Some work safe nut-busting & undressing of these tools: ruclips.net/video/5ZpaEmGTleY/видео.html *Pricing on these has since introduced come down, and thus their points updated in our rankings* etsy.me/3G8j3QK What's everyone's impression of these new HF introductions? Happy to see a real warranty? Too close in price to trusted mainstays in the market? Going to make your own Tesla powerwall out of Hercules 12Ah packs? Torque, who started this channel, is working in product development for Astro tools, who also make power tools but not cordless. Always consider multiple sources when looking at a tool!
@@kilgorefarms2169 Our spreadsheet is always prices at the time of testing which I feel is fair. Otherwise tools would be moving up and down daily in the ranking. With over 300 tested and ranked tools, not feasible. Only Home Depot is asking for $329, lots of $250-270 sellers still out there. Which ain't bad.
Nice to see shout outs to Philly. We need more people analyzing tools of all kinds. Maybe hand tools could be tested to destruction. Wrenches, screwdrivers, ratchets, breaker bars, roadside/trail and shop jacks, bathroom scales...
why do you have such an aversion to even mentioning the existence of the Earthquake 3/4in impact? you act like the 1/2in is the biggest one they make. idgi smh...
I was thinking maybe the differences seen when disassembling will have something to do with durability? but since now they have a real warranty I shouldn't worry too much?
Wow. Impressive results this time from Harbor Freight! With a 5 year warranty and a substantially lower price when you consider the battery cost - this seems like a legit contender.
Yes but how many times can it do that. Yes I know 5 year warranty and supposedly walk in walk out with a replacement but how many times are you gonna have to go in during that 5 years.
@@jamesfair9751 your assumption with your comment is that it will in fact break or start performing at a lesser capability. But until we see that, you just can't assume. Nobody thought that they would start rolling out 5-year warranties, but here we are.
@@leafybug04 To add to that, if they had to replace it every 4 months, they would lose money big time on a 5 year warranty. So them giving that does mean they have some degree of confidence in their product.
as far as I'm concerned, y'all were the first to start publicly documenting conversion rates from ugga-duggas to ft.lbs. You definitely deserve a lot of credit for any trend of mfg's including real specs.
For a shop, that price difference could add up, but perhaps even better would be the over the counter warranty. Being able get a working tool same day could mean a lot.
I had to buy extra Milwaukee power tools, because of how long their warranty process takes. I can't do without my money makers for 3 weeks. So for power tools, HF should compare the price of ONE over-the-counter-warranty, versus the price of TWO mail-in-warranty ones.
Yeah but drive around to alot of hf stores right now some are missing the dumbest things. Even big ticket items I love hf and I'm considering running two battery line ups but if I can't come in and grab one of the shelf it's a no go for me even if power to cost ratio is better
That's huge, because, normally you have to mail it in, wait weeks and still possibly have to pay part of the cost. All the while you've already gone and gotten a new tool just so you can work in the meantime.
@@TheChrismanis1791I find that of the two harbor frieghts in my area, one is always out of everything while the other has everything. I just don't go to the first I described.
Just snagged the ultra torque today for $102 , already ripped through a tire rotation my mid torque couldn't get the lugs off. Less than a second it felt the ultra removed the lug nut, crazy power for a diy guy and 5 years worry free I'm a happy camper. Ditching my DeWalt stuff one by one.
I expected them to do less as well. There's a lot of Hercules shills out there which made me doubt their effectiveness. I've used their impact driver and drill at work and they feel cheap
Honestly really impressed by this. I've noticed lately it feels like Harbor Freight tools and stuff have been actually climbing in quality. Obviously still not generally anywhere close to name brands that are typically thought of as "high quality" but it really seems like they're trying hard to genuinely compete with more highly thought of brands.
>Obviously still not generally anywhere close to name brands that are typically thought of as "high quality" I don't think its that obvious anymore, which is a good thing.
@@BurningBroadcast I mean they are pretty quality compared to name brands, I’ve been using my Hercules impact on diesel trucks, my mustang and other stuff and holds up fine so far
Yes i just pick Hercules, Icon and Daytona brand in harbor freight , they are proved good quality , they are not the cheapest but fair price , so Good brands
If I was in the market for a high torque I would actually be very interested in this Ultra Torque. Seems like a great value. That said I already bought a Ridgid Octane high torque, completely because of this channel. Appreciate you guys.
The only thing bad about the Ridgid Octane high torque is if you own one with a good battery, you probably dont need to tune into this channel for a couple more years :P
@@TorqueTestChannel hopefully Ridgid will actually release that 21700 cell 8ah battery one year (its been advertised as coming soon for over a year now). When the 8ah battery does come out I would love to see that tool revisted with the new battery. I also bought the Ridgid high torque based on this channel's recommendation and it was such a life saver when I replaced most of the front suspension on my truck. It was mind blowing zinging off nuts and bolts with ease with the high torque. If it couldn't loosen it, it could break it off which was fine by me lol
Thanks for the video. Nice to see HF disrupting things once again. I use a Milwaukee 2767 in my shop and it’s pretty awesome, and I have mid-torque and smaller DeWalt and Milwaukee tools at home, but I picked up HF’s Bauer driver, drill, and reciprocating saw for use around the shop and I haven’t been disappointed in them at all. Maybe it’s time for the Hercules Ultra Torque in my service truck…
I've been waiting for this test with baited breath...thank you for finally putting it out there. I'm so glad Harbor Freight is consistently upping their quality to go along with their great service. This seems like a great foray into the world of more serious battery power tools, and I can't wait for what else they got coming. More competition is always better for the consumer. These new tools seem like a wonderful option for the professional that has a HB near them, and an even better option for the DIY guy. I just hope they release new higher end tools to go along with the new 21700 batteriea that can take advantage of the extra power.
i hope this is a sign that harbor freight is going to continue stepping up their game! they have so many levels, they can keep one brand as cheap as possible, another to compete with the big brands, so they get the best of both worlds
I haven’t bought anything from harbor freight that has lasted any amount of time. The metals & materials used in all the hand tools, drill bits & most everything is way cheap & not near the quality you want or need for basic wrenching around the house, under the hood or under a oil pan. Nothing has lasted when used correctly as intended
@@AMPEDUP488idk their sockets and archers have lasted me a bit. I have the impact driver and the ultra impact wrench and they both work great. I really love the ultra torque, use it when working on chillers because it’s around water.. it’s held up and has busted off some super tight and rusted bolts and their 21700 battery’s last quite awhile!
Everything I've bought from harbor freight has worked out. I hit the end of warranty on one of my impacts and just swapped it out for a new one before it expired Also it should be noted that a set of Pittsburg impact sockets have held up being beat up by a dcf899 for years. All the sockets are still good and usable in my tool box. I've maxed out the dcf899 many a time using those sockets on 23+ year old Midwestern vehicles. I've broke more expensive shit with less stress, I'm sure we all have.
Definitely need a test til fail comparison when these become more widely available. I love my Milwaukee stuff and as I’m a diesel tech I need it to hold up to a long term beating. Real world application, the 33mm lug nuts on a semi call for 450-500ft-lb of torque, and I’ve used my Milwaukee on a 6 Mississippi count to make that torque wrench click when set to 475. Consistently. Super impressive
I just picked up an Ultra Torque today. They didn't even have a display model up yet, lol. Coming from the Bauer 1/2 (meh), then the Earthquake 1/2 XT (100% better than Bauer), then to the Hercules Ultra Torque.. It makes the Earthquake XT looks like a toy. I love the fact that Harbor Freight gives you 3 months to try out a tool. I had the Bauer for a day, ran back and traded it for the EQ XT. Then today traded the XT for the Ultra Torque. Glad I did. Worth the money (so far). With a 5 year warranty I feel more confident.
I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade, as well as a weekend wrench turner. In my professional life, I have no need for any of this insanely OP toolage. However! As someone who is trying to put together his home shop toolbox, as well as a roadside assistance box for my truck, I've been scratching my head on what kind of cordless impact to buy. My current platform is Milwaukee, but I cant seem to justify spending that kind of money on something that may only get used 2-4 times a month (if that)... But with trying to ball on a budget, this video has really impressed me and in a weird way brought my sights around to the harbor freight tool branding. Especially on something you can spend $100-$300 less on and get darn near the same performance. Its safe enough to say I will be picking one of these HF Ultra tqs the next time I walk into my local HF
I have the dewalt 899. For about 2 years now. Ive been pretty happy with it, as a driveway mechanic only using it maybe once a month, its been great. I actually chose it just because the battery was swappable with my power tools and yard tools. Hard to leave a brand i have so many batteries for. I even modified the Kid's power wheels to take 1 a 20v Dewalt battery.
They come with a 5-year warranty too--which is pretty suprising to me, as I question the tools reliability overall. I use my Milwaukee impacts everyday and put them to work, and they're great. If I wasn't in a professional industry and I only used tools at home on my own cars and projects, Harbor Freight's line of tools is what I would most likely buy. I think Harbor Freight's line has many great tools, especially for the price. But when it comes to power tools like these--I would still probably go with Milwaukee because the price difference isn't that much, and Milwaukee is a legendary reputable brand.
I appreciate how you provide all the data, which allows people that understand it to look at it and decide for themselves what is best for their needs, yet you also provide a quick and simple summary for those who just want to know what the best deal is.
HF definitely upped the ante here. They addressed popular concerns like the ratings and the warranty, they brought the beans, and they have good prices. That 5yr warranty, direct swap at the store, that's 100x better than Milwaukee "warranty", that's for sure. If HF expands this line of brushless 18V tools with similar warranty, Hercules is on its way to becoming a well-regarded power tool brand. Now if only they could do something about that bundle discount where you *have* to buy tool, charger, and battery. They should make it so you can buy any combination of three because to get the discount (like 2 tools and a battery; 2 batteries and a tool; etc.). Because nobody is going to buy a charger every time.
Btw while their MSRP price is close to the current mainstays like DeWalt and Milwaukee, when you consider their sale price, along with the bundle discount if you also get a battery and charger, their price drops fairly significantly. Both tools are currently on sale. The Ultra i think is $199, and the High torque is like $179.
I have all of the hercules tools for auto repair, I absolutely loveeee them, I prefer them well over my over priced snap on electric tools that are constantly needing fixed! I had never expected them to be so impressive
And trust me they 100% honor the 90 day warranty I ran my ultra torque over and took it up there and no questions asked walked out with a new gun, and no I didn't buy the harbor freight warranty
@@KylesMobileAutoRepairLLCThanks for this reply, I'm getting back into the trade after being out for a decade and need to make a choice. Your comment pushed me over. I used to buy Craftsman in the nineties because of that sweet warranty whereas the Snap on Truck would tell you that you abused the tool, so walk in walk out warranty is HUGE for me.
I think the thing I like most about the Hercules is the more angled grip, but I do applaud them for making a good high torque and (sorta) meeting their advertised numbers. I don't think $20 is enough, or should be enough, for someone to choose questionable HF reliability over what is basically the industry standard. To the ones that counter that with the in store warranty, that doesn't help you when it quits in the middle of work. And don't forget that the Milwaukee/Dewalt those are being compared to are 5-6 years old as pointed out. Really it just comes down to what battery line you're invested in. If you have M18s, you're gonna get a 2767, if you have Hercules batteries, you're gonna get the Ultra Torque.
the real thing is if you don't have any batteries yet the hercules is actually more like $150 cheaper or more if you want 2 good batteries and a charger. if harbor freight could learn to stop changing batteries i think they'd have a winner
The thing about harbor freight though is if you buy the tool and the extended warranty . 1 year is good enough as most of their tools I have broken in 5-6 months , is that from 9 am to 8 pm I can have a new tool in 10 min, for the cost of a new warranty. I don’t have to send it in and wait and I’m not down much time . If premium brands never break in that 2 year times span then that’s great but if they do then you’re out several weeks I’d assume while you wait . And then you’re probably going down to harbor freight to buy a cheap back up anyway .
I own the DCF900, 2767, and the Ultra Torque. Been using the ultra torque the past couple months and I’ve been loving it. Gets the job done for what I need, breaking away tight rust 1 1/8” bolts
I worked in a mill for a contracting company installing new mill equipment, and we used all Makita 1/2 " and even some 3/4 " guns and tools. They were ok but always lacked the power to really tighten the 1 3/4 " bolts we were dealing with. Boss switched to all Milwaukee guns with the biggest batteries we could find and they were wayy more powerful. Would tighten the same bolts in less than half the time to the same Tq spec. Also they seemed to handle falls from 20-30 feet alot better. I now personally use Milwaukee tools in the automotive industry and am glad i made the change from Dewalt and Makita aswell.
I will stick with Milwaukee sense I have so many of them but it would be mice to do a battery test with all of these Batteries to see witch will hold up over time! ⚡👍
I bought the Ultra Torque for use on my Peterbilt 387 and it powers off the lug nuts like a champ. I bought two 5AH batteries and the dual charger which I can leave plugged in in my under bunk storage so I can charge the batteries as I'm driving. Just bought a 2004 aluminum flatbed trailer and the lug nuts were so tight that my 4' breaker bar with a 4' cheater couldn't break the lug nuts loose. Way WAY over the 500 Ft Lbs torque spec! The Ultra Torque took a bit of time, but I was able to get all the wheels off so I could change the tires.
I do automotive for a living and own the Hercules 20v impact driver (5a battery) and 1/2" High Torque (8a battery). The impact driver is obviously good enough for light work, and surprisingly strong for some medium nuts and bolts with 1/2" impact adapters/sockets. I use the High Torque for anything beyond that. Has been enough power for my needs. Very satisfied with their products and like the peace of mind knowing I can just do an exchange at the store if one breaks. I'm also fortunate to not live in a state with rusted vehicles
I as a 30 year contrator literally have/own in my arsenal 95% Milwaukee tools. Hands down the strongest most reliable and incredible ultra performance caliper of any cordless tools ever. The Ultra is a nice tool it appears. Time will till how it holds up over the years
YOO THIS IS AWESOME im a Sales supervisor for HFT when we got one in I started playing with the display! it feels so different from the earthquake for sure!! (Brushless)
Incredible video! Its the battery cost that really does it for me. I hurt my back trying to take one stuck lug nut off a work truck the other day, and that was the last straw. I need a cordless impact. Going to HF this weekend and picking up the ultra.
If HF had all the same offerings as Milwaukee (in terms of both tools and batteries), I would've gone that route. I love all of the different Milwaukee tools on the same battery platform. I like using a saw, a backpack vacuum, a compressor, and a leaf blower with the same battery.
I'm already in the Hercules line myself with some other tools, so it looks like an ultra torque is calling my name once they've come in stock at my store. I bought my father the DeWalt DCF899 last Christmas and he loves it. My older brother said he uses it on everything. He already had one of DeWalts smaller mid-torques so I figured something with some more oomf would help work on his fuel trucks and the tractor. :)
I have the 899 at work and have only came across one bolt that it would remove or break and that was my superdutys lugnuts but to be fair those like to tighten them selves and have Broken a few half in drive sockets and breaker bars
@@Wesleystewart78 The biggest machines/vehicles my father owns are his single-axle fuel trucks and my grandfathers 28hp New Holland 1715 compact tractor. So the 899 I bought for him is a lot more effective for working on those things than his smaller DeWalt impact wrench. He's not removing the lug nuts from his trucks with it to change the tires though. He has a mechanic he pays for that. But what work he is capable of doing the DCF899 is perfect. Plus I got it on-sale at the beginning of last December in kit form where the deal included a set of DeWalt branded deep-well impact sockets as free add-on. :)
I just bought their Ultra-Torque, an 8AH and 12AH battery, the new Hercules cordless grinder with paddle, a worklight and floodlight, and some other odds and ends... Between the Cyber Monday discounts, the 25-off combo deal, and 10%-off first purchase (they ALLLLL stacked), I got outa there with a HECK of a deal!
When the Ultra Torque inevitably sells way more, I bet that HFT's takeaway is that they should start calling all their high torques ultra torques, not that it was a stupid thing to release a stripped down/weaker version alongside the nearly identical prime tool.
right? it would have made more sense to target Milwaukee's mid-torque offering with 450 tighten / 600 break-away. With it's smaller footprint, I find that it's the right tool for the job most of the time, and I use my mid-torque far more than I use the high torque, but when the high torque is needed I'm thankful I have both.
I have used the Harbor Freight EarthQuake XT for 4 years - its an excellent tool. The battery goes forever and its powerful. RUclipsr AvE has an excellent breakdown of the quality of the tool.
Would be cool to see you test out the new bauer brushless 1/4in driver. Super cheap and a lot more torque than the old brushed driver. I use it all the time.
Because of this video... I just picked up the ULTRA on sale for $179.00 during sidewalk sale that started today for Inside Track members. And because I bought a Hercules Battery and Charger with it I got another $25.00 off! Great buy! Look forward to using it.
@@gerardolopez5875 But Dewalt only has a 3yr warranty, the Hercules has a 5yr warranty, and all you got to do is return it to HF for a new one. Dewalt is not so easy.
LOL! Who in their right mind would buy this over Milwaukee? It performs the same as Milwaukee, and it costs the same as Milwaukee. All I see are down sides.
@@fredygump5578 Some of hf products are on point and are good quality like the Daytona jacks, Fortress air compressors, Hercules and Bauer impacts which I have all of them and have not one complaint. I just don't need a 1/2 impact right now.
That’s really what it comes down to. Can it do the job, and how long can it do that job before needing replaced. I don’t care what color it is lol But if that 5 year warranty is actually as good as they say… I’ve been in the market for some 18ish volt tools..
@@samuelgrogan6443 all the boys at my shop have a Milwaukee, I use em from time to time. Personally I prefer air wrenches. But sometimes I need a cordless. And honestly Hercules looks much more appealing now if that 5 year warranty is actually trouble free lol You Milwaukee fan boys are as bad as Toyota and jeep guys lol
@@kylesalem-fuson8012 I am also a toyota guy 😂 I’ve never had issues with milwaukee warranty. You only hear from people who had a bad experience, not the good ones
These inexpensive units may have great power when new, but what is the long term durability of them and how long will those big numbers last for? They use less expensive parts, so chances are they won't las as long as a more expensive name brand.
They're all produced in neighboring factories, functionally I don't think they'll last all that differently. If anything is to fail, it's probably the rubberized handles. I've had an earthquake as a mechanic for 5+ years and it's the only thing that really lets the tool down.
What a time to be alive! tool wars! wow 186k subs on your channel, it was 100k seems like yesterday, nice! Value in the big impacts, awesome! now to watch that guys teardown video
I had decided to "standardize" on Milwaukee... and I am glad that it was a good decision, as they seem to be if not the best tool, up there.... it's more value to not get kits with batteries for each tool, and just share batteries, for a hobbyist like me.
With an at the counter warranty, and price, and battery price, 5 year warranty instead of 3, how could you go wrong! In my book, Harbor Freight just blew the doors off the competitions with all that!
The balance scale has now switched from performance to price. Which wins: .05% better performance or 30% better price (I didn't bother to work out the exact percentage because I'm not in the market for any of these but if I were, price now wins).
I picked up the 5" grinder and 1/4" die grinder. Both are very powerful. Time will tell if they will survive the shipyard. Die grinder has an insane amount of vibration
I run a mobile welding business and have been switching over to Hercules from Milwaukee. Personally I’ve found them to be a legitimate contender so far with ( Portanband, 4 1/2” grinder, circular saw and impact all used with 5AH) I bought the 1/2” impact for some mechanic work I do on my truck.. that was a pile of crap with a 5AH battery..
Ive been telling everyone that harbour freight has really been stepping up their game the last few years. They have quite a few tools now that are my go to daily tools.
I’ve commented on here before and after trying the Hercules ultra torque out I have a few comments. First off I would like to mention that I’m a name brand type of guy but I’m also open to knock off stuff if it’s good and with that being said I would like to address the pros and cons of the Hercules line up compared to others. 1. Pros of Hercules 1/2 ultra torque has no battery slop in fact it’s hard as hell to insert the battery when it’s brand new😂. It feels good in your hand and isn’t bad quality, the batteries are affordable and so are the chargers, if you’re new to electric power tools it’s an easier cheap start to get into it and the batteries for the most part charge relatively quickly! The cons: they get a bad name for being “off brand” tools which might get you laughed at, they’re blue which is my opinion on the color being bad lol, they’re not offered on a tool truck for automotive career minded individuals, and their selection of other tools is limited for the time being. The power is definitely there and I rate the quality as the best “off brand” high torque gun you can get but every one thinks just because it’s a harbor freight gun that it wont last but a year or two and that’s also not true. I’ve had the 1/2 compact/ mid torque for 2 years now and it’s still running strong! Now Obviously in terms of off brand you can’t generalize Hercules as off brand, it would be like saying that flex or ryobi is off brand which isn’t the case. To generalize something as off brand it would have to be an identical tool in every aspect but have a different brand name for it to be considered “ off brand”. This isn’t me bashing other brands cause obviously I have others that I enjoy using! To sum all of this up what I tell people who are shopping for tool brands is; it’s all about money, if you have power tools at home that have batteries already, buy that brand power tool to go along with the batteries cause that’s the real expense being that batteries are usually what fail first and if you’re new to electric tools then do a lot of research on what’s affordable to “you” specifically in the long run cause it gets very pricey!
I'm not a brand fanboy. I own Ryoby, Ridgid, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch. I tend to look for the cheapest options but with good reputation. It's good to see Harbour Freight come up with quality tools. I go to their stores a lot.
HF has been stepping it up for sure. I am most curious about their new ICON light. They are claiming 2100 lumens, 100 more that the snap on equivalent for almost 150$ cheaper. I have the ICON and its like turning the sun on but I would love to know how close they are to 2100 lumens and what kind of runtime it has compared to that snap on light
I got my Ryobi high torque last week and it too is a beast for a car rebuilder the Ryobi is way more than enough and free 4Ah battery 🔋 love the videos 👍👍👍
I noticed the speed wobble phenomena with both my 2767, and my 2769 when removing some seriously stuck lug nuts on specifically F150/Expeditions. I notice in your case, that the socket stops cold, while the impact is jumping all over. This is exactly what happens in my case as well. When the socket gets seized on the nut, the impact will jump all over while putting more shock into your hand. It makes the same sound too, from what I can hear.
This is awesome to see! If I hadn’t just bought the (old) Ridgid Octane high torque, I’d be going for that Hercules Ultra…👏👏 to HF for this one, finally
Big numbers are great and all, but having used almost every brand of high torque for a long time, I much prefer lighter weight Midtorque (Milwaukee gen 2 and the DeWalt gen 2) will do 99% of what you actually need, and being in a shop, if I need something to actually break rust and not my wrist, I'll grab my air gun.
I would just like to know the quality of the cells being used in the HF. A new tool may stack up very differently than I one year old tool. Ryobi has taught me that with its very inconsistent battery packs.
Thank you for your videos, its nice to see unbiased information when it comes to tools. Working as a auto tech its easy to get caught in flashy or brand name tools, or someone says X tool is the best. There are times you can get the same bang for less buck and you give that information. Having that information allows anyone to make the decision for themselves what is most cost effective for what they plan to do. Irrelevant note I would like to see your normal testing but also a torture test on the Advid power 3/8th 12v electric ratchet from amazon. Its something I bought and have my opinions on but would like to see a unbiased view. For 60$ you get tool, 2 batteries, charger . But also including some sockets no one should ever use.
Yep I recently had a umm argument with a tool truck fanboy tech...after a while he admitted he used multiple cheaper sets in different applications. Then said he had NO idea SnapOn authorized their name on cheap junk tools sold at Tractor Supply or Costco...
I watched reviews on here when buying a 12 in. sliding compound miter and went with the Hercules on sale.... its been a beast of a saw and I love it. Its holding up fine to some pretty brutal use and slammed around in transport.
I have harbor freights older red big old 1/2” gun. Earthquake? Been a great gun. AvE even tore one down and it looked great. My biggest gripe is every 6 months something comes out and I need an entirely new battery system/charger. So that’s a huge problem for me to be willing to buy another harbor freight. Also some of their batteries have died on me, and chargers. Including their 80v brushless stuff. Just refusing to work. I don’t have the time to disassemble packs and repair them… Milwaukee m12 or m18 has more staying power.
@@rch5991 Yeah exactly! I still have some ryobi stuff from my dad from like you said 20 years ago, works with the same batteries as the new stuff. Still works fine! I love some of the tools from harbor freight... like my big jack, and aluminum jack stands, breaker bars, cheap sockets in a pinch. But damn I regret every battery powered purchase I've made from them... I have a corded angle grinder that's gotta be near 20 years old, still works great lol. But nope they took enough of my money on the battery stuff. No more! I need tools that work. My milwaukee m12 gets the snot beaten out of it. Still works. Never missed a beat.
@@rch5991 I will say the only thing I didn't like from milwaukee I bought was their die grinder m12. Thing is junk. Would bind up all the time couldn't do shit even with a nice new carbide, working on some heads... I returned it. Got a harbor freight cheapie die grinder left over from the change to Hercules or whatever on sale, and it's been a champ.
After two decades of Dewalt and Milwaukee, I'm now strongly considering the Hercules. It sucks because we've got literally thousands of dollars wrapped up in 4ah/6ah batteries, but the drivers and impacts hardly last a year. Then we've got warranty hoops to jump through, which aren't worth it. Every warranty I've had to deal with HF was about as pleasant and straightforward as you can get. I'm glad to see them stepping up their game in the power tool department.
Just bought the Hercules today 1400 torque bought the 5.0 amp battery and the charging station asked if there was any discount and turns out there is a deal on them rn got the 1/2 555lbs break away torque gun for free 80$ish dollar value can’t wait to use them
A new beginning for HF power tools; no longer laughing at people who would buy them based upon their outlandish claims of performance and a joke of a warranty. Time will tell how well they will hold up over time and how well they handle repairs, but if I were any of the "big boys" in cordless tools (Milwaukee, Dewalt, Rigid and others) I'd be worried ( assuming they keep the price point attractive).
You might be able to find the 2767-20 for $250-$260 on a place like Amazon, where you;re dealing with 3rd party sellers. Milwaukee actually did increase the retail price of that model from $299 to $329. Home Depot for example has it listed at $329 as well. So they are just comparing their retail price to the retail price of the Milwaukee. These HF Impacts are already on sale for $179 and $199 respectively, but when they do the 20-25% off no exclusions deal you could get one quite cheap. I used to own the 2767-20 but sold it because it was just too much impact for what i normally do, so i bought the GEN 2 Mid Torque instead but i i like seeing new impacts and new brands making quality impacts.
Im a professional mechanic 55 hours per week , 5 years of experience so far only Milwaukee can survive that torture. I have pieces of plactic and rubber missing out of my impact , dropped from 5 to 10 ft on daily basis. Ran over with the vehicle ones ,and its refusing to die😂😂😂 i have 13 years old hack saw with original battery and a charger and its still working flawlessly.
I like Hercules. I have their electric Jackhammer and it's really nice. I knew when I picked up the Ultra Torque and knew it would be quality. Next on my list to buy.
The price and being able to walk into Harbor Freight and exchange the tool would be enough for me to buy that product, that on top of a 5 year warranty. I don't use an impact as I am retired, but I still like to keep up on the tools. I still have my pneumatics if push comes to shove.
They really do stand by that warranty, I bought the half inch sub impact and it didn't quite have the power I needed for my job so I took it in and they without much question refunded it and I bought the ultra torque.
Some work safe nut-busting & undressing of these tools: ruclips.net/video/5ZpaEmGTleY/видео.html *Pricing on these has since introduced come down, and thus their points updated in our rankings* etsy.me/3G8j3QK What's everyone's impression of these new HF introductions? Happy to see a real warranty? Too close in price to trusted mainstays in the market? Going to make your own Tesla powerwall out of Hercules 12Ah packs?
Torque, who started this channel, is working in product development for Astro tools, who also make power tools but not cordless. Always consider multiple sources when looking at a tool!
@@kilgorefarms2169 Our spreadsheet is always prices at the time of testing which I feel is fair. Otherwise tools would be moving up and down daily in the ranking. With over 300 tested and ranked tools, not feasible. Only Home Depot is asking for $329, lots of $250-270 sellers still out there. Which ain't bad.
Nice to see shout outs to Philly. We need more people analyzing tools of all kinds. Maybe hand tools could be tested to destruction. Wrenches, screwdrivers, ratchets, breaker bars, roadside/trail and shop jacks, bathroom scales...
@@RetiredEE Look up "Project Farm" You tube channel. He is always testing and comparing various tool and around the shop items.
why do you have such an aversion to even mentioning the existence of the Earthquake 3/4in impact? you act like the 1/2in is the biggest one they make. idgi smh...
I was thinking maybe the differences seen when disassembling will have something to do with durability? but since now they have a real warranty I shouldn't worry too much?
Wow. Impressive results this time from Harbor Freight! With a 5 year warranty and a substantially lower price when you consider the battery cost - this seems like a legit contender.
Yes but how many times can it do that. Yes I know 5 year warranty and supposedly walk in walk out with a replacement but how many times are you gonna have to go in during that 5 years.
@@jamesfair9751 as many times as you gotta get that free tarp, flashlight, or bucket lol
@@jamesfair9751 well I have had 3 earth quake xt in 14 months ! 3! Sooo yeah
@@jamesfair9751 your assumption with your comment is that it will in fact break or start performing at a lesser capability. But until we see that, you just can't assume. Nobody thought that they would start rolling out 5-year warranties, but here we are.
@@leafybug04 To add to that, if they had to replace it every 4 months, they would lose money big time on a 5 year warranty. So them giving that does mean they have some degree of confidence in their product.
as far as I'm concerned, y'all were the first to start publicly documenting conversion rates from ugga-duggas to ft.lbs. You definitely deserve a lot of credit for any trend of mfg's including real specs.
For a shop, that price difference could add up, but perhaps even better would be the over the counter warranty. Being able get a working tool same day could mean a lot.
I had to buy extra Milwaukee power tools, because of how long their warranty process takes. I can't do without my money makers for 3 weeks. So for power tools, HF should compare the price of ONE over-the-counter-warranty, versus the price of TWO mail-in-warranty ones.
Same my grinder is out for three weeks for rebuild and it was under warranty so yeah....lol
Yeah but drive around to alot of hf stores right now some are missing the dumbest things. Even big ticket items I love hf and I'm considering running two battery line ups but if I can't come in and grab one of the shelf it's a no go for me even if power to cost ratio is better
That's huge, because, normally you have to mail it in, wait weeks and still possibly have to pay part of the cost. All the while you've already gone and gotten a new tool just so you can work in the meantime.
@@TheChrismanis1791I find that of the two harbor frieghts in my area, one is always out of everything while the other has everything. I just don't go to the first I described.
Just snagged the ultra torque today for $102 , already ripped through a tire rotation my mid torque couldn't get the lugs off. Less than a second it felt the ultra removed the lug nut, crazy power for a diy guy and 5 years worry free I'm a happy camper. Ditching my DeWalt stuff one by one.
Same, absolutely redonkulous deal on clearance.
When I saw these on harbor freights site I was hoping you'd find a pair of them in your hands. They did better than I expected
I expected them to do less as well. There's a lot of Hercules shills out there which made me doubt their effectiveness. I've used their impact driver and drill at work and they feel cheap
@@OtherDalfite There's nothing Hercules we've touched till now that felt worth the effort
Honestly really impressed by this. I've noticed lately it feels like Harbor Freight tools and stuff have been actually climbing in quality. Obviously still not generally anywhere close to name brands that are typically thought of as "high quality" but it really seems like they're trying hard to genuinely compete with more highly thought of brands.
They've had = quality on many products for 20 years now.
>Obviously still not generally anywhere close to name brands that are typically thought of as "high quality"
I don't think its that obvious anymore, which is a good thing.
Considering the top names are all basically manufactured by just 3 companies, I'd say it's a drop in quality vs and improvement on HF's part.
@@BurningBroadcast I mean they are pretty quality compared to name brands, I’ve been using my Hercules impact on diesel trucks, my mustang and other stuff and holds up fine so far
Yes i just pick Hercules, Icon and Daytona brand in harbor freight , they are proved good quality , they are not the cheapest but fair price , so Good brands
If I was in the market for a high torque I would actually be very interested in this Ultra Torque. Seems like a great value. That said I already bought a Ridgid Octane high torque, completely because of this channel. Appreciate you guys.
The only thing bad about the Ridgid Octane high torque is if you own one with a good battery, you probably dont need to tune into this channel for a couple more years :P
Never hurts to have a backup especially for a tool that’s no longer in production.
@@TorqueTestChannel I have 12 good batterys and I will al tune in lol
@@TorqueTestChannel and yes you cost me $230 on that Octane as well lol
@@TorqueTestChannel hopefully Ridgid will actually release that 21700 cell 8ah battery one year (its been advertised as coming soon for over a year now). When the 8ah battery does come out I would love to see that tool revisted with the new battery.
I also bought the Ridgid high torque based on this channel's recommendation and it was such a life saver when I replaced most of the front suspension on my truck. It was mind blowing zinging off nuts and bolts with ease with the high torque. If it couldn't loosen it, it could break it off which was fine by me lol
Thanks for the video. Nice to see HF disrupting things once again. I use a Milwaukee 2767 in my shop and it’s pretty awesome, and I have mid-torque and smaller DeWalt and Milwaukee tools at home, but I picked up HF’s Bauer driver, drill, and reciprocating saw for use around the shop and I haven’t been disappointed in them at all. Maybe it’s time for the Hercules Ultra Torque in my service truck…
I've been waiting for this test with baited breath...thank you for finally putting it out there. I'm so glad Harbor Freight is consistently upping their quality to go along with their great service. This seems like a great foray into the world of more serious battery power tools, and I can't wait for what else they got coming. More competition is always better for the consumer. These new tools seem like a wonderful option for the professional that has a HB near them, and an even better option for the DIY guy. I just hope they release new higher end tools to go along with the new 21700 batteriea that can take advantage of the extra power.
Are you serious? You don’t have to “wait for what they have coming” just look at dewalt and Milwaukee. Are you ok supporting cheaters and thieves ?
@@hellahandy6524 huh? Not sure where you're coming from.
i hope this is a sign that harbor freight is going to continue stepping up their game! they have so many levels, they can keep one brand as cheap as possible, another to compete with the big brands, so they get the best of both worlds
That's how it is now really.
I haven’t bought anything from harbor freight that has lasted any amount of time. The metals & materials used in all the hand tools, drill bits & most everything is way cheap & not near the quality you want or need for basic wrenching around the house, under the hood or under a oil pan. Nothing has lasted when used correctly as intended
@@AMPEDUP488 i have hand me down Pittsburgh ratcheting wrenches that i use every day at work on industrial machinery. Not one has let me down yet
@@AMPEDUP488idk their sockets and archers have lasted me a bit. I have the impact driver and the ultra impact wrench and they both work great. I really love the ultra torque, use it when working on chillers because it’s around water.. it’s held up and has busted off some super tight and rusted bolts and their 21700 battery’s last quite awhile!
Everything I've bought from harbor freight has worked out.
I hit the end of warranty on one of my impacts and just swapped it out for a new one before it expired
Also it should be noted that a set of Pittsburg impact sockets have held up being beat up by a dcf899 for years.
All the sockets are still good and usable in my tool box.
I've maxed out the dcf899 many a time using those sockets on 23+ year old Midwestern vehicles.
I've broke more expensive shit with less stress, I'm sure we all have.
Definitely need a test til fail comparison when these become more widely available. I love my Milwaukee stuff and as I’m a diesel tech I need it to hold up to a long term beating. Real world application, the 33mm lug nuts on a semi call for 450-500ft-lb of torque, and I’ve used my Milwaukee on a 6 Mississippi count to make that torque wrench click when set to 475. Consistently. Super impressive
Those races had me yelling with excitement at my screen. Amazing work from Harbor Freight and TTC as always.
They are both on sale this weekend the ultra toque is only $199 or $260 with a 2.5 battery and charger
Holy shit $260? Gonna get one.
@@Yohane350 Good luck finding one!
You guys inspired me to use my 6AH 21700 pack on my 1/2" impact. Definitely makes a difference, especially at low voltage.
I just picked up an Ultra Torque today. They didn't even have a display model up yet, lol. Coming from the Bauer 1/2 (meh), then the Earthquake 1/2 XT (100% better than Bauer), then to the Hercules Ultra Torque.. It makes the Earthquake XT looks like a toy. I love the fact that Harbor Freight gives you 3 months to try out a tool. I had the Bauer for a day, ran back and traded it for the EQ XT. Then today traded the XT for the Ultra Torque. Glad I did. Worth the money (so far). With a 5 year warranty I feel more confident.
I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade, as well as a weekend wrench turner. In my professional life, I have no need for any of this insanely OP toolage. However! As someone who is trying to put together his home shop toolbox, as well as a roadside assistance box for my truck, I've been scratching my head on what kind of cordless impact to buy. My current platform is Milwaukee, but I cant seem to justify spending that kind of money on something that may only get used 2-4 times a month (if that)... But with trying to ball on a budget, this video has really impressed me and in a weird way brought my sights around to the harbor freight tool branding. Especially on something you can spend $100-$300 less on and get darn near the same performance. Its safe enough to say I will be picking one of these HF Ultra tqs the next time I walk into my local HF
I have the dewalt 899. For about 2 years now. Ive been pretty happy with it, as a driveway mechanic only using it maybe once a month, its been great. I actually chose it just because the battery was swappable with my power tools and yard tools. Hard to leave a brand i have so many batteries for. I even modified the Kid's power wheels to take 1 a 20v Dewalt battery.
flexvolt 60V is awesome: from SDS drill to chainsaw, I'm loving it!
The DeWalt mid range impact does pretty much the same as the 899 just a lot lighter. By far one of if not the best power to size ratio.
The internet has leveled the competitive playing field for people needing to buy tools in the tool market. This channel is awesome.
They come with a 5-year warranty too--which is pretty suprising to me, as I question the tools reliability overall. I use my Milwaukee impacts everyday and put them to work, and they're great. If I wasn't in a professional industry and I only used tools at home on my own cars and projects, Harbor Freight's line of tools is what I would most likely buy. I think Harbor Freight's line has many great tools, especially for the price. But when it comes to power tools like these--I would still probably go with Milwaukee because the price difference isn't that much, and Milwaukee is a legendary reputable brand.
I appreciate how you provide all the data, which allows people that understand it to look at it and decide for themselves what is best for their needs, yet you also provide a quick and simple summary for those who just want to know what the best deal is.
HF definitely upped the ante here. They addressed popular concerns like the ratings and the warranty, they brought the beans, and they have good prices. That 5yr warranty, direct swap at the store, that's 100x better than Milwaukee "warranty", that's for sure. If HF expands this line of brushless 18V tools with similar warranty, Hercules is on its way to becoming a well-regarded power tool brand.
Now if only they could do something about that bundle discount where you *have* to buy tool, charger, and battery. They should make it so you can buy any combination of three because to get the discount (like 2 tools and a battery; 2 batteries and a tool; etc.). Because nobody is going to buy a charger every time.
Btw while their MSRP price is close to the current mainstays like DeWalt and Milwaukee, when you consider their sale price, along with the bundle discount if you also get a battery and charger, their price drops fairly significantly. Both tools are currently on sale. The Ultra i think is $199, and the High torque is like $179.
First thing I did when I got up today was come see if this week was the new Herc impacts haha. You guys never disappoint!
I have all of the hercules tools for auto repair, I absolutely loveeee them, I prefer them well over my over priced snap on electric tools that are constantly needing fixed! I had never expected them to be so impressive
And trust me they 100% honor the 90 day warranty I ran my ultra torque over and took it up there and no questions asked walked out with a new gun, and no I didn't buy the harbor freight warranty
@@KylesMobileAutoRepairLLCThanks for this reply, I'm getting back into the trade after being out for a decade and need to make a choice. Your comment pushed me over. I used to buy Craftsman in the nineties because of that sweet warranty whereas the Snap on Truck would tell you that you abused the tool, so walk in walk out warranty is HUGE for me.
I think the thing I like most about the Hercules is the more angled grip, but I do applaud them for making a good high torque and (sorta) meeting their advertised numbers. I don't think $20 is enough, or should be enough, for someone to choose questionable HF reliability over what is basically the industry standard. To the ones that counter that with the in store warranty, that doesn't help you when it quits in the middle of work. And don't forget that the Milwaukee/Dewalt those are being compared to are 5-6 years old as pointed out. Really it just comes down to what battery line you're invested in. If you have M18s, you're gonna get a 2767, if you have Hercules batteries, you're gonna get the Ultra Torque.
the real thing is if you don't have any batteries yet the hercules is actually more like $150 cheaper or more if you want 2 good batteries and a charger. if harbor freight could learn to stop changing batteries i think they'd have a winner
The thing about harbor freight though is if you buy the tool and the extended warranty . 1 year is good enough as most of their tools I have broken in 5-6 months , is that from 9 am to 8 pm I can have a new tool in 10 min, for the cost of a new warranty. I don’t have to send it in and wait and I’m not down much time .
If premium brands never break in that 2 year times span then that’s great but if they do then you’re out several weeks I’d assume while you wait . And then you’re probably going down to harbor freight to buy a cheap back up anyway .
I own the DCF900, 2767, and the Ultra Torque. Been using the ultra torque the past couple months and I’ve been loving it. Gets the job done for what I need, breaking away tight rust 1 1/8” bolts
I worked in a mill for a contracting company installing new mill equipment, and we used all Makita 1/2 " and even some 3/4 " guns and tools. They were ok but always lacked the power to really tighten the 1 3/4 " bolts we were dealing with. Boss switched to all Milwaukee guns with the biggest batteries we could find and they were wayy more powerful. Would tighten the same bolts in less than half the time to the same Tq spec. Also they seemed to handle falls from 20-30 feet alot better. I now personally use Milwaukee tools in the automotive industry and am glad i made the change from Dewalt and Makita aswell.
I will stick with Milwaukee sense I have so many of them but it would be mice to do a battery test with all of these Batteries to see witch will hold up over time! ⚡👍
I bought the Ultra Torque for use on my Peterbilt 387 and it powers off the lug nuts like a champ. I bought two 5AH batteries and the dual charger which I can leave plugged in in my under bunk storage so I can charge the batteries as I'm driving. Just bought a 2004 aluminum flatbed trailer and the lug nuts were so tight that my 4' breaker bar with a 4' cheater couldn't break the lug nuts loose. Way WAY over the 500 Ft Lbs torque spec! The Ultra Torque took a bit of time, but I was able to get all the wheels off so I could change the tires.
Good morning everyone hope everyone is having a blessed Friday
It's Tuesday. Are you from Europe?
Glad to see HF stop ignoring Hercules in favor of Bauer and actually making the brand worthwhile in the process! These things look nice!
I do automotive for a living and own the Hercules 20v impact driver (5a battery) and 1/2" High Torque (8a battery). The impact driver is obviously good enough for light work, and surprisingly strong for some medium nuts and bolts with 1/2" impact adapters/sockets. I use the High Torque for anything beyond that. Has been enough power for my needs. Very satisfied with their products and like the peace of mind knowing I can just do an exchange at the store if one breaks. I'm also fortunate to not live in a state with rusted vehicles
I as a 30 year contrator literally have/own in my arsenal 95% Milwaukee tools. Hands down the strongest most reliable and incredible ultra performance caliper of any cordless tools ever. The Ultra is a nice tool it appears. Time will till how it holds up over the years
YOO THIS IS AWESOME im a Sales supervisor for HFT when we got one in I started playing with the display! it feels so different from the earthquake for sure!! (Brushless)
Well looking for a Cordless impact wrench just for DIY stuff you guys sold me on this Hurcules Ultra TQ!
Let’s be honest. Everyone has been waiting for this since HF announced the product.
Not entirely accurate. I have zero knowledge of and zero interest in what HF announces.
@@fredygump5578 always exceptions to the general rule
Incredible video! Its the battery cost that really does it for me. I hurt my back trying to take one stuck lug nut off a work truck the other day, and that was the last straw. I need a cordless impact. Going to HF this weekend and picking up the ultra.
Update on the tools you got?
loving these. Cant wait till you get the DCF900 to see if its a better version of the DCF891. Leaderboard may see a long lived King.
Finally hf is stepping it up with better power tools and warranty. That's a really nice ultra torque impact wrench.
Thank u for everything. I appreciate ur research and maticulous attention to detail
If HF had all the same offerings as Milwaukee (in terms of both tools and batteries), I would've gone that route. I love all of the different Milwaukee tools on the same battery platform. I like using a saw, a backpack vacuum, a compressor, and a leaf blower with the same battery.
I'm already in the Hercules line myself with some other tools, so it looks like an ultra torque is calling my name once they've come in stock at my store. I bought my father the DeWalt DCF899 last Christmas and he loves it. My older brother said he uses it on everything. He already had one of DeWalts smaller mid-torques so I figured something with some more oomf would help work on his fuel trucks and the tractor. :)
I have the 899 at work and have only came across one bolt that it would remove or break and that was my superdutys lugnuts but to be fair those like to tighten them selves and have Broken a few half in drive sockets and breaker bars
@@Wesleystewart78 The biggest machines/vehicles my father owns are his single-axle fuel trucks and my grandfathers 28hp New Holland 1715 compact tractor. So the 899 I bought for him is a lot more effective for working on those things than his smaller DeWalt impact wrench. He's not removing the lug nuts from his trucks with it to change the tires though. He has a mechanic he pays for that. But what work he is capable of doing the DCF899 is perfect. Plus I got it on-sale at the beginning of last December in kit form where the deal included a set of DeWalt branded deep-well impact sockets as free add-on. :)
Who would have thought that one day harbor freight and Milwaukee could legitimately be in the same conversation! That day is today.
Price went up on the Milwaukee 12 HOs, $219 was the normal price just a year or two ago.
I just bought their Ultra-Torque, an 8AH and 12AH battery, the new Hercules cordless grinder with paddle, a worklight and floodlight, and some other odds and ends... Between the Cyber Monday discounts, the 25-off combo deal, and 10%-off first purchase (they ALLLLL stacked), I got outa there with a HECK of a deal!
When the Ultra Torque inevitably sells way more, I bet that HFT's takeaway is that they should start calling all their high torques ultra torques, not that it was a stupid thing to release a stripped down/weaker version alongside the nearly identical prime tool.
Lol yes. Why even bother having a step down from the ultra torque. It's already a massive size package
@@OtherDalfite Profit
right? it would have made more sense to target Milwaukee's mid-torque offering with 450 tighten / 600 break-away. With it's smaller footprint, I find that it's the right tool for the job most of the time, and I use my mid-torque far more than I use the high torque, but when the high torque is needed I'm thankful I have both.
@@svn5994 imo you'd have to be a big dumbass or have money to waste if you get the lower one over the larger or buy both
@@OtherDalfite they want the consumer to buy the ultra torque, so they made a version that’s worse than it to compare to.
I have used the Harbor Freight EarthQuake XT for 4 years - its an excellent tool. The battery goes forever and its powerful. RUclipsr AvE has an excellent breakdown of the quality of the tool.
Would be cool to see you test out the new bauer brushless 1/4in driver. Super cheap and a lot more torque than the old brushed driver. I use it all the time.
I work for HFT im waiting for this also! I own Bauer tools but I might change that after this video!
Because of this video... I just picked up the ULTRA on sale for $179.00 during sidewalk sale that started today for Inside Track members. And because I bought a Hercules Battery and Charger with it I got another $25.00 off! Great buy! Look forward to using it.
Total??? All together
I was planning on hb, but after all the price its almost d same as a good dewalt,
@@gerardolopez5875 total of 154. For the Ultra plus cost of charger and battery.
@@gerardolopez5875 But Dewalt only has a 3yr warranty, the Hercules has a 5yr warranty, and all you got to do is return it to HF for a new one. Dewalt is not so easy.
@@pipeman65 @ 180 gun / 160 charger& battery s? Equals 240?
I can't WAIT to see you test the new Dewalt DCF900. I have seen some pre-orders have been fulfilled.
Harbor Freight winning at the cordless impact tool race and the welding race! Impressive!
LOL! Who in their right mind would buy this over Milwaukee? It performs the same as Milwaukee, and it costs the same as Milwaukee. All I see are down sides.
@@fredygump5578 Competition brings the prices down. I'd buy it with the 5 year warranty and the performance is the same as Milwaukee.
@@fredygump5578 Some of hf products are on point and are good quality like the Daytona jacks, Fortress air compressors, Hercules and Bauer impacts which I have all of them and have not one complaint. I just don't need a 1/2 impact right now.
I just got me the Hercules from watching this channel...I absolutely love this channel you guys are awesome.
We need some Durability testing. See how long they all comparatively hold together!
We'll do our best. These seeing upwards of 8 30 second test attempts alone is quite a beating.
That’s really what it comes down to.
Can it do the job, and how long can it do that job before needing replaced. I don’t care what color it is lol
But if that 5 year warranty is actually as good as they say… I’ve been in the market for some 18ish volt tools..
@@kylesalem-fuson8012 go get milwaukee and don’t look back.
@@samuelgrogan6443 all the boys at my shop have a Milwaukee, I use em from time to time. Personally I prefer air wrenches. But sometimes I need a cordless.
And honestly Hercules looks much more appealing now if that 5 year warranty is actually trouble free lol
You Milwaukee fan boys are as bad as Toyota and jeep guys lol
@@kylesalem-fuson8012 I am also a toyota guy 😂 I’ve never had issues with milwaukee warranty. You only hear from people who had a bad experience, not the good ones
That description made me chuckle
glad to see hf giving great performance for the cheaper price still. I'm a milwaukee guy but still impressed
It's almost the exact same price!
M18 users holding there breathe while watching the graph lol
As a m18fuel fan boy #s don't lie. But can it withstand the beating my tools take as a tradesman?
@Lkom24 probably, has a 5 year warranty either way so
LOOL 😂
These inexpensive units may have great power when new, but what is the long term durability of them and how long will those big numbers last for? They use less expensive parts, so chances are they won't las as long as a more expensive name brand.
They're all produced in neighboring factories, functionally I don't think they'll last all that differently. If anything is to fail, it's probably the rubberized handles. I've had an earthquake as a mechanic for 5+ years and it's the only thing that really lets the tool down.
I mean, the fact harbor freight is confident enough to offer a good warranty tells me that they'll be pretty okay
I'm a Makita guy and liking these new HF cordless tools. Getting better quality lately...
What a time to be alive! tool wars! wow 186k subs on your channel, it was 100k seems like yesterday, nice! Value in the big impacts, awesome! now to watch that guys teardown video
I had decided to "standardize" on Milwaukee... and I am glad that it was a good decision, as they seem to be if not the best tool, up there.... it's more value to not get kits with batteries for each tool, and just share batteries, for a hobbyist like me.
with the price to show for it
Can't bring myself to buy Harbor Freight at least for the foreseeable future. Great video and information 👍😎
With an at the counter warranty, and price, and battery price, 5 year warranty instead of 3, how could you go wrong! In my book, Harbor Freight just blew the doors off the competitions with all that!
The balance scale has now switched from performance to price. Which wins: .05% better performance or 30% better price (I didn't bother to work out the exact percentage because I'm not in the market for any of these but if I were, price now wins).
I picked up the 5" grinder and 1/4" die grinder. Both are very powerful. Time will tell if they will survive the shipyard. Die grinder has an insane amount of vibration
Words can’t explain how much I’ve been looking forward to this
Been waiting for this. Hopefully they keep down this path and continue to overhaul the lineups of hercules
I run a mobile welding business and have been switching over to Hercules from Milwaukee. Personally I’ve found them to be a legitimate contender so far with ( Portanband, 4 1/2” grinder, circular saw and impact all used with 5AH) I bought the 1/2” impact for some mechanic work I do on my truck.. that was a pile of crap with a 5AH battery..
Now if only HF can get a Bauer that will come close to the Ryobi's numbers!
Buy the Hercules, it is a better tool
Break after a year. Trash
@@rogermendez7266 Funny because most of the guys I talked to say the Milwaukee lasts about a year with hard use.
@@rogermendez72665 year warranty… so let it break
Funny you say that...
Ive been telling everyone that harbour freight has really been stepping up their game the last few years. They have quite a few tools now that are my go to daily tools.
Would be great if the best case scenario graph showed which direction they are running. Like an arrow around the circle or red and green outlines. :)
I’ve commented on here before and after trying the Hercules ultra torque out I have a few comments. First off I would like to mention that I’m a name brand type of guy but I’m also open to knock off stuff if it’s good and with that being said I would like to address the pros and cons of the Hercules line up compared to others. 1. Pros of Hercules 1/2 ultra torque has no battery slop in fact it’s hard as hell to insert the battery when it’s brand new😂. It feels good in your hand and isn’t bad quality, the batteries are affordable and so are the chargers, if you’re new to electric power tools it’s an easier cheap start to get into it and the batteries for the most part charge relatively quickly! The cons: they get a bad name for being “off brand” tools which might get you laughed at, they’re blue which is my opinion on the color being bad lol, they’re not offered on a tool truck for automotive career minded individuals, and their selection of other tools is limited for the time being. The power is definitely there and I rate the quality as the best “off brand” high torque gun you can get but every one thinks just because it’s a harbor freight gun that it wont last but a year or two and that’s also not true. I’ve had the 1/2 compact/ mid torque for 2 years now and it’s still running strong! Now Obviously in terms of off brand you can’t generalize Hercules as off brand, it would be like saying that flex or ryobi is off brand which isn’t the case. To generalize something as off brand it would have to be an identical tool in every aspect but have a different brand name for it to be considered “ off brand”. This isn’t me bashing other brands cause obviously I have others that I enjoy using! To sum all of this up what I tell people who are shopping for tool brands is; it’s all about money, if you have power tools at home that have batteries already, buy that brand power tool to go along with the batteries cause that’s the real expense being that batteries are usually what fail first and if you’re new to electric tools then do a lot of research on what’s affordable to “you” specifically in the long run cause it gets very pricey!
I'm not a brand fanboy. I own Ryoby, Ridgid, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch. I tend to look for the cheapest options but with good reputation. It's good to see Harbour Freight come up with quality tools.
I go to their stores a lot.
Very interesting video. Have Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 1/2 inch Impact. Ordered when stationed in the Philippines 1989-92. Still use it today.
My 3/8 and 1/2 Hercs are doing well. I will grab one of these once I can the rest of my Dewalt stuff. Wont be long.
HF has been stepping it up for sure. I am most curious about their new ICON light. They are claiming 2100 lumens, 100 more that the snap on equivalent for almost 150$ cheaper. I have the ICON and its like turning the sun on but I would love to know how close they are to 2100 lumens and what kind of runtime it has compared to that snap on light
I just see no reason why they didn't let it have a easily removable battery. I was excited then majorly disappointed
Love the video, the perspective, and your description of the video. Keep up the great work and keep the cat safe.
I got my Ryobi high torque last week and it too is a beast for a car rebuilder the Ryobi is way more than enough and free 4Ah battery 🔋 love the videos 👍👍👍
I like the Ryobi, great size
I have been waiting for this video so much!
I noticed the speed wobble phenomena with both my 2767, and my 2769 when removing some seriously stuck lug nuts on specifically F150/Expeditions. I notice in your case, that the socket stops cold, while the impact is jumping all over. This is exactly what happens in my case as well. When the socket gets seized on the nut, the impact will jump all over while putting more shock into your hand. It makes the same sound too, from what I can hear.
Yessir! But it definitely gets in a funk. Even when you take the socket off and put the gun back on it'll often go right back to wobbling
This is awesome to see! If I hadn’t just bought the (old) Ridgid Octane high torque, I’d be going for that Hercules Ultra…👏👏 to HF for this one, finally
I have the Hercules 1650 ft. brake away I have to say I'm very impressed in the power. And also with a 5-year warranty no questions asked not bad.
Big numbers are great and all, but having used almost every brand of high torque for a long time, I much prefer lighter weight Midtorque (Milwaukee gen 2 and the DeWalt gen 2) will do 99% of what you actually need, and being in a shop, if I need something to actually break rust and not my wrist, I'll grab my air gun.
I would just like to know the quality of the cells being used in the HF. A new tool may stack up very differently than I one year old tool. Ryobi has taught me that with its very inconsistent battery packs.
Thank you for your videos, its nice to see unbiased information when it comes to tools. Working as a auto tech its easy to get caught in flashy or brand name tools, or someone says X tool is the best. There are times you can get the same bang for less buck and you give that information. Having that information allows anyone to make the decision for themselves what is most cost effective for what they plan to do. Irrelevant note I would like to see your normal testing but also a torture test on the Advid power 3/8th 12v electric ratchet from amazon. Its something I bought and have my opinions on but would like to see a unbiased view. For 60$ you get tool, 2 batteries, charger . But also including some sockets no one should ever use.
Yep I recently had a umm argument with a tool truck fanboy tech...after a while he admitted he used multiple cheaper sets in different applications. Then said he had NO idea SnapOn authorized their name on cheap junk tools sold at Tractor Supply or Costco...
I watched reviews on here when buying a 12 in. sliding compound miter and went with the Hercules on sale.... its been a beast of a saw and I love it. Its holding up fine to some pretty brutal use and slammed around in transport.
Loving the advances in low/bugget friendly tools theys days just wish skill/erbauer would bring out some more tools in there colection
I have harbor freights older red big old 1/2” gun. Earthquake? Been a great gun. AvE even tore one down and it looked great. My biggest gripe is every 6 months something comes out and I need an entirely new battery system/charger. So that’s a huge problem for me to be willing to buy another harbor freight. Also some of their batteries have died on me, and chargers. Including their 80v brushless stuff. Just refusing to work. I don’t have the time to disassemble packs and repair them… Milwaukee m12 or m18 has more staying power.
@@rch5991 Yeah exactly! I still have some ryobi stuff from my dad from like you said 20 years ago, works with the same batteries as the new stuff. Still works fine! I love some of the tools from harbor freight... like my big jack, and aluminum jack stands, breaker bars, cheap sockets in a pinch. But damn I regret every battery powered purchase I've made from them... I have a corded angle grinder that's gotta be near 20 years old, still works great lol. But nope they took enough of my money on the battery stuff. No more! I need tools that work. My milwaukee m12 gets the snot beaten out of it. Still works. Never missed a beat.
@@rch5991 I will say the only thing I didn't like from milwaukee I bought was their die grinder m12. Thing is junk. Would bind up all the time couldn't do shit even with a nice new carbide, working on some heads... I returned it. Got a harbor freight cheapie die grinder left over from the change to Hercules or whatever on sale, and it's been a champ.
Now if we could just get the new Bauer 1/4" brushless with 5ah battery tested against others i would feel complete!!! Great work!!!
After two decades of Dewalt and Milwaukee, I'm now strongly considering the Hercules. It sucks because we've got literally thousands of dollars wrapped up in 4ah/6ah batteries, but the drivers and impacts hardly last a year. Then we've got warranty hoops to jump through, which aren't worth it. Every warranty I've had to deal with HF was about as pleasant and straightforward as you can get. I'm glad to see them stepping up their game in the power tool department.
Just bought the Hercules today 1400 torque bought the 5.0 amp battery and the charging station asked if there was any discount and turns out there is a deal on them rn got the 1/2 555lbs break away torque gun for free 80$ish dollar value can’t wait to use them
Wow, I’m glad these didn’t disappoint! I was let down by the last Hercules impacts, but these numbers are actually very honest.
A new beginning for HF power tools; no longer laughing at people who would buy them based upon their outlandish claims of performance and a joke of a warranty.
Time will tell how well they will hold up over time and how well they handle repairs, but if I were any of the "big boys" in cordless tools (Milwaukee, Dewalt, Rigid and others) I'd be worried ( assuming they keep the price point attractive).
You might be able to find the 2767-20 for $250-$260 on a place like Amazon, where you;re dealing with 3rd party sellers. Milwaukee actually did increase the retail price of that model from $299 to $329. Home Depot for example has it listed at $329 as well. So they are just comparing their retail price to the retail price of the Milwaukee. These HF Impacts are already on sale for $179 and $199 respectively, but when they do the 20-25% off no exclusions deal you could get one quite cheap. I used to own the 2767-20 but sold it because it was just too much impact for what i normally do, so i bought the GEN 2 Mid Torque instead but i i like seeing new impacts and new brands making quality impacts.
The coupons frequently don't include the power tools
Im a professional mechanic 55 hours per week , 5 years of experience so far only Milwaukee can survive that torture. I have pieces of plactic and rubber missing out of my impact , dropped from 5 to 10 ft on daily basis. Ran over with the vehicle ones ,and its refusing to die😂😂😂 i have 13 years old hack saw with original battery and a charger and its still working flawlessly.
I like Hercules. I have their electric Jackhammer and it's really nice. I knew when I picked up the Ultra Torque and knew it would be quality. Next on my list to buy.
The price and being able to walk into Harbor Freight and exchange the tool would be enough for me to buy that product, that on top of a 5 year warranty. I don't use an impact as I am retired, but I still like to keep up on the tools. I still have my pneumatics if push comes to shove.
They really do stand by that warranty, I bought the half inch sub impact and it didn't quite have the power I needed for my job so I took it in and they without much question refunded it and I bought the ultra torque.
FINALLY! BEEN WAITING ALL WEEK TO SEE THIS ONE!
I'm on the market for one of these, and so far that ultra torque is the one that makes the most sense.
Just got the ultra torque, it's a beast for sure. Love it and great video.