Ridgid and Bosch Offerings
While some of you may get paid by the hour at your construction job and be in no hurry whatsoever, others might be coming up on the deadline for that project that your partner has asked you to finish every. single. Saturday… since December. And you need to get on it, NOW. If that’s the case, you may want to take a look at some offerings from Home Depot that will help you get that project done in time for Sunday Brunch.
RIDGID 18-Volt OCTANE Batteries and Motors
Before we take a look at the first two offerings from RIDGID’s new OCTANE line, I’d like to take a moment to discuss the heart of that new line: RIDGID’s new 18-Volt batteries and motors. These things are so advanced that I think that the folks over at RIDGID might have gotten ahold of that handy spacecraft disassembly set from my last tool review, and discovered their new OCTANE technology straight from the Andromeda Galaxy.
Seriously, these smart batteries monitor temperature, voltage and current and send that data straight to the RIDGID battery app on your cell phone. You can use the app not only to monitor the batteries, but also locate them with light and sound alerts as well as lock them remotely to keep the Men-In-Black from swooping in on your new alien tech.
While these batteries are compatible with all RIDGID 18-Volt tools, they really shine when paired with tools using the new RIDGID OCTANE brushless motors. OCTANE tools communicate with the battery when they are under heavy load to determine when to draw maximum power and keep on pushing right through the job. Let’s talk about a few of those tools.
RIDGID 18-Volt OCTANE Cordless Brushless 3-1/4 in. Hand Planer
One of many awesome offerings from RIDGID’s OCTANE line is their 3-1/4 in. hand planer. The Brushless Motor Technology provides longer runtime, more power and longer life. With the industry’s only adjustable chamfer depth, this planer can be used to complete beautifully complex decorative work using the 20 different locking positions.
While this planer is compatible with all of RIDGID’s 18-Volt batteries and chargers, it delivers 2.5X the power of the previous unit when combined with an OCTANE battery. Oh—and did I mention that RIDGID has an industry leading Lifetime Service Agreement? Just remember to register within 90 days of your purchase.
RIDGID 18-Volt OCTANE Cordless Brushless 1 in. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer
Another offering from RIDGID’s OCTANE line is this 1 in. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer, ready to make holes in whatever needs hole-makin’. The extreme vibration reduction minimizes tool vibration to increase comfort and decrease user fatigue. This hammer’s mechanical clutch system also minimizes torque reaction when your bit is binding, protecting both you and the tool. A 3-mode selector switch allows you to switch easily between hammer, drilling and chisel modes while an auxiliary handle and adjustable depth rod allow you to easily rotate the handle and adjust the tool for your specific application.
This rotary hammer works with any RIDGID 18-Volt battery. Pair it up with an OCTANE battery and it will provide 50% faster drilling for high demand projects. That’s 50% less time out of your Saturday that you’ll be slaving away in the garage. Just like the planer, register within 90 days to receive RIDGID’s industry leading Lifetime Service Agreement.
Bosch Bulldog Xtreme ¼ in. x 4 in. x 6-1/2 in. SDS-Plus Carbide Rotary Hammer Drill Bit
Moving away from intergalactic technology and into good old-fashioned hardcore engineering, we’ve got Bosch’s Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Carbide Rotary Hammer Drill Bit. Yeah, that name is a mouthful but you’ll spend more time saying the name than you will drilling thanks to the great engineering by Bosch.
With its 100% carbide tip, this drill bit will knock out project after project with ease. The bit is diffusion bonded, which is scientist-speak for “this thing is unstoppable.” The carbide and steel are bonded on the molecular level, helping it to drive through hard materials with ease. The design delivers 4X the life while drilling rebar and 40% longer life while drilling concrete than the competition’s full-head carbide bits and the advancement doesn’t stop there. The high-efficiency variable flute design quickly channels dust out faster and runs cooler than standard bits, allowing quicker drilling and the ability to drill 25% more holes per charge.
This bit is obviously compatible with Bosch’s Bulldog SDS-Plus Hammers, but we won’t tell anyone if you decide to pair it up with the crazy high-tech rotary hammer mentioned above.
Bosch Daredevil 6-Piece Standard Spade Bit Set
Last but certainly not least on this list of superbly efficient tools is the 6-Piece Daredevil Spade Bit Set from Bosch. Engineered for higher speed, better work quality and ease of use, these spade bits generate up to 10x faster drilling over standard spade bits. The fully threaded cone tips pull the bits into the wood, making them both faster and easier to use.
The unique contoured paddle design removes drilled material quicker than other spade bits, preventing the bit from jamming while the angled cutting edges of the paddle reduce blowout. If that wasn’t enough, the spur and reamer tips on the top edges score the wood for cleaner entry, creating consistently cleaner holes. For versatility, these bits use a ¼ inch hex shank, allowing them to be used with a wide variety of tools.
Conclusion
From super high-tech to elegantly engineered efficiency, Home Depot has the tools to help you power through every project like a pro. Take control of your time by investing in high-quality tools that will get you through your projects in no-time.
