NEW AT HARBOR FREIGHT! - HERCULES FORCED ROTATION DUAL ACTION POLISHER

Nice video thanks for staying on point and not wandering all over the place. I have a random, but was looking for a forced rotation as my current ride has lots of curves and uneven surfaces which results in the random bogging down constantly. I'm a DIY'er so no way I'm spending 400 plus dollars for a machine. Thank you for all the good info!!!

Hey... can you suggest the best dual action polisher that's cordless and able to swap to 3, 5 and 6 inch backplate? 200$ budget

Random orbit , DA , forced rotation! those machines are for beginners/detailers.

In the world of Professional Auto Body we do not use those type tools for multiple reasons, like trying to polish a 38'customRV or a tunnelHull racing boat With a orbital would get you fired and looking for another job! Production work requires the correct equipment&produces to give Ultimate finishing standards.. .

Josh what do you use for edge work and delicate corners for correcting?

Thank you for your recommendations!!

Ik im posting to an older video but i just picke dup the H.F forced rotation last night and i noticed the backing plate as a loy of wobble making the machine rock alot as you polish. Im wondering if anybody else has had this experience with this machine thank you!

the flex is overpriced!!

Has anyone used a 3" backing plate with this HF polisher? If so, which one? Thanks in advance for any information!

Some DA polishers bog down with hardly any pressure, I think it was Porter Cable, an inexpensive polisher, I felt like it was close to useless. Is there much more risk with a forced rotation type? Or will a little common sense get me through? I'm assuming they are a little better than a rotary polisher? Do any pros use rotary types exclusively? Or do they always incorporate some DA finishing? Anybody? I'd appreciate all opinions.

Why did he skipped the king of Makita the only one with real dual functions with switch to operate forced rotation or random orbital? perhaps the price of $420°° with cord?

Ive seen Detailer blogs mention a gear driven machine is risky for beginners and more likely to burn/remove paint. Any truth to this? Would I be better off with a long throw orbital 15m or so as my only machine for home use? Or is it easy to learn to manage a gear driven and is the extra power really worthwhile?

Been using the Flex 3401 for over 10 years now professional detailing. The thing is built like a tank. No problems yet

My man! Great video..question brotha..I work on boats..some gel coat some paint. Super indecisive now with getting a orbital or forced (I have a makita rotary already). Constantly thinking if these polishers will do a well enough job on gel coat that’s oxidized from sun. I’ve always used wool then foam on my makita but is want to go cordless and can’t decide which. Would love your opinion. Cheers!

Makita had the first switchable forced rotation , I wish you would show this king of a machine!! Blows flex out of the water .

Where do I find that 5 inch backing plate? I'm finding the stupid 5.5 inch one fits no pads.

How do you ball up the cord like that?!!

Where did you get that tri-key allen wrench?? Love it

Great video! Thank you for pointing out that the backing plates are interchangeable. FLEX puts a serious premium on the 25' cord. Not really worth the extra $$. The Hercules unfortunately does not come with replacement brushes so hopefully there is a parts list that customers can use to order replacement brushes.

Hey Josh, really appreciate this review. I am going to pick it up when its back in stock at my local HF. Just getting into DIY polishing for one of my older cars. QUESTION - Wanted to ask what pads you'd recommend for the Hercules? doing a two step process with your suggested Meguires Pro 110 / 220. Thanks for your feedback and support. Bless

Really tuff to beat the Flex 3401. Sure its expensive but will last for ever basically. Yea its more expensive but in one hand you have German made equipment in the other you have China so where you want to contribute your business and money to. Me personally I say f**k china

Is this a good polisher for beginners?

Hmm what do yal think on the Hercules w/ extended warranty vs the Griots G9 with a lifetime warranty? I detail on most weekends for a side hustle.

The Hercules version does not come with an extra set of brushes and you can't buy them or any other parts for this polisher. The owners manual does not include a parts diagram.

It has 90 day warranty so... 😬😬😬

With the German flex your getting heat treated forged gears ⚙ quality wiring, overload & temperature protection. Remember price is a indicator of quality!! Great review !! 👍🏼

Where did you get the “Tri-Wrench” to unscrew the backing plates? Link? Also, if I’ve got the 5” cordless Makita, essentially it has the same function as the Hercules, correct? Regarding forced rotation?

What does a forced rotation do that a dual action or a rotary can't ? What are the benefits of using a forced rotation machine?

For a new detailing enthusiast on a budget, this looks like an excellent option. Fit it with a Flex high end plate (or one of the interchangeable aftermarket flex plates that allow rapid change of the sizes) and you'd have a polishing machine with some "Ooommph" to it, although I think I would start out with a Porter Cable XP or a good Griot's DA first before going to forced rotation which can be a little tricky for people not experienced in polishing. It does have a LOT of power. I have easily burned paint with it myself on my daughter's 2013 Honda Accord using my Flex 3401 corded version. Forced rotation polishing machines do offer exceptional power or torque but it's what you do with that power that produces the exceptional results. I do personally think it's far too aggressive for finishing out anything with high levels of gloss. You either need to use a good quality rotary on a finish pad (also should have a little experience on the rotary) or use a good DA polisher on a good quality finishing pad. I just recently got the SPTA version of the CORDLESS machine that I think you showcased on your channel at one time (not the forced rotation, but the 15mm long throw) and it is an EXCEPTIONAL polisher for half the price of the higher end machines from "the other guys".......... The machine runs super smooth and the set/cycle time is great with the two supplied batteries and charger. It feels very high quality for the price. Once I went to the cordless polishers (I have all the cordless Flex machines including the newer PXE-80 and I love that little machine for macro, close in polishing, I never want to go back to a corded machine, EVER. It also comes with a host of pads and microfiber cloths (I relegate the included accessories to lesser duties or toss them, as I prefer to use the tried-and-true Lake Country pads of all different sizes and hardness types. I am also older than some detailers and have been detailing my cars since I started driving in 1979. I still enjoy the good ole' rotary machine (those new lightweight rotaries are nice to work with) coupled with a good quality waffle pad. The whole waffle/flat pad debate rages on to this very day, but i've always enjoyed using the waffle style and in my opinion, they offer a little less heat and are more forgiving than other style pads if using good polish techniques. However, for 90% of the weekend warriors at home wanting to get into machine polishing on a budget, this looks like a great option. However, for just $100 more (and still about half the price of a Rupes or Flex) you could get your hands on a SPTA 15mm CORDLESS that is built like a tank and runs very smoothly. You could always have this Harbor Freight Forced Rotation Unit on hand as your "back up" polisher in case something did go wrong, OR, just keep it as an additional tool in your polishing box. Realistically, using sales, you may be able to pick up this machine, an SPTA 15mm throw CORDLESS machine, AND a knock off micro polisher, all for about the price of some of the higher end polishers. That's a worthwhile investment for a new detailer starting a business as you'd have a tool for just about anything you are going to encounter. Start out with "enhancement" details and gain experience. Many clients are happy with the results of enhancement polishing. In their eyes, the vehicle looks way better than when they brought it to you or you started on it. Use a good quality enhancement polish that wipes off quickly and easily and you can quickly polish out a vehicle to a level that most owners will be thrilled with. Top it with a long-lasting sealant like Ultralock and you have a nice detail completed for low overhead costs and high profits. Ultralock will give excellent durability too and is WAY easier to install than a ceramic coating but you'll still get about 9 months or so out of it which is great. A new detailer could offer a very comprehensive package using good products that would make it profitable.

Unfortunately, like most power tools sold by Harbor Freight, they will not last. Poor quality control.

Solid review and I agree 100% with your information. Thanks for the video!

Great vid and very helpful! Thanks!

I am at a confused point with my ryobi da. For some reason it doesn’t rotate like at all with minimal pressure. It still ocellates but doesn’t rotate is this thing garbage?

It's a really interesting screwdriver where do you get that. I was in harbor freight last week looking at the new Hercules machine I was actually waiting on people to do a review on it before I consider buying it

Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been looking at picking up a tool like this but wondered how well it would hold up.

How are the paint correction results using the same compounds and buffer pads? Comparable? Same? Night and day?

Thank you. This was very well done and useful.

Great video boss 👍 keep her lit 🔥 🇮🇪

So would you prefer the Hercules over the Max shine and the bauer if this is my first polisher?

Great video. I picked up some drying towel from harbor freight. They feel awesome. I don't know if they have an Ollie's discount store but they have some great deals on car detailing products. I pick up 2 different McGuires cutting/polishing compounds for 9.99 a piece. They were 50 a piece at harbor freight. Some great deals if you find one but be picky in your purchases. Not everything is a steal.

Great overview i own the flex couple years have 2 rotarys the flex seems to vibrate a little to much i don't know if is normal or not but i tend to like and use my rotary better

Do you recommend the ryobi 1600 or 1800 pressure washer?

can you suggest a similar polisher but in a 3 inch

I've always considered "forced rotation" to be a "true" DA, whereas RO DAs are really just...RO. Just my take on it. Anyway awesome to hear about this new Herc tool. I kept thinking about getting the long throw Bauer, but haven't yet. But now looks like I might have to wait for a sale on this guy instead! Only thing I don't like is the plastic gear on the backing plate and interior but I guess if the Flex is the same, not really getting around that.

Question! In terms of value and being a beginner, how would this compare to a similar pricepoint of the MaxShine M8S V2? For $129 would it be more valuable to spend $10 more for that unit?

Just bought the Hercules last week as my very first polisher. Very very happy with the results so far! Big thanks to josh and Larry over at Ammo. They gave me the detailing fever and will be handing out my very first fliers come Saturday. Scary but exciting!

Paint correction is just my final step in restoration work, so I haven’t been able to justify a forced rotation until now. I’ll definitely be picking up the Herc on sale. Thanks for the review!

As someone who DIYs my cars every 6-12months, my HF DA polisher has done great (it was like $80 on sale), I’m not sure it would hold up on a pace that professionals would use it, but for a tool I’ve used, 6/7 times now, it’s been well worth the money. This new one looks really nice, if my current one gives out I would be tempted to get that (or the Milwaukee but that’s because I just have a lot of red tools😅)