine. The vests range from 99 to 160 bucks, and will be here in May.
Now if you’ve waited this long, prepare for the payoff boys. Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is the Milwaukee Polyester Fish Tape Repair Kit, perfect for any Milwaukee polyester Fish Tapes, or the M18 FUEL Angler 100’ non-conductive polyester pulling fish tape. The threaded repair reinforces durability, extending the life of the tool. It includes Non-Conductive Plastic Tips and two Flexible Metal Leaders, offering users versatility in repair or replacement options. Not gonna lie. I’m swooning over here. The kit will cost $99.99, when it arrives this May.
