Hercules Cordless Tools

[DRussell]

What has been your experience with the Hercules brand of cordless tools from Harbor Freight? Are they good? Ok? Or definitely stay as far away from as possible?

This is for occasional homeowner level use, not professional or semi-professional use. Looking at 1/2 inch drill with battery, not an impact driver or hammer drill.

I've been thinking about taking the handle off the jack on my gooseneck, welding a nut on there and using the drill to raise/lower the jacks. I think an impact driver would destroy the two speed gearbox on the jack.

 

[504]

I use my Makita for the camper jacks but you need to watch out for the twist at the end. It could break your wrist. As for the Hercules I have been very happy with the grease gun and the battery. Even thinking about an adptor to use the Hercules battery on the Makita stuff. Heck of a difference in price

 

[Mule Meat]

I think an impact driver would destroy the two speed gearbox on the jack.

An impact only impacts when the torque needed to turn a fastener exceeds the torque needed to turn it easily..

Like when lowering the landing gear on a 5th trailer. An impact should easily turn the crank until the jack starts raising the trailer. Then the clutch will start overrunning and the hammer action starts.. A drill will just keep trying to apply the same torque as it used in lowering the gear. When the gear starts raising the trailer, the motor boggs which can cause overheating and/or a burnt out drill motor over time.

As far as Hercules. I have heard both good and bad. So I will remain neutral on that subject.

 

[Check Break]

I've had great luck with them and the ones I've purchased for our employees are still going strong which is hard to believe as they break everything. Online reviews say to stay away from one the 3/8 drills but I've heard nothing negative about the 1/2".

 

[Frankmn]

What has been your experience with the Hercules brand of cordless tools from Harbor Freight? Are they good? Ok? Or definitely stay as far away from as possible?

This is for occasional homeowner level use, not professional or semi-professional use. Looking at 1/2 inch drill with battery, not an impact driver or hammer drill.

I've been thinking about taking the handle off the jack on my gooseneck, welding a nut on there and using the drill to raise/lower the jacks. I think an impact driver would destroy the two speed gearbox on the jack.

If you weld a socket into a 1 1/4 inch pipe and pin it on the shaft, you can remove it and use the crank when the drill is dead or not with you. They actually sell the adapter for that for under 20 bucks. The adapter people don't recommend an impact either.

 

[DRussell]

If you weld a socket into a 1 1/4 inch pipe and pin it on the shaft, you can remove it and use the crank when the drill is dead or not with you. They actually sell the adapter for that for under 20 bucks. The adapter people don't recommend an impact either.

That's a good idea. I didn't realize an adapter was sold. That's what I'll likely do if I end up going this route.

 

[Frankmn]

That's a good idea. I didn't realize an adapter was sold. That's what I'll likely do if I end up going this route.

Be aware that it does take a bit of torque to lift with a drill. 1/2 inch Milwaukee has no problem in low range. Never tried the other brandAs stated do not run the drill to the end of the jack travel. It stops pretty hard and can hurt your wrist.

 

[DRussell]

Be aware that it does take a bit of torque to lift with a drill. 1/2 inch Milwaukee has no problem in low range. Never tried the other brandAs stated do not run the drill to the end of the jack travel. It stops pretty hard and can hurt your wrist.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[hurleyjd]

What has been your experience with the Hercules brand of cordless tools from Harbor Freight? Are they good? Ok? Or definitely stay as far away from as possible?

This is for occasional homeowner level use, not professional or semi-professional use. Looking at 1/2 inch drill with battery, not an impact driver or hammer drill.

I've been thinking about taking the handle off the jack on my gooseneck, welding a nut on there and using the drill to raise/lower the jacks. I think an impact driver would destroy the two speed gearbox on the jack.

Might be a solution if money is no problem https://towshop.com/collections/gooseneck-trailer-jacks-electric-power-conversion-kits

 

[DRussell]

Might be a solution if money is no problem https://towshop.com/collections/gooseneck-trailer-jacks-electric-power-conversion-kits

One word, wow! Three more actually, those are expensive.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

My brother in law has several Hercules tools. Nothing but praise from him. They do feel well made and if I wasn't so heavily invested in Ryobi, I would probably try a few Hercules tools. Their Ultra Torque 1/2" impact ranks pretty high on Torque Test Channel. BIL was telling me the 1/2" is such overkill that he had to go and buy a 3/8" drive impact for normal everyday use.

When my Earthquake XL cordless impact eventually gives up the ghost, I will replace it with a Hercules.

They're a far cry from the cheap Chicago Electric tools of the past.