Hercules 12v Impact Driver HD81K
The Hercules 12v Impact is light and maneuverable. The handle is thinner than heavier duty 20v tools, so it is a great option for those with smaller hands and arthritis. It has more than enough power for anything around the home, or at a dedicated work station. Not sure how it would hold up in commercial / construction use. The tool is armored and well built, but the battery pack "may" not survive a fall from a 6 ft ladder. The bottom of the battery us thin plastic, unarmored, not covered with rubber.
The trigger is gradual, so you can turn screws lightly and slowly, which make this a good option for assembly /disassembly. (I would get the dedicated screw gun version with clutch for that purpose if that was the intended use). But this tool will perform such tasks as well as sink deck screws and lag bolts. I used it to take apart my Husqvarna chainsaw. I didn't break anything putting screws back in, as the bit stops just long enough to release trigger before the impact kicks in.
The single light is sub par compared to a Dewault with the 3 lights in a ring formation around the head. On this tool, it only illuminates right below dead center of the tip. The light does not stay on after trigger is released. But, the light comes in with light pressure on the trigger without turning the but. So that helps.
The tool is well balanced in the hand, and compared to my heavier Ryobi One 18v, much easier to wield. I have arthritic hands and wrists, and that is why I chose this tool. And it turned out to be a good choice.
It comes with one 2.0 amp hour battery. Replacement / spares are $20-$25 at Harbor Freight, depending on day of week and shape of the moon. Coupons do not apply to Hercules tools.
I would suggest going to a HF store to handle one of these in person and compare to other brands. It appears well built from the outside, not crappy 1 or 2 use like some HF brands, like say, Chicago Pneumatic brand.
I bought this one on Ebay, new in the box for 1/2 orginal list price.
If HF / Hercules comes out with additional tools that use this battery pack at a reasonable price, it would be the perfect line for the home owner & hobbyist to invest in, and for a pro to throw in his truck or trunk for lighter or one off jobs.
I reach for this over my larger Ryobi.
Think handy pocket knife vs machete.
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