Ridgid Right Angle Impact Driver: Thinking if gettin one

[JonBoy]

Just wondering if this item can be used as a wrench? I have been wanting to get the normal impact driver but these are cheaper and considering getting one but feel I will not use it as a typical impact driver due to the shape and looking for other uses to justify getting it. Anyway just wondering if you can put a socket on it and use it as a wrench? How large of a bolt could I use it on?

[parnelli]

I don't think I can help with your question, but I saw that item tonight at home depot, and it was the price that caught my eye- but then noticed that it was 12v while all the others seemed to be 18v which is probably why it's cheaper.

Hopefully someone else can comment on it's usability.- I don't have any impact drivers....yet.

[jerrye]

Size of bolt is less important than what it's torqued to. I have the Ryobi 18v impact driver and have driven 1/4" lag bolts into 6/4 dry oak; used it to strip off a damaged fender and reinstall a new one on my Plymouth Grand Voyager; driven and removed 4" deck screws; and used it to disassemble and reassemble a commercial shredder I repaired for a customer. IIRC the Ridgid you are looking at has similar torque to the 887in# my Ryobi has. No, you couldn't use it to change a tire on a car, or do heavy assembly/disassembly in an industrial environment, but for the average homeowner/hobbyist/craftsman I think it'll do fine. Why the Ridgid right angle setup and not the standard setup, whether Ryobi or others?


EDIT: I'm hearing on other forums that some of the BORG's have the Ryobi 18v drill/impact driver set on sale for around $90.00. If yours does it's a great deal!

[sacherjj]

I looked at that to get right angle capability. Since I had Ridgid 18V drill and driver, I wanted 18V right angle. With a 12V right angle, I can't share batteries or anything. I went with the Ryobi 18V right angle drill. I figured that if I was getting different batteries, I might as well have more options with the Ryobi line. Although it would be nice at times to have the impact over the drill, the Ryobi has plenty of torque.

[JonBoy]

Reason for the right angle instead of the standard is price difference. I was trying to find a deal in ebay on a standard ridgid impact driver. However I do also own the Ryobi impact driver. Along with the 4 1/2 grinder, router, and Drill that I upgraded to a 700 jackobs chuck. As for the RIDGID I have the Drill, jig saw, recip saw, and circular saw. When I first posted I was planning on selling all my Ryobi tools and going with RIDGID. As of now I will probably keep both.