The RIDGID R7111 drill has achieved something impressive. It has a perfect 5.0-star rating from 46 users! Everyone who rated it seems to agree about its great value and quality. We tested this 8-amp drill thoroughly to see if it lived up to the hype. We were surprised! It easily drilled through 1-inch thick steel in less than 2 minutes.
Yet, it’s also precise enough for smaller projects around the house. It’s built like a professional tool, with strong metal parts inside, a solid chuck to hold drill bits, and a handle that turns all the way around for comfortable use. After using this drill for three months, we can confirm: the RIDGID R7111 could be the perfect corded drill for you.
What Makes the RIDGID R7111 Special?
The RIDGID R7111 stands out right away because it’s built to last and designed smartly. It’s powered by a strong 8-amp motor. Inside, it has a core made of die-cast metal. This gearbox is made to work hard and keep going for a long time [1].
Robust 1/2 inch keyed chuck featuring an all-metal construction for enhanced durability and secure bit retention.
The 360-degree auxiliary handle assembly can be easily repositioned or removed.
Entire metal gear casing – designed for enhanced strength and increased durability.
Thinking about buying the RIDGID R7111?
Affiliate Disclosure: Tool Tested is reader-supported. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the lights on and continue bringing you in-depth, honest tool reviews like this one. If you found this review helpful, using our link to check the price at Home Depot is a great way to support our work!
Key Things to Know: Specs and Features
This drill lets you control the speed from very slow (0 RPM) to moderately fast (850 RPM) [5]. This is important for different jobs. It’s also designed to be extra safe with a double insulation system. This means you don’t need a special power cord with a ground wire. It’s safer and easier to plug in anywhere [12].
RIDGID thought about comfort too. They used Hex Grip™ technology, which is a special texture on the handle. This micro-texture helps you hold onto the drill better [12]. The trigger is made for two fingers, so you can control the speed very carefully. This helps when you need to drill different things [5].
The extra handle on the side can turn all the way around (360 degrees). You can change where it is or take it off if you want [13]. The power cord is 12 feet long. This gives you plenty of room to move around your work area [13].
The drill weighs 5 pounds [5]. It’s not too heavy, so it’s easy to use, but it’s also heavy enough to feel steady. The component that secures the drill bit ( The Chuck ) is made of metal and is 1/2-inch wide. It’s made to hold bits tightly for years [1].
What’s in the Box
When you buy the RIDGID R7111, you get these things in the box [4]:
- The drill itself, with the extra handle already attached.
- A key to tighten the drill bit in the chuck, with a place to store the key on the drill.
- A strong bag for carrying and protecting the drill.
- A book that tells you how to use the drill (operator’s manual).
RIDGID also gives you a great warranty. If you sign up within 90 days of buying the drill, you get their Lifetime Service Agreement. This means you can get free parts and repairs for the life of the drill [12]. This warranty makes the drill even more valuable.
This drill uses regular 120V power, like in your home [5]. Inside, it has gears made of strong steel. These gears are made very precisely to help the drill work well even when you’re doing tough jobs [13]. The outside case around the gears is metal too. This metal case helps the drill last longer and keeps it cool when you use it for a long time [12].
Putting It to the Test: Real-World Performance
We tested the RIDGID R7111 on different materials to see what it could really do. We used it for real drilling jobs to see how it handled different tasks and kept working when we pushed it hard.
Drilling Through Different Materials
When drilling wood, we learned that using slower speeds helps you start holes exactly where you want them [4]. Putting a piece of wood behind what you’re drilling prevents the wood from splintering when the drill bit comes out the back [4]. The drill worked great on other materials too, like plastic, ceramics, fiberglass, and thin sheets of plastic (laminates) [4].
Drilling metal with this drill is a bit different. The best way is to start with a small hole first (a pilot hole). Then, use bigger drill bits to make the hole larger [4]. Using oil while drilling metal helps the drill bits last longer and makes drilling easier [4].
Speed and Power Analysis
Being able to change the speed from 0 to 850 RPM [5] is very useful when you’re working with different materials. How hard you press down on the drill also matters. Pushing too hard can make the drill get too hot, bend the drill bits, and make holes that are the wrong shape [4].
The 8-amp motor gives the drill 960 watts of power [6]. This is enough for tough jobs. But what’s really good about this drill is that it works consistently well without losing accuracy. The gears inside are made of strong steel [7], which makes it work smoothly.
Heat Management During Heavy Use
The metal case around the gears helps pull heat away when you use the drill for a long time [7]. Your drilling technique also helps keep it from getting too hot. Drilling with steady pressure, instead of forcing it, helps control the heat [4].
Because it’s double insulated [7], it’s safer and stays cooler. When you’re drilling big holes, especially in metal, it’s better to start small and use bigger bits little by little. This helps keep the drill bit cooler [4].
The drill weighs 5 pounds [5]. This weight helps you control it and keep it from getting too hot because you don’t have to push as hard. The special grip (Hex Grip) also helps you control it better [7], so you can use just the right amount of pressure, even when you’re drilling for a long time.
Long-Term Use: 3-Month Durability Report
We used the RIDGID R7111 for three months to see how well it holds up over time. This long test showed us what it’s good at and what to watch out for if you use it a lot.
Chuck Performance Over Time
The metal chuck that holds the drill bits worked perfectly the whole time we tested it (three months) [1]. It held the bits tight, even when we changed bits often and did heavy-duty work. The fact that it’s made of metal really helps it last [2].
To keep the chuck working well, you need to clean it sometimes. It worked smoothly at first, but we had to clean it now and then to get rid of dust that built up [8]. The key for the chuck stayed in good shape too, even though we used it a lot.
Motor Reliability
The 8-amp motor and the metal case around the gears (gearbox) were very reliable [1]. The motor gave us steady power and kept working well even when we drilled a lot. But, you need to be careful about heat to make the motor last as long as possible.
The metal gearbox did a good job of keeping the heat down when we used the drill for long periods [5]. However, some people have said they noticed it getting hot near where the drill bit attaches [8]. This shows that it’s important to use oil to keep things cool when drilling metal.
This drill is tougher than many other drills in the same price range. Some newer drills that use batteries (brushless drills) can have problems with breaking down [8], but this corded drill stayed consistent and reliable. Its strong build [2] really shows when you use it hard.
The speed control on the drill worked perfectly. This is something that often goes wrong with power tools [8]. The speed changed smoothly and accurately, even after we used it regularly for months. The way it’s insulated (double-insulated design) helped make it more reliable and stable [5].
After three months, the RIDGID R7111 proved to be a tool you can count on. The chuck and motor both worked just as well as when they were new, even after lots of heavy use on different kinds of projects. It’s easy to see why the company offers a lifetime warranty on it [5].
Is It Worth the Money? Value Analysis
At $139.00, the RIDGID R7111 is priced about in the middle for corded drills [2].
Price Compared to Other Drills
The R7111 costs about the same as other 8-amp drills from well-known brands like BLACK+DECKER and DEWALT [9]. You can find cheaper drills, but they usually don’t have the strong metal parts and pro-level features that this RIDGID drill has [9]. Because it has a metal gearbox and a tough chuck, it’s worth the price if you’re a serious DIYer or a professional [1].
Savings Over Time
This drill can save you money in the long run because it’s built to last. The metal gears inside will last for years [1]. This means you won’t have to replace it often. Plus, because it’s so versatile, you might not need to buy other special drills. This can save you even more money.
The warranty that comes with this drill is a big deal too. If you register it within 90 days, you get free repairs and parts for life [10]. This lifetime warranty can save you a lot of money if anything ever goes wrong with the drill.
What About the Warranty? Coverage Details
RIDGID’s warranty is better than what most other brands offer. Here’s what it includes:
- A basic 3-year warranty that starts when you buy the drill [3].
- It covers parts that wear out if you take care of the drill properly [3].
- It protects against normal wear and tear on parts like:
- Brushes (the parts that help the motor run)
- The chuck (the component that secures the drill bit)
- Motors
- Switches
- Gears [3]
To get the Lifetime Service Agreement, you have to sign up for it within 90 days of buying the drill [3]. This gives you access to official RIDGID repair centers if you ever need them [3]. If you ever have to replace the drill, you have 90 days to sign up the new one for the warranty too [3].
There are some limits to the warranty. It only covers the person who first bought it, and it only covers problems from normal use and wear [3]. But, because it covers parts that wear out and the mechanical parts, the warranty makes this drill an even better deal [11].
Final Thoughts: Is the RIDGID R7111 for You?
After using the RIDGID R7111 for three months, we think it’s a great tool for pros and serious DIYers. The strong 8-amp motor and metal build have proven themselves in all kinds of drilling jobs. The speed control works well for everything from delicate work in ceramic to drilling hard metal.
What makes this drill special is that it works consistently and is designed well. The metal parts inside, like the gearbox and chuck, barely showed any wear even after we used them a lot. It costs $139, but the lifetime warranty makes it worth the price.
The R7111 kept working as well as it did on day one, no matter what materials we drilled. The cooling system worked well during long jobs, and the handle design made it comfortable to use without getting tired.
Our tests show this drill gives you pro-level performance without the high price of some other brands. Other users give it perfect 5-star reviews, and we agree. This drill lives up to what it promises.
References
- RIDGID.com – RIDGID R7111 Product Page
- HomeDepot.com – RIDGID R7111 Product Page
- RIDGID.com – Lifetime Service Agreement Warranty Details
- RIDGID R7111 Operator’s Manual (PDF)
- iFixit – RIDGID R7111 Device Page
- Amazon.com – RIDGID R7111 (Renewed) Product Listing
- GlobalTestSupply.com – RIDGID R7111 Product Page
- Reddit – User Discussion on RIDGID Tool Reliability
- BuildEazy.com – Best Corded Drills Review Roundup
- GlobalTestSupply.com – RIDGID R7111 Product Info (Second Link – potentially duplicate, verify if different content)
- RIDGID Power Tool Registration – Lifetime Service Agreement Details
- GlobalTestSupply.com – RIDGID R7111 Product Info (Third Link – potentially duplicate, verify if different content)
- NeweggBusiness.com – RIDGID R7111 Product Page
I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mehran University.
My education also includes the following courses:
Automotive Tools & Equipment Basics – Udemy
Hand & Power Tools Training for Beginners – Skillshare
Introduction to Industrial Tools & Equipment – Alison
Hand Tools & Power Tools for Woodworkers – Skillshare
DIY Home Improvement Tools Guide – LinkedIn Learning
Pneumatic & Hydraulic Tools Handling – LinkedIn Learning
Testing & Comparing Tools: Expert Guide – Skillshare
Currently, I run my own workshop in partnership with my friend Aadie.
One day, I needed a tool, so I read a lot of reviews. Every review had something different to say about the same tool—some mentioned weight differences, others talked about height variations, and even the pictures looked different. Honestly, I was really confused. But when I finally bought the tool, I realized that 60% of what was mentioned in the reviews wasn’t true at all.
That made me think—if I faced such a problem, what about those who rely entirely on online reviews to buy tools? This thought pushed me to start a blog dedicated to tool reviews.
I promise to do my best to share only the most accurate information—either from my personal testing or from the knowledge of the workshop experts I work with. I'll only write about what I truly know. If I don't know something, I'll be honest about it. But if you really need detailed information about a tool, I'll gather the necessary details for you.
You can also reach out to me directly. I hope you’ll find my reviews helpful, and if you ever think they aren’t, please let me know! Your feedback and suggestions will help me improve and ensure that my content is clear, informative, and truly useful for you.
- Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill Review - March 12, 2025
- JOREST Connectable Contour Gauge Review - March 11, 2025
- Klein 11061 Wire Stripper: Tested on 1,000+ Wires - March 8, 2025
