RIDGID OCTANE Brushless 18-Volt 7" Grinder Review | Dual Battery R88040B

Our Favorite 7" Grinding Wheel: https://amzn.to/2RK15Pp
Dual Battery Power - The battery operated tool world has a new large tool that should be respected.  The Ridgid Octane Brushless 18V 7″ Grinder
is being released after the new RIDGID OCTANE 4.5" 18-volt grinder.  This tools is designed to run off OCTANE batteries, either one or two, but will also run off two standard batteries.  It will not run on one standard battery.  This large grinder allows for three different head position changes for increased versatility and comfort.  It also includes an electric brake that is a bit slower than some on the market, a multi-position handle, and a 2-finger trigger. 

With two batteries, this angle grinder is very balanced with a slight amount of weight to the front of the grinder.  With a single battery, there is even more weight near the front.  Lager grinders should give you a slight balance of weight to the front, but too much can make it awkward.  This tool is not much heavier than a corded model, even with two batteries.

The tool-free blade guard adjusts with little effort and reminds us exactly of the Milwaukee M18 grinder's guard adjustment.

RIDGID R88040B Features
Optimized to run on Octane batteries
Non-Octane capable – Able to run on 2 Non-Octane batteries
Twist lock: 3 convenient head-position changes
Electronic brake system
Multi-position handle
2-finger trigger with easy to use safety
18-Volt Tool Grinder
The new 7" grinder will operate with standard Ridgid batteries if you use of them.  It will not even turn one with one standard battery.  It will run on one OCTANE battery, but it will operate at a decreased RPM and Torque.   With two OCTANE batteries, it will operate at full speed and full power and the runtime seems to triple.  The ability to use older batteries is nice if you are in a pinch, which is common on the jobsite as it takes discipline to keep all batteries charges.

This tool will allow you to mix and match up batteries, be it in different amp hour or with standard and OCTANE.  This is an 18-volt tool, but the grinder really responds much better with two batteries.  Once you use the tool with two OCTANE batteries, it is hard to drop back to a single or two standard batteries.

This is truly a construction grade tool and has the runtime and the power to do so.  The current MSRP is $229.95 so it is not priced out of the range we expect, but once you add in a few OCTANE batteries, the price pretty much doubles.  If you need a large cordless grinder, it will be well worth it.