HERCULES HC109B Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher! Harbor Freight Tools!!!!

[@apexdetail85]

Do you own a polisher? What model polisher?

[@millerdetailing4176]

I own Adams polishers , a Maxshine and several Rupes.

[@_jadori_175]

I just bought the Hercules. I also have a Chicago electric rotary and a 8mm polisher and the Bauer 21mm

[@DetailingJourney]

Dewalt 849x

[@jonschmunk7719]

Rupes 900 and Maxshine. Thanks for your tutelage Brian!

[@casmithc2]

I own the BEST...... Chicago Electric!

[@richardseem7948]

Amazing machine at that price point. Harbor freight has become the turtle wax of detailing. Hats off 2 them

[@Detailpops]

I talked to Markus ( I think he worked with Meguiars before and now HF and helped design a bit of this Hercules ) and he said yea the old Bauer had cheap grease but this one has top tier mobile 1 grease ; albeit I’m sure if there’s better grease I might still swap just cause . He recommended the flex 3401 4 3/8” BP as well. Great review btw I’m excited to try mine out!

[@dvlop0018]

Really enjoy these in depth reviews on polishers. Very informative and useful.

[@neilwalker5041]

For the price this polisher is a steal! These forced rotations polishers are different to the feel and you either like them or dislike them. I do like not having to watch the rotation. Thank you for the video!

[@kennythomsonjr5553]

I really appreciate your tone of voice and speed of voice. Some talk so fast. Thank you for your videos

[@apexdetail85]

My pleasure… hope the vids help a bit.

[@TripleGAutoDetailing]

Big Shinemate fan. 5 inch and 3 inch. SPTA mini. Still have my original Chicago Electric from Harbor Freight with a 3 inch backing plate. 👍

[@jeremiahgaskins9127]

That's a lot of value if it holds up. I've really enjoyed my HF bauer long throw after a regrease and switch to a 5" backing plate. I bought it as a back up but found myself grabbing it first just because it works just as well.

[@jeffclarke5497]

Thanks for the info... What grease do you use? Cheers!

[@jeremiahgaskins9127]

@jeffclarke5497 Lucas Red and Tacky. No need to over pack it. It's a good high temp stable grease designed with gears and pressure in mind.

[@Apophis-en9pi]

Its worth noting that its compatible with Flex plates - so you can use genuine flex plates with different sizes.

[@apexdetail85]

Great point.

[@Ricky_R]

Love a polisher video! Saw this in the Facebook group quite a lot and excited it’s in your hands now🍻🍻🍻

[@andrej2321]

Magnificent review for a magnificent power, albeit junky, tool. Hercules FTW!

[@millerdetailing4176]

Another great video and review Brian always appreciate the content.

[@404notfound.....]

Griot's G9 Rupes 15 mm & flex 3401. Tks for demonstrating this polisher Brian. 👍🇨🇦

[@figurado1]

It's nice that the brushes are easily accessible. Unfortunately you can't order new ones because no parts are available for this item. It would have been a good idea for them to include an extra set.

[@Chris-wb7ni]

Can’t wait to see what happens. I am a Lucas red and tacky guy myself

[@Chris-wb7ni]

I have the old school porter cable. Still running good

[@herkyhawk2003]

^ THIS ^

[@badass1g]

I just bought this and it works really good! My first of this type, the stalling I get from the normal DA from HF stalls WAYYYY to easy. I can stall it with my pinky 👎 I paid $80 with a coupon.

[@Eurogloss]

Brian you should try the Makita PO 5000C for USA market and for our Australian market PO 6000C forced rotation DA polisher. It has two motions 5.5mm Random Orbital and Forced Rotation DA polisher in one.Two machines in one!

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

They seem to be in stock at my local store, i might pick one up this week. I plan to grab a Flex 3401 5" backplate and run it stock before doing some upgrade. I got some leftover Amsoil grease mixed with ws2 and change to Japanese bearings; NSK, Koyo or Nachi, whichever bearing is cheaper.

[@lucashurley7612]

thank you Yakub very cool

[@MarkusKleis]

FWIW, the tool comes with Mobil 1 top tier grease - not "cheap Chinese grease." There is no need to swap the grease :)

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

How are the bearings? The Flex uses made in Japan Nachi bearings.

[@MarkusKleis]

@@Pepe-dq2ib They are also high quality sealed bearings.

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

@@MarkusKleis what brand?

[@dougmasters3875]

It'd be great to see before and after the grease swap. And maybe a backing plate swap too.

[@figurado1]

Which backing plate would you be thinking of?

[@dougmasters3875]

@@figurado1 whatever fits. Flex as I understand it.

[@richsmith3120]

Griots G9, G8, and my old friend Porter Cable 7424 and Mikita 9227 rotary!

[@ccooke70]

Thank you. How is it performing?

[@obm415]

Just FYI, I received email from Harbor Freight support saying they cannot source replacement brushes for this model. Hopefully, by the time the brushes in our polisher wear out, they will be able to get them.

[@richardseem7948]

Awesome video and product review as always good friend

[@apexdetail85]

Thank you!

[@HPAcustomriflesandcerakote]

Really i am not surprised someone tried to replicate the 3401 by Flex. Suprises me more it took so long for someone to. After all the Flex 3401 has been the #1 go to for moderate correction for many detailers for years now.

[@TadpoleTrainer]

I think it does come with brushes now. Mine did.

[@edwardbodenmiller6846]

Hi Brian, I just watched this review of the Hercules HC1098B polisher. As alway a great and complete review. After viewing I checked out a few other reviews on this polisher and in one the detailer stated that the Flex 3401 5 inch backing plate was compatible and interchangeable with the Hercules, can you verify this to be true, I’m thinking of purchasing this polisher but I would prefer using 5 inch pads. That’s again for the great video.

[@theBtotheJ23]

Great video. I just bought this polisher. Are Flex backing plates the only ones compatible if I wanted to move to a 5 inch?

[@randysmith1630]

I'm thinking of getting a da. Right now I'm leaning towards the Wen 5".

[@alfredorodriguez9818]

I love makita po5000 and looks like a economical copi

[@markneurohr9663]

Do you have a link to this polisher in use?

[@mikeyp2447]

Very informative!

[@georgemyers6518]

If these had a 5 inch plate I would buy one today. There are times when the forced rotation would work better for removing paint defects.the price of this machine would make it ideal,however I don’t want to have to buy a separate size pad for something I wouldn’t use as often as my Rupes LHR15MKIII

[@TheNewMechanic]

Do you think this is a good polisher for a first time beginner? I'm looking to polish my 2011 BMW M3 and our other vehicles before throwing on a ceramic coating. Just wanted to see if you'd be worried about burning through my clear coat with the forced rotation. Thanks for the great informative videos!

[@Apophis-en9pi]

Im rocking an OG Porter Cable da, Makita Rotary, and just picked up the new version of the SPTA Mini Polisher. If i was in need of another polisher id 100% get this, but im all set!

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

They have a cordless model, but I don’t know if it’s dual action, but with their 21700 cells in 4/8/12 amp hours, cordless is viable

[@MNpicker]

Im getting one....maybe 2😎

[@TechCrazy]

Can we change the disc size from the default 6" to 5.5"? I have lot of pads for 5.5 and would hate to go about buying a whole lot of 6" ones for this.

[@kenh733]

Did you replace the grease while you had it open? I have the Bauer 8mm and 20mm

[@apexdetail85]

I will… had to order more Wolfshead Red.👍🏻

[@Eurogloss]

Forgive me Brian, that's not the Flex XC 3401 VRG, because the old Flex XC 3401 VRG was corded not cordless like the model the you are showing is called The FLEX XCE 8-125 18.0 Polisher Gear Driven Forced Rotation DA polisher!

[@norcalspitshine6406]

Nice

[@tadeloach22]

What is the throw on this polisher? If you say in the video I missed it.

[@thomasatkinson5081]

I could not get the 4 gear head screws out to change the gear head grease. I noticed that you did not either and you showed the back side where the grease is. I am assuming they have red lock tight on them or something.

[@adotahuja]

Will the carbon brushes of "BAUER 7.5 Amp, 6 in. Long-Throw Random Orbit DA" fit this polisher?

[@zerozero1944]

Genius compares a BATTERY tool with a CORDED tool

[@elmeromero1794]

Do you know what 5” backing plate will fit this Hercules by chance?

[@Mason1le]

I just bought this polisher, first one I’ve owned. What’s the advantage of going 5” backing plate vs the 6”?

[@dossegundos7145]

It’s actually a 5 1/2” plate, I’d say no need to change it until it fails.

[@yobingbongyah4676]

Can you remind me of the grease that you like to use

[@apexdetail85]

www.mecampbell.com/14-oz-cartridge-wolf-s-head-red-lithium-grease-high-temperature-up-to-500-f.html?keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1UygHVP0h0QlsKUYpYV5tmuWfZHX4s8S9x_Ejd-MfHC1JRHH-BKqrAxoCZvMQAvD_BwE

[@ScrungoScrubs]

UPDATE THEY NOW SEND EXTRA BRUSHES!!!!! THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THE BAG WITH YOUR WRENCH AND HEX DRIVER!

[@davidmorcos1463]

Not the case. I Just got one today 5-17-24 and it did not have the spare brushes. Going back.

[@ScrungoScrubs]

@@davidmorcos1463 You must have gotten an old unit friend IDK.

[@davidmorcos1463]

@@ScrungoScrubs They had several, wished there was a way to tell.

[@tomtripptree5079]

What type of grease do you like to use

[@apexdetail85]

www.mecampbell.com/14-oz-cartridge-wolf-s-head-red-lithium-grease-high-temperature-up-to-500-f.html?keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1UygHVP0h0QlsKUYpYV5tmuWfZHX4s8S9x_Ejd-MfHC1JRHH-BKqrAxoCZvMQAvD_BwE

[@kheireddineaziz9943]

Hello, is there a way for Europe shipping? Thank you

[@scottsigmon926]

Does the “forced action” mean that when you get on a edge that it doesn’t stop oscillating and/or spinning?

[@scottsigmon926]

@@enduringpursuit thank you for the reply sir. Very good description and very helpful.

[@apexdetail85]

Correct...so keep the polisher moving at all times.

[@jeremyogburn5888]

Is there any information on the throw distance of this polisher? I cant find it listed on the website or in the user manual. Would you pick this one, or the harbor freight 21mm long throw? Seem to be competing for the same price range

[@jdisdetermined]

8mm standard throw, same as the Flex. The Mille has a shorter throw. If you’re only buying one polisher to do everything. This is the one I’d go with. A separate 3” polisher is almost a must have with the long throw. Though it’s also very capable and well made for the price. I have one that’s done well over two dozen corrections and still going strong. Just a grease swap and a 5” plate is all I’ve done to it.

[@andrej2321]

Chances are you will never have to replace the brushes on the Hercules, no matter how good it is, therefore no replacements needed. By the time you wear out the Hercules, you either grow a beard or just pick another one up at your local HFT for $90 new. All the while getting to meet their super great and helpful employees.

[@Amor1990]

What grease do you use?

[@apexdetail85]

www.mecampbell.com/14-oz-cartridge-wolf-s-head-red-lithium-grease-high-temperature-up-to-500-f.html?keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1UygHVP0h0QlsKUYpYV5tmuWfZHX4s8S9x_Ejd-MfHC1JRHH-BKqrAxoCZvMQAvD_BwE

[@johnwrycza]

where can I get 1 tube of Wolf's Head Red grease (vs 10) thanks for all of the reviews

[@apexdetail85]

www.mecampbell.com/14-oz-cartridge-wolf-s-head-red-lithium-grease-high-temperature-up-to-500-f.html?keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1UygHVP0h0QlsKUYpYV5tmuWfZHX4s8S9x_Ejd-MfHC1JRHH-BKqrAxoCZvMQAvD_BwE

[@marklengal9990]

Can I put a 3” pad on it?

[@apexdetail85]

I do not believe that is possible.

[@jdisdetermined]

Does anyone with both polishers know if the Bauer long throw brushes fit this polisher? They almost look the same.

[@orthodox1717]

That’s not the Flex 3401. 😉

[@apexdetail85]

It was designed to be the the same breed without the cord.

[@Eurogloss]

Corded is more powerful you can't compare them Brian. A fair comparison is with the Flex XCE 10-8-125!

[@jimmyccee1083]

Where’s the coupon? The one they have you cannot use for this machine.

[@apexdetail85]

They have 20-25% coupons regularly

[@kimnewling5728]

Why not buy it and give it a try!

[@apexdetail85]

Exactly!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

First!! Griot's Garage G9 and G8, my old workhorse GG6, besides Porter Cable rotary

[@mikaso20042000]

This is copy of old Flex XC 3401 VRG, and you showed newer FLEX XCE 8-125 that is totally improved.gears,electronic....and is brushless!Don't see the point of comparing high-end professional tool with DIY/amateur tool?Flex/festool invent forced rotation and they with rupes canot be put in same sentence with brand like hercules or similar.

[@torocars9227]

Under $100 and they still make profit to do business? Wow, shows how much detailers are being fooled by handlers of the industry.

[@andrej2321]

With reservations, the margins must be super slim. It’s not like you are buying a precision tool, at HFT anyways, the tolerances are way off, acceptable perhaps to a degree, and perhaps more than good enough for the weekend warriors or the backyard mechanics, or even the ones first starting in a field and getting their feet wet - not something you’d necessarily rely your business operations on a day in and day out basis where any slightest downtime could result in a much greater loss. As this video has mentioned, amazing backup tool available today at your local HFT. Head over there now and pick one up!

[@dogbots159]

What shipping issue? Lmfao - just because your driver doesn’t like you doesn’t mean there’s a large issue. Things are shipping and have been just fine lol

[@TheRebuilt1]

Variation aka Chinese knock off and copy and paste of legitimate companies R&D and quality product. I wil stick with my Rupes, Makita Rotary and Dewalt Rotary that take on and defeat most paint defects.

[@jerrygsvt]

R&D now stands for repeat and duplicate

[@yobingbongyah4676]

so is there a 5" backing plate replacement somewhere?

[@thomasatkinson5081]

I ordered the Flex 5 inch backing plate.

[@bigd9848]

Look decent and the price is right. Time will tell 🛞👊🏼