Hercules vs. Milwaukee: How Does Harbor Freight's Clone Stack Up?

The Rise of Cordless Circular Saws

Cordless tools have become a staple in many modern toolkits, but circular saws have been slower to make the switch from corded to cordless. This is largely due to the high power requirements of these tools. For a long time, battery technology wasn't advanced enough to support a powerful, affordable cordless circular saw. However, this has changed in recent years. Now, both professional-grade manufacturers like Milwaukee and mid-budget brands like Hercules offer cordless options that are accessible to a wide range of users.

Hercules, a house brand owned by Harbor Freight, offers a more budget-friendly alternative to premium tool companies. The Hercules 20V Cordless 7-¼-inch Rear-Handle Worm-Drive Style Circular Saw is available for $149.99 at Harbor Freight. This price is significantly lower than similar models from other brands, such as the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Rear Handle 7-¼-inch Circular Saw, which costs $279. While third-party sellers on Amazon may offer slightly lower prices, the new model is unlikely to be found anywhere near the cost of the Hercules saw.

Key Features and Comparisons

The Hercules circular saw comes with a 24-tooth carbide blade and offers a 2-½-inch cutting depth at 90 degrees, with bevel detents at five angles up to 53 degrees. It features a cast magnesium shoe with guide markings for accurate cuts, and its blade is positioned on the left side for better visibility during cross cuts. Additional features include an electric brake, an on-board dust blower, LED work light, wrench storage, and a rafter hook for hanging the saw when not in use.

Milwaukee’s saw also includes many of these features, such as an electric brake, LED work light, rafter hook, and magnesium shoe. However, it lacks the dust-clearing blower found on the Hercules model and instead offers only a dust port. Both saws have the same 2-½-inch depth of cut at 90 degrees and a maximum bevel cut of 53 degrees.

Both models run at 5,800 rpm thanks to powerful brushless motors, and both claim to be more powerful than their corded counterparts. However, Harbor Freight claims its saw can deliver up to 725 cuts per charge using the Hercules 20V 12 Ah battery, compared to 570 cuts per charge from Milwaukee’s M18 Redlithium High Output HD12.0 battery. The Hercules battery is also $150 cheaper than the Milwaukee equivalent.

User Reviews and Performance

Milwaukee Tool is known for producing some of the best circular saws on the market, and its M18 Fuel model has strong reviews. On Pro Tool Reviews, it receives a 9.7 out of 10 rating, with praise for its speed, power, and excellent cut depth. The review also highlights features like the rotating dust port and fast electric brake.

However, the Hercules 20V model is newer to the market, so it has fewer reviews overall. Most of the available feedback is positive, though not overly enthusiastic. YouTuber The Rural Minnesota Guy notes that the saw works well and has no complaints, while YouTube channel Kaleb Ross describes it as a "pretty decent saw." However, he also mentions that it is somewhat bulky and suggests considering the Metabo HPT 18V if not already invested in the Hercules system.

Conclusion

Both Milwaukee and Hercules offer powerful, high-quality cordless circular saws. The Hercules model stands out for its lower price, cheaper batteries, and longer runtime. While enthusiasm for its performance isn’t particularly high, this could change as more users and reviewers test the tool over time. For those looking for a budget-friendly option without sacrificing performance, the Hercules saw presents a compelling choice.