Anyone using FLEX cordless tools?

I have a number of flex tools. I had planned to buy the festool reciprocating saw when it was introduced until i found it was made by flex. The flex saw was considerably cheaper so I bought it instead. Over the last couple years I have added a flex drill, impact driver, multi tool, angle grinder, and flashlight, all from Lowes. All have worked well and have performed flawlessly. That said my usage has been light so I can't speak to long term reliability, but so far have been very pleased with them.
 
Michael Kellough said:
I have tools from most of the major cordless (18v+) platforms but have so far managed to resist FLEX.
It’s been really tempting however. Lowes has been offering some tools at especially low prices via their daily deals.
For example,

24-volt Cordless Brushless 5-speed Oscillating Starlock Max Multi-Tool for $69. Tool only.​

It’s here if you’re interested.
Click to expand...
Wow, Great price!!
I haven't used any FLEX tools, though I was looking at their pin nailer recently. It had a good price, too, and decent reviews on Amazon. In the end I decided I wanted a lighter weight tool. My impression researching the specs of some of the various FLEX tools is that FLEX seems to favor power over tool weight, and my current needs favor lighter weight tools... so I didn't buy it. But YMMV.
 
If I weren't topped-out at eight (or is it nine,) different platforms, DeWalt would be ahead of Flex. Flex did very well in the ToolBox Buzz review of cordless table saws. IIRC, they were the overall winner.
 
I’m a Makita boy back from when Milwaukee’s 12v line had those batteries that fit into larger handles.
Mixed bag with Makita tools - most are rock solid and uber reliable and the batteries are good, but nothing in best in class.
Thinking about going for a second platform, maybe starting with battery adapters.
 
While checking out Flex cordless tools I noticed someplace (Acme?) has the plunge router base for the Flex compact router priced at $89. I think that price is substantially better than similar equipment for other brands. The Flex compact router is most similar to the Dewalt with the same type of fine depth adjustment which I find is superior to Milwaukee and Makita.
 
My understanding about the following trademarks,
generally speaking (there are variations depending on specific tools):
- Makita shines for long term reliability (using the tools all day long, every day for years), large catalogue, but not much innovation nor better designs.
- Festool shines for innovation, precision, many add-ons ("system integration"), usually lightweight, low noise. But some tools are more fragile or less powered than competitors. Aims strongly at furniture & cabinet makers, precision, light-weight carpentry.
- Mafell shines by some very powerful tooIs with some unique, innovative designs, but the tools tend to be heavy & bulky, sometimes quite noisy. Aims at heavy-duty Carpentry: roof, beams...
- Milwaukee: some innovative, practical new tools, many tooIs have more power than competitors, rugged (more resistance to damage), simple to use, huge catalogue, many excellent LED lights.

smorgasbord said:
I’m a Makita boy back from when Milwaukee’s 12v line had those batteries that fit into larger handles.
Mixed bag with Makita tools - most are rock solid and uber reliable and the batteries are good, but nothing in best in class.
Thinking about going for a second platform, maybe starting with battery adapters.
Click to expand...
 
@bidn I have to agree whole heartedly with the Makita assessment, my LXT's have been in hard service, and used and abused for many years now, never failing me or developing any issues.

They're not the prettiest or the best, but if they all failed me now, I'd still consider the return on investment more than worth it.

It's also the first battery platform I've used that has well and truly exceeded all my expectations for reliability and longevity. The batteries still hold pretty much full charge even after all these years! Quite amazing.
 
Last edited:
I noticed the Flex brand about a year ago when their trim router popped up for sale. Very similar features and design to the DeWalt, essentially taking the blade adjustment style up a notch, and with more power. I have a Makita - very reliable and used with 8mm bits, but laking easy and reliable height adjustment (compared with the DeWalt) and lacking a light. I was considering the DeWalt, which I view as the best design on the market, and then the Flex came along with improvements. Reviews of the Flex have been good. It is a solid build with German reliability.

But ... looking around I did not find other cordless tools from Flex I would want to purchase. Only the trim router stood out, and of other tools Festool was my preference. Plus it is a heavy trim router, much heavier than the DeWalt, and this does not make sense in a trim router. I may as well use my medium Elu (= DeWalt) plunge router. The nail in the coffin was that I was trying to avoid another battery system. I have Festool and Panasonic (which will disappear one of these days). I would much prefer to buy Festool only for this purpose, howver realise that that is probably not viable if one wants to take advantage of better tools. If I get another battery system, I would rather it was DeWalt since they have a more useful range of tools. Or so I imagined at the time of choice. I am still on the fence and have not moved forward.

Regards from Perth

Derek
 
Last night I in a moment of weakness I succumbed and placed an order at Lowe’s for a few Flex tools. Today, I was saved from my foolishness (I don’t need any more tools) by Lowe’s incompetence.

This morning an email arrived saying I could pick up the tools at my local store. It was immediately replaced by an email saying my order was canceled. The local store was simply out of stock but the website didn’t know that

I called Lowe’s national customer service number (I don’t like being denied) and found out the tools can only be purchased from a store. The website only shows stock for the store you select and isn’t reliable as far as what’s in stock anyway. If you do find out they have the tool in stock (by calling to confirm) you have to go get it. Or you can have it delivered to you for $75. They won’t ship from store to store so you can pick it up locally.

This is a large part of why I spend a lot more money at Home Depot even though I’d rather buy from Lowe’s (for non-commercial reasons). If I buy something on the HD website it’s delivered to me without a shipping charge and I don’t have to concern myself with store inventory.

Lowe’s needs to step up their game.
 
I have three of the Flex woodworking tools, the 6.5" inline cordless, the impact driver which is a beast and recently the trim router because the sale price was to good to pass. I already had two of the auto finish polishers. got the little saw for in my van as I'm often cutting crates of glass open not realizing that the batteries were different, :cautious: Why?
 
What we really need is a comprehensive review of the best tools (say 1,2,3) in each cordless category.

With that information, one could decide which tools one will need/want and then choose the base battery platform that handles them, as well as a secondary battery platform and/or battery converter.
 
smorgasbord said:
What we really need is a comprehensive review of the best tools (say 1,2,3) in each cordless category.

With that information, one could decide which tools one will need/want and then choose the base battery platform that handles them, as well as a secondary battery platform and/or battery converter.
Click to expand...
I tried and gave up on that rational plan. I now have Bosch (x2), Dewalt (x2), Festool (x2), Hitachi, Makita (x3), Metabo/Mafell, Metabo HPT, Milwaukee (x3), and Ryobi. Almost added Flex and likely will…
 
Michael Kellough said:
I tried and gave up on that rational plan. I now have Bosch (x2), Dewalt (x2), Festool (x2), Hitachi, Makita (x3), Metabo/Mafell, Metabo HPT, Milwaukee (x3), and Ryobi. Almost added Flex and likely will…
Click to expand...
Seems to me you need to add Fein to your battery platform Michael. :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

I've been very deliberate in culling my battery platforms down to only 3 and maintaining only those 3...Festool, Milwaukee and Grabo.
 
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