Harbor Freight Hidden GEM: Hercules Band Saw Stand

This thing is awesome and a must have accessory for any band saw. That does include Hercules, Bauer, DeWalt, and Milwaukee.
Setup, Test, and Review of the Harbor Freight Hercules Portable Band Saw Stand.
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The HERCULES® Universal Portable Band Saw Benchtop Stand works with most cordless or corded portable deep cut band saws in two configurations. This versatile stand lets you use your deep-cut band saw as a vertical band saw or as a horizontal band saw. The stand has an easy-to-use design that switches between configurations in seconds.
Convert most brands of portable deep-cut band saws into horizontal or vertical stationary units
Easily cut at multiple angles with 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60° angle guides
Quick-release gas struts hold saw in open position during horizontal cuts
Pre-drilled mounting holes for permanent workstation placement
Clamp slot for securing workpieces (clamp sold separately)
Durable steel construction with powder coated finish

[@IT_Dinosaur]

Picked this thing up within 24 hours of my local store getting the first one in. I think it is awesome bang for the buck. Especially if you don't have floor space for a dedicated horizontal bandsaw.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@drofmah3836]

I agree, One the best things to come from Harbor Freight for a long long time. Its actually built well

[@M70ACARRY]

Bought the stand today. Hooked up my WEN bandsaw. Works great.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Good to know it works with that one. Thanks!

[@mikeriege7919]

Just picked one up this morning, LOVE it. Fit up to my dewalt 20v perfect. FYI the lady at the store told me they were told the initial shipment of these is it until end July because that is when they are shipping out the all new hercules band saws.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Good to know that it fits the 20V model. Thanks

[@notyrants]

I just bought my Hercules bandsaw and stand and it kicks ass.

[@P46345]

I looked for a review on this before I bought it, I noticed there is a company called Trick Tool that has a unit almost identical to this. The Trick Tool unit is made specifically for a Milwaukee saw, which is what I'm using. They have a video here on youtube that makes assembly very easy. I'm doing a few modifications to mine to be a little more like the Trick Tool unit, but all in all the Hercules unit is awesome. I picked up the Harbor Freight Drill Press clamp to use with it. Definitely worth it.

[@branimal18]

Id love to hear about the mods your making. Going to pick up the HF stand this weekend.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on! Go with whatever works best for the situation.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Did you end up getting one?

[@P46345]

@@branimal18 As it is now I have to remove the forward handle and bolt it right to the stand, the Trick Tool stand has it set up so a Milwaukee saw will slide right in. Also the HF stand want the blade support to be removed and have the table bolt directly to a Milwaukee saw, TT just has you extend the blade support and there is a slot where you slide a table in and tighten it down, I haven't done these two things yet, but this tool is legit.

[@raymondjurado9203]

Amazing. Safer than the cutoff wheels, too.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Agreed!

[@abudhabicv580]

Also a perfect cut if well adjusted

[@stevequincey1217]

Awesome review! This is exactly what I need for my small space shop. Seems you may have saved me $100's .

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on, thanks!

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Thanks for the review, that thing is awesome. My Bauer bandsaw is temped up with wedges and zip ties so I can use it as a stand-up. There's times when I should tear it down to use as handheld, but don't want to, and end up going back to a hack saw...ugh!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@rogeramadon4064]

Excellent video - Thanks for sharing! I just bought this Hercules model from Harbor Freight and hope it will work for me without too much difficulty, as I will need to remove my saw periodically for manuasl use.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on, good luck with the projects!

[@rogeramadon4064]

After I opened the box and started to install my saw onto the stand, I was very impressed with the quality of the stand. I did decide that after getting the saw hooked up and adjusted just right, it is not something I want to do on a regular basis, so I decided to leave the saw mounted to the stand and bought a RYOBI "cordless" band saw for quick mobile jobs. Have a great day!

[@rhinogames9856]

Makes me want to sell my swag stand and get one of these

[@marccawley761]

Same!

[@-DIYPRO-]

If you do any horizontal cutting then this is a must.

[@3vil3lvis]

No not really, there is no way this Harbor Freight stand is as good as the Swag portaband in the vertical position. If I get one of these it will be for a second band saw in the horizontal position.

[@SeamlessFab]

Good luck finding one..

[@silleywilley]

@@3vil3lvis I’ve owned the swag for 6 years and the most frustrating part is the adjustment knob under the table tweaks the entire thing to get the blade perfect. Everything you cut gets hung up on the split in the table top and it can be very irritating. It’s well made and served me well, but that one issue has driven me nuts. I use it every day as I am a fabricator, so I really needed to do something about it. I bought the HF stand today as I’m just out of free time to build something. The quality is extremely nice, fit and finish is very good and it’s heavy as heck. Works awesome and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

[@datguy2730]

Thanks for taking the time to put this video together!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on, thanks!

[@gardenfork]

Excellent addition to the Mech Master GoKart Skunkworks.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Indeed it is!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Just in time for Father's Day!!

[@morenothing4u]

Wow this and an abrasive saw and I'm good.

[@-DIYPRO-]

With it being a metal blade it is not considered an abrasive saw. This gives you a cleaner cut without the heat and noise.

[@morenothing4u]

@@-DIYPRO- Abrasive saw for the occasional hard stuff. This for everything else.

[@-DIYPRO-]

@@morenothing4u I'd read your first comment too fast. I see what you are saying! Yes add this to an abrasive saw!

[@eugene5438]

Great review, thanks. I've been considering picking one of these up.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Thanks, I don't regret mine.

[@WarponyDesigns]

The VEVOR Portable bandsaw fits perfectly in this stand, wondering why noone mentions this.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

[@eksine]

I had an issue where the power on lever would hit the bottom of the power trigger on the Beaur band saw , the head engineer reached out to me and I told him the issue. my fix was take the power lever from the stand and instead of resting below the frame, i flipped it so it's resting above the frame so now its kinda slanted diagonally, the bolt for it is also required to be screded in upside down now. it works now. the basic problem is it was hitting the handle instead of the trigger on the bandsaw.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Great info, thanks for sharing.

[@jetrus2013]

I was really surprised how much cutting power (and torque) this saw had out of the box. I've used other (10" saws) previously and was pretty surprised with the speed and cutting ability of this Dewalt saw.I have bolted mine to a table to minimize movement which I highly recommend.This is a Great saw kzbin.infoUgkxPeGkHOMe05FySypTOvYumxMn-xi39oRe with a light to see your cutting line (not a laser line).I'd recommend this saw fro anyone looking to upgrade from a 10" miter saw.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Indeed!

[@Resto-Scraps]

Great review! This is gonna be a game changer for me. Thanks man!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@robertortega385]

I have the Bauer bandsaw and picked up the stand don't know how it going to go yet since I may have to build a work table for it I could put it on my welding table for simple cuts will see thanks for the heads up and review 😊

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@geno617]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@-DIYPRO-]

Thanks!

[@dans9228]

Great video, great review, thanks,

[@morenothing4u]

I just eyeball it and got vertical straightness .010 over 4 inch x .25 inch flat bar.

[@-DIYPRO-]

You've got some accurate balls.......eyeballs that is!

[@howardgrant4254]

I don't own one (yet?) however, my one complaint would be, you have to remove the forward handle and replace it with a bracket. Now you've turned something that was intended to be portable into something that is semi-stationary. Should you need the saw to be portable again, you have to take everything apart again and replace the forward handle. Just seems like a huge hassle to me.

[@duc626]

For the cost, just buy a second saw. No small band saw, for what you’ll have invested in this set up, will come remotely close to cutting as good. I’ve been through numerous band saws to find this out. Now I have a $4000 Ellis for big stuff and will have this set up for small fab stuff.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Agreed. This makes it more of a semi permanent fixture for the shop/ garage. If you want it for the job site, I'd do without and use it as intended, portable bandsaw.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@alphaclean3364]

​@duc626 Good point. I can see myself buying a herc Bandsaw to keep portable, and just leaving the Bauer in the stand.

[@corin164]

I'm a Hercules guy and as such, have many of its battery operated tools. I do notice that HFT, all too often, tends to push out its Bauer line of tools before it introduces similar Hercules tools. I find it very disappointing that HFT isn't aggressive in developing the Hercules line of products instead of dragging its feet.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@silvergrizzly316]

@corin164, I do believe your are right, I can't find this portable stand at any HF store within 150 miles from me AND I was lucky enough to find the Bauer band saw at my local store just today and it was the last one, on top of that I'm a track club member so I was able to purchase the saw for $79 Unheard Of!!! I've never caught this thing for such a low price. So I believe you're spot on, they're moving the Bauers out to make room for the Hercules band saw. 👍👍

[@RockinProfessor]

😆

[@patricklacson]

I think Bauer and Hercules are exactly the same but the different color and higher price makes you feel better about your purchase while HFT enjoys the profits.

[@TrailBoundco]

Do use the chopsaw part of it much? Or do you think it would be better to just get a dedicated upright mount from another company that doesn’t take up that extra space on the front of your bench and also has a slot in the table for a miter guage?

[@leeit2me]

this replace my jet engine loud ridgid chop saw.. lol. and cuts way cleaner as well and no more sparks flying across the shop floor..

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@scottjune3554]

Nice!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@krisjones0926]

how has nobody made a decent vise solution for this thing.. they say to use the harbor freight drill press clamp and i get that for anything flat but i dont see it holding pipe?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Amen, would be a great addition.

[@toolrules]

could this be made to do beveled cuts in wood, for example to make beveled clapboard siding out of stock wood?

[@-DIYPRO-]

If you changed the tooth to a course tooth count I guess you could. A regular wood miter saw would be better.

[@GoatZilla]

Does it maintain rigidity while cutting. That's like the only thing that matters.

[@-DIYPRO-]

My cuts came out great so I would say yes.

[@SteveinJersey1234]

I'm guessing that the overwhelming majority of people viewing this video are very familiar with portable band saws, and so I'm probably stating the obvious. But as a relative newcomer to home workshops, I wanted to point something very basic out to prevent anyone from laboring under a misconception that I initially almost made. The Hercules stand is designed to make the use of a portable band saw more effective for its intended primary application - namely cross cutting metal. It is not intended to serve as a substitute to a dedicated wood cutting bandsaw (when the portable saw is mounted in the vertical position). I mention this because I received a couple of well-meaning messages from a family member and a friend alerting me to this product, suggesting it could serve as such a substitute. And even had a Harbor Freight sales person state the same thing! As I'm sure pretty much everyone here knows, the blade of the portable band saw when mounted in the Hercules stand in a vertical position runs perpendicular to that of a wood cutting bandsaw such that it really wouldn't work for one of the primary uses of a woodcutting saw - namely resawing.

[@JDeWittDIY]

I'm not completely following what you're question is...... can you restate it? Also this is for the metal cutting bandsaw (portaband), not wood cutting bandsaws.

[@SteveinJersey1234]

@@JDeWittDIY Thanks for your tactful feedback. I realized that the wording in my original post left a lot to be desired, so I have pretty much completely rewritten it above. And as a I state above, it's probably an academic message to almost all of the viewers here.

[@-DIYPRO-]

If reading it right you are correct. Its not to be used as a typical band saw would be used. You only get 5" of depth with a porta band.

[@blackout7615]

Must be a democrat with that word salad.... in everyday language that makes sense to real people. If you try to rip a long piece of material it will bump into the saw and or stand.

[@billforest6666]

Not only that the blade width is 1/2" where a wood band saw blade is much smaller. Like 1/4"?@@-DIYPRO-

[@davidschlarp1606]

I took mine back. If you could just let it go and it cut on it's own ok. But you have to pull down against the shock. For $329 you can get a legit band saw

[@-DIYPRO-]

Some others don't have the piston so it uses the weight of the machine. I don't mind it so I'll keep mine around.

[@escapetherace1943]

329 dollars bro it's 99+119 for a hercules saw where are you adding the extra 109 dollars. Not to mention you can easily get it on sale for an easy 175 dollars, today members would've got both for 164 dollars....

[@morongene]

Don't use the shock. Or hang a weight off the handle....

[@atomictwills]

Any idea if this works with the Ryobi portable band saw?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Nope, let us know if you pick it up and if it fits.

[@sw8741]

I wonder if it would fit a deep cut corded bandsaw?

[@SUPPORTYOURSELF]

oh HELL yea! gotta get me one of those

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on, thanks!

[@jerrykey9053]

Do you think it will work with codeless bandsaws?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Depends on the brand. I've seen both dewalt and Milwaukee cordless use it so far.

[@jerrykey9053]

@@-DIYPRO- what size battery did you have on the Milwaukee? Thanks for the update.

[@JPM1956]

Does it self feed or does the operator have to press down on the handle throughout the cut?

[@krisjones0926]

you press throughout the cut..

[@-DIYPRO-]

not self feed, you are applying the pressure.

[@harrysanders9469]

Will this work with the harbor freight chicago tool bandsaw??

[@-DIYPRO-]

Not sure. If not with the 4 different adapter you could make your own!

[@PsyKotyK]

Wonder if it will work for milwaukee compact?

[@M70ACARRY]

Yes

[@trsdos80]

you ran them out :( I can't wait for my HF to get them back in

[@-DIYPRO-]

Yep, just went yesterday and they are sill out at my local store.

[@bamabaxter]

Ditch the trigger mech and pick up a non latching foot switch.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@VB-bk1lh]

I like the idea but do they have brackets for a Porter Cable Porta Band? I like the idea of making my band saw more versatile but if it don't easily fit what I've got, the $99 cost plus a new saw comes more than half way to just buying a stand alone band saw. ( I bought mine for $250 on sale a few years back). When it comes to bench top cutting, I turn to my chop saw.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Haven't heard on the porter cable yet. I'll let someone else chime in on that one. Understandable if you don't need it unless for the portable type projects or ease of the size.

[@M70ACARRY]

Yes, the Baur bracket fits it

[@MagaRickn]

I bought a Bauer band saw for my Son, and later, when the mounts came out, I bought 1 for each of us, and purchased the cordless Hercules saw for myself. My only problem, is the blade has a tendency to twist while cutting. If you have a piece of pipe mounted to cut, the finished cut will slope in from the top to the bottom. I tried adjusting the 3 bolts on the hinge area of the mount, to no avail. My son's Bauer does the same thing. We think the guide wheels are too far from the cut to maintain top to bottom integrity of the blade when cutting. I emailed Harbor Freight and they suggested your video or just bring the saw back. :( I want the saw, I just want it to cut straight!! Any ideas??!!

[@jesielserrano4495]

Just got one myself, same issue.

[@MagaRickn]

@@jesielserrano4495 I'm starting to wonder if maybe it's a cheap blade rather than the saw??

[@milwsdl39]

Fourth of July weekend of course all my local harbor freight stores are sold out of this item so I can’t use the 20% coupon lol

[@-DIYPRO-]

and if you look at the small print Hercules is excluded from those coupons. (Found that over Memorial Day Sale!)

[@toycoma98]

Does WEN bandsaw fit?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Not sure, let us know if you end up getting one and if it fits.

[@MR_71_BLACKBIRD]

i wanted to know the same thing

[@midwestcyberpunk]

I did an assembly vid for this a few weeks ago and since then my switch bar mechanism has popped out of place several times. I'm thinking about adding an in-line safety switch to power it on and off w/ a zip tie on the trigger. How yours holding up?

[@-DIYPRO-]

I thought of adding the same thing. Maybe HF will add some add on's!

[@Auguste10]

I did basically this on another bandsaw in my other shop. I got a relatively cheap AC foot switch on amazon that piggybacks the plug for the bandsaw and zip-tied the trigger. Basically acts like a powerblock with a switch on it. BUT if you know how to properly wire things and aren’t afraid of opening up your bandsaw, I wired in a foot switch from an old sewing machine in place of the finger trigger. Did this for my milwaukee at home. Much better and uses a much less clunky foot switch.

[@Auguste10]

This is of course for corded bandsaws. ALSO Make sure you get an AC foot switch that’s rated for your bandsaw. Very important. If you’re wiring internally, a smaller dc foot switch should work just fine.

[@theshark2804]

Not really sure what to get. What’s the difference between this and a chop saw.

[@scottr3141]

Chop saw is loud and slow.

[@theshark2804]

@@scottr3141 yep just tried the band saw. Nice and smooth

[@M70ACARRY]

This is more accurate and less messy. Doesn't throw crap everywhere. Less heat.

[@Promethesis]

I'm guessing this is for corded bandsaws and not cordless?

[@-DIYPRO-]

The only cordless I've seen tested is the Dewalt 20V and it did fit with the Dewalt adapter.

[@M70ACARRY]

Cordless Milwaukee, Dewalt and WEN adapt.

[@ooigfgnnkhjjnc]

Vevor bandsaw and stand $149

[@M70ACARRY]

That's a decent setup, but it doesn't to vertical.

[@Froggies505]

It sucks to get the band saw in. And the power button sucks. Also is terrible to get square and cut straight blade really wants to walk

[@RockinProfessor]

NO true Professional ever uses these truly terrible Harbor Freight "tools"😆. If I ever saw someone I hired to work for me & saw him bringing in this Junk to do the job, I would consider him a hack and ask him to pack up and leave.....

[@-DIYPRO-]

Job site no, but they definitely work for the DIYer in the garage.

[@TrickTools]

We manufacture the original Portaband Pro and the job site is exactly why our product was created. Ours is USA made and has stood the tests of time. Just unfortunate that it was copied and sent overseas.