Harbor Freight has come out with their second Hercules 20V brushless-motor cordless power tool, a new oscillating multi-tool, model HCB42B.
The Harbor Freight Hercules 20V cordless oscillating multi-tool is said to deliver 45% longer runtime compared to their Hercules brushed motor product, and 20% more power compared to their “standard” product.
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This is Harbor Freight’s first and only cordless oscillating multi-tool, and so the 45% longer runtime and 20% more power claims seem to be based on general brushless motor advantages.
The brushless multi-tool has a 3.1° oscillating angle, and previous marketing language said that it also features a universal-style blade interface. A tool-free blade change mechanism allows for quick and easy accessory changes.
The front of the tool features a dual-LED worklight design.
Additional features include a soft start motor, 6-speed variable speed control, and compact design.
Harbor Freight Hercules Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Specs
- 20V battery platform
- 3.1° oscillation angle
- 8,000 – 19,000 OPM
- Weighs 2.6 lbs
- 11.5″ length
The tool is sold as a bare tool only, although there are “build your own kit” promotions where you can save $25 in-store only if you also buy a battery and charger at the same time.
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Bundled accessories include a 3/8″ plunge cutting blade, sanding pad, 5pc 120 grit sandpaper, 5pc 180 grit sandpaper
Price: $100
More Info via Harbor Freight
Compare: Dewalt Kit via Amazon
Discussion
We knew that Harbor Freight was launching a series of new brushless Hercules cordless power tools in 2021, although there was no way of knowing the order.
This new Hercules oscillating multi-tool looks okay on paper, and I assume that it features the same universal blade interface as previously advertised.
Is there a dust port adapter? No, or at least I cannot find one on Harbor Freight’s website.
Harbor Freight sells a surprising range of oscillating multi-tool blades and other such accessories, and even a handful of Hercules-branded blades.
The pricing of Harbor Freight’s accessories aren’t very compelling, but you should be able to use other brands’ blades without issue. Which ones? They don’t specify, but it looks like Imperial’s blades (buy now via Amazon) will fit. (The linked-to Imperial Blades bulk packs, starting with their 3pc pack, beat Harbor Freight Hercules on pricing.)
It’s good to see Harbor Freight upping their game, but savvy shoppers that haven’t already purchased into the Hercules 20V cordless power tool system will occasionally have a couple of other compelling options available to them.
Just a few months ago, you could have purchased a Dewalt brushless 20V Max oscillating multi-tool kit for $99, or a Milwaukee M18 oscillating multi-tool kit for $99. The new Harbor Freight oscillating multi-tool bare tool is $100 by itself.
At the time of this posting, the regular Dewalt brushless kit, with more accessories than the $99 seasonal kit, is priced at $174 via Amazon.
If you need a full kit with the Hercules, their 2.0Ah battery is priced at $25, and their standard charger is $30. Buy it all in-store, and you’re looking at a $130 kit price (after $25 bundle savings). That’s pretty good for a brushless motor cordless oscillating multi-tool outside of holiday shopping seasons.
The idea of better performing and higher quality Harbor Freight Hercules tools is still very new, but it seems to be working out for them.
Related Harbor Freight Hercules Tool News
Harbor Freight Hercules Goes Brushless with New 20V Angle Grinder
Harbor Freight News: More Hercules Brushless Power Tools Coming in Spring 2021
Marko
“But it all in-store, and you’re looking at a $130 kit price”
I assume “But” was supposed to be “Buy”, but the price does not add up either.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
I mentioned the $25 bundle discount earlier in the post when talking about pricing, added a reminder in the discussion.
If you buy the tool, battery, and charger in-store, you save $25 with their “build your own kit” type of promo.
Nathan
huh I thought the hercules line was supposed to all be dewalt knockoff. This looks more like a milwaukke/bosch knockoff.
meanwhile as I think has been covered a few times. WHile it’s a better tool for HF buyer beware x2 when you realize you could shop around for 5 minutes on your mobile and get a name brand quality tool for less or the same price.
meh
Victor
My dad has the dewalt brushless XR multi tool. He was impressed with the Hercules . Less vibration and it didn’t over heat like the dewalt which gets hot fast on hard wood
Bruce
I recently bought their corded 4.5 inch angle grinder. I’m generally pleased with it. It’s powerful, quiet (for the tool type), fit and finish is fine and it was much easier to buy than wandering off to the big box store so I could stand in line to buy a yellow one.
Mac
My Milwaukees don’t have worklights. I haven’t noticed if the newer styles do. Innovation, maybe? That said, I think hf skipped the step between selling junk for cheap cheap, and trying to be adequate and priced like the major players. In neither case do I see value. I’d rather pay more for better, or, as has recently become the case, less for better. Pass
Chris
What in world ever happened to the cheap tool store? The only HF in my area is clear on the other side of town in a bad neighborhood. I would go there if I could save $50 on a tool that I would likely use just once and that is what I loved about Harbor Freight. While I was there I would pick up other consumables like sandpaper, etc. that were competitively priced. If they think for one minute that I would ever buy their premium tools they would have to be a) significantly better than the competition b) priced well under the competition c) in a store located right next to the competition before they would get any significant amount of money from anyone much less me.
Eric McCormick
Harbor freight is ruining itself. What was great about them was the dirt cheap prices on tools that would likely be used once maybe twice anyway.
rob
Shockingly, as always, they’re doing just fine. Stopped at one because none of the local cash-and-carry had M5 sized o-rings. I waited forever in line behind the usual suspects. There may be an oncoming shortage of skilled tradespeople. There is certainly no shortage of “handymen”. The kicker was the dude that bought a harbor freight paint brush for a paid job. The tool does not make the skills nor experience, but my lord.
charles
commodity pricing? yes please. give me a DeWalt battery adapter and I’m in. I’ll end up killing half a dozen of these during the 2500 hour build of my Cozy MKIV.
Oleg k
Oh, great, another rebranded Dewalt tool, how otiginal… Again, maybe some clueless DIY’er needs something like this, who knows… But, more often than not, one can get a decent deal on an original, dewalt-branded tool, without buying into yet another battery platform, made by a company that might not exist tomorrow.
SCToolMan
For me, the fundamental problem with investing anything in a HF Powertool line is a the complete and total lack of any meaningful warranty. And if you buy the extended warranty, then you’re into the pricing territory of better tools with 3/5 year warranties and Lifetime Service Agreements.
Even if HF would offer a 1-year warranty, I think they’d get more people into the Bauer and Hercules systems.
John Knox
Just bought one yesterday. Not impressed. Overheats in under a minute. I was very excited to use this tool and it is complete garbage.
Marion "Rob" Roberson
The overarching point in buying anything from HF is in the EXTENDED Warranty. The tool actually is a secondary item. You buy this Oscillating Multi-tool as is. Ninety-One days later something goes wrong…your on your own. Same tool, Buy the EXTENDED Warranty something goes wrong in 2-3 years and go get another one, pay for another extended warranty and keep working.
Most Home Improvement stores require you buy their extended warranty in store to be able to do that same thing, pick a new replacement off the shelf. Otherwise, all tools and equipment purchased has to go back to the manufacturer or their designated service provider, or what have you.
I just joined the Inside Track program (club fee, might as well say) for one year. And from this point forward instead of buying just the tool I will pay for the warranty where I can basically use the hell out of these tools, and no matter what be able to bring the remnants back to the store (any of ’em) and with that warranty in the system get a replacement – no questions asked.
I just looked at the 12″ dual bevel sliding miter saws, a DeWalt (Lowe’s $399), The Kobalt (Lowe’s $349) and the RIDGID (HomeDepot, comes with brad nailer – why not costs less than the saw alone at $399?? $378) in the same class of saw as the Hercules from HF at $369.
The Manufacturers Warranties KOBALT, 3 years and you will contact the manufacturer to get replacement parts or warranty service (i.e. they will tell you where to send it to get it fixed). Their Store Protection plan will cost you an additional $74.97 to get in store services which coincides with the 3 year Manufacturers warranty.
The RIDGID is also 3 years, and has some stipulations, but you can find them yourself on the website. If you get the tool based HomeDepot plan, it’s an additional $55 for 3 years.
The point is if you bought HF or any where else, they are profiting off of your desire to protect the investment. Harbor Freights position is in that it is up to you. If I paid for the Hercules at $369 and added the 2 year protection the saw would cost me $449 (give or take if I caught it on sale). I get to bring the saw back and swap it out (confirmed this with the store) if I ever have a problem – Sale is registered on day of purchase, I can just grab and go.
That is what Harbor Freight is selling – Tool use, and accessibility at minimal cost. For the Handyman who likes to fill his tool box, maybe it won’t matter if he picks up 2 or 3 angle grinders over the course of time. But for the work a day professional who wants to get the job done, pay as little as possible for the tools, and maximize on the profit from work – Harbor Freight fits also because with an Extended Service Plan – If it fail, I can go get another one.
Harbor Freight will sell the broken one if in good enough condition on a bulk market, and their warranty coverage states ‘use of non-original manufacturer and remanufactured parts IS ALLOWED.’ So have at the broken stuff you just bought pennies on the dollar – Harbor Freight will even sell you the parts if they got ’em. Ask me How I Know…
Eddie
I have used Harbor Freight tools for several years, if you know your tools limitations they are great tools, glad to see someone with common sense, I wonder how many Dewalt fans realize they are buying rebranded Stanley!
Randy
I was looking for this yesterday at my local HF store, but couldn’t find it in the store or online. The store manager was able to see that they had 3,000 units in their warehouse, but haven’t released them to the stores yet. I wonder why.
Jason
Randy, I assumed they were quickly discontinued for some reason? So we can expect them to hit the shelves once again?