Hands-on review of Hercules 12 volt cordless ratchet

The Hercules 12 volt accuracy is a great example of how saving money on power tools doesn’t always mean taking a hit when it comes to quality and performance. Although you can expect some pitfalls compared to professional level models, it is still a very complete tool. In fact, it has clear advantages that, in some cases, puts it ahead of the rest.

Harbor Freight sent one to me for review a while ago. I finally put it to use in the second half of an engine project that benefited greatly from the compact head and ample power. And despite being a budget-friendly option, the quality feels comparable to some more expensive models. If you are looking for one cordless ratchet but if you have to stay within a budget, this Hercules 12-volt is a serious contender to consider. Heck, I’d still consider buying it.

The bottom line

Specifications Hercules cordless ratchet of 12 volts

On paper the Hercules 12 volt accuracy is a heavy hitter. It delivers 40 foot-pounds of torque through the 3/8-inch drive with operating speeds up to 275 rpm. A variable speed trigger provides total control over the power output.

It works with Hercules 12 volt batteries. Which can share a charger with 20 volt batteries, adding serious value to the whole package. It also has a rubber handle for a comfortable grip, metal internal gears for longer life, and built-in LEDs so you can see better while you tinker. As of now, it’s on sale for $89.99, with the version with longer range on sale for $99.99.

Despite the affordable price tag, this thing still has a big advantage over conventional accuratels. The head is very compact, even smaller than most regular 3/8-inch ratchet wrenches I have lying around. We’ll get into the benefits of that design in a moment. But it’s a specification you really can’t overlook when shopping for cordless ratchets, as it’s usually reserved for specialty designs.

Put to work

I used the Hercules 12 volt accuracy for the final stages of a top job on the 4.7-liter V8 in my 2003 Ram 1500. More specifically, I used it to bolt on the intake manifold, valve covers, air box, radiator, and fan housing. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time with it.

This is a seriously great tool for the money. The quality and performance feels comparable to the Milwaukee M12 cordless ratchets I’ve used, and it’s just a fraction of the cost. It is not as powerful as the regular M12 cordless ratchet or the M12 insider. Still, it’s more than adequate for the task. 40 foot pounds is plenty for the fasteners I use these ratchets for, and 275 rpm gets things done quickly. I’m sure the differences will be glaringly obvious on long days in pro shops, but it’s great for the DIY enthusiast.

However, the compact head is the real attraction here. Again, it’s smaller than many regular 3/8-inch ratchets, which is great for limited space situations like this truck. This, combined with the power behind it, makes it a very useful tool that will get you through many projects that other cordless ratchets simply cannot.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. The LEDs only work when the trigger is pulled, making the feature useless in many situations. I’m not crazy about the battery orientation either. It is bulky and rather cumbersome, and can be a problem in some space-constrained situations. But it’s certainly not as bad as models with larger batteries, like some DeWalts. Most also have the benefit of an impressively long battery life.

The verdict

Overall, the Hercules 12 volt accuracy is a seriously good tool for the money. It may not be as fast or as powerful as some others, but it has more than enough grunt for the job it’s intended for. You’ll never feel limited by the performance it has to offer, and that’s all you can ask from a tool anyway.

Not only that, the compact head gives it a practical advantage over many other models on the market. For the money, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cordless ratchet that can do as much work as this. It’s simply a no-brainer for the do-it-yourselfer looking to add a cordless ratchet to their collection.