We hope you found this video helpful if you are trying making a decision on whether to buy this. We build custom furniture and do a ton of woodcraft and we truly love it!
I agree. I bought this saw almost 3 years ago and it came totally square and the blade is a very good one considering it’s not a Freud or other high end products. I have the stand but am going to build a miter station for multiple reasons. The stand is good for small shops or portable use.
One of the better reviews on this saw that I've seen. Been on the fence for a while, thinking about replacing my Delta compound miter saw with a sliding model to accommodate wider boards. Your review helped me decide. Headed to HF tomorrow. Thanks
Some of their tools are junk, let's be honest. But, this saw is a winner. I've had mine about two years as well. Mine was slightly out of square (1/2 degree) out of the box. Easy fix. One thing I use a lot is the hold down that also comes with it. And the depth stop is great for dados and rabbets.
Exactly. I as he said I don’t buy any tools at HF that I expect of quality. Bauer I’ve had no luck with but Hercules seems to be their best machines. I have the table saw as well and it’s a DeWalt quality for half the price. The only other HF product I really like are the Bremen parallel clamps. They are of Bessey quality and I would argue a little better and even for quality.
Nice comments and reveiw i have to replace my Stolen Dewalt 12” Mitre Saw and i think this is my next one. i agree with you onHercules and Bauer tools at HF most Mitre Saws go out of adjustment from not transporting them correctly or Operator Abuse
I have had my Bosch for about 20 years and the fence warped so that is impossible yo line up the right and left hand fence to be square. I even sought professional help who machined the fence and gave us more adjustment , but I cannot align the right and left side to get a square cut. So I am looking to replace with the Hercules. I have heard many good things about the saw, so I think I will be looking to buy one, when on sale. One thing I haven't found what is the warrantee?
Yeah I just bought this saw yesterday and so excited to start using it, but it won't be today, it's suppose to rain. And I'm going to use it to help put my work shop up so k can put my tools in the workshop and then have a bunch of logs I have to cut up in my yard where I'm going to put together a greenhouse and staging room for my wife. I cannot hardly wait to start using this saw. And start learning how to use my router. And then I'm going to build a storage shed just to put my building materials to store up for future projects. And as soon as I can get a couple friends together, plan on bringing my 7hp sawmill from my mother's to my house. It has a 12ft track, but I can only cut up to about 10ft logs. I can't hardly wait. It's going to be so much fun... I'm 45 years old, Autistic minded, and feel like I'm just now getting started in life... lol
I bought the Hercules miter saw about 3 years ago to do hobby work & has been very good to me. The 1 thing I don't like is that the bolt is that the bolt for the blade is on so tight I haven't been able to change the blade.
I just bought this saw but in process of building a bench for it so haven’t used it yet. However, after watching your video, I’m happy I made the purchase!
buy the ridgid rolling miter stand . very mobile and able to store the saw vertically. i only use my sa outside so no worries about dust. great stan’s. but on sale
I have the Ryobi 12in compound miter saw. I had a massive kickback and bent the fence and broke the blade guard. I can't find parts. It's black Friday weekend and the saw is going for $229. I'm going to get one today.
@@soulmatesandsawdusttn One of the negatives that other reviews have posted regards the dust collection port not functioning very well with either the bag or a vacuum system. Really like to see your application. Thanks.
@@kellandreader I went to a site called shop nation. he is on you tube also. He makes a 3d printed dust shoot for this saw, HB74. It works fantastic for dust collection.
To six miles up, etc. If you had any problems Harbor Fright would have returned your purchase within 30 days with No questions asked. As a customer for over 20 twenty years this has never been a problem. I had the Chicago saw for over ten years the saw still works fine for rough cuts. After reviewing the RUclips Hercules sites, I did my own alignment checks and still found no problems. As for my new Hercules it was set up on my patio. So, I went out and checked the square on the fence as you mentioned and found No out of alignment. One of the first things I do is check my tools within two to three days after purchase since I will be using the saw for close tolerance work. In comparison to the other major brands within $700.00 dollars, Hercules has become the best on the market.
I looked at this saw and really liked it but the overall size (depth) of it with its slide mechanism was a deal breaker for me. I opted for a Metabo HTP and it was defective right out of the box so I picked a Bosch with its slide mechanism “glide” mechanism. And the bevel controls are up front. However I do not foresee using that. But great video and review by real people users and not professional woodworkers.
I have the same saw, it works great, and like yours mine was also properly adjusted out of the box. I haven't used mine very much yet, but the few projects I've needed it for, its done great, seems to have more power than the old 12" Chicago Electric model I had before. I got mine on sale for $299. About 1/2 the price of those other brands, and honestly they're not as great as people want you to think. I've had all the so called "Brand Name" tools, and they still broke, they still needed periodic adjustments, etc. So why pay more to get the same results that a less expensive tool can give you. I also have the Hercules 12-1/2" Thickness Planer....it has 3 cutters on the head VS 2 that many other brands have, it does a great job, and definitely worth the money. If I recall I paid $349 for the planer, it was on sale the same time the miter saw was, and I bought both. I do not have the miter saw stand, I have a Black and Decker Work Mate that I put the bench dogs in, and set the miter saw or the planer on and clamp them down while I'm using them, when I'm done the saw and the planer go back on the shelf out of the way, and the Work Mate folds up and sits against the wall out of the way. The Hercules Miter Saw and that Thickness Planer are both heavy tools, I was surprised how heavy they were, I wasn't expecting that, usually the stuff from Harbor Freight isn't built as well....can't complain about either tool, they are doing very well for my homeowner/DIYER needs. I have a few of the Bauer cordless tools and a few Hercules cordless tools as well, and they seem to be doing fine.
Good video and informative ... you mention some different saw blades you have used on this miter saw ... would you mind mentioning some of them and reason why? I plan on buying mind this week while it is on sale, thanks!
Thank you for your feedback. I would recommend either Hercules or Bauer 12" blades. The 40 tooth ripping blade and 80 tooth finishing blade that are great to get you started.
The "cheap" big box store blades, namely Diablo, are the best blades. Because they have an anti-kickback "raker tooth" or "shoulder tooth" behind the cutting tooth. The really expensive blades aren't really as safe, because they don't have the anti-kickback raker teeth. The $200 Ridge Carbide or Forrest blades don't have any anti-kickback features. The cheap blades are slightly less likely to kickback and grab the board, because they are specifically designed for safety. One big channel recommends either the Freud Diablo or the CMT brand. CMT also has glowing reviews. Use a thin kerf, make sure you only buy a "thin kerf" blade which is approximately 0.087" wide kerf (cut) because it produces less dust, unless you have a reason for a standard thicker blade (slightly more accurate).
I’m a beginner so they’re great for me because once I learn how to use on the not a good tool then I upgrade to a better tool I just bought this off of Hercules thanks for showing me some stuff
Go to custom fabricating solution and get one of his zero clearance inserts. Then go to shop nation and get the 3d printed dust shoot for this saw. Dust collection is fantastic.
I pay very close attention to reviews, and I've not heard of a single negative review from any person who owns and uses Hercules power tools. One mechanic made a whole RUclips video explaining that his Hercules cordless impact driver, and other small power tools were more reliable than Milwaukee. Another tool reviewer said he prefers the build quality of the Hercules miter saw, and it's a better saw, for less money than the Dewalt. I found it difficult to get honest reviews on circular saws in general. The tests that some channels do, are not real world tests, they are just stress tests, and don't show accuracy, or ergonomics, or battery capacity. I ended up purchasing 2 "Flex" brand circular saws, because they have the best specifications, and best batteries for the money. When doing a comparison between Milwaukee and Flex, I encountered some critical flaws in the M18 Milwaukee circular saws. But strangely, when I tried to make a RUclips video exposing the defect, this platform's algorithm stopped the video from being seen anymore. The implications are that you are not actually "allowed" to make negative videos about Milwaukee.... Hmm...
Thank you for watching and for your comment. We can't really comment on anything you are describing. We just wanted to do a review on a saw that we really like.
I bought this a couple of years ago. It is pretty much pure junk. I discovered (too late for return) that the fence is not even close to being within plane of either side. If you are looking at it, the left side of the fence that is bolted to the saw is not coplanar with the right side. If you place a straightedge on the left side and slide it towards the right side, it will hit the leading edge of the fence. Basically, the fences are tilted towards each other. I removed the entire fence system from the saw, mounted it in my Bridgeport mill, and brought it into alignment. Still, the sliding portion of the fence is so far out of whack (tilted towards the back of the saw) that I am probably going to toss this junk before I waste any more time on it. Harbor Freight's "dumb tools," such as sockets and wrenches, are fine, but I will never buy anything like this from them again. It would be fine if I was just doing rough, and I mean rough, framing, but I am doing trim, and it just does not work for that.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience with this tool, but I wonder if we're talking about the same saw. I also have a Chicago Electric Harbour Freight saw and an Admiral saw. I experienced the same problem you had with the Chicago Electric saw and I only use that for rough construction jobs. Its basically junk but works in a pinch. The Admiral is a decent tool for the average craft carpenter. I use it in my classroom where I teach basic woodworking. The laser is terrible but the saw has stayed square and true for a few months now. I seldom use it though. Time will tell I guess. That being said, the Hercules 12 inch sliding compound miter saw is my favorite miter saw, and I have had several good brands. I have had this saw for two plus years and it has never needed to be adjusted right out of the box. I am a fine furniture builder and my tools need to be precise as I'm sure you need yours to be. This tool is as good as some that go for $800.00 in my estimation. The motor went out on my Dewalt a few years ago and I didnt have the money to put out for another one, so I did a little research and while the saw was fairly new on the market, I took a chance and I have never looked back. If I have any complaints about this tool, it's the noise of the motor and the lack of a full brake. Again, sorry you had this experience but this has been a great tool for me. Thanks for your comments on the video.
@@soulmatesandsawdusttn I wish I could post pictures on RUclips, but yes, it is definitely the Hercules saw. I might make a short video regarding the issues I see with this saw. I have done fine furniture building (as a hobby) for about 35+ years. I previously owned the Bosch 10 SCMS but needed a 12" for trim that I am doing in our new house. I am going to revisit the Bosch and the Makita saws today and probably make a change. I can buy the whole fence system from Harbor Freight for $65 or so, but I am concerned that I will end up with the same issue. It is actually rather astonishing how far out of whack my HF Hercules saw fence is.
We hope you found this video helpful if you are trying making a decision on whether to buy this. We build custom furniture and do a ton of woodcraft and we truly love it!
I agree. I bought this saw almost 3 years ago and it came totally square and the blade is a very good one considering it’s not a Freud or other high end products. I have the stand but am going to build a miter station for multiple reasons. The stand is good for small shops or portable use.
Glad you had a good experience with it. Thank you for the comment and feedback.
One of the better reviews on this saw that I've seen. Been on the fence for a while, thinking about replacing my Delta compound miter saw with a sliding model to accommodate wider boards. Your review helped me decide. Headed to HF tomorrow. Thanks
So glad it was helpful for you. I hope you enjoy the Hercules as much as we do.
Some of their tools are junk, let's be honest. But, this saw is a winner. I've had mine about two years as well. Mine was slightly out of square (1/2 degree) out of the box. Easy fix. One thing I use a lot is the hold down that also comes with it. And the depth stop is great for dados and rabbets.
Thanks watching and for your feedback. It’s a really good saw for the price.
Exactly. I as he said I don’t buy any tools at HF that I expect of quality. Bauer I’ve had no luck with but Hercules seems to be their best machines. I have the table saw as well and it’s a DeWalt quality for half the price. The only other HF product I really like are the Bremen parallel clamps. They are of Bessey quality and I would argue a little better and even for quality.
Nice comments and reveiw i have to replace my Stolen Dewalt 12” Mitre Saw and i think this is my next one. i agree with you onHercules and Bauer tools at HF most Mitre Saws go out of adjustment from not transporting them correctly or Operator Abuse
Thank you for your comments. If you end up getting the Hercules, let us know what you think.
I have had my Bosch for about 20 years and the fence warped so that is impossible yo line up the right and left hand fence to be square. I even sought professional help who machined the fence and gave us more adjustment , but I cannot align the right and left side to get a square cut. So I am looking to replace with the Hercules. I have heard many good things about the saw, so I think I will be looking to buy one, when on sale. One thing I haven't found what is the warrantee?
The best we could tell is that the warranty is now only 90 days, it used to be a year. You can also purchase an extended warranty Harbor Freight
Yeah I just bought this saw yesterday and so excited to start using it, but it won't be today, it's suppose to rain. And I'm going to use it to help put my work shop up so k can put my tools in the workshop and then have a bunch of logs I have to cut up in my yard where I'm going to put together a greenhouse and staging room for my wife. I cannot hardly wait to start using this saw. And start learning how to use my router. And then I'm going to build a storage shed just to put my building materials to store up for future projects. And as soon as I can get a couple friends together, plan on bringing my 7hp sawmill from my mother's to my house. It has a 12ft track, but I can only cut up to about 10ft logs. I can't hardly wait. It's going to be so much fun... I'm 45 years old, Autistic minded, and feel like I'm just now getting started in life... lol
Amen! Praying for blessings on all your endeavors!
Very informative! Great review 👍
Glad you found it helpful!
I bought the Hercules miter saw about 3 years ago to do hobby work & has been very good to me. The 1 thing I don't like is that the bolt is that the bolt for the blade is on so tight I haven't been able to change the blade.
On all miter saws, you actually need to turn the bolt clockwise to loosen it. Give that a try and let us know if you have better luck.
You are probably trying to turn the bolt the wrong direction. Its a right hand threaded bolt....don't worry it gets a lot of people....
I just bought this saw but in process of building a bench for it so haven’t used it yet. However, after watching your video, I’m happy I made the purchase!
Thank you for watching and please let us what you think about the saw once you start using it.
buy the ridgid rolling miter stand . very mobile and able to store the saw vertically. i only use my sa outside so no worries about dust. great stan’s. but on sale
I have this saw and I love it
Great!
From someone with a central electric and is good for the money. I would upgrade to this one . I was going to buy a Bosch
I have the Ryobi 12in compound miter saw. I had a massive kickback and bent the fence and broke the blade guard. I can't find parts. It's black Friday weekend and the saw is going for $229. I'm going to get one today.
Wow, that is the lowest price I've seen for the Hercules. Let us know what you think once you've used it. Thank you for the comment and for watching.
I think the saw for $229 is just the compound miter saw, not the sliding one. The sliding one is $299 on sale right now.
Great video Very informative and helpful. i would like to see more info on you dust collect for this saw
Thank you for watching and for your feedback. We can certainly look at doing a short video on the dust collection system. Stay tuned!
@@soulmatesandsawdusttn One of the negatives that other reviews have posted regards the dust collection port not functioning very well with either the bag or a vacuum system. Really like to see your application. Thanks.
@@kellandreader I went to a site called shop nation. he is on you tube also. He makes a 3d printed dust shoot for this saw, HB74. It works fantastic for dust collection.
To six miles up, etc. If you had any problems Harbor Fright would have returned your purchase within 30 days with No questions asked. As a customer for over 20 twenty years this has never been a problem. I had the Chicago saw for over ten years the saw still works fine for rough cuts. After reviewing the RUclips Hercules sites, I did my own alignment checks and still found no problems. As for my new Hercules it was set up on my patio. So, I went out and checked the square on the fence as you mentioned and found No out of alignment. One of the first things I do is check my tools within two to three days after purchase since I will be using the saw for close tolerance work. In comparison to the other major brands within $700.00 dollars, Hercules has become the best on the market.
Great advice and feedback. Thanks so much!
I looked at this saw and really liked it but the overall size (depth) of it with its slide mechanism was a deal breaker for me. I opted for a Metabo HTP and it was defective right out of the box so I picked a Bosch with its slide mechanism “glide” mechanism. And the bevel controls are up front. However I do not foresee using that. But great video and review by real people users and not professional woodworkers.
Thank you for your comments and for watching
I have the same saw, it works great, and like yours mine was also properly adjusted out of the box. I haven't used mine very much yet, but the few projects I've needed it for, its done great, seems to have more power than the old 12" Chicago Electric model I had before. I got mine on sale for $299. About 1/2 the price of those other brands, and honestly they're not as great as people want you to think. I've had all the so called "Brand Name" tools, and they still broke, they still needed periodic adjustments, etc. So why pay more to get the same results that a less expensive tool can give you.
I also have the Hercules 12-1/2" Thickness Planer....it has 3 cutters on the head VS 2 that many other brands have, it does a great job, and definitely worth the money. If I recall I paid $349 for the planer, it was on sale the same time the miter saw was, and I bought both. I do not have the miter saw stand, I have a Black and Decker Work Mate that I put the bench dogs in, and set the miter saw or the planer on and clamp them down while I'm using them, when I'm done the saw and the planer go back on the shelf out of the way, and the Work Mate folds up and sits against the wall out of the way.
The Hercules Miter Saw and that Thickness Planer are both heavy tools, I was surprised how heavy they were, I wasn't expecting that, usually the stuff from Harbor Freight isn't built as well....can't complain about either tool, they are doing very well for my homeowner/DIYER needs.
I have a few of the Bauer cordless tools and a few Hercules cordless tools as well, and they seem to be doing fine.
Great feedback, thank you!
What name brand blade are you using and how many teeth? Nice clean cuts
That's the hercules 12 inch 80 tooth fine finish blade. And yes, it makes a nice clean cut. Thank you for watching and for the question.
Good video and informative ... you mention some different saw blades you have used on this miter saw ... would you mind mentioning some of them and reason why? I plan on buying mind this week while it is on sale, thanks!
Thank you for your feedback. I would recommend either Hercules or Bauer 12" blades. The 40 tooth ripping blade and 80 tooth finishing blade that are great to get you started.
@@soulmatesandsawdusttn thanks 🤙
The "cheap" big box store blades, namely Diablo, are the best blades. Because they have an anti-kickback "raker tooth" or "shoulder tooth" behind the cutting tooth. The really expensive blades aren't really as safe, because they don't have the anti-kickback raker teeth. The $200 Ridge Carbide or Forrest blades don't have any anti-kickback features. The cheap blades are slightly less likely to kickback and grab the board, because they are specifically designed for safety. One big channel recommends either the Freud Diablo or the CMT brand. CMT also has glowing reviews. Use a thin kerf, make sure you only buy a "thin kerf" blade which is approximately 0.087" wide kerf (cut) because it produces less dust, unless you have a reason for a standard thicker blade (slightly more accurate).
I’m a beginner so they’re great for me because once I learn how to use on the not a good tool then I upgrade to a better tool I just bought this off of Hercules thanks for showing me some stuff
Thank you for the feedback and tuning in. We appreciate you!
Happy Thanksgiving guys.... Jeff and Chris
Thank you and a Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Go to custom fabricating solution and get one of his zero clearance inserts. Then go to shop nation and get the 3d printed dust shoot for this saw. Dust collection is fantastic.
Thank you! I've been wanting to make a zero clearance plate for this thing for quite a while now. Thank you for the advice.
I pay very close attention to reviews, and I've not heard of a single negative review from any person who owns and uses Hercules power tools. One mechanic made a whole RUclips video explaining that his Hercules cordless impact driver, and other small power tools were more reliable than Milwaukee.
Another tool reviewer said he prefers the build quality of the Hercules miter saw, and it's a better saw, for less money than the Dewalt.
I found it difficult to get honest reviews on circular saws in general. The tests that some channels do, are not real world tests, they are just stress tests, and don't show accuracy, or ergonomics, or battery capacity. I ended up purchasing 2 "Flex" brand circular saws, because they have the best specifications, and best batteries for the money.
When doing a comparison between Milwaukee and Flex, I encountered some critical flaws in the M18 Milwaukee circular saws. But strangely, when I tried to make a RUclips video exposing the defect, this platform's algorithm stopped the video from being seen anymore. The implications are that you are not actually "allowed" to make negative videos about Milwaukee.... Hmm...
Thank you for watching and for your comment. We can't really comment on anything you are describing. We just wanted to do a review on a saw that we really like.
that’s quit a blade you have there. must make clean cut.
Yes, it's a 12" fine tooth blade. It cuts very clean.
I bought this a couple of years ago. It is pretty much pure junk. I discovered (too late for return) that the fence is not even close to being within plane of either side. If you are looking at it, the left side of the fence that is bolted to the saw is not coplanar with the right side. If you place a straightedge on the left side and slide it towards the right side, it will hit the leading edge of the fence. Basically, the fences are tilted towards each other. I removed the entire fence system from the saw, mounted it in my Bridgeport mill, and brought it into alignment. Still, the sliding portion of the fence is so far out of whack (tilted towards the back of the saw) that I am probably going to toss this junk before I waste any more time on it. Harbor Freight's "dumb tools," such as sockets and wrenches, are fine, but I will never buy anything like this from them again. It would be fine if I was just doing rough, and I mean rough, framing, but I am doing trim, and it just does not work for that.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience with this tool, but I wonder if we're talking about the same saw. I also have a Chicago Electric Harbour Freight saw and an Admiral saw. I experienced the same problem you had with the Chicago Electric saw and I only use that for rough construction jobs. Its basically junk but works in a pinch. The Admiral is a decent tool for the average craft carpenter. I use it in my classroom where I teach basic woodworking. The laser is terrible but the saw has stayed square and true for a few months now. I seldom use it though. Time will tell I guess. That being said, the Hercules 12 inch sliding compound miter saw is my favorite miter saw, and I have had several good brands. I have had this saw for two plus years and it has never needed to be adjusted right out of the box. I am a fine furniture builder and my tools need to be precise as I'm sure you need yours to be. This tool is as good as some that go for $800.00 in my estimation. The motor went out on my Dewalt a few years ago and I didnt have the money to put out for another one, so I did a little research and while the saw was fairly new on the market, I took a chance and I have never looked back. If I have any complaints about this tool, it's the noise of the motor and the lack of a full brake. Again, sorry you had this experience but this has been a great tool for me. Thanks for your comments on the video.
@@soulmatesandsawdusttn I wish I could post pictures on RUclips, but yes, it is definitely the Hercules saw. I might make a short video regarding the issues I see with this saw. I have done fine furniture building (as a hobby) for about 35+ years. I previously owned the Bosch 10 SCMS but needed a 12" for trim that I am doing in our new house. I am going to revisit the Bosch and the Makita saws today and probably make a change. I can buy the whole fence system from Harbor Freight for $65 or so, but I am concerned that I will end up with the same issue. It is actually rather astonishing how far out of whack my HF Hercules saw fence is.