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{{Short description|Tool manufacturer}}
[[image:ridgid_logo.gif|right|RIDGID's logo with its current slogan.]]'''RIDGID''' is the popular name of the Ridge Tool Company of [[Elyria, OH]]. Founded in the 1920s <!-- I seem to remember 1922, but I'm not sure and have no means of verification, since it's not on their site... but I DO have a RIDGID pipe cutter from the 1930s--> as a manufacturer of professional [[plumbing]] and [[HVAC]] tools, they have relatively recently branched out into more general-purpose hand tools and power tools. They are now a division of [[Emerson Electric]].
{{distinguish|rigidity (disambiguation){{!}}Rigid}}


{{Infobox company
Smaller and more common tools are readily available at [[Home Depot]], while other RIDGID products are available by special order at Home Depot or local plumbing and HVAC wholesalers. Contrary to a relatively popular belief, they are not a Home Depot [[house brand]].
| name = The Ridge Tool Company
| logo = Ridgid logo.svg
| type = Subsidiary of [[Emerson Electric]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1923}}<br>[[North Ridgeville, Ohio|North Ridgeville]], [[Ohio]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| location_city = [[Elyria, Ohio]]
| location_country = [[United States]]
| products = Tools
| owner = [[Emerson Electric]]
| homepage = [http://www.ridgid.com/ www.ridgid.com]
}}


The '''Ridge Tool Company''' is an American manufacturing company that makes and distributes tools under the '''Ridgid''' brand name. The company was founded in 1923 in [[North Ridgeville, Ohio]].<ref name="ohio">{{cite web|last=Snyder|first=Kate|work=[[The News-Herald (Ohio)|The News-Herald]]|title=Made in Ohio: Tool maker's products seemingly everywhere|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20110828/made-in-ohio-elyrias-ridgid-tools-used-far-and-wide-with-videos|date=2011-08-28|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-date=2014-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225054924/http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20110828/made-in-ohio-elyrias-ridgid-tools-used-far-and-wide-with-videos|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1943, it relocated to its current location in [[Elyria, Ohio]], and in 1966, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Emerson Electric]].<ref name="global">{{cite web|last=Allyn|first=Scot|work=[[The Morning Journal]]|title=Ridge Tool goes global, enters new markets offering technology-based tools|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20100606/videos-ridge-tool-goes-global-enters-new-markets-offering-technology-based-tools|date=2010-06-06|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-date=2024-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908015158/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertagids&topUrl=www.morningjournal.com&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=&gpp=DBACOe~CQEoRoAQEoRoAEXkIAENBFEgAAAAAEPgACiQAAALzgGAAZAA4ACAAGgARAAmABoAEIAI4AgABBwF5gAA~BQEoRoAQEoRoAEXkIAENBFCAAAAAAIfAAAAAAvOAYABkADgAIAAaABEACYAGgAQgAjgCAAEHAXmA~1YN-&gpp_sid=6|url-status=live}}</ref>
All Home Depot stores with a [[pipe threader]] use a RIDGID auto-chuck machine, usually either the RIDGID 535 or 1822 series. Most Home Depots also use RIDGID wet/dry vacuum cleaners ("[[Shop-Vac|shop vacs]]", to use a genericized trademark) to clean up sawdust in their lumber departments.


Ridgid tools are targeted at the [[plumbing]], [[Pipefitter|pipe fitting]], [[construction]], and [[HVAC]] trades. The brand is best known for its distinctive red [[pipe wrench]]es,<ref name="global"/><ref>{{cite web|work=Alloy Artifacts|title=Ridge Tool Company|url=http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/other-makers-p3.html#ridge|access-date=2014-02-19|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109060316/http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/other-makers-p3.html#ridge}}</ref> but the company manufactures over 300 different types of tools.<ref name="ohio"/> The company also sells power tools, largely made by [[Techtronic Industries|TTI]], and wet/dry vacs, made by parent company Emerson.<ref>{{cite web|last=Baylor|first=Chris|work=[[About.com]]|title=Ridgid Tools|url=http://woodworking.about.com/od/manufacturers/p/RidgidTools.htm|access-date=2014-02-19|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225012952/http://woodworking.about.com/od/manufacturers/p/RidgidTools.htm}}</ref>
The vast majority of RIDGID products, notably including power tools, carry a lifetime warranty which covers everything except normal consumables (oil, drain cables and cutters, filters, cutting dies). Also notable, RIDGID's lifetime warranty covers wet/dry vacuum cleaners unless they have been used to vacuum [[drywall]] dust.


Ridgid produced a [[pinup|pinup calendar]] from 1935 until 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ridgid Calendar|url=https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/ridgid-calendar|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-date=8 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908015150/https://www.ridgid.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Early renditions featured the work of American pin-up artist [[George Petty]]. Models having appeared on the calendar include [[Raquel Welch]] and [[Brooke Burke]].
==Specialties==
[[image:535A.jpg|right|RIDGID 535A auto-chuck pipe threader, a staple of the plumbing trade.]]
* automatic-chuck pipe threading machines.
* RIDGID ''SeeSnake'' video sewer and drain inspection systems.
* RIDGID ''SeekTech'' utilities locators.


==Hand Tools==
== Gallery ==
* [[pipe wrench]]es, including premium lightweight [[aluminum]] models and RIDGID ''RapidGrip'' spring-loaded self-adjusting pipe wrenches.
* manual pipe threaders.
* manual tubing cutters.
* manual drum augers ("hand spinners") from RIDGID/Kollman.
* basin wrenches and other plumbing speciality tools.
* broad range of hand tools (recent).


<gallery>
==Power Tools==
Image:Ridgid 10" pipe wrench.jpg|A 10" [[pipe wrench]] manufactured by Ridgid.
* pipe threaders.
Image:Ridgid 6-in-1 screwdriver.jpg|A 6-in-1 [[screwdriver]] manufactured by [[Western Forge]] for Ridgid.
* drum augers and other powered drain snakes.
Image:Ridgid tubing cutters.jpg|A number of Ridgid [[tubing cutter]]s.
* utility pumps.
Image:Ridgid tubing bender.jpg|A Ridgid tubing bender.
* wet/dry vacuum cleaners (recent).
</gallery>
* common power tools (saws, drills, etc.) (recent).
* air compressors and air tools (recent).


== References ==
==Advertising Slogans==
As RIDGID has traditionally been a professional tool company, their advertising has been limited (their equipment stands on reputation in the plumbing trade) and was generally restricted to trade publications in the plumbing and HVAC fields. This author expects the situation to change now that RIDGID has broadened its offerings to more general tools.


{{reflist}}
* "I love a RIDGID tool" (obviously a [[double entendre]], a bumper sticker seen on plumbing company trucks during the late 1990s).
* "Tools for the Professional" (current slogan).


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|RIDGID}}
* [http://www.ridgid.com RIDGID's website] (includes product demonstration videos and plumbing discussion forums)
* {{Official website|http://www.ridgid.com/}}
* [https://digital.hagley.org/FILM_2018201_FC22 “Little Known Facts About a Well-Known Product: Ridgid” (1945)] Historic film sponsored by the Ridge Tool Company and produced by [[Cinécraft Productions, Inc.]]
{{Emerson Electric}}
{{Tool manufacturers}}
{{Power tool manufacturers}}


[[Category:Tool manufacturers]]
[[Category:Tool manufacturing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Power tool manufacturers]]
[[Category:Plumbing materials companies]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1923]]
[[Category:1923 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Ohio]]
[[Category:Elyria, Ohio]]

Latest revision as of 01:52, 8 September 2024

Not to be confused with Rigid.
The Ridge Tool Company
Company typeSubsidiary of Emerson Electric
Founded1923; 101 years ago (1923)
North Ridgeville, Ohio, U.S.
Headquarters
Elyria, Ohio
,
United States
ProductsTools
OwnerEmerson Electric
Websitewww.ridgid.com

The Ridge Tool Company is an American manufacturing company that makes and distributes tools under the Ridgid brand name. The company was founded in 1923 in North Ridgeville, Ohio.[1] In 1943, it relocated to its current location in Elyria, Ohio, and in 1966, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerson Electric.[2]

Ridgid tools are targeted at the plumbing, pipe fitting, construction, and HVAC trades. The brand is best known for its distinctive red pipe wrenches,[2][3] but the company manufactures over 300 different types of tools.[1] The company also sells power tools, largely made by TTI, and wet/dry vacs, made by parent company Emerson.[4]

Ridgid produced a pinup calendar from 1935 until 2016.[5] Early renditions featured the work of American pin-up artist George Petty. Models having appeared on the calendar include Raquel Welch and Brooke Burke.

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References

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  1. ^ a b Snyder, Kate (2011-08-28). "Made in Ohio: Tool maker's products seemingly everywhere". The News-Herald. Archived from the original on 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  2. ^ a b Allyn, Scot (2010-06-06). "Ridge Tool goes global, enters new markets offering technology-based tools". The Morning Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  3. ^ "Ridge Tool Company". Alloy Artifacts. Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  4. ^ Baylor, Chris. "Ridgid Tools". About.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  5. ^ "Ridgid Calendar". Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
[edit]
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