Ridgid 29993 Inner-Outer Reamer Review
The Ridgid 29993 is a dedicated inner-outer reamer built to deburr and chamfer the ends of copper tubing and the inside of fittings before soldering or pressing. It is a single-purpose plumbing hand tool, so the real question is whether its build quality and cutting geometry justify a spot in your kit versus a cheaper reamer or a utility knife.
Quick answer
It is right for plumbers and serious DIYers who cut and join copper regularly and want clean, square, burr-free tube ends without reaching for a blade.
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- Owner-feedback themes are summarized as feedback, never presented as our own hands-on testing
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Research updated September 2026.
Ridgid 29993 Inner-Outer Reamer
ReviewedPros
- Cuts the outside burr and the inside lip in one tool, so you deburr a cut tube end without swapping tools
- Hardened steel blades hold an edge well and are replaceable rather than forcing a whole new tool purchase
- Compact enough to live in a plumbing bag and works on the common copper sizes used in residential water lines
Cons
- It is a manual tool, so deburring a lot of tube ends on a big repipe is slower than a powered reamer or a cordless deburring setup
- It is priced above generic hardware store reamers, and the replaceable blades are an extra consumable cost over time
The Ridgid 29993 is a compact hand reamer that handles both the inner and outer edges of cut copper tube in a single pass. It uses replaceable hardened steel blades and a molded grip, aimed at service plumbers and remodelers who solder or press copper.
Real-World Notes
Owner-feedback themes center on how much faster soldering goes when the tube end is properly deburred, since a rolled inner burr disturbs water flow and a rough outer edge can keep solder from flowing cleanly into the joint. Users report the tool feels solid in hand and that the dual inner and outer cutting action saves the extra step of switching to a separate deburring bit. The recurring complaints are about speed on large jobs and the cost of replacement blades, not about the cut quality itself.
Alternatives Worth a Look
- Ridgid 29983 Inner-Outer Reamer
- Superior Tool 1/2 in. and 3/4 in. Tube Deburring Tool
Who Should Consider Something Else
Skip this if you only occasionally cut a single piece of copper and already own a deburring bit or a sharp utility knife, or if you are doing production volume work where a powered reamer or cordless deburring tool will pay for itself in time saved.
FAQs
What does the Ridgid 29993 actually do?
It deburrs and chamfers both the inside and outside edges of cut copper tubing so the tube slides into fittings cleanly and solder or press connections seal properly.
Does it work on materials other than copper?
It is designed around copper tubing and fittings. Using it on harder materials like steel can dull or damage the blades.
Are the blades replaceable?
Yes. The cutting blades are replaceable, which is a key reason the tool holds up over years of service work.
Is it worth it over a cheap reamer?
If you join copper often, the dual inner and outer cutting action and the replaceable blades make it worth the higher price. For one-off jobs, a budget reamer is usually enough.
Do I still need to deburr if I am pressing fittings?
Yes. A burr can interfere with proper insertion depth and can damage the O-ring in a press fitting, so deburring is still recommended.
Our verdict
The Ridgid 29993 is a well-built, single-purpose copper reamer that earns its place in a working plumbing bag thanks to the combined inner and outer cutting action and replaceable blades. It is not the cheapest option and it is not fast on high-volume jobs, but for clean, reliable copper joints it is a solid buy.