Impact drivers make it faster and easier to drive screws and lag bolts — with or without pilot holes. Now, RIDGID is pushing impact driver technology forward with its new Stealth Force 18V Pulse Driver (model R86036K). Instead of a mechanical hammer and spring mechanism, the new Stealth Force uses a hydraulic oil pulse mechanism to deliver the impacting force. RIDGID says this innovative system will drive fasteners twice as fast as other impact drivers, and it produces half the amount of noise. It has a brushless motor that delivers up to 50 percent more runtime than a comparable motor with brushes, and it can be set to three speed ranges: Low (0 to 1,000 rpm), Medium (0 to 1,800 rpm) and High (0 to 2,400 rpm) to tailor the speed to the job at hand. At the highest speed range, the tool delivers up to 1,700 impacts per minute.
The Pulse Driver is powered by an 18-volt, 2.0Ah Hyper Lithium-ion battery, and two are included in the kit with a charger and bag. Other conveniences on the Pulse Driver include tri-beam LED lights around the front housing to help eliminate shadows during use. They’re activated by gripping the driver, not the trigger, so you can use the tool as a makeshift flashlight when necessary. There’s also a snap-load collet for holding hex bits, and it has a simple ejecting bit release. Hex Grip™ micro texture on the tool’s overmolds make it more comfortable to hold for extended periods, and you can hang the Pulse Driver from your belt with an included belt hook between uses.
RIDGID’s Stealth Force Brushless 18V 3-Speed Pulse Driver is coming to Home Depot stores in January, and you can see it online now by clicking here. It will sell for $199.
