Ridgid R250AF18, is it worth it?

**brthomas** · 03-02-2012, 10:24 PM

There is one on clearance at HD and was curious if it is worth the money? No more fuel cells to worry about and occasional cleaning seems like a win-win but it is Ridgid and that worries me.

I plan on just using it for punch and occasional use for crown and other ceiling applications.

Looking for feedback. Thank you,

**Mark Parlee** · 03-02-2012, 11:52 PM

But it and test drive it
They take returns if not satisfied.

**Gibson** · 03-03-2012, 06:52 AM

If you are talking about the battery op trim nailer it works as advertised. worth the money for punch stuff & crown in eaves.I doubt any brand would hold up very long under constant use.

JMHO ,DWG

**brthomas** · 03-03-2012, 07:17 AM

Thanks guys. I have used Paslode Impulse Guns for years but they are wearing down and I'm tired of the upkeep on them. In addition, they still have yet to make a 15 gauge model yet and that's what I mostly run these days for everything.

**m2akita** · 03-03-2012, 09:42 AM

The gun is o.k. Its weakest point is the battery charger. Ridgid made a dud on that one. I'm on my third charger. Seem to rememmber reading that a circuit or fuse goes bad on them. Be sure to fill out and send in all your warranty info. The chargers are part of their lifetime warranty.

Besides that the gun is pretty good. Has decent weight and feel. Doesn't drive as hard as a pneumatic gun, or as fast, but don't really expect it to. One of the things that I like is the depth of drive. Set at its lowest, the gun will leave the nail head pretty proud ( 1/4" - 1/2"). I use this to tack stuff in place or for just a temperary hold. Then either pull the nail or drive it

Would definately buy an extra battery. Check out the Ridgid CPO site for cheap prices ( http://www.cpoprotools.com/ ).

**dgbldr** · 03-03-2012, 01:39 PM

I have that gun, have had it for a couple of years. Works fine, but don't expect to sink 2.5" nails into hardwood. I have several chargers and not a single one of them has ever had a problem.

Yes, it's nice to not have fuel cans. Also much quieter than the explosion on a Paslode.

**brthomas** · 03-04-2012, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by m2akita

The gun is o.k. Its weakest point is the battery charger. Ridgid made a dud on that one. I'm on my third charger. Seem to rememmber reading that a circuit or fuse goes bad on them. Be sure to fill out and send in all your warranty info. The chargers are part of their lifetime warranty.

Besides that the gun is pretty good. Has decent weight and feel. Doesn't drive as hard as a pneumatic gun, or as fast, but don't really expect it to. One of the things that I like is the depth of drive. Set at its lowest, the gun will leave the nail head pretty proud ( 1/4" - 1/2"). I use this to tack stuff in place or for just a temperary hold. Then either pull the nail or drive it

Would definately buy an extra battery. Check out the Ridgid CPO site for cheap prices ( http://www.cpoprotools.com/ ).

Yeah I have read into them a lot prior to buying, I hear the same things either it be the charger or battery packs. I just did do a Google search for an extra battery pack and have found it lower than the CPO has, another site has them for $45 now.

I would just use it for mostly second trims honestly. I hate having to take out the Senco punch compressor, fifty feet of hose and my Senco 15ga to put on a piece of base here or there for cab butt ins. I hope this does the trick.

I am curious how well it will work for a T&G ceiling I have coming up. It would be nice not having to use the pneumatic and have to worry about a hose constantly getting hung up on scaffolding.

The other nailer I had in mind if this gun doesn't work out is the Senco GT65DA http://www.senco.com/ToolDetails.aspx?c=1&k=5R0001N

Thanks guys for the info guys. I just did purchase it and have it on charge now and am going to putz around the house with it and see how it does.

**brthomas** · 03-04-2012, 03:46 PM

I like it, it works pretty well. The depth adjustment is almost worthless on anything under 5. I was driving 2" nails into 1x's for simple closet shelving. I'll see how well it works in the field for second trims this week.

Here is a link for the batteries I had found for $45 should anyone be interested.

http://www.powermowersales.com/pages...Product/651543

**dgbldr** · 03-04-2012, 05:23 PM

BT, read the instructions carefully and take note of how it works. In single fire mode it's very slow. You want to have it on bump fire even if you use it single fire. It's much faster because you can spin up the motor before depressing the tip.

**brthomas** · 03-04-2012, 05:45 PM

Noted DG, I am looking forward to putting it to the test Monday.

**brthomas** · 03-05-2012, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by dgbldr

BT, read the instructions carefully and take note of how it works. In single fire mode it's very slow. You want to have it on bump fire even if you use it single fire. It's much faster because you can spin up the motor before depressing the tip.

I used it over the weekend and did not have any issues with it, however today doing second trims and fabricating ADA stations the nailer did not work at all. I charged it, used it to nail panel trims together, set it down, picked it up twenty minutes later and the battery was dead. I charged it again while on lunch, same thing. Dead twenty minutes later. There was not enough juice for the LED to turn on. I am working in heated units and it is not like the pack is to cold nor to hot to charge.

I don't know what to think now. I will try it again tomorrow. If this is going to be the case I am going to return it and just fork out the extra $120 for a Senco Fusion F-15.

**dgbldr** · 03-06-2012, 12:00 PM

Sounds like you got a lemon. I never had any issues at all. No problems with batteries in the winter either, works well down to below freezing.

Edit: You should always have at least 2 batteries, regardless of which gun you use. One in use, one on the charger. It gets real expensive if you have to take a 1/2 hour break to charge a battery in the middle of something.

**brthomas** · 03-06-2012, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by dgbldr

Sounds like you got a lemon. I never had any issues at all. No problems with batteries in the winter either, works well down to below freezing.

Edit: You should always have at least 2 batteries, regardless of which gun you use. One in use, one on the charger. It gets real expensive if you have to take a 1/2 hour break to charge a battery in the middle of something.

i have an extra battery for everything, just didn't want to waste the money on this untried in the field until yesterday. i am going to get a f-15 coming up. with extra battery. the supplier has one coming in tomorrow.

Also i realize my sentences and spelling are horrible. I have a raging cold and high temp and also my glasses have decided to break today. So just an fyi as to why it looks like i could care less right now.

**mrmac204** · 03-08-2012, 05:38 AM

I have the senco fusion 15 gauge. It's a nice gun, however it has a three second lock-out. IE you have three seconds to shoot your fastener, or it times out.
That feature drives me nuts, and it's why I did not buy their 18 gauge version.
Pull your battery over night, or it goes flat.

**brthomas** · 03-08-2012, 07:21 AM

The F15 looks like it's the ticket for me, no more fuel cells, battery troubles, and all the plagues that my Impulse had. The Ridgid was a let down, I have a few of their tools, but I really should've trusted my gut and just got the Senco in the first place.

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