NEW 2026 Power Tools from Milwaukee, FLEX, Harbor Freight, Wiha, and more!
SEMA 2025 Day 2 did not slow down. Rob and Sarah hit the show floor again and turned up a fresh wave of new tools and gear that are already shaping the 2026 landscape, from Harbor Freight’s next-gen Hercules impacts and Badland off-road lineup, to Milwaukee’s M18 Hot Shot jump starter and precision blower, FLEX’s detailing-focused polishers, Wiha and Wera hand tools, shop cooling, workwear, and more.
This trip was powered by Blaklader Workwear, who kept the Tool Show crew comfortable from Munich to Vegas and are dropping a huge Black Friday sale from November 26 through December 1.
Harbor Freight’s NEW Hercules Compact & Mid-Torque Impacts
The Tool Show team kicked things off back at the Harbor Freight booth with new Hercules compact and mid-torque impact wrenches aimed squarely at pros who want serious power without the massive footprint.
Harbor Freight’s new Hercules impact lineup includes a compact model delivering up to 600 ft-lbs of breakaway torque with a small frame built for tight engine bays, as well as a mid-torque version pushing 1,000 ft-lbs of breakaway torque while still staying surprisingly compact for its output. Both models share pro-focused features like Auto mode, which drives fast and then slows as the fastener breaks free to prevent runaway nuts, along with three speeds and a ring LED light for clear visibility at the anvil. Pricing lands at $69 bare tool for the compact and $169 bare tool for the mid-torque, with both scheduled for Spring 2026.
For anyone building a budget-friendly cordless lineup, these Hercules impacts look like a big step up in power and refinement for the price.
Portacool Evaporative Coolers:
Shop Comfort Without Traditional A/C
Portacool portable evaporative coolers, the units that blasted Rob and Sarah with cold air from across the aisle.These aren’t traditional air conditioners; they’re evaporative coolers designed for shops and bays where ducted HVAC just isn’t realistic.
Portacool’s evaporative coolers matter for shops because they use evaporative cooling instead of refrigerant, relying on water and airflow to reduce ambient temperatures by 10° to 30°F depending on climate and humidity, and the model shown can comfortably cool about 700 sq ft. They offer flexible water management with either an integrated reservoir or a direct hose hookup for continuous operation, while adjustable louvers and oscillation let you direct airflow exactly where techs are working. A front-pull air path allows the unit to sit flush against a wall to save space, and the featured model comes in at around $1,599.
For hot garages, body shops, and industrial spaces, one of these can keep techs moving without the installation and operating costs of full A/C.
FLEX Corded Brushless Polishers & Sander (with Dr. Beasley)
If you’re into detailing, paint correction, or custom finishes, the FLEX booth was a must-see. Rob linked up with Mike from Dr. Beasley’s, who walked through a full defect-removal process using FLEX tools and Dr. Beasley’s compounds.
- New corded brushless polishers
- Lighter, quieter, cooler, and low-maintenance
- Built for pro detailers who run polishers all day
- FLEX FX 3411 random orbital sander
- 1.6 mm orbit, designed for woodworking but used here to knock down orange peel and flatten paint
- Fast, even sanding that sets up for quick compounding
- New gear-driven orbital polisher
- 8 mm gear-driven mechanism that won’t stall, even under heavy pressure or on edge
- Pairs perfectly with Dr. Beasley’s NSP polishes to remove holograms and refine to a mirror finish
Mike demonstrates a full process: sanding, rotary cutting with Core Cut, then finishing with the new gear-driven tool. The result is a true mirror finish and a great case study in how FLEX and Dr. Beasley’s products complement each other for high-end paint correction.
Blaklader Workwear:
Four-Way Stretch Pants & Elite 6″ Freelock Boots
This trip was sponsored by Blaklader Workwear, and Rob and Sarah spent the entire journey, from Munich to Las Vegas, wearing Blaklader’s newest pants and boots on every shoot, walk, and demo.
Blaklader’s Four-Way Stretch Work Pants are built around four core principles, quality, functionality, durability, and design,and they deliver on all of them with an extremely well-thought-out layout. They’re loaded with storage, including back pockets with bellows, multiple leg, flap, and pen pockets, knee pad and foam pockets, removable nail pouches, and even a ruler pocket with a knife holder, giving tradespeople quick access to every essential. Reinforced with Cordura, these pants are engineered to last three to four times longer than typical work pants, all while providing unmatched comfort and mobility.
Blaklader’s Elite 6″ Freelock Boots combine convenience, safety, and all-day comfort with a Freelock quick lace system for fast on/off, composite toe protection, and a waterproof membrane that keeps feet dry in tough conditions. A full-length shank provides stability on ladders and uneven surfaces, while moisture-absorbing insoles and an injection-molded midsole that’s built into the boot deliver long-lasting support and durability for demanding jobsite environments.
After miles and miles at multiple shows, Rob and Sarah reported no sore feet and no break-in period. It’s workwear clearly designed with tradespeople, not just for them, function first, aesthetics as a bonus.
And yes, they’ve got a huge Black Friday sale running November 26 – December 1, so keep an eye out for those deal windows.
Harbor Freight’s Vulcan Portable Welding Table
Back to Harbor Freight, this time for welders and fabricators. The Vulcan portable welding table is built for people who need real capacity but don’t have room for a full-size permanent table.
- 43″ x 20″ work surface
- 1,000 lb capacity – plenty for frames, bumpers, and heavier fabrication work
- Folding legs with lock for both use and transport
- Folds down to about 7.5″ thick for easy storage
- Flat-free wheels for rolling across rough shop floors, cords, hoses, and debris
- 16 mm holes for insert clamps + slots for traditional C-clamps and F-style clamps
- Integrated holes for hanging MIG guns, wrenches, and frequently used tools
All of that for about $149, with availability planned for the second half of 2026. For new welders or crowded shops, this table hits a sweet spot of cost, strength, and portability.
SuperDuty Fans: High-Tech HVLS Blade Design
Next up, the Tool Show crew stopped at SuperDuty Fans, where a wild-looking HVLS (high volume, low speed) fan blade instantly grabbed their attention.
SuperDuty’s HVLS blade stands out because it was developed using AI, aeronautical engineers, and fan-industry experts to maximize airflow, minimize noise, and improve overall efficiency. Instead of a simple straight extrusion, the blade chord changes from hub to tip, creating a more engineered airflow profile. Serrated trailing edges further reduce wind noise, while vortex generators on the back help keep air attached to the blade so airflow reaches the floor where it’s actually needed. The blade also includes a built-in 15° pitch, allowing the use of a standard flat hub, saving money on both manufacturing and installation without compromising performance.
SuperDuty offers: Shrouded fans for high airflow at a lower price than huge HVLS units, full HVLS fans from 7′ to 24′ diameter and a displayed 10′ fan around $4,500, including mounting hardware and a telescoping downrod
Compared to the usual five-figure HVLS installs, this is a more affordable, quieter, and patented option for big shops, warehouses, and facilities.
Wera Modular Bit System
Tool Show also checked out the new Wera modular system with Jamie from Wera. If you love compact bit kits and ultra-organized hand tools, this one’s for you.
Wera’s new modular system stands out because it uses interchangeable hinge modules that slide in and out of the carrier, allowing you to build custom loadouts with exactly what you need, whether that’s micro drivers, L-keys, ratchets and sockets, or specific bit assortments. You can swap modules based on the day’s tasks so you’re not hauling an oversized kit full of tools you won’t use, and the system’s signature color coding and visual design are intentionally engineered to match fastener types, sizes, and functions, making the entire setup both highly organized and highly efficient.
If you grabbed Wera’s 2024 Advent Calendar, you may already have an early taste of this system. The new modular setup just pushes that idea into a full, customizable ecosystem.
Milwaukee M18 Hot Shot Jump Starter:
Always-Ready Capacitor Design
Over at the Milwaukee booth, the Tool Show crew revisited a star of the show: the M18 Hot Shot jump starter (3841-20).
Instead of relying on traditional internal batteries, the Hot Shot uses an internal capacitor bank powered by any M18 battery, giving it a couple of big advantages:
- Ultra-fast charge for a jump: Charges in under 70 seconds from an M18 pack
- True all-weather performance:
- Tested from – 4°F to 122°F with minimal performance drop
- In the on-camera demo, the competitor lost about 25% power coming out of the freezer, while Hot Shot barely changed
- Long life:
- Capacitors rated up to 500,000 cycles
- Output:
- Around 11,000 watts of energy during jump demos
The Milwaukee M18 Hot Shot jump starter (3841-20) is available now for around $299 bare tool (battery sold separately), and it’s designed for pros who need a reliable, always-ready jump solution on the road. Because it uses internal capacitors instead of a traditional internal battery, it avoids the common “dead jump pack” problem, making it ideal for anyone already on the M18 platform who wants a jump starter that can live in a truck or service rig and be ready to go whenever it’s needed.
Wiha $300 Drive-Loc Screwdriver Kit:
For Screws of Consequence
At the Wiha booth, Rob met up with Bart to talk about a $300 Drive-Loc screwdriver set that, at first glance, seems wild, until you understand who it’s built for.
Who this kit is for:
- Medical device technicians
- Hospital equipment and imaging techs
- High-end service techs working on expensive, sensitive machines
- Anyone facing unknown fastener profiles in tight or hard-to-reach spots
Why it costs $300:
- One main Drive-Loc handle with:
- Near-infinite length adjustability through dimpled blades
- Multiple tip profiles and sizes on interchangeable blades
- Lets techs carry one compact kit instead of a huge bag of handles and drivers
- Blades adjust in roughly ⅛” increments, so you can set exact reach
- Built specifically for “screws of consequence” where a stripped fastener could mean:
- Device downtime
- Expensive repairs
- Warranty risks
For the right user, this is a precision, time-saving tool that’s cheaper than one bad mistake.
Harbor Freight’s New Badland Off-Road Tools
Back in the Harbor Freight Badland section, Tool Show checked out new off-road gear designed for serious rigs, overland builds, and service trucks.
- Badland ZXR 15,000 lb winch
- Harbor Freight’s largest winch ever
- Built for one-ton trucks, service bodies, and heavy off-road rigs
- Expected to land in about six months
- Six-ton off-road jack stands
- Extend up to 31″ of height
- Extra-wide base feet for sand, gravel, and off-road terrain
- Off-road jack mounts
- Models for 1.5-ton and 3-ton jacks
- Tubular chassis design that lets sand, dirt, and water pass through
- Dual straps and a non-rattle front clamp to keep jacks quiet and secure
If you’re building a trail rig or a field-service truck, this Badland lineup is clearly aimed at heavy, real-world use.
Milwaukee M18 Precision Blower:
Detailing-Focused Air Power
Milwaukee also rolled out the M18 brushless precision blower (0887-20), clearly targeted at auto detailing, bodywork, and water removal around intricate surfaces.
- Delivers very high air speed (Milwaukee quotes up to 570 mph and 39 CFM in the booth demo)
- Perfect for blowing water out of:
- Mirrors
- Badges
- Trim and crevices
- Wheels and lug areas
- Comes with three nozzle options made of soft rubber so they won’t mar paint
- Magnetic nozzle storage keeps everything handy in the shop
- Three modes, an LED at the nozzle, and a variable speed trigger for precise control
- Shipping now at around $179 bare tool
For detailers who want cordless flexibility on the M18 platform, this blower slots right into an automotive kit.
Vim Tools “Maverick” USA-Made Ratchets & Accessories
In the Vim Tools booth, Rob met Clay and got a first look at the Maverick line, a family of USA-made ratchets, locking extensions, and drill bits built to bring tool-truck quality to everyday techs.
Maverick ratchets: 90-tooth mechanisms for tight swing arcs
- Available in:
- 3/8″ and 1/2″ drive fixed and flex head
- 1/4″ straight options
- Two handle options:
- Chrome handles
- All-new comfort grip handles with a unique shape that:
- Fits naturally whether you grip underhand, side-grip, or over the top
- Features a “little beer belly” contour for hand support
Locking extensions & drill bits:
- USA-made locking extensions in:
- 1/2″ drive three-piece set
- 3/8″ drive three-piece set
- 1/4″ drive five-piece set
- Specialty transmission extensions:
- 1/2″ drive input for impacts
- 3/8″ drive output for sockets, managing torque loss over long reach
- High-speed steel drill bits, also made in the USA
Clay also demoed how easy it is to rebuild the ratchet head at home, with a straightforward parts swap that any user can handle. That means less downtime, fewer warranty trips, and more control over the tools you rely on.
Platinum Tool Deal Powered by Ohio Power Tool
Even at SEMA, the Tool Show crew didn’t forget about the Platinum Tool Deal. Each week, they partner with Ohio Power Tool to drop a limited-use promo code that gives viewers a serious discount.
In this episode:
- The deal was $50 off a purchase of $100 or more on in-stock DeWalt tools at Ohio Power Tool
- Only the first 25 people who use the code get the discount
- The code itself appears on screen during the video, so you’ll want to watch the episode and move fast
If you want early access to these deals, you can join the Tool Show Production Crew on YouTube memberships, where members get the Platinum Tool Deal details before everyone else so their carts can be ready.
Whether you’re an automotive tech, off-road builder, detailer, welder, or maintenance pro, there’s something in this lineup that targets real jobsite pain points, comfort, access, power, uptime, and long-term value.
If you haven’t watched it yet, check out the full “NEW 2026 Power Tools from Milwaukee, FLEX, Harbor Freight, Wiha, and more!” episode from Tool Show to see all the demos, behind-the-scenes moments, and that M18 Hot Shot theme song tease in action.
