Harbor Freight has come out with their first Hercules cordless angle grinder, and this is also their first brushless cordless power tool in the Hercules lineup.
The new Harbor Freight brushless angle grinder works with 4-1/2″ or 5″ wheels and is said to deliver 45% longer runtime and 20% more power, compared to “specifications of standard product.”
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That last part is confusing, as Harbor Freight doesn’t have any other cordless angle grinder in the Hercules lineup. Perhaps the comparison is to their Bauer Hypermax angle grinder.
Harbor Freight has previously offered an Earthquake XT brushless angle grinder, which is now marked as being on clearance. The two tools have some similarities with respect to motor specs, but the Hercules grinder looks to have been completely redesigned.
That is, this isn’t Harbor Freight’s product team switching colors and brand labels, the new Hercules brushless angle grinder looks to be its own design.
The new Harbor Freight Hercules brushless angle grinder features an 8500 RPM motor, quick-adjust guard, electronic soft-start, cleanable air vents, and spindle lock.
Features & Specs
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- Part of the Hercules 20V cordless system
- Model HC61SB, SKU 56903
- Brushless motor with electronic soft-start
- 8500 RPM
- Quick-adjust blade guard
- Cleanable air vents
- Spindle lock for blade changes
- All metal gear construction [do any angle grinders have plastic gears??]
- 2-position side handle
- Lock-on switch
- Weighs 4 lbs
- 13-1/8″ length
The angle grinder ships with a 5″ Type-27 blade guard and sample grinding disc.
Price: $120 for the bare tool
Thank you to Chris for the news tip!
Discussion
I think this is an interesting place to start, but makes sense given Harbor Freight’s strong customer base with interests in automotive maintenance and fabrication tools.
Personally, I prefer paddle switch angle grinders, but I also don’t use such tools for very long sessions. A lot of heavier users prefer angle grinders with lock-on power switches, as they can be much less fatiguing.
It’s curious that this ships with a Type 27 5″ disc/blade guard. Will other accessories be available, such as Type 1 guards for better protection when using cut-off wheels?
The product specs mention a 3-position side handle, but I only see 2-positions. Harbor Freight’s Earthquake brushless angle grinder had a 3-position handle (both sides and on the top). This could possibly just be a web team error.
Harbor Freight is only selling the Hercules 20V angle grinder as a bare tool, which means you’ll need a separate battery and charger. For new users, a Hercules 5.0Ah battery is priced at $70, and the charger is priced at $40. If you buy all three at the same time, there’s an in-store-only $25 discount. Meaning, if you wanted a one-battery kit, and you buy in-store and without any other promos, you’ll need to spend $205 ($120 tool, $70 battery, $40 charger, $25 discount).
There’s also a 2.5Ah battery, priced at $40, but higher capacity batteries are generally recommended for cordless angle grinders.
This is an expansion of Harbor Freight’s Hercules 20V cordless power tool line, and although it’s their second brushless angle grinder, it’s just the start of their Hercules brushless tool selection. More are surely on the way.
What do you think about Harbor Freight’s first foray with Hercules brushless cordless power tools?
John
Let’s be quite frank here, paying name brand prices (Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, etc) for a Harbor Freight brand is beyond idiotic.
90 day [email protected]%king warranty, absolutely retarded. Is Harbor Freight genius or are people just stupid?
Paddle switches are much safer than lock-on switches.
Chris
I agree. I saw the price and I just about vomited. I suppose unless for whatever reason you already had other Hercules tools, I don’t know why you’d buy into it with this.
Kizzle
Most people don’t research themselves. They’re in harbor freight grabbing their crappy hand tools at bargain bin prices (while simultaneously complaining about China) and assume that a cordless angle grinder must be a good deal because it’s at harbor freight. They assume they’re getting a steal. In reality, for the same price they could get a excellent tool with an excellent warranty. Plus, the Milwaukee/Makita/Dewalt isn’t going to be replaced within a couple of months by some random new brand HF decides to launch. That’s why there’s a 90 day warranty, you see, because they’ll be a new model within that time. lol.
BJ
The 3 positions of the handle are right, left and somwhere on my workbench….
Chris
Hahaha hats a good one!
Scotty.
To marketing peeps removed is also a position. 😉
Kentucky fan
Most weld shops iv worked in will not allow grinders with a lock on switch its a big safety issue. Also the price on this thing is insane buy one of the big three when they are on sale.
Nathan
Yeah I think HF is genius in their shoppers surveys. They know that people roll in there just to buy what they think are cheap but good enough stuff.
5 minutes of google with your smartphone standing in the store should tell you – gee don’t buy this rot go to _____ and buy _______ anything else for similar dollars.
I too don’t understand marketing the herc crap with a 90 day warranty but placing it against Dewalt stuff with a 3 year warranty. (depending on the item)
John
Today, HF has raised prices on just about everything. You can verify it yourself, just look up your favorite whatever item(s). Some people are reporting on the Reddit HF subforum that a 2018 lawsuit is forcing them to present higher prices so that the sale prices are then legit under this legal requirement.
Stuart, my suggestion is investigate the price spikes. Get to the bottom of what is going on. For historical pricing, all you have to do is lookup any item at the coupon site hfqpdb.com, below the coupon shown will be a list and dates of past normal prices for that specific item. It will shock you. For example, the Hercules miter saw went from a range of $299-369 (just a week ago mind you) to $569 today.
HF has always based its business on shenanigans and this one may just top them all.
Jim Felt
My only thought is many people that never read tool and craft blogs simply stop in HF to buy a tarp or clamps or a jack or whatever and expect a low price. Period.
Though I’ve purchased dollies, cheap-ish tarps and the odd A clamp as gifts to people who don’t have any need or offer any respect for better spec’d products.
But roller chests or power tools? Never!
Hon Cho
“HF has always based its business on shenanigans…..” Geez folks, it’s just business. HF’s goal is emptying their customers’ wallets. While everyone on ToolGuyd is brilliant, the typical consumer isn’t as bright as they think they are. We’re…oops….they are manipulated by advertising, product placement, misleading comparisons, colors, branding and all the other techniques used for the promotion of products. Even the brilliant readers of ToolGuyd probably have fallen for some of the techniques.
Be glad you have choice and stop whining.
C_Andrews
How dare you interrupt this rant-fest of crusty old guys with your common sense and down-to-earth insight?
You may well be exiled from our virtual donut shop where all we do is order black coffee and sit for hours making occasional salacious comments to the over-the-hill waitress.
Watch yourself, mister.
Dave
The current price for the new Hercules Angle Grinder tool only is only 99.99 USD almost 44% cheaper than the Milwaukee. The performance that I tried is even better（more cuts for the rebars with one 5Ah pack）and seems more powerful.
Have to say, the higher prices for those big names like BOSCH, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita are just partially for their “names”. Cost effective shall be the priority for DIY and half-pro users like us.
RZ
This is the brilliant point.
Michael Roach
If you want a steal, get the Bauer Angle grinder, $40, plus $30 for the ACTUAL fast charger and $60 for the 5AH battery. Minus $20 and you have $110 for a cordless grinder kit. I’ve got 3 of them so far lol. If you don’t need quick battery charges, it’s $100 per.
I don’t recommend them for prolonged us, but for a mobile / cordless setup it’s amazing. I do small mig welding and it’s been a godsend.
This next part will depend on your disposition, but essentially the “serial number” is more of a sub model number. Warranty ONE of them… 🤷🏻♂️