Harbor Freight has recently come out with two new cordless heat guns, one under their Hercules 20V Max cordless power tool system, and one under Bauer 20V “Hypermax.”
It’s not as simple as one of the new Harbor Freight cordless heat guns being blue and the other red, despite their identical $54.99 pricing.
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Harbor Freight suggests that their Hercules cordless heat gun “compares to Milwaukee” and the Bauer “compares to Ryobi.”
The top marketing point about the Hercules is that it is compact and goes where corded model [sic] can’t. It’s said to be 35% more compact than a corded model. The Bauer is said to deliver the power and speed of cordless [heat] guns.
Both cordless heat guns have ceramic heating elements, and with a 6-second cool-down time. The Hercules cordless heat gun can deliver up to 905°F of hot air, and the Bauer tool 895°F.
Despite both tools looking to be different sizes, the Hercules is said to have a 6-1/2″ length, and the Bauer 6-9/16″.
Price: $55
Buy Now: Hercules Heat Gun via HF
Buy Now: Bauer Heat Gun via HF
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Models
- Hercules: HC105B, SKU 56815
- Bauer: 1925C-B, SKU 56791
Discussion
How long did it take before Milwaukee to come out with a cordless heat gun? Dewalt followed around a year ago. Then came a Craftsman model.
There are several interesting things about the new Harbor Freight cordless heat guns, aside from users having more options.
The Hercules line is still relatively new, and although there are quite a few tools so far, I wouldn’t have expected a cordless heat gun to come before many of the other types of tools missing from their lineup.
Does it make sense for Harbor Freight to release Hercules and Bauer heat guns and at the same price point? Their latest 20% coupon excludes both brands. If the Bauer tool is said to compare with Ryobi, and the Hercules tool is said to compare to Milwaukee, does that mean the Hercules is a better value at the same price, or is the Bauer not as good a value?
A good-better-best system doesn’t work so well, or rather it starts to get confusing, when “better” and “best” options – or similar – are priced exactly the same.
What might be different between these tools? The Bauer is said to have a slightly lower operating temperature than the Hercules. Is that it?
The Hercules is said to be more compact that corded tools, and reaches operating temperature in 5 seconds. The Bauer is said to be portable and versatile, and with the power and speed of corded heat guns. The tools are practically the same length, given Harbor Freight’s published specs.
I can’t help but feel a bit confused with how the tools are marketed.
Harbor Freight recommends using the Bauer with at least 3Ah batteries for longer runtime. The Hercules cools within 6 seconds of powering off, to improve element life. With the Bauer, there’s a “6 second automatic cool down mode that improves tool life.”
Granted that Hercules and Bauer are two different ecosystems, but if I didn’t know better I’d think they were competing against each other. Is the marketing language different in attempts to target different types of users? Or is it different enough to force greater distinction between two very similar and identically-priced tools?
Regardless of the why now, and what’s different questions that remain, more tool options are always good. I’m happy to see Harbor Freight pushing forward – keeping competitors on their toes benefits everyone.
John
I’m not on those battery platforms but good addition to their lineup. I have a corded Dewalt that I was using yesterday for heat shrink tubing on wiring from my plasma to Langmuir table. Cordless would be more handy sometimes. Might invest in one in the few battery types I do have.
Frank D
Saw the other day ( while in FL ) HF now have a line of 40v and 80v battery powered garden tools under the Atlas name. I personally did not know they had those, but then I don’t visit HF often and tend jo recycle their overly redundant and sketchy flyers.
John
They have gone full digital with catalogs and flyers so no more junk postal mail, but now junk excessive emails on “huge liquidations”, sales, price cuts etc as usual.
The Atlas products have been out for a little while.
HF isn’t for everyone but does serve a purpose. I needed a welding cart for a new Primeweld TIG machine and went to HF since it would be faster than welding one myself while I am trying to work on client projects. Their welding carts are decent and better than what you find on Amazon.
Frank D
I do get a ton of their emails, frustratingly enough … but still get paper too, for some reason.
I have one of their small welding carts for my little Hobart. I only use it for a couple small repairs a year. Anyhow that cart was the best instant solution to give it a home and make it mobile.
Eric
I keep hearing this but just received a flyer full of coupons/ads in the mail yesterday.
I would never give them my email, so no annoying emails for them.
Mike
I have the dewalt and it’s great for small work where you need some heat it work great
fred
The feedback that I’ve gotten about cordless heat guns is that they are perhaps more useful for tasks like heat shrinking, label removal and many other small – relatively short duration jobs where the run down of the battery is not a critical factor.
In the plumbing business, we used heat guns (Master Appliance brand) for things like thawing pipe runs – where airflow, temperature and time were often needed in combination.
https://www.zoro.com/master-appliance-varitemp-heat-gun-kit-electrical-120v-vt-751d-00-k/i/G8624355/
Sean
The heat gun is a welcomed addition to any cordless tool line up but…
The power tool market is very competitive. There are more compelling battery tool platforms for similar money as the Bauer and Hercules.
At least the Bauer line has a wide tool assortment. The Hercules still has limited options available.
SBD’s Craftsman cordless tool line came out of nowhere with a bunch larger line than Hercules right out of the gate.
Shouldn’t there be more Hercules offerings by now?
Scott K
We just had some hardscape work done and I was surprised to see that Hercules makes a jackhammer.
Plain grainy
Can I heat the airspace in my truck topper with one of these? LOL!
SteveP
What surprises me is the price of cordless heat guns. They seem to be extremely simple devices (an element, a fan and some electronics?) but are priced above a decent 1/2″ cordless drill.
I don’t have any HF power tools, but I picked up a lightly used Ryobi cordless heat gun a while ago. I already had two corded heat guns and the $80 list of the Ryobi was not attractive. That said, it is handy when you are using heat shrink on projects
Nathan
Surprised the Hercules isn’t a near clone of the Dewalt model all their other versions are.
Seems interesting. I haven’t put it all together but does that 54 dollar price include battery and charger. How does it really compare getting into the setup vs if you have a Dewalt or Milwaukee system in your box already.
Dan
They offer $25 discount if you buy a battery and charger with the tool.