Tips: The Hecules ratchet needs a bit of breaking in: -When you first get the ratchet, run the tool for a few minutes in each direction to break it in. Operate in bursts, then continuously with no load. It will then run much smoother, and have a bit more torque due to less internal friction and fully seated motor brushes. And, odds are, any manufacturing defects should show up in the tool or battery. -Use fingers or pliers to flip the direction switch back and forth to loosen it up, so that the switch, or lever, will be much easier to operate with greasy fingers while actually using it. -Give the tool a look at HF. It's very sturdy. It's not an el cheapo tool like that Chicago Electric junk they sold years ago. Another channel was able to apply nearly 150 ft lbs of torque before it was damaged, and then it was just the weak point in every cordless ratchet head: The occillating pin. You'll never apply that much force in normal use. (Not to imply you are normal). Whether or not HF will have head repair parts available is unknown. So keep it under 100 ft lbs to be safe. -Keep the head oiled and free of crud, and store in a sleeve or one of the old ugly dress socks you or your dad got married in to prevent any small metal filings from getting into the motor through the vents. There IS a safety off switch to prevent it from running and killing the battery if stored in a portable tool box: Simply slip the battery away from the terminals and leave attached, or remove entirely. You'll figure it out.
I have the Harbor Freight Hercules extended 3/8 12 volt ratchet. It has more torque than my friend's 12 volt 3/8 non-fuel Milwaukee. The H.F. ratchet really is a high quality unit, and is MUCH better than the cordless tools they sold years ago. I have no issues with mine. 🤷🏻
I'm actually going to H/F tomorrow and getting the extended 12V 3/8's ratchet. I watched your video to confirm my thoughts on it, and I think it'll be a good tool to work on my bike and other things around the house. Thanks for the video and keep them coming. You're getting better and better at it. peace. Eric in Kissimmee, Fl.
One thing to keep in mind with powered ratchets is to NEVER try to loosen a highly torqued fastener w/o breaking it loose manually first with a regular ratchet or breaker bar (never break loose manually w/the power ratchet because it puts unnecessary strain on it and will cause it to potentially break. They were designed for speed as well as convenience, and not manually breaking high torqued fasteners.) If you don't break it loose manually first and try to loosen it with the power, well...then you'll understand why they give these ratchets the nickname "knuckle busters", especially the pneumatic ones. The electric ones you might not have to worry about as much with that issue because I think they have kill switches in them that prevent it from swinging your hand into the nearest piece of metal
When you add in the price of the charger and 2 batteries that don't come included, you can get the short Milwaukee 3/8 Fuel version, with 2 batteries and charger, for just 40 bucks more.
You do know that the Hercules is a brushed motor and the Milwaukee is a brushless motor, right? Not exactly an equal comparison. Also, the amount of torque required to loosen a bolt is ALWAYS less than the torque required to tighten it. So if you torque a nut to 25 ft lbs, it will require about 18-20 ft lbs to loosen it. Roughly speaking. Keep in mind, these are ratchets and are typically used like a regular ratchet. Meaning you manually break the fastener loose then use the batter to run it off. This doesn't require much torque at all. I did subscribe as well.
What he said. Cordless ratchets are for the convenience of speed running fasteners in and out. Torque output is just a pissing match between manufacturers. What matters in a cordless ratchet is really the size and length of the head, one thing I really hate about the fuel ratchets from Milwaukee. These are not impact tools.
Good stuff man, I literally went to my harbor freight and they had the 1/4 ratchet but not the 3/8 today after work oh well another day I guess I’m not to worried about it I got to many tools as is
@@joshm2243 yea it said it was at my store but you know how that goes, luckily I have 7 harbor freights within like 30 miles radius of my house so I’ll find it this weekend I just have one on the way home from work so not a big deal, but I’m a diesel tech so definitely interested in trying it I have already bought into the Hercules 12v line up so I’m interested in trying it
I asked my harborfreight why they Said there only allowed to order 1 3/8 ratchet pet store at a timemost REDICULOUS thing I've heard..manager I wss upset wanted to use my coupon then black Friday they had nothing good except at other stores that are hour or more away...😢😮😢..they only have 1/4 version.wich on videos is about the same 💪..but wanted three 8ths
nice only one thing cordless ratches are not made to brake torque there made for spinning fasteners in or out you need to brake torque with a regular ratchet or brake bar also they are designed for getting into unreachable places.
ya there not meant for it haha but everyone at the shop likes to do it lol i told them they are going to snap the housing or the dowel that spins the ratchet lol
@@toolsonabudget7763 it would be badass if you were able to compare the Hercules to the new Matco long reach ratchet that looks exactly like this one. Apples to apples 🤷🏻♂️
I’ve looked at the Hercules at HF, I cain’t bring myself to buy one though. I still use my air ratchet as well as my other manual ratchets. If I get a battery ratchet I would probably go with the Milwaukee. I have the Milwaukee M12, 1/4” brushless hex impact driver. So, at least I have two batteries and charger already. I look forward to seeing your updated review of the Hercules. I think those Tub-O-Towels work great!
My H.F. Hercules 3/8 12 volt ratchet has more torque than my friend's Milwaukee non-fuel 12 volt 3/8 ratchet does. We bought them on the same day, and used them on the same project. I'm not a fan of cheap chinese garbage, but the H.F. ratchet is not a bad piece at all.
@@davelowets thanks for the info. The Hercules ratchet is still working well for you? I gave away my Milwaukee driver to a kid just getting started doing body work at the shop my Brother-in-law works at. I am waiting to see if the rumor is true about a battery ratchet coming out in the Bauer line at HF. I have the Bauer 3/8” and 1/2” impacts I keep in my truck for side of the road assistance. My same Brother-in-law uses his Bauer impact all the time and he hasn’t had a problem yet.
@@donaldhollums3278 🍻 I've only had mine for several months, but its held up to daily usage just fine so far. Does the Bauer line have 12volt batteries available? I have some Bauer tools, and so far all the batteries have been 20volt, and the Bauer charger can only work with 20volt batteries while the Hercules charger does both 12volt and 20volt batteries. 🤷🏻
The extra to length on the Hercules, to me, multiplies its torque rating. You have more leverage. Just my thoughts.. thanks for the video man. Good review.😎👍
I have the Milwaukee 3/8 brushed ratchetand and just because hf had the special buy a ratchet get a free battery since the charger its 12v and 20 v i got a hercules i can't pick my favorite they are like twins
Cool test. I just bought the Hercules extended head (3/8) for $89 it goes for $99 here in UT so it was 10 off and then I got the $25 off when I bought the battery (2 ah) and charger with it.
Good video, been waiting to see a review before I buy one. I have Milwaukee m18 fuel tools at home & on my work truck. & then I got some Hercules 20v in the garage I picked up on some open box pricing just to try it out. I’ve actually liked it a lot but Figured I’d wait to see someone compare these before I picked one to buy. Thanks for review, Subbed as well keep up the good work man!
Not even a fair comparison you should have used the old style Milwaukee cordless ratchet versus the Hercules in fact I wonder if you could transfer the head from the Hercules long neck to the old style Milwaukee and save a bunch of money
Not sure but I don't think that was correct for the 25 or 35 ft lbs on the torque wrench. If I'm not mistaken the sleeve collar would need to be on 5 and at the 20 line. Not trying to BB just making sure your torque is correct. Still would take the Hercules and manually break the bolt first then spin it off.
Good video and good comparison but Milwaukee all the way, brushless, 5 year warranty, 50 tools on the M12 platform. That being said it is good for technicians to have options.
Until you break the nut free and you have to run it up a corroded stud...In NE Ohio torque counts.... In California you're just running nuts on and off...
I'm all about size and getting to those tight areas. Hercules hands down. Skipped tooth at 150lbs...if your tightening anything over 85lbs your using a tq wrench 95% of the time lol.
The Hercules is only built for 40 lbs of Torque not 45 as tested. So, right out of the box the Milwaukee would win. Still dollar per dollar, the Hercules is better in my opinion.
You should get a go pro and mount it to a baseball cap that way you don’t have to be holding it in one hand. Then, you set up a separate tripod so you can edit and cut to the other camera for a nice quality vid.
Cordless ratchets are not meant for Torquing they're meant for running bolts and nuts on and off quickly. You want torquing get yourself a little impact driver
I like small head power ratchets milwaukee has big heads and if you have room for that you can get stubby impact like kolbolt or a pneumatic one that's stubby and get few hundred ft pounds. So I'd stick with hercules or brand that has that design. That's just me
Sooo, this is a mediocre review at best. Everyone knows that repeated torqueing is stretching the material the bolt/nut is made of making your results uninformitive.
Hey there "Tools On A Budget", why didn't you let us (your viewers) see for ourselves if the Milwaukee ratchet can handle 45 foot pouinds? You didn't show us a test of the Milwaukee at 45 foot pounds like the Hercules, maybe it's because it cannot handle 45 foot pounds of torque either!!!!! Therefore, until you show us that in a future video, I will not give you a "Thumbs Up".
Tips: The Hecules ratchet needs a bit of breaking in:
-When you first get the ratchet, run the tool for a few minutes in each direction to break it in. Operate in bursts, then continuously with no load. It will then run much smoother, and have a bit more torque due to less internal friction and fully seated motor brushes. And, odds are, any manufacturing defects should show up in the tool or battery.
-Use fingers or pliers to flip the direction switch back and forth to loosen it up, so that the switch, or lever, will be much easier to operate with greasy fingers while actually using it.
-Give the tool a look at HF.
It's very sturdy. It's not an el cheapo tool like that Chicago Electric junk they sold years ago.
Another channel was able to apply nearly 150 ft lbs of torque before it was damaged, and then it was just the weak point in every cordless ratchet head: The occillating pin. You'll never apply that much force in normal use. (Not to imply you are normal).
Whether or not HF will have head repair parts available is unknown. So keep it under 100 ft lbs to be safe.
-Keep the head oiled and free of crud, and store in a sleeve or one of the old ugly dress socks you or your dad got married in to prevent any small metal filings from getting into the motor through the vents.
There IS a safety off switch to prevent it from running and killing the battery if stored in a portable tool box: Simply slip the battery away from the terminals and leave attached, or remove entirely. You'll figure it out.
thanks for the tips!
Great stuff Man!
Thanks
I have the Harbor Freight Hercules extended 3/8 12 volt ratchet. It has more torque than my friend's 12 volt 3/8 non-fuel Milwaukee. The H.F. ratchet really is a high quality unit, and is MUCH better than the cordless tools they sold years ago. I have no issues with mine. 🤷🏻
I'm actually going to H/F tomorrow and getting the extended 12V 3/8's ratchet.
I watched your video to confirm my thoughts on it, and I think it'll be a good tool to work on my bike and other things around the house.
Thanks for the video and keep them coming. You're getting better and better at it.
peace.
Eric in Kissimmee, Fl.
thank you! i appreciate it
I bought the Hercules extended yesterday. Because i needed to get to a bolt a bulky ratchet couldn't reach. It got it!
One thing to keep in mind with powered ratchets is to NEVER try to loosen a highly torqued fastener w/o breaking it loose manually first with a regular ratchet or breaker bar (never break loose manually w/the power ratchet because it puts unnecessary strain on it and will cause it to potentially break. They were designed for speed as well as convenience, and not manually breaking high torqued fasteners.) If you don't break it loose manually first and try to loosen it with the power, well...then you'll understand why they give these ratchets the nickname "knuckle busters", especially the pneumatic ones. The electric ones you might not have to worry about as much with that issue because I think they have kill switches in them that prevent it from swinging your hand into the nearest piece of metal
When you add in the price of the charger and 2 batteries that don't come included, you can get the short Milwaukee 3/8 Fuel version, with 2 batteries and charger, for just 40 bucks more.
You do know that the Hercules is a brushed motor and the Milwaukee is a brushless motor, right? Not exactly an equal comparison. Also, the amount of torque required to loosen a bolt is ALWAYS less than the torque required to tighten it. So if you torque a nut to 25 ft lbs, it will require about 18-20 ft lbs to loosen it. Roughly speaking. Keep in mind, these are ratchets and are typically used like a regular ratchet. Meaning you manually break the fastener loose then use the batter to run it off. This doesn't require much torque at all. I did subscribe as well.
Ty for the sub and yes i just forgot to mention it lol was nervous since im new to making videos also for the price i think its a great deal
@@toolsonabudget7763 no worries. Good video keep making them. The nervousness will go away the more vids you make.
What he said. Cordless ratchets are for the convenience of speed running fasteners in and out. Torque output is just a pissing match between manufacturers. What matters in a cordless ratchet is really the size and length of the head, one thing I really hate about the fuel ratchets from Milwaukee. These are not impact tools.
Thinking about picking one of these up. Thanks!
So did you just not test the Milwaukee at 45???
Good stuff man, I literally went to my harbor freight and they had the 1/4 ratchet but not the 3/8 today after work oh well another day I guess I’m not to worried about it I got to many tools as is
@@joshm2243 yea it said it was at my store but you know how that goes, luckily I have 7 harbor freights within like 30 miles radius of my house so I’ll find it this weekend I just have one on the way home from work so not a big deal, but I’m a diesel tech so definitely interested in trying it I have already bought into the Hercules 12v line up so I’m interested in trying it
@@joshm2243 Yea unfortunately that’s the world we live in, it is what it is
I asked my harborfreight why they Said there only allowed to order 1 3/8 ratchet pet store at a timemost REDICULOUS thing I've heard..manager I wss upset wanted to use my coupon then black Friday they had nothing good except at other stores that are hour or more away...😢😮😢..they only have 1/4 version.wich on videos is about the same 💪..but wanted three 8ths
Hard to compare a long neck to a standard.also use a shallow socket less torque loss
Good job on that review👍
Thank you!
Did you do an update video?
nice only one thing cordless ratches are not made to brake torque there made for spinning fasteners in or out you need to brake torque with a regular ratchet or brake bar also they are designed for getting into unreachable places.
ya there not meant for it haha but everyone at the shop likes to do it lol i told them they are going to snap the housing or the dowel that spins the ratchet lol
Everything within reach is a hammer
Funny that you said that the hercules only did 40 ft pounds, yet on the same video it did 44, so what is it 40 or 44 , see your video and let us know
The Milw uses the same battery for the M12 line. Can the battery on the Herc be used on other Herc standard cordless tools?
yes they will fit all hercules 12v tools
Keep in mind the Milwaukee is the fuel version. I think a more fair comparison would be the standard Milwaukee. Great test still.
yeah lol i only have the fuel one sorry im looking to get the brushed one and the hercules regular one to put them to a fair head to head
check back later today i started editing the video should be uploaded later today the 2457-20 vs the hercules regular size ratchet
@@toolsonabudget7763 for sure!
@@toolsonabudget7763 it would be badass if you were able to compare the Hercules to the new Matco long reach ratchet that looks exactly like this one. Apples to apples 🤷🏻♂️
@@439530 ill try to get my hands on one we dont have a matco truck that comes by only a snap on lol
I’ve looked at the Hercules at HF, I cain’t bring myself to buy one though. I still use my air ratchet as well as my other manual ratchets. If I get a battery ratchet I would probably go with the Milwaukee. I have the Milwaukee M12, 1/4” brushless hex impact driver. So, at least I have two batteries and charger already. I look forward to seeing your updated review of the Hercules. I think those Tub-O-Towels work great!
i might show how well they work lol my milwaukee impacts end up covered in oil and they make them look new almost every time lol
@@toolsonabudget7763 I got my endorsement of the Tub-O-Towels from Mr. Clay as well.
My H.F. Hercules 3/8 12 volt ratchet has more torque than my friend's Milwaukee non-fuel 12 volt 3/8 ratchet does. We bought them on the same day, and used them on the same project. I'm not a fan of cheap chinese garbage, but the H.F. ratchet is not a bad piece at all.
@@davelowets thanks for the info. The Hercules ratchet is still working well for you? I gave away my Milwaukee driver to a kid just getting started doing body work at the shop my Brother-in-law works at. I am waiting to see if the rumor is true about a battery ratchet coming out in the Bauer line at HF. I have the Bauer 3/8” and 1/2” impacts I keep in my truck for side of the road assistance. My same Brother-in-law uses his Bauer impact all the time and he hasn’t had a problem yet.
@@donaldhollums3278 🍻 I've only had mine for several months, but its held up to daily usage just fine so far. Does the Bauer line have 12volt batteries available? I have some Bauer tools, and so far all the batteries have been 20volt, and the Bauer charger can only work with 20volt batteries while the Hercules charger does both 12volt and 20volt batteries. 🤷🏻
The extra to length on the Hercules, to me, multiplies its torque rating. You have more leverage. Just my thoughts.. thanks for the video man. Good review.😎👍
I have the Milwaukee 3/8 brushed ratchetand and just because hf had the special buy a ratchet get a free battery since the charger its 12v and 20 v i got a hercules i can't pick my favorite they are like twins
Cool test. I just bought the Hercules extended head (3/8) for $89 it goes for $99 here in UT so it was 10 off and then I got the $25 off when I bought the battery (2 ah) and charger with it.
its a great ratchet i love it
Good video, been waiting to see a review before I buy one. I have Milwaukee m18 fuel tools at home & on my work truck. & then I got some Hercules 20v in the garage I picked up on some open box pricing just to try it out. I’ve actually liked it a lot but Figured I’d wait to see someone compare these before I picked one to buy. Thanks for review, Subbed as well keep up the good work man!
thanks man appreciate it! ya i piked a impact driver up about 2 years ago and i really liked it i still have it lol maybe ill do a review on it lol
how do you feel about working this ratchet so far?
so far i like it alot i usually reach for this one over my milwaukee
Love a man playing with his tools!! 😋
haha
@@toolsonabudget7763 thanks for subscribing to my channel
@@RollingInMy5pt0 no problem lol
Not even a fair comparison you should have used the old style Milwaukee cordless ratchet versus the Hercules in fact I wonder if you could transfer the head from the Hercules long neck to the old style Milwaukee and save a bunch of money
I think I'm gonna try the hart brand seems better than most
Not sure but I don't think that was correct for the 25 or 35 ft lbs on the torque wrench. If I'm not mistaken the sleeve collar would need to be on 5 and at the 20 line. Not trying to BB just making sure your torque is correct. Still would take the Hercules and manually break the bolt first then spin it off.
Ill double check when i get home but if i am off its by 1 lb lol so should still be ok ty for letting me know
Just checked it goes up to 4 so 5 is the 0
How much manual torque can it handle? Thanks
like 120 lol maybe less
Good video and good comparison but Milwaukee all the way, brushless, 5 year warranty, 50 tools on the M12 platform. That being said it is good for technicians to have options.
Who cares about torque! It's the speed that counts
This man has a point.
Right ? A ratchet is not a impact gun.
Until you break the nut free and you have to run it up a corroded stud...In NE Ohio torque counts....
In California you're just running nuts on and off...
Upstate NY plenty of rust here! However a ratchet is still not made for torque is all I'm saying.
@@boosted2.4_sky best get your hand ratchet out and start working it.
I'm all about size and getting to those tight areas. Hercules hands down. Skipped tooth at 150lbs...if your tightening anything over 85lbs your using a tq wrench 95% of the time lol.
What's the price on that 3/8 ratchet ?
$119.99
The Hercules is only built for 40 lbs of Torque not 45 as tested. So, right out of the box the Milwaukee would win. Still dollar per dollar, the Hercules is better in my opinion.
You should get a go pro and mount it to a baseball cap that way you don’t have to be holding it in one hand. Then, you set up a separate tripod so you can edit and cut to the other camera for a nice quality vid.
its in the plans right now using my iphone lol u can probably tell haha
Should of got milwaukee long neck that would of been better match
Cordless ratchets are not meant for Torquing they're meant for running bolts and nuts on and off quickly. You want torquing get yourself a little impact driver
people still ask what they are capable of
I like small head power ratchets milwaukee has big heads and if you have room for that you can get stubby impact like kolbolt or a pneumatic one that's stubby and get few hundred ft pounds. So I'd stick with hercules or brand that has that design. That's just me
Hmm, rated at 40 and it does 40. 👌
nice review
Sooo, this is a mediocre review at best. Everyone knows that repeated torqueing is stretching the material the bolt/nut is made of making your results uninformitive.
U can't see how much fp
Very nice 😱😱😱😱😱
Hey there "Tools On A Budget", why didn't you let us (your viewers) see for ourselves if the Milwaukee ratchet can handle 45 foot pouinds?
You didn't show us a test of the Milwaukee at 45 foot pounds like the Hercules, maybe it's because it cannot handle 45 foot pounds of torque either!!!!!
Therefore, until you show us that in a future video, I will not give you a "Thumbs Up".
My apologies this was like my second video and i was nervous
Milwaukee just put out a nut running ratchet 450 check it out you get what you pay for
ya i want to get my hands on one lol
@@toolsonabudget7763 or the new matco one is not brushless that be a match