Reviewed! Ridgid Stealth Force Pulse Driver, Impact Driver

The reaction torque in the Ridgid Stealth Force pulse driver is different than a regular impact drivers, so when I first used it, I thought there was a “hinky in the jinky”. I was right, there is. And it’s name is “Awesome.”

We’re part of The Home Depot’s ProSpective Program and worked with Big Orange on this blog. The ideas, opinions and observations are 100% MyFixitUpLife’s. For more specs or to buy the Ridgid Stealth Force pulse driver, click this link.

Let’s get right to the meat and taters: The Stealth Force pulse driver is just sensational to use. It’s powerful, quiet and fast. Nothing against traditional impacts–which I also love–the quiet is awesome.

Ridgid says the unit is 2x quieter. I don’t believe this. I think it’s even quieter.

The battery buttons are deluxe. Easy to grab and engage, they’re also covered by a small housing so they aren’t easily grabbed and engaged when you don’t want them grabbed and engaged. Details matter. The battery gauge is extra nice. And the battery slides on and off the charger without a fight. Sweetness.

I like the light arrangement on the Ridgid Stealth. It’s a little more directional than the base-mounted light (still a fine situation) and it can be turned on by a switch at the base of the handle instead of pulling the trigger. If that switch has another use, I couldn’t find it.

The impact mechanism—and noise-maker—on an impact driver is a steel anvil inside the tool. The anvil turns and hits the thing that turns the bit. It does this rapidly and loudly. The noise of this mechanism is quieted by hydraulic fluid inside the slightly larger, barely heavier, somewhat rounder head of the Ridgid Stealth Force.

When I first used it, I didn’t know it was the Stealth. We were setting up for our 3-days of demos at The International Builders’ Show and it was mayhem on a platter. So when the reaction torque wasn’t what I was used to—how the tool felt in my hand driving mile after pile of Spax screws—I thought there was a hinky in the jinky. Turns out I was silent running and didn’t know it.

The impact and the pulse both have a 3-speed motor. Truthfully, a need may come up for it, but I use the variable speed trigger with success in most applications. It’s nice to know it’s there for that time when I need to set a hinge or do some other delicate project.

There are three types of bit holders for impact drivers, what I call 1-step (insert the bit directly into the holder without moving the collar); 2-step (move the collar to insert the bit) and Ridgid’s, which is a 1-step + because in addition to being a 1-step, it also ejects the bit as needed. It  shows much better in the video.