Maybe they want you to Ship it to them?
... does NOT sound very good…

Good Luck!

 

The guy here in Tacoma told me years ago his compensation rates were so low, he actually made his living doing the pickup and delivery. I just checked and he is gone, but there are 2 larger companies now listed as service centers in the area. No idea what to think. Home Depot owns Ridgid.

 

You "SHOULD" be able to take it to ANY HD store. Some stores with Tool Rental depts. are designated repair stores and the ones that are not can send it to the Service Center for you.

 

I have no idea Joe. My thoughts are that I could chew up ~$200 shipping both ways OR ~$100 on gas for two round trips (plus wasting 2-days of my time). Kind of a lose lose situation.

This particular planer is STILL just $369. at the big box store. I think I paid that much over 6yr ago. BTW, I also have two sets of new blades for this machine as well ($60).

Anyway, it was smoking at the on/off switch yet failed to activate the reset breaker. I was in the process planing a handful of pieces of Claro Walnut and had to plane ever-so-lightly in order to prevent tearout. That meant that I had the machine running constantly for maybe 30min. but don't know for sure. The machine wiring must have melted and it began shutting down. I hit the OFF before the reset even had time to trip. Waited for long cool down, blew out the switch area with compressed air, etc. It still will not start. Took the dust shroud off and looked inside and saw what appeared to be a green ground wire with discolored insulation.

Don't know if it is worth even trying to fix it. Don't know if the "new" same model would be worth thinking about, especially with the LSA being worthless and all. Still wondering if RIDGID is a sinking ship or not…

Not very interested in up-sizing since I don't know if I'll get enough use out of it…

 

The guy here in Tacoma told me years ago his compensation rates were so low, he actually made his living doing the pickup and delivery. I just checked and he is gone, but there are 2 larger companies now listed as service centers in the area. No idea what to think. Home Depot owns Ridgid.
- TopamaxSurvivor

Financially, HD is beating the pants of of Lowes recently. Not sure what that means for RIDGID though. And the compensation rates is probably why so fe3w service centers in Texas.

__

And Joe, I'll check HD as you suggest. All I know is that the RIDGID.com sight was NOT helpful at all when it comes to getting service. I suspect that if what you say was true, that website would have should have communicated that info since HD owns them.

 

Dewalt planers would be better IMHO

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=+planer&sort=rel

Good luck now

 

Anyway, it was smoking at the on/off switch yet failed to activate the reset breaker. I was in the process planing a handful of pieces of Claro Walnut and had to plane ever-so-lightly in order to prevent tearout. That meant that I had the machine running constantly for maybe 30min. but don t know for sure.
- HorizontalMike

That sounds like the machine is fine, but you had a failure of the switch. If that is the case, it's a pretty easy fix, and equally easy to test the theory by just bypassing the switch to see if it runs. If you can determine exactly what it is that has failed, you might be able to get them to ship a replacement part - negating the need to ship or transport the thing to them. Just make sure you identify the problem, and perhaps take some pictures to verify to them you know what you are talking about. I've never dealt with Ridgid, but had done so with other manufacturers. I'll usually describe the problem in detail and give them the part number needed - and it shows up in the mail a few days later. On at least one occasion, they (Delta) didn't even bother asking for proof of purchase, warranty or anything other than an address to ship it to.

Cheers,
Brad

 

Dewalt planers would be better IMHO
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=+planer&sort=rel
Good luck now
- waho6o9

I have thought about DeWalt, but not likely to buy used jobsite type tools/machines here in Texas. Too many temp workers buying them at box stores, using them and then returning them. Lots of that stuff going on around here.

Thanks for the idea though.

 

...That sounds like the machine is fine, but you had a failure of the switch. If that is the case, it s a pretty easy fix, and equally easy to test the theory by just bypassing the switch to see if it runs. If you can determine exactly what it is that has failed, you might be able to get them to ship a replacement part - negating the need to ship or transport the thing to them. Just make sure you identify the problem, and perhaps take some pictures to verify to them you know what you are talking about. Just a thought.
Cheers,
Brad
- MrUnix

That may very well be. Was having troubles with switch after machine set unused for extended time. Will probably tear into it in next day or so. Just too peeved at it today.

Yeah, pictures always help.

 

Anyway, it was smoking at the on/off switch yet failed to activate the reset breaker. I was in the process planing a handful of pieces of Claro Walnut and had to plane ever-so-lightly in order to prevent tearout. That meant that I had the machine running constantly for maybe 30min. but don t know for sure.
- HorizontalMike

That sounds like the machine is fine, but you had a failure of the switch. If that is the case, it s a pretty easy fix, and equally easy to test the theory by just bypassing the switch to see if it runs. If you can determine exactly what it is that has failed, you might be able to get them to ship a replacement part - negating the need to ship or transport the thing to them. Just make sure you identify the problem, and perhaps take some pictures to verify to them you know what you are talking about. I ve never dealt with Ridgid, but had done so with other manufacturers. I ll usually describe the problem in detail and give them the part number needed - and it shows up in the mail a few days later. In at least one occasion, they didn t even bother asking for proof of purchase, warranty or anything other than an address to ship it to.

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix

I agree 100%...

Sounds like a wiring / switch failure… BUT, WHY? It doesn't sound like the machine was in a huge STRESSFUL mode at the time. ... could affect the motor… if so, big problem…

Warranty supposed to cover this 100%?

 

Home depot doesn't sell what people want to buy. They sell what they want you to buy.

 

Don t know if it is worth even trying to fix it. Don t know if the "new" same model would be worth thinking about, especially with the LSA being worthless and all. Still wondering if RIDGID is a sinking ship or not…

- HorizontalMike

I know it's frustrating at the moment, because I find myself in that situation from time-to-time.

It happened to me with a pressure washer last week, and I was thinking about buying a new one because parts are scarce and cost about the same cost as a new unit. Then after setting it aside for a few days, I saw that there were two bolts that had sheared in half. I extracted the broken bolts, and threw in some replacements, and finished my task. It doesn't always work out this well, but often times our troubleshooting brain can get hijacked by the frustration.

Sounds to me like you might be able to fix this yourself. Not what Ridgid promised, but still cheaper than a new one. I hope this is the case, anyway.

 

Home depot doesn t sell what people want to buy. They sell what they want you to buy.

- mike02130

This is so true. I have lamented about not being able to find things I'm looking for there for years. A while back I got a HD gift certificate for Christmas. I needed a corded drill, but didn't want any of the ones they had in the store (for various reasons). I was able to find one online and use the gift certificate that way.

 

I haven't looked close enough at the warranty I guess. I thought any HD could take care of your problem…I'll have to go back and read again.

 

I agree that it is probably the switch based on your description. The switch most likely failed because they are cheap and designed to last a few thousand operations. When we could buy products made to the old National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards, they were designed to last a million operations.

 

...That sounds like the machine is fine, but you had a failure of the switch. If that is the case, it s a pretty easy fix, and equally easy to test the theory by just bypassing the switch to see if it runs. If you can determine exactly what it is that has failed, you might be able to get them to ship a replacement part - negating the need to ship or transport the thing to them.
Cheers,
Brad
- MrUnix

BINGO!
I can breathe again! At least without emptying my wallet! My bet is shipping will be more than the part.

AH CRAP! First three googles show switch is discontinued! Not a good sign. However,... 1800ToolRepair.com is showing it as in stock, even with 2-in cart. I am calling to be sure… got voice MAIL-LLL…uh…urh! More BS! I put 50-fifty in my cart and it tallied the total without even a burp! No Way In Hail that they have 50 "discontinued" switches IN-STOCK.

GEEZ… Am I supposed to go "commando" on my ON/OFF switch for my planer…!...? Geezzzzz…

 

I guess that I just have a prob with the Ridgid warranty system as a whole. Why do I need to send/take a crapped out tool to be serviced at my expense? Why doesn't the seller (HD) buck up to the warranty claims?
Our local HD is a joke, and the local Lowe's beats 'em hands down with in-store and claims service.
May be just the locale, but HD needs to spend some time in the store in my town.
Bill

 

The so called LSA they offer is just another form of theft, having to drive or ship something that size 142 miles is absurd. Buy a new one, change the switches and take the "new" one back. You're still out time and effort you shouldn't have to deal with but at least you're not having to pay for something that should be covered.

 

The so called LSA they offer is just another form of theft, having to drive or ship something that size 142 miles is absurd. Buy a new one, change the switches and take the "new" one back. You re still out time and effort you shouldn t have to deal with but at least you re not having to pay for something that should be covered.
- bigblockyeti

I really, really hate to say what kind of sense this makes… Geez…!!!!!

 

Home Depot does not own Ridgid. Ridgid is owned by Emerson Electric, but the tools are manufactured by TTI, the same company that also manufactures Ryobi and Milwaukee tools also found at Home Depot. Home Depot, Ridgid, and TTI have agreements in place that gives Home Depot virtual exclusivity on to sell their tools.

 

Just want to ask?
Why are there 4 wires coming out of the switch,and how hard would it be to just go to Lowes and replace the switch with something off the shelf?
I hear so much about switches going bad and know that I turn my dewalt on and off way to much building my models so have been tempted to add one of those cheap safety switches to use and wear out instead of the dewalt switch.

 

Just want to ask?
Why are there 4 wires coming out of the switch,and how hard would it be to just go to Lowes and replace the switch with something off the shelf?
I hear so much about switches going bad and know that I turn my dewalt on and off way to much building my models so have been tempted to add one of those cheap safety switches to use and wear out instead of the dewalt switch.
- htl

NO. There are ONLY 2-wires on the switch. On the picture you think you see 4-wires, it is the thermal protective overload/rest button that is behind(actually on the side of) that switch before it was removed from the mounting plate.

Openly wondering IF I would be able to use one of the available 4-connector switches?

 

Just want to ask?
Why are there 4 wires coming out of the switch,and how hard would it be to just go to Lowes and replace the switch with something off the shelf?
I hear so much about switches going bad and know that I turn my dewalt on and off way to much building my models so have been tempted to add one of those cheap safety switches to use and wear out instead of the dewalt switch.

- htl

Those safety switches tend to be DPST, so they control both the hot and the neutral. I cannot say for certain that is the case with this switch, but it's been the case for all the safety switches on my equipment so far. It is an advantage for machines that are dual voltage (i.e. switchable between 120VAC and 240VAC) because you have to switch both legs on 240. I can't articulate a reason to switch the neutral for 120V, though.

FWIW, I have bought safety switches from Grizzly, and they offer them in a variety of sizes and configurations. I got some magnetic switches to put on my router table and band saw, so they don't turn on when power is resumed.

 

... Those safety switches tend to be DPST, so they control both the hot and the neutral. I cannot say for certain that is the case with this switch, but it s been the case for all the safety switches on my equipment so far. It is an advantage for machines that are dual voltage (i.e. switchable between 120VAC and 240VAC) because you have to switch both lets on 240. I can t articulate a reason to switch the neutral for 120V, though.

FWIW, I have bought safety switches from Grizzly, and they offer them in a variety of sizes and configurations. I got some magnetic switches to put on my router table and band saw, so they don t turn on when power is resumed.
- SignWave

Please share images of that setup and possible Grizzly numbers. What you see in that image is that the the thermal overload button is behind/side-off the ON/OFF and not part of the switch. ONLY 2-connectors on switch.

 

Home Depot does not own Ridgid. Ridgid is owned by Emerson Electric, but the tools are manufactured by TTI, the same company that also manufactures Ryobi and Milwaukee tools also found at Home Depot. Home Depot, Ridgid, and TTI have agreements in place that gives Home Depot virtual exclusivity on to sell their tools.

- HalfShirt

Did HD ever own Ridgid?