Bought mine this weekend, including the Hercules stand. I completed baseboard molding throughout my entire house and did a fabulous job. Absolutely recommend this saw.
Nicholas, great video. I purchased this miter saw about three months ago when my DeWalt miter saw died. I did the same research and decided to try the Hercules. I couldn't be happier. Before going too far, one huge deciding factor was the DeWalt vs. Harbor Freight warranties. While DeWalt's warranty is longer, it is much harder to use. With any "name" brand tool, you need to pack and ship your tool back to a service center for them to "determine" if they will cover the repair. If they do cover it, they then get it in line for repair and then ship it back to you. That process can take 3-4 months. I run a home based workshop business making rustic furniture and I can't be without my miter saw for that long. If my Hercules dies, I throw it in my truck and take it back to ANY Harbor Freight and they will give me a brand new one in a box. No questions asked. I will be able to get a new saw back up and working in an HOUR! HF now offers a one year replacement with the saw and you can purchase an extended warranty. OK, now to the saw itself. Same as you show, my saw was tuned well right out of the box. I have a digital protractor and found the miter angle to be off by about .3 degrees, but that was an easy fix with the stainless steel detent bar in the front. 10 minutes and it was perfect. The bevel angle was perfect to start. The dust collection is worthless to me and I ended up taking the dust bag connector/holder off altogether as it kind of got in the way on mitered angles. The blade is awesome - certainly equal to any of the higher quality "big box" blades that cost $70-$80 and MUCH better than any stock blade for name brand saws. I hope you like the Hercules as much as I do. Good cutting!
Drew Messmann I just used my Hercules a ton today and could not be more happy!! I agree with what you said about the dust collection... I can’t even see my work bench anymore after using it a while today but nothing a little shop vac couldn’t handle. I used the depth stop to make half lap joints with 4x4s! Cut the wood like butter and my joints came out great!
Just unboxed mine minutes ago. No bolts come with it !!! It has the holes to bolt it down. I was planning on getting the Admiral 12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw and the stand for about $280 on sale total.. But the Herc was much more smoother, and about a 1 1/2 hr later i got the Herc. It was about $40 more and no stand. I do have a 12 folding ladder that turns into a platform that will actually be stronger than the best stands out there. No wheels on it. I will be getting a stand for it later with wheels. HF heavy duty one i was gonna get that day. P.S. It did look like it grew when i got it home. Thanks to youtube video's like yours, the learning curve will shorten. HF instructions have a lot to be desired.
Hey Andrew! It's still holding up great!! I don't have the best dust collection and have let saw dust sit for a while. I've WD40 it one time since getting it to keep the miter gauge moving smoothly. Sooooo grateful for the blade that it comes with. Just down red oak and white oak for my last two projects like butter :].
Incredible saw even if it costs a lot more. I’d love to see a long term video that talked about how long it lasts. I have an old 10” Dewalt that’s been going strong for 20 years. It’s just a basic non-slider and I’d love to replace it with a 12” slider and was looking at the Delta or the Bosch but this Hercules has everything they have for hundreds less, so my only caveat is how long it will last.
Wow - 20 years! You must take phenomenal care of your tools :]. I'm no where near 20 years but 1.5 years in and still lovin' it as much as the first cut that I made!
It’s no festool but connected to a shop vac it collects ~85% of the saw dust. Without a shop vac, I’d say maybe 65%? Tbh - Not enough of a difference between others brand name saws (like dewalt and ridged) to really make noticeable difference being that most would either build in a dust collection system + shop vac to get a very high % of dust collected.
I just purchased the Hercules; however they didn’t have the stand in stock!! Will another brand work, or should I wait? Anyone know where I can get a Hercules miter saw stand?
Congrats on the purchase! You get a chance to try it out yet? Bummer about the stand... not sure if another brand will work or where else you can get one. Any luck asking anyone from HF?
Scott Free after a year of use, i need to recalibrate it because it might be 1/10th of a degree off (honestly, I made some dumb / dangerous cuts that could have caused it) but other than that, I don’t notice any performance differences from when I first started using it. I’m learning that calibrating it is a little bit of a pain but there are two videos out there of how to recalibrate the saw. That’s probably the only down side. The blade is sooo good! Still making fine, clean cuts. Hope this helps!
@@scraplifetrashtocash4551 When I meant pain, I meant that there are no instructions in the manual for how to adjust -- the manual says, 'take it to a technician' -_-. But yes, when you figure out how to, it's easy to adjust.
This test is only if you want to saw with precision with a miter saw. (test is not for rough work). Tips and Test: Very important if you would like to saw with precision. (avoid torsion as much as possible)! Always choose a Miter saw with a handle positioned in a vertical line above the saw blade. Everything must be aligned, slide rails, handle, and saw blade,it is much better this way the blade will not tilt. Because there is some torsion in the aluminum housing . And choose an engine with softstart on it to prevent wear of the gear and worm shaft. It is very important that everything is aligned. Here are some examples to show how the handle must be positioned above the blade. Bosch gcm 800 sj / Bosch gcm 8 sjl / Evolution rage 3 / FESTOOL KS 60 / HITACHI C12RSH2 / FESTOOL KS 60 E KAPEX / Metabo KGSV 72 Xact / Bosch GCM 8 SDE (This also is the case with the Miter saw without the slide rails). If you want you can test it yourself at home if there is torsion in the aluminum housing. Step-1. First you make a clean sharp saw cut from +-5 mm deep in to a nice flat piece of wood about +- 20 mm thick. To this with the normal handle positioned on the right side of the Miter saw. Step-2. Then repeat this by pushing the saw blade down with your hand (finger) on the aluminum protective cover were the saw blade is cased in. Just now only do this without the running engine. Step-3. Now you can see if the saw blade will be positioned in or next to the saw cut. If the saw blade is (+- 0,2 / 0,5 mm) next to the saw cut then there is torsion in the aluminum housing. Step-4. Therefor it is much better to choose a Miter saw with the handle positioned vertical in line above the saw blade. The second option is the handle positioned horizontal in line above the saw blade. Step-5. When you measure the vertical angle square (Digital level box) of you're sawblade don't forget that there is always some torsion in the aluminum housing. Conclusion: how further away the handle is from the saw blade how more chance of torsion in the aluminum housing.(don't go for that). Also with a cheap slide miter saw it is still better the handgriff a above the saw blade than on the right side. Maybe they will make it someday then we have a winner...
Lmao. You sound like a Psycho. It's a miter saw. Stop being a Karen. This saw has competed against my Festool Miter saw and my Dewalt and beat the dewalt in performance and accuracy and cut. Only thing my Festool did better then the Hercules was dust collection. We bought the Hercules to see what it was capable of and now we bought 40 more for our woodshop operations. Stop posting non sense.
You have a good saw, but it can be even better if the handle vertically or horizontally positioned in a line above the saw blade then you have a winner. ua-cam.com/video/tR02ktZ2iBI/v-deo.html.
Yo - does anyone know what the included cotter pins and screws are for? I'm guessing they're for the black work piece supports but I haven't totally sorted that out yet.
Please, always cut bottom of any box containing heavy items, turn over and simply pick off box. It is an unboxing video, get that correct. Also, please don't make information video by saying " I think," or "I believe" as you picking items from the container. Know, it's an information video.
Bought mine this weekend, including the Hercules stand. I completed baseboard molding throughout my entire house and did a fabulous job. Absolutely recommend this saw.
Have you had any problems with the stand?
Carlos Secundino
No, very sturdy platform
Dustin LaFord mine is cracking around the extension arm housing and wondering if this was normal
Carlos Secundino
I have not experienced this, yet.
Is not normal take it back...they will gladly swap it for you
Nicholas, great video. I purchased this miter saw about three months ago when my DeWalt miter saw died. I did the same research and decided to try the Hercules. I couldn't be happier. Before going too far, one huge deciding factor was the DeWalt vs. Harbor Freight warranties. While DeWalt's warranty is longer, it is much harder to use. With any "name" brand tool, you need to pack and ship your tool back to a service center for them to "determine" if they will cover the repair. If they do cover it, they then get it in line for repair and then ship it back to you. That process can take 3-4 months. I run a home based workshop business making rustic furniture and I can't be without my miter saw for that long. If my Hercules dies, I throw it in my truck and take it back to ANY Harbor Freight and they will give me a brand new one in a box. No questions asked. I will be able to get a new saw back up and working in an HOUR! HF now offers a one year replacement with the saw and you can purchase an extended warranty. OK, now to the saw itself. Same as you show, my saw was tuned well right out of the box. I have a digital protractor and found the miter angle to be off by about .3 degrees, but that was an easy fix with the stainless steel detent bar in the front. 10 minutes and it was perfect. The bevel angle was perfect to start. The dust collection is worthless to me and I ended up taking the dust bag connector/holder off altogether as it kind of got in the way on mitered angles. The blade is awesome - certainly equal to any of the higher quality "big box" blades that cost $70-$80 and MUCH better than any stock blade for name brand saws. I hope you like the Hercules as much as I do. Good cutting!
Drew Messmann I just used my Hercules a ton today and could not be more happy!! I agree with what you said about the dust collection... I can’t even see my work bench anymore after using it a while today but nothing a little shop vac couldn’t handle. I used the depth stop to make half lap joints with 4x4s! Cut the wood like butter and my joints came out great!
Excellent video. Now I can use my saw because I couldn't figure out how to unlock it lmao. Thank you. Got to love youtube.
Hahah yea that da gone lock pin ;p glad the video helped!
Almost stopped watching when you said you had a sedan. I'm glad i stuck around! Great video.
@@mrjbone719 😂😂
Ordered this saw and the matching stand yesterday, cant wait to give it a go.
how is it so far
After your video i went and got one😊
Awesome!! Thoughts?
@@nwkwok best value works nice
Just unboxed mine minutes ago. No bolts come with it !!! It has the holes to bolt it down. I was planning on getting the Admiral 12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw and the stand for about $280 on sale total.. But the Herc was much more smoother, and about a 1 1/2 hr later i got the Herc. It was about $40 more and no stand. I do have a 12 folding ladder that turns into a platform that will actually be stronger than the best stands out there. No wheels on it. I will be getting a stand for it later with wheels. HF heavy duty one i was gonna get that day. P.S. It did look like it grew when i got it home. Thanks to youtube video's like yours, the learning curve will shorten. HF instructions have a lot to be desired.
Great video! 5 years later, how’s it holding up?
Appreciate the video, Nicholas! Would you by chance have a one-year update on how it's holding up?
Hey Andrew! It's still holding up great!! I don't have the best dust collection and have let saw dust sit for a while. I've WD40 it one time since getting it to keep the miter gauge moving smoothly. Sooooo grateful for the blade that it comes with. Just down red oak and white oak for my last two projects like butter :].
@@nwkwok Thanks for the reply - I ended up picking one up and I'm very impressed so far. Appreciate the video - definitely helped!
"I didn't realize how huge this beast would be". If I had a dollar for every time I heard that...
Hahah I was wondering when that comment was gonna appear on here ;p
Great video brother. I'm in the market for one too. I'm leaning on the Herc.
Did you end up going with the Herc?
Incredible saw even if it costs a lot more. I’d love to see a long term video that talked about how long it lasts. I have an old 10” Dewalt that’s been going strong for 20 years. It’s just a basic non-slider and I’d love to replace it with a 12” slider and was looking at the Delta or the Bosch but this Hercules has everything they have for hundreds less, so my only caveat is how long it will last.
Wow - 20 years! You must take phenomenal care of your tools :]. I'm no where near 20 years but 1.5 years in and still lovin' it as much as the first cut that I made!
thank you
Sweet video. Just unboxed one myself. Did you ever figure out what the pins in the little baggie were for?
Thank you for the vid, mainly the box dimensions.
How is the dust collection?
It’s no festool but connected to a shop vac it collects ~85% of the saw dust. Without a shop vac, I’d say maybe 65%? Tbh - Not enough of a difference between others brand name saws (like dewalt and ridged) to really make noticeable difference being that most would either build in a dust collection system + shop vac to get a very high % of dust collected.
I just purchased the Hercules; however they didn’t have the stand in stock!! Will another brand work, or should I wait? Anyone know where I can get a Hercules miter saw stand?
Congrats on the purchase! You get a chance to try it out yet? Bummer about the stand... not sure if another brand will work or where else you can get one. Any luck asking anyone from HF?
Lord God Amen Ra Just wait, the stand is really nice
Did you get the extended warranty? How is it holding up?
Scott Free after a year of use, i need to recalibrate it because it might be 1/10th of a degree off (honestly, I made some dumb / dangerous cuts that could have caused it) but other than that, I don’t notice any performance differences from when I first started using it. I’m learning that calibrating it is a little bit of a pain but there are two videos out there of how to recalibrate the saw. That’s probably the only down side. The blade is sooo good! Still making fine, clean cuts. Hope this helps!
@@nwkwok Thanks man, really appreciate the response! Just picked one up and feels solid, just wasn't sure if I should get the extended warranty.
No problem! Hope you enjoy using the miter saw as much as I have! :]
@@nwkwok Its easy to adjust it.
@@scraplifetrashtocash4551 When I meant pain, I meant that there are no instructions in the manual for how to adjust -- the manual says, 'take it to a technician' -_-. But yes, when you figure out how to, it's easy to adjust.
Do you like this saw?
I love it!
2:47 calf shot!
Those things are built like a tank.
Great vid dude!!!
This test is only if you want to saw with precision with a miter saw. (test is not for rough work).
Tips and Test:
Very important if you would like to saw with precision. (avoid torsion as much as possible)!
Always choose a Miter saw with a handle positioned in a vertical line above the saw blade.
Everything must be aligned, slide rails, handle, and saw blade,it is much better this way the blade will not tilt.
Because there is some torsion in the aluminum housing .
And choose an engine with softstart on it to prevent wear of the gear and worm shaft.
It is very important that everything is aligned.
Here are some examples to show how the handle must be positioned above the blade.
Bosch gcm 800 sj / Bosch gcm 8 sjl / Evolution rage 3 / FESTOOL KS 60 / HITACHI C12RSH2 / FESTOOL KS 60 E KAPEX / Metabo KGSV 72 Xact / Bosch GCM 8 SDE
(This also is the case with the Miter saw without the slide rails).
If you want you can test it yourself at home if there is torsion in the aluminum housing.
Step-1. First you make a clean sharp saw cut from +-5 mm deep in to a nice flat piece of wood about +- 20 mm thick. To this with the normal handle positioned on the right side of the Miter saw.
Step-2. Then repeat this by pushing the saw blade down with your hand (finger) on the aluminum protective cover were the saw blade is cased in. Just now only do this without the running engine.
Step-3. Now you can see if the saw blade will be positioned in or next to the saw cut. If the saw blade is (+- 0,2 / 0,5 mm) next to the saw cut then there is torsion in the aluminum housing.
Step-4. Therefor it is much better to choose a Miter saw with the handle positioned vertical in line above the saw blade.
The second option is the handle positioned horizontal in line above the saw blade.
Step-5. When you measure the vertical angle square (Digital level box) of you're sawblade don't forget that there is always some torsion in the aluminum housing.
Conclusion: how further away the handle is from the saw blade how more chance of torsion in the aluminum housing.(don't go for that).
Also with a cheap slide miter saw it is still better the handgriff a above the saw blade than on the right side. Maybe they will make it someday then we have a winner...
Lmao. You sound like a Psycho. It's a miter saw. Stop being a Karen. This saw has competed against my Festool Miter saw and my Dewalt and beat the dewalt in performance and accuracy and cut. Only thing my Festool did better then the Hercules was dust collection. We bought the Hercules to see what it was capable of and now we bought 40 more for our woodshop operations. Stop posting non sense.
You have a good saw, but it can be even better if the handle vertically or horizontally
positioned in a line above the saw blade then you have a winner. ua-cam.com/video/tR02ktZ2iBI/v-deo.html.
Yo - does anyone know what the included cotter pins and screws are for? I'm guessing they're for the black work piece supports but I haven't totally sorted that out yet.
Did you figure out what the cotter pins are for?
Please, always cut bottom of any box containing heavy items, turn over and simply pick off box. It is an unboxing video, get that correct. Also, please don't make information video by saying " I think," or "I believe" as you picking items from the container. Know, it's an information video.
Thanks for the feedback, Chris! Will take that into consideration for my future vids.
@@nwkwok Yours was a Very Mature response. His was a constructive critique that actually made sense.