I apologize ahead of time. This is a really long post. Wanted to share my experience so far and elaborate a little more about what was touched on in the video. I've been a plumber/pipe fitter since February 2007 and I specialize in commercial/industrial HVAC/R. I've been using Dewalt power tools professionally since the very beginning of my career without any problem. I've been detailing cars for quite a few years as a hobby and Flex was always known for their quality polishers. I couldn't ever justify spending that kind of money on a polisher for a hobby, but I've never shied-away from investing in quality tools for work. So as soon as I was in the market for new power tools, I decided to give Flex a try. I started with the $650 combo kit from Lowe's in the spring of 2022. I was immediately blown away. The batteries charged in no time. The tools felt more powerful and more comfortable than my 20volt Dewalt set. The amount of use you get between charges is insane. I continued to add to my arsenal over the last year or so. Every other tech I've had tryout my Flex tools have been impressed and blown away. The lifetime warranty is second to none. When you call their call customer support, you're immediately on the phone with a real live customer service rep who actually listens, works with you, and offers realistic advice and solutions. They even take suggestions and constructive criticism seriously and send it up the chain of command to help themselves improve. World class customer service is becoming more and more rare these days and it's a breath of fresh air. I would confidently put the Flex company and their tools up against any other brand any day of the week. I've personally only ever heard two major complaints about Flex tools. Well, it's really one complaint and one major concern. One buddy of mine complained about the weight of the tools, otherwise he was impressed. I'm glad Flex is addressing this and starting to add some compact models to their lineup. The biggest concern I've heard, however, is about the Flex tool line being very limited in their selection. Flex gets compared to the likes of Dewalt and Milwaukee, which is very much deserved, but Flex hasn't been around long enough to develop a comprehensive tool line like Dewalt and Milwaukee. I don't think it's too little too late, yet, but they do need to step it up and start offering more variety sooner than later. I would argue that lack of variety is the biggest downside of Flex. Their Achilles heel if you will. I believe it's the biggest reason more people aren't buying Flex tools. If Joe Homeowner needs a drill, he can buy a hammer drill and impact combo kit and be perfectly content with that purchase. He may not ever need another power tool, but if he does, Flex offers every power tool a DIY homeowner would ever need. However, as a professional service tech or contractor, there is much more to consider than just needing a new drill set. Our needs go beyond what a DIY homeowner would need. We need a variety of different tools for a variety of different jobs. We look at which brands offer the tools we need that will reliably get the job done efficiently. But we don't only invest into the tools we need, we invest into an entire battery platform. It's a huge investment to dedicate yourself to a battery platform. We not only invest our hard earned money into the cost of the tools and the batteries, we invest our time into the same. The time we save from fumbling around with different batteries and chargers on the job directly translates to efficiency and time saved; which in turn directly impacts profits for the company and money in my pocket at the end of the week. The variety, efficiency, and reliability is what creates rabid brand loyalty that is quite difficult to break. It's a monumental task to convince someone to question that loyalty and seriously consider Flex when they only offer a fraction of the tools the other guys offer. This is only one aspect that is considered when choosing a power tool brand, and it's just little ol' me. Imagine what it takes to convince an entire company to invest into a platform with a fraction of the offerings. The lifetime warranty on the tools is a great incentive, but is it the only incentive? There are plumbers, electricians, HVAC, refrigeration, roofers, framers, carpenters, masons, drywallers, finishers, automotive, general handymen, and the list goes on. Then each trade can be further divided into residential and commercial/industrial flavors. Even though there is some overlap, each are unique trades with unique power tool needs. Who does Flex want to appeal to? Why should I invest in Flex Power Tools if they only offer a fraction of what I need, but Dewalt has everything, including all the unique specialty power tools I need? (These are all rhetorical questions, but important things for Flex to consider if they want to appeal to professionals and directly compete with Dewalt and Milwaukee ) With all that being said, I'm extremely happy with the Flex tools that I've bought over the last 2 years. I needed new power tools and Flex was offering what I needed at the time. I knew going in that it would take time for Flex to build out their catalog. I was impressed enough to still to invest in the platform and bank on the presumption that there would be even more tools offered in the future. I was right. These new offerings look incredible and I can't wait to try them out. I really like the direction they're going and can't wait to see what's in store in the future. Flex has earned my respect and a loyal fan out of me. I hope they continue to grow and succeed so I can continue to grow and succeed along with them. If you're in the market for new power tools, I highly recommend that you consider Flex if they offer what you need. Better yet, call them up on the phone and ask them the questions directly. Allow them an opportunity to address any of your concerns. Give them an honest shake. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised and if you're as impressed as I was, you won't regret it.
Im a plumber doing new residential construction so i be drilling 1 1/2 in ,2in and 3 in holes for drains and the Flex drill its the best one in my opinion way faster and sturdy i dont mind the weight which it really helps drilling through 2x4s like nothing. Like i said if you think they too heavy for you just go on a smaller platform. Flex is literally mostly for professionals out in the field all day not homeowners.
The mindset that home owners should buy only consumer grade tools like crapsman, black and decker, or bauer is just flat out wrong. Those tool brands still cost in the hundreds and are prone to fail after very few uses. They're not a good value. My boss owns a bunch of that crap and he attempted one little project and the saw gave out on him. Flex tools is indeed just fine for both pro and consumer alike. From a consumers perspective....do i want a tool to be ready when i finally use it? YES I DO! To many people are cheapskates and wind up wasting money on junk.
20-year master plumber in service department... When this stuff first hit the market and I saw the lifetime warranty over Milwaukee... And the test that we're getting I waited the following year to see how things were holding up and once I was seeing all the good feedback I went out and supply three of my Plumbing Vans with allflex... $5,000 worth... And still to this day the stuff is holding up longevity way to go Vince vcg construction baby
@STATION26ADDISON did you get those stacked batteries and the 4 port chargers they'll come in handy charging those batteries at once. Even thoe the stacked lithium batteries last a long time
I wish I had known this about Flex before recently going DeWilt. I mean, I'm happy with my DeWilt, but I'd gladly take some extra weight and size for superior power and toughness/durability. These stupid companies do not advertise their stuff properly or make it so that you can easily find info about their products. They're more interested in trying to bamboozle us and hide the costs. I got so disgusted by all of their BS I had put off buying new tools for YEARS.
I swear by Flex Vince. Can't imagine doing all the flip houses and so on without them. They are tough as anything and the vibration dampening is unbelievable. My old arms can use a sawzaw or oscillating tool for hours and not feel it.
I do HVAC (technically commercial) and went M12 for everything except circ saw and Sawzall. Impact does everything I need, hammer drill/driver works awesome and the hammer has no issue on 1/4 holes, haven't tried larger since I'm most using different tapcons. When doing a bunch of concretet/brick work I'll go with the SDS, it's so light compared to the M18. I'm not a big guy so it's much easier to get it to set with 1 hand cuz the weight. The multi tool rips and the size is awesome. I'm not a Milwaukee fan boy, I'm an m12 fan boy. Still use ridgid m18 if I need a little more.
I’m glad that Flex is being flexible by listening to the consumers. I don’t need one, but watching this video, I’m very tempting to go to Lowe’s & buy one.
They're base brushless drill and impacts with charge and 2x 2ah batteries were $99 each. Tool for tool they shit all over everything that isn't Milwaukee, but they also don't have Milwaukee variety yet.
I’m happy to see the more compact line. I still think there is an opportunity for Flex in the 12V platform. My M12 tools are my go to. I still have M18 when the job requires it. But for the majority of the jobs I need to get done, 12V has enough power. Great video as always, have an awesome night! 👍🏻
Serious question. Im a heavy diy prosumer of tools. I'm replacing all my tools and I'm considering which line to go with. What do you like about 12v and which brand do you use? How do you use them in comparison to say 18 or 24v tools? Thanks!
@@PandorasFolly I really like Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel line of tools. The offerings in the M12 line is very extensive and Milwaukee is always adding to the product line up. The Fuel line has awesome power/torque and is compact/lightweight. My M12 tools are my go to as I said previously, because they are compact. Especially when working off ladders and platforms, it’s nice to save some weight on the tool to help with fatigue and maneuvering. When roughing in plumbing and electrical, or working on larger projects like decks etc, I do go to my M18 tools (impacts, drills, circular saws). I will say my M12 5 3/8” circular saw is pretty awesome though. It’s not the fastest saw but it is certainly compact. Good luck with your future purchases with what you decide to buy 👍🏻
I just got a purple Makita TD 173 and I couldnt be happier with it. Small, light, controls on the back and a nice ring of light making the work area very bright in deed. It might not be as powerful as the flex, but god damn, it's a loverly little impact driver. Had I not just imported it from Japan, I could be tempted by that little flex. Very nice piece of kit, and the looks the perfect size.
I'm a contractor and have switched from Dewalt to Flex for most of my tools this year and it's night and day. Dewalt and Milwaukee make good tools, but Flex is a step above everything else. Looking forward to more expansion from their line.
I am a farmer,, and it was easily five years since I bought any new tools. My Porter Cable, Dewalt, Makita, and Ryobi stuff served me well for years. Since it was time to get some new stuff, the FLEX lifetime warranty convinced me to give it a try. I am a total flex fan boy now. The first test was building a new chicken house. Those three inch lags went in like nothing. The recip saw was no joke. The impact wrench was faster and easier to use than any of my air impact. I really tried to overload it, but I was not able to. FLEX NEEDS TO EXPAND THIER PLATFORM!
Farmer here too. After my ridgid batteries gave up I’m looking to replace stuff. Just bought a dewalt dcf900 impact. It’s a beast. Now looking for everything else. Flex is looking good
@@nalley6815 I thought about going with Dewalt.... Their platform is huge. But they seem so fragile. Every time I drop one the casing cracks. I had to replace my Makita impact wrench and the new one I got was terrible. Which is what motivated me to dump it for FLEX. You mentioned Rigid. I just got the miter saw and it is great. Have you tried the chainsaw? I am thinking about getting one.
@@fahs this impact I have is their newest one. For awhile it was the strongest 1/2” impact on the market. I haven’t used it yet but it’s heavy as hell and seems built right. Time will tell. I got a ridgid kit with an octane impact, drill, impact driver, light, and a grinder. The only thing worth having was the impact. The impact quit on me and I was able to get another. It’s lasted but both batteries quit on me and I said to hell with it. Want to try something else anyway. I like the flex online but many people say they overheat. I may end up going with dewalt for the rest of it. No I don’t have the chainsaw. Personally anything like that I just stick to gas
Flex is outstanding. I switched from the Makita 18V line about a year ago and I couldn't be happier, day in - day out. With the new table saw (rack & pinion fence!) and miter saw, it's a no brainer to me. I've put them through hell and they all are working great.
I am using Flex 18V for 5 years now. Impact and drill + angle grinder+ saw (all brush). For repairs has spent like ~80€ for all. Through this time, I have only replaced impact drive to newer model (brush-less), and totally happy with it. Was looking to change into Makita, but cant leave because tools just not broke...
What you fail to mention is that the performance, features, and weight comes a distant second to its lower cost brother, the Kobalt 24V Max. The stack lithium battery is not included in this kit, instead it uses a 2.5 amp version of the Kobalt, but no compatibility.
Here's my issue: my DeWalt has plenty of power to drive 3" GRKs into framing- but on speed 3 the screw tends to accelerate and pull away from me and then the bit slips out. I wish the "speed settings" were more like torque settings, so that "speed 1" would not only begin the impact motion right away, but also have the power to finish. Anyone know of an impact that fixes this?
Love it, Flex should expand that compact line. I like the Milwaukee 12v line for the size but they are uncomfortable after pro long use. Flex seems to have a better grip and vibration.
In my opinion, Flex has the most advanced batteries, and having the extra cell helps with power, but compact tools dont really mean anything if the battery is still very large. They could use to make a compact stacked lithium battery to go with the compact tools. Like how a Dewalt 1.7 power stack pairs perfectly with their compact tools. Im sure they'll expand in that direction soon though Their biggest flaws, from my perspective, are the number of tools they make, they havent been in the cordless tool market very long so the reliability is unproven, and the closest Lowes to me is an hour and a half away. The power looks to come at a cost of reliability and useability. Torque Test channel recently tested their drill against others. It made the most power at 1020 watts, but got very hot very quick. The Makita xgt however made 1000 watts, but with minimao heat. It can run like that all day. And being a Makita, you know it can run like that all day every day for many years. How long will the Flex hold up to that kind of abuse? Probably not very long since heat is the number one killer of electrical components. 2% more power isnt worth what looks to be a lot of sacrificed reliability. The newest Bosch also makes more power than the Flex and doesnt need a special mode to do it either. Plus the fact that Bosch has been making cordless tools for a very long time Maybe ill be singing a different tune in 5 years, but tine will tell. If Flex can expand their tool line and prove to be as reliable as Makita or DeWalt, maybe I'll make the 3 hour drive to give them a try. But until then, I'll keep an eye on them while using the ones with proven reliability Good video. I just like to have conversations about Flex tools with the big splash they made for themselves
Flex stuff is cool and interesting but I love my m12 lineup. I don’t even really go m18 unless I either have to or the value is their for me to buy the bigger tool.
My pops bought the Flex impact with (2) 2.5ah with fast charger and the batteries were leaking black sludge. He returned the set and got another and the second one is currently doing the same thing.. any idea what it is?
Flex is owned by Chevron so I guess the black sludge is crude oil. :) (they're owned by Chervon, not Chevron) From what I know Flex sources their batteries from Samsung and other reputable brands, but maybe some cells got damaged during shipping or manufacturing. If you actually see black liquid from lithium battery then it's gonna be the wet electrolyte which can cause severe skin and eye damage or irritation. Be sure not to touch it and wash your hands otherwise.
My tools were in the truck, when the small battery leaked. Nothing else did and the battery still works fine. It's probably acid and I shouldn't run it, but I'll take care of it the next time I have to charge it up.
I am a an owner/operator home improvement contractor and not once have I held any of my Flex tools and thought it was too heavy. I thought they were appropriately sized. When I want something small due to space I just reach for my M12 tools. However, my everyday are the Flex. I do have a sizable Ridgid collection that I started in ‘04, but that usually stays in the garage unless I’m setting up on multiple jobs.
Description is incorrect. This is model FX1331 with Speeds. It goes for $149 (as of summer 2023). Model FX1351 is $99 with no speeds and is not considered part of their new compact line.
I purchased the Flex Hammer Drill w/ Stacker battery a couple months ago when I needed a drill that had more balls to ship a 7/8" 17.5" long auger bits through 3x wet pressure treated 6x6's. My existing drill just didn't have the gusto to make it through one hole from a full battery. I looked for the tool w/ the most power, flex seemed to be it. Bought it, and it crushed the job. It's a bit heavy for around the house small tasks. When my "every day household Makita drill dies, I'll replace it with the Flex Compact"
I have been on the platform since they launched, and haven’t had any complaints. I like the fact that they aren’t putting the smaller, more compact line behind another battery voltage/ paywall. You can tell Flex is listening to the customers with these new tools (just an example would be the placement of the light on the impact). They could have made the impact even smaller and put the quick eject feature on it but they decided to go standard and allow the light to be where the button would have been.
I am not loyal to any one tool brand, I work by the motto that a tool company has to earn my purchase, and I could care less with everything being of 'one color'. That being said, I have tried a few flex tools. And I do like them, I am happy to hear about the compact drill and would like to try it. Yet, all brands (Flex not withstanding) need to continually update their tools to improve ergonomics, power management, longevity, and simply better ways to get the job done. I love competition among tool brands, and want to see robust and competent tools available. What I can't stand are the 'fanboys'/'fangirls', that denigrate a tool just because it's not their brand. If you are considering Flex, I don't think you'll be dissappointed, but before jumping all in, just try one or two tools for a while and see what you think! Thanks for the Video Vince!
I stick with the 18/20V architecture because I can buy tools from all these different brands, add an adapter for my Dewalt batteries and I'm good to go. If I own Flex tools then I'm completely stuck in its ecosystem. Then of course I'm just a weekend warrior and my time isn't that precious for driving in screws a few seconds faster.
The Flex tools are definitely worth it. Especially if you catch the right sale. Not to mention, they extended the founder's warranty yet again. Lifetime warranty if you register within 30 days of purchase, between now and the end of the year. Don't try to convince yourself you don't need it or won't benefit from it just because you're a weekend warrior. You're doing yourself a disservice. If you were to give them an honest evaluation, I think you'd be impressed. There are also Flex battery adapters available out there. So no need to feel stuck. If you started adopting the Flex tool platform, unless you need some specialty tool that isn't offered yet by Flex where you would use an adapter anyway, I think you would continue to choose something in the Flex lineup over an equivalent tool from another brand without a second thought. I used Dewalt for years. Most of the guys I work with use Dewalt. I was also worried about feeling limited, but I took the plunge anyway. I'm glad I did. I highly encourage you to give them a try.
SHE'S A BEAST VINCE 🏁 FLEX's introductory tools actually were/are not that big. They were good compact tools...lol... a lot of Dewalt's tools that were out when FLEX came into the market were bigger.
I’ll stick with m12 fuel causes although these compact 18,20and 24 volt to get decent power out of them you’ll have to stick bigger batteries on the only exception I’ve seen would be dewalt atomic with there 1.7 stack lithium battery
Everyone i work with uses Milwaukee but i dont like to go with the crowd, so i chose FLEX. The name is the only thing that i dont really like, but besides that theres just something about these tools that i love. They just feel good in my hands and they get the job done. I got the Impact and Drill driver set at Lowes for $200. Very pleased with the pair. It never dawned on me that theyre not hammer drivers though which bummed me out since i didn't discover that until after i fell in love with them. Makes sense why its a $200 combo kit. Super happy.
The full name is FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH. At least they kept it short and as a nod to the flexible shaft grinder (angle grinder) that they invented.
The base and battery are quite large still, and unfortunately that cannot be redesigned without redesigning batteries as well, I would assume. It operates good enough but I’m not sure I’d want such a bulky bottom on the tool. Maybe I’m being picky, I dunno. Im biased as I’m deep into Dewalt and Dewalt atomic’s for the compact tools. Milwaukee seems to have the best compact line available imo.
Ive switched to flex. Literally just because no one else I see has them so on them big jobs I know which tools are mine easy. The impact has elite power at least for me. And I hate hearing that they are too heavy. Get stronger. It's really not heavy especially after using it every day and I run a 6 amp on it. I've dropped it from 30+ feet multiple times onto concrete and have had no issues so im absolutely happy with it. The downs to me is the bit eject button and the damn speed and mode button. I swear I end up in self tapping mode unintentionally all day long.
I have the flex combo and it is great but i find myself grabing my old m12 just cause its so much easier to use. Id really love for flex to make a competitor to m12 or get the bulk down significantly on the batteries
Hi Vince - Your show is great. I'm also a native Philly boy from G-town originally & currently living in the Raleigh, NC area. On subject, I got most of the Flex line last December with the founder's warranty. I was happy to see that warranty extended for 2023, but have yet to see any of their 2023 line (that you previewed) in Lowes stores. I know, you're not Lowes or Flex personnel, but have you heard anything about why as of 05 AUG 2023 there's no new flex tools (like those you previewed) in stores? I want to get those too under that lifetime warranty, otherwise the 2023 lifetime warranty extension is bogus in actuality except for what's already on the (mostly empty) Flex display shelves.
No hate personally for flex i actually bought the turbo hammer drill and quick eject impact combo while it was on sale but... due to my extensive milwaukee m18 and m12 line up of tools made it really hard to use them over said m18/m12 alternatives. That being said i think thwy are cool i like the grey color the batterys were awesome with the cooled charger but damn cant beat big red
Their original tools where just too heavy for the type of work I do? Ended up going M12, but would have preferred just 1 battery line, like what Flex just did with the compact line?
@@VCGConstruction ego or do a flex crossover and use the wonderful ego batteries for flex They are all around missing out ona huge weakpoint in their line up that the other companies struggled to fill because they all had to rework their battery tech to make it work for big boy tools ego has batteries for that Gimme them ego flex 56v tools
M12 is my “compact” line of tools that use. Two things, kinda do wish had the m18 slide style batteries; buts it’s all good and the belt clip location isn’t the best and usually will take off or make own so can use like an m18 belt clip having the tool hanging balanced on belt. Cheers guys ✌🏻
If the Flex tools would use the Kobalt 24V batteries, They'd be selling a butt load more. Have 2 24V max and 2 XTR tools. Would step up tp Flex on my next tools I'd like to get if I could use my batteries and then upgrade to the Flex batteries as the Kobalt ones wear out.
Hey Vince, I have been watching your videos for sometime now and love the way you portray brands to the public, I think its a nice fair way to show how tools compare to consumers like myself. I wanted to ask you, I currently have a large array of Ryobi tools, and have been considering making a change to another brand. However, Ryobi has an immense of amount of tools variety wise. So I am torn between making a decision to change brands. Please do not get me wrong Ryobi has been a very reliable tool to me and none of them have failed me, but I am considering Flex or Kobalt, but both brands do not offer the tools Ryobi does. Any Suggestions? Please advise thank you.
Sticking with he surge as an industrial electrician. Power for conduit, tapcons, control for mounting 40 limit switches for a baseline like an electric screwdriver.
Flex's OG tools are for professionals in the foundation and roughouts. My "overpowered" and "heavy" hammer drill smoked both of my buddies' drills (the newest DeWalt and Milwaukee) in power, speed of drilling, and battery life. I still love Milwaukee but there's no doubt Flex delivered to the pros. Now to just expand their tool lineup...
I for one have actually been trying to make the flex jump and just haven't been able to put enough back. Life just keeps happening it is what it is ill get there eventually
I have Milwaukee and I plan on switching to the Flex Brand. Ive had bad luck with their batteries even buying upgraded one. I think its time to switch. Flex has had my eyes for awhile.
I'll be sticking with my Dewalt XR 805 Drill, Atomic DCF 850B impact driver, and the Atomic 3/8 Impact wrench with Powerstack batteries. Flex still has some work to do to compete with Milwaukee and Dewalt.
Hi I just bought the flex vacuum it was $129 and you got a free 350 amp stack battery which is worth 179 alone. I don't understand flex every time I go to Lowe's every week they have tools on clearance and they're 60% off I feel that Lowe's might be dropping their line it doesn't make me feel good in the heart knowing that these nice tools are being sold so cheap but on the other hand I buy a lot of them when I see them on sale. Let me tell you about this tremendous vacuum I'll leave it in the back of my Mercedes van so I can always keep it clean when I throw my crap in the back and have trash days where I have to take bags of trash off the job site if you use a 2.5 volt battery it will work fine but I will tell you if you put a 10 amp battery and that thing it will work like it's supercharged or turbocharged The thing just sings away really loud and the suction is much more incredibly stronger so there you go the bigger the battery the faster that thing will work now I'm talking about going from a 2.5 amp regular battery to a 10 amp stack battery I don't necessarily know if you need to put a 10 amp stack battery cuz it makes a little bit heavy but I'm sure if you put a 6 amp stack or an 8 amp battery it will work good too anyway it's a super good tool but the way they're selling these tools where you buy the vacuum for $129 and they give you $179 battery for free all these prices are just insane it doesn't leave me comfortable that the company is going to be in business or possibly Lowe's is dropping their line I'm looking forward to hopefully on clearance the tripod light that's 249 coming down in price My store where I live has eight of them they've been there for 3 months they haven't sold a one I can see them up in the top and I asked the guys that do the flex there and they all own flex now cuz they get them on clearance too they said the lights haven't moved at all they're too expensive but it's a great light so I'm waiting for the light to go on clearance and the radio. I bought the rear handle saw that was 399 for $209 on Amazon. Now two weeks ago Lowe's had it on clearance for $159 that was the kit with the charger and a 10 amp battery I kept the bat two batteries I bought two saws I kept the two batteries and I sold the saws with the charger for $159 what I paid for them and they gave you a $300 battery. See this is ridiculous this is not what I understand how does the company make money doing this. Why is Lowe's dumping all these things
I sell tools at the blue store. So, I sell Flex. I got more information from these videos than at work. I think I will have more confidence pushing them now.
They can only reduce so much. You still have that gargantuan battery footprint. Biggest issue with slide on packs is the battery sits more forward thus restricts working depth. As an electrician I prefer M12 because the battery foot print is like a ballet slipper where M18 is like a work boot and Flex is like a work boot stuck in a bucket. So no compact tool Flex does will be compact because the battery
Let me start this off by saying I haven’t run into a flex tool I wasn’t impressed by. I’m an union electrician by day & do some residential service work off the clock. On the clock all of the contractors almost exclusively Milwaukee. And off the clock, I personally I own a majority of dewalt tools. Despite this, I have no loyalty to either brand. I’ve been slowly replacing my yellow tools for black/gray. eBay has been a great place for me to sell my dewalt tools I love how flex pushes the envelope with options, features, performance & designs.
Flex looks great. Been really impressed with the stuff on the channel but for a platform that's made in europe, it's really hard to get hold of in the uk. For that reason. I'm gonna stick with milwaukee for the foreseeable future. But I love the look of flex, I love their version of the pack out, I'd love to get my hands on it, to give it ago.
I have been using Milwaukee tools for 25 plus years, furthermore I still have old school Milwaukee tools that are made here In the U. S. A. And still use them, love them. I refuse to switch to another tool brand. I bleed Milwaukee red, all the way. Also, I have a few old school Makita tools that I use from time to time...
Honest with todays tech you can’t go wrong with any I just get what’s cheaper and good warranty everything breaks I’ve burn a bunch of high end Milwaukee tools
Well I love my Milwaukee but my flex has more torque than my Milwaukee. I bought dealt,Kona let,Milwaukee & flex. The only one that doesn’t get used is my desalt. I like my kobalt for my basic stuff. I use my Milwaukee m12 for cutting wood ect & I use my flex for drilling in screws & bolt. It just does the job better in my opinion than my Milwaukee. Now I’m just your average guy doing stuff around my garage or working on cars ect… I’m not harping on these tools like most contractors would on a everyday use.
Flex seems kinda dope not gonna lie. Only thing is I’m already a couple thousand dollars invested into Milwaukee so switching over wouldn’t be a good idea. Ain’t gonna do it! Wouldn’t be prudent!!
I've had 5 flex batteries fail this week. They can't handle the heat. Started leaking goo and not only ruined the battery but a charger and my rear handle circ saw
I’ve been a Auto detailer since 2012 and over the years I had many polishers and I can truly say FLEX 💪🏽 beat each one of them by far. I a big FLEX believer I bought there drill and impact and I am selling all my dewalt and Makita tools and replacing them with Flex tools. I wish they make hand tools and tool boxes as well power washers and compressors so I can replace my detailing tools for all FLEX tools. Just sold my ridged pack out box and working on get the flex one. It’s some good sht.
IMO...They're very nice tools. VERY strong. But SO big & heavy. I personally have liked Kobalt 24v for a long time. They're big also, but they don't cost what FLEX costs. MHPT is my favorite line, but they don't make everything. Dewalt is great as long as you stay at the top of the range, same for M18. I find that a combination of MHPT, DW20/12, Kobalt and M12 takes care of everything I need lol, in that order.
Will you please do another ToolcTest Raw? I know that the "scientific " channels have become pretty popular, but I would still like to see your real world tests too.
A question from a coworker today was is Flex more like Kobalt, than Milwaukee is Ridgid? Doesn't matter to me, after 30 years of Plumbing, I've kept Carpal Tunnel away by using Makita, or so that's what I'm going with.
I like it but I already got my nice compact impact from milwaukee but if I wanted to go over to another brand idk I look in to it or maybe in the dewalt line to
As interested as I am in flex, I’m deep in dewalt and unless all my batteries fail at once, I probably won’t be leaving anytime soon. I have several friends on the same platform so when we help each other out, we can easily “help each other out”
The one thing that hurt Flex people don't talk about. I'd invested in the Kobalt 24v XTR line. Did they make it so Flex could use the Kobalt batteries? According to Lowes when I asked- No. As expensive as batteries are, this is a big deal for those invested in the Kobalt line. Had they made the electrical connections and mechanical mounts so you could use either battery (knowing you wouldn't get as much run time using the Kobalt batteries) they probably could have retired the Kobalt line by now. I could have added new Flex tools while using my Kobalt batteries, and then gradually bought the Flex batteries as the Kobalt ones wore out. Highly disappointed they made that business decision.
The question now becomes how off-center is the weight balance between the weight of the and battery. Smaller head means less weight. But flex his batteries are freaking huge. So those compact smaller ones to keep the weight distribution even is going to be no better than a two and a half amp hour battery. Anything bigger and it throws off the weight distribution and makes it unwieldy to hold
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
MILWAUKEE and FLEX Tool TEST (We PROVE Them WRONG)
ruclips.net/video/f54bwctyW5o/видео.html
Vince is getting younger every day! You have proved that aging is wrong 😅
I apologize ahead of time. This is a really long post. Wanted to share my experience so far and elaborate a little more about what was touched on in the video. I've been a plumber/pipe fitter since February 2007 and I specialize in commercial/industrial HVAC/R. I've been using Dewalt power tools professionally since the very beginning of my career without any problem. I've been detailing cars for quite a few years as a hobby and Flex was always known for their quality polishers. I couldn't ever justify spending that kind of money on a polisher for a hobby, but I've never shied-away from investing in quality tools for work. So as soon as I was in the market for new power tools, I decided to give Flex a try. I started with the $650 combo kit from Lowe's in the spring of 2022. I was immediately blown away. The batteries charged in no time. The tools felt more powerful and more comfortable than my 20volt Dewalt set. The amount of use you get between charges is insane. I continued to add to my arsenal over the last year or so. Every other tech I've had tryout my Flex tools have been impressed and blown away. The lifetime warranty is second to none. When you call their call customer support, you're immediately on the phone with a real live customer service rep who actually listens, works with you, and offers realistic advice and solutions. They even take suggestions and constructive criticism seriously and send it up the chain of command to help themselves improve. World class customer service is becoming more and more rare these days and it's a breath of fresh air. I would confidently put the Flex company and their tools up against any other brand any day of the week.
I've personally only ever heard two major complaints about Flex tools. Well, it's really one complaint and one major concern. One buddy of mine complained about the weight of the tools, otherwise he was impressed. I'm glad Flex is addressing this and starting to add some compact models to their lineup. The biggest concern I've heard, however, is about the Flex tool line being very limited in their selection. Flex gets compared to the likes of Dewalt and Milwaukee, which is very much deserved, but Flex hasn't been around long enough to develop a comprehensive tool line like Dewalt and Milwaukee. I don't think it's too little too late, yet, but they do need to step it up and start offering more variety sooner than later.
I would argue that lack of variety is the biggest downside of Flex. Their Achilles heel if you will. I believe it's the biggest reason more people aren't buying Flex tools. If Joe Homeowner needs a drill, he can buy a hammer drill and impact combo kit and be perfectly content with that purchase. He may not ever need another power tool, but if he does, Flex offers every power tool a DIY homeowner would ever need. However, as a professional service tech or contractor, there is much more to consider than just needing a new drill set. Our needs go beyond what a DIY homeowner would need. We need a variety of different tools for a variety of different jobs. We look at which brands offer the tools we need that will reliably get the job done efficiently. But we don't only invest into the tools we need, we invest into an entire battery platform. It's a huge investment to dedicate yourself to a battery platform. We not only invest our hard earned money into the cost of the tools and the batteries, we invest our time into the same. The time we save from fumbling around with different batteries and chargers on the job directly translates to efficiency and time saved; which in turn directly impacts profits for the company and money in my pocket at the end of the week. The variety, efficiency, and reliability is what creates rabid brand loyalty that is quite difficult to break. It's a monumental task to convince someone to question that loyalty and seriously consider Flex when they only offer a fraction of the tools the other guys offer. This is only one aspect that is considered when choosing a power tool brand, and it's just little ol' me. Imagine what it takes to convince an entire company to invest into a platform with a fraction of the offerings. The lifetime warranty on the tools is a great incentive, but is it the only incentive? There are plumbers, electricians, HVAC, refrigeration, roofers, framers, carpenters, masons, drywallers, finishers, automotive, general handymen, and the list goes on. Then each trade can be further divided into residential and commercial/industrial flavors. Even though there is some overlap, each are unique trades with unique power tool needs. Who does Flex want to appeal to? Why should I invest in Flex Power Tools if they only offer a fraction of what I need, but Dewalt has everything, including all the unique specialty power tools I need? (These are all rhetorical questions, but important things for Flex to consider if they want to appeal to professionals and directly compete with Dewalt and Milwaukee )
With all that being said, I'm extremely happy with the Flex tools that I've bought over the last 2 years. I needed new power tools and Flex was offering what I needed at the time. I knew going in that it would take time for Flex to build out their catalog. I was impressed enough to still to invest in the platform and bank on the presumption that there would be even more tools offered in the future. I was right. These new offerings look incredible and I can't wait to try them out. I really like the direction they're going and can't wait to see what's in store in the future. Flex has earned my respect and a loyal fan out of me. I hope they continue to grow and succeed so I can continue to grow and succeed along with them. If you're in the market for new power tools, I highly recommend that you consider Flex if they offer what you need. Better yet, call them up on the phone and ask them the questions directly. Allow them an opportunity to address any of your concerns. Give them an honest shake. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised and if you're as impressed as I was, you won't regret it.
Wow thanks for that well thought out comment, sharing your experience, the #VeryCoolGang appreciates it!
Im a plumber doing new residential construction so i be drilling 1 1/2 in ,2in and 3 in holes for drains and the Flex drill its the best one in my opinion way faster and sturdy i dont mind the weight which it really helps drilling through 2x4s like nothing. Like i said if you think they too heavy for you just go on a smaller platform. Flex is literally mostly for professionals out in the field all day not homeowners.
The mindset that home owners should buy only consumer grade tools like crapsman, black and decker, or bauer is just flat out wrong. Those tool brands still cost in the hundreds and are prone to fail after very few uses. They're not a good value. My boss owns a bunch of that crap and he attempted one little project and the saw gave out on him.
Flex tools is indeed just fine for both pro and consumer alike. From a consumers perspective....do i want a tool to be ready when i finally use it?
YES I DO! To many people are cheapskates and wind up wasting money on junk.
20-year master plumber in service department... When this stuff first hit the market and I saw the lifetime warranty over Milwaukee... And the test that we're getting I waited the following year to see how things were holding up and once I was seeing all the good feedback I went out and supply three of my Plumbing Vans with allflex... $5,000 worth... And still to this day the stuff is holding up longevity way to go Vince vcg construction baby
@STATION26ADDISON did you get those stacked batteries and the 4 port chargers they'll come in handy charging those batteries at once. Even thoe the stacked lithium batteries last a long time
Yeah, light tools are for electricians. I mainly build decks, weight doesn't matter here.
I wish I had known this about Flex before recently going DeWilt. I mean, I'm happy with my DeWilt, but I'd gladly take some extra weight and size for superior power and toughness/durability. These stupid companies do not advertise their stuff properly or make it so that you can easily find info about their products. They're more interested in trying to bamboozle us and hide the costs. I got so disgusted by all of their BS I had put off buying new tools for YEARS.
I swear by Flex Vince. Can't imagine doing all the flip houses and so on without them. They are tough as anything and the vibration dampening is unbelievable. My old arms can use a sawzaw or oscillating tool for hours and not feel it.
I appreciate the the input @JackKirbyFan , Thanks fopr watching!
Really the multi tool? I have tried most brands and I find the M18 fuel to beat everything by far. But I haven't tried flex's omt yet
@@NonieTools Find someone who owns one. Trust me. You'll be surprised.
m12 fuel size/power combination is perfect for almost every chore a homeowner can do
Love my M12!!! I have larger Ridgid 18v tools, but rarely ever use it now.
I've got M12/M18 fuel and I always reach for the M12 whenever I can. The M18 stuff comes out when there's big projects going but really that's it.
M12 sucks donkey balls
M12 is too heavy, lacks power and precision, and isn’t all that cheap
I do HVAC (technically commercial) and went M12 for everything except circ saw and Sawzall. Impact does everything I need, hammer drill/driver works awesome and the hammer has no issue on 1/4 holes, haven't tried larger since I'm most using different tapcons. When doing a bunch of concretet/brick work I'll go with the SDS, it's so light compared to the M18. I'm not a big guy so it's much easier to get it to set with 1 hand cuz the weight. The multi tool rips and the size is awesome. I'm not a Milwaukee fan boy, I'm an m12 fan boy. Still use ridgid m18 if I need a little more.
I’m glad that Flex is being flexible by listening to the consumers. I don’t need one, but watching this video, I’m very tempting to go to Lowe’s & buy one.
They're pretty sweet. That 24v is next level.
They're base brushless drill and impacts with charge and 2x 2ah batteries were $99 each.
Tool for tool they shit all over everything that isn't Milwaukee, but they also don't have Milwaukee variety yet.
I’m happy to see the more compact line. I still think there is an opportunity for Flex in the 12V platform. My M12 tools are my go to. I still have M18 when the job requires it. But for the majority of the jobs I need to get done, 12V has enough power. Great video as always, have an awesome night! 👍🏻
Thanks ZZ, we appreciate your input!
Serious question. Im a heavy diy prosumer of tools. I'm replacing all my tools and I'm considering which line to go with.
What do you like about 12v and which brand do you use? How do you use them in comparison to say 18 or 24v tools?
Thanks!
@@PandorasFolly I really like Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel line of tools. The offerings in the M12 line is very extensive and Milwaukee is always adding to the product line up. The Fuel line has awesome power/torque and is compact/lightweight. My M12 tools are my go to as I said previously, because they are compact. Especially when working off ladders and platforms, it’s nice to save some weight on the tool to help with fatigue and maneuvering. When roughing in plumbing and electrical, or working on larger projects like decks etc, I do go to my M18 tools (impacts, drills, circular saws). I will say my M12 5 3/8” circular saw is pretty awesome though. It’s not the fastest saw but it is certainly compact. Good luck with your future purchases with what you decide to buy 👍🏻
I just got a purple Makita TD 173 and I couldnt be happier with it. Small, light, controls on the back and a nice ring of light making the work area very bright in deed. It might not be as powerful as the flex, but god damn, it's a loverly little impact driver. Had I not just imported it from Japan, I could be tempted by that little flex. Very nice piece of kit, and the looks the perfect size.
I was just going to ask where you bought it. Over seas makes sense now.
I'm a contractor and have switched from Dewalt to Flex for most of my tools this year and it's night and day. Dewalt and Milwaukee make good tools, but Flex is a step above everything else. Looking forward to more expansion from their line.
I am a farmer,, and it was easily five years since I bought any new tools. My Porter Cable, Dewalt, Makita, and Ryobi stuff served me well for years.
Since it was time to get some new stuff, the FLEX lifetime warranty convinced me to give it a try.
I am a total flex fan boy now. The first test was building a new chicken house. Those three inch lags went in like nothing. The recip saw was no joke.
The impact wrench was faster and easier to use than any of my air impact. I really tried to overload it, but I was not able to. FLEX NEEDS TO EXPAND THIER PLATFORM!
Farmer here too. After my ridgid batteries gave up I’m looking to replace stuff. Just bought a dewalt dcf900 impact. It’s a beast. Now looking for everything else. Flex is looking good
@@nalley6815 I thought about going with Dewalt.... Their platform is huge. But they seem so fragile. Every time I drop one the casing cracks. I had to replace my Makita impact wrench and the new one I got was terrible. Which is what motivated me to dump it for FLEX.
You mentioned Rigid. I just got the miter saw and it is great. Have you tried the chainsaw? I am thinking about getting one.
@@fahs this impact I have is their newest one. For awhile it was the strongest 1/2” impact on the market. I haven’t used it yet but it’s heavy as hell and seems built right. Time will tell. I got a ridgid kit with an octane impact, drill, impact driver, light, and a grinder. The only thing worth having was the impact. The impact quit on me and I was able to get another. It’s lasted but both batteries quit on me and I said to hell with it. Want to try something else anyway. I like the flex online but many people say they overheat. I may end up going with dewalt for the rest of it. No I don’t have the chainsaw. Personally anything like that I just stick to gas
Flex is outstanding. I switched from the Makita 18V line about a year ago and I couldn't be happier, day in - day out. With the new table saw (rack & pinion fence!) and miter saw, it's a no brainer to me. I've put them through hell and they all are working great.
Just bought into Flex compact line. Got the 2tool kit.$199 from Lowe’s. Love em.
I am using Flex 18V for 5 years now. Impact and drill + angle grinder+ saw (all brush).
For repairs has spent like ~80€ for all.
Through this time, I have only replaced impact drive to newer model (brush-less), and totally happy with it. Was looking to change into Makita, but cant leave because tools just not broke...
What you fail to mention is that the performance, features, and weight comes a distant second to its lower cost brother, the Kobalt 24V Max. The stack lithium battery is not included in this kit, instead it uses a 2.5 amp version of the Kobalt, but no compatibility.
Here's my issue: my DeWalt has plenty of power to drive 3" GRKs into framing- but on speed 3 the screw tends to accelerate and pull away from me and then the bit slips out. I wish the "speed settings" were more like torque settings, so that "speed 1" would not only begin the impact motion right away, but also have the power to finish. Anyone know of an impact that fixes this?
Love it, Flex should expand that compact line. I like the Milwaukee 12v line for the size but they are uncomfortable after pro long use. Flex seems to have a better grip and vibration.
I been using flex for a while now their tools are powerful an don’t feel heavy to me at all
In my opinion, Flex has the most advanced batteries, and having the extra cell helps with power, but compact tools dont really mean anything if the battery is still very large. They could use to make a compact stacked lithium battery to go with the compact tools. Like how a Dewalt 1.7 power stack pairs perfectly with their compact tools. Im sure they'll expand in that direction soon though
Their biggest flaws, from my perspective, are the number of tools they make, they havent been in the cordless tool market very long so the reliability is unproven, and the closest Lowes to me is an hour and a half away. The power looks to come at a cost of reliability and useability. Torque Test channel recently tested their drill against others. It made the most power at 1020 watts, but got very hot very quick. The Makita xgt however made 1000 watts, but with minimao heat. It can run like that all day. And being a Makita, you know it can run like that all day every day for many years. How long will the Flex hold up to that kind of abuse? Probably not very long since heat is the number one killer of electrical components. 2% more power isnt worth what looks to be a lot of sacrificed reliability. The newest Bosch also makes more power than the Flex and doesnt need a special mode to do it either. Plus the fact that Bosch has been making cordless tools for a very long time
Maybe ill be singing a different tune in 5 years, but tine will tell. If Flex can expand their tool line and prove to be as reliable as Makita or DeWalt, maybe I'll make the 3 hour drive to give them a try. But until then, I'll keep an eye on them while using the ones with proven reliability
Good video. I just like to have conversations about Flex tools with the big splash they made for themselves
Flex stuff is cool and interesting but I love my m12 lineup. I don’t even really go m18 unless I either have to or the value is their for me to buy the bigger tool.
Too invested in Milwaukee m18/12. But always happy to see competition to drive Milwaukee to do even better.
Thank You Vince! For All The Tools You Test. And Letting Us Know What's Best For Are Aplications👍
My pops bought the Flex impact with (2) 2.5ah with fast charger and the batteries were leaking black sludge. He returned the set and got another and the second one is currently doing the same thing.. any idea what it is?
Flex is owned by Chevron so I guess the black sludge is crude oil. :)
(they're owned by Chervon, not Chevron)
From what I know Flex sources their batteries from Samsung and other reputable brands, but maybe some cells got damaged during shipping or manufacturing. If you actually see black liquid from lithium battery then it's gonna be the wet electrolyte which can cause severe skin and eye damage or irritation. Be sure not to touch it and wash your hands otherwise.
My tools were in the truck, when the small battery leaked. Nothing else did and the battery still works fine. It's probably acid and I shouldn't run it, but I'll take care of it the next time I have to charge it up.
I just bought there 24v set and it’s amazing it’s a little bulky but the power you get makes it worth it, I’m more than satisfied
I am a an owner/operator home improvement contractor and not once have I held any of my Flex tools and thought it was too heavy. I thought they were appropriately sized. When I want something small due to space I just reach for my M12 tools. However, my everyday are the Flex. I do have a sizable Ridgid collection that I started in ‘04, but that usually stays in the garage unless I’m setting up on multiple jobs.
Description is incorrect. This is model FX1331 with Speeds. It goes for $149 (as of summer 2023). Model FX1351 is $99 with no speeds and is not considered part of their new compact line.
Flex is what is next! Some people just don’t get it thx for letting us know
I purchased the Flex Hammer Drill w/ Stacker battery a couple months ago when I needed a drill that had more balls to ship a 7/8" 17.5" long auger bits through 3x wet pressure treated 6x6's. My existing drill just didn't have the gusto to make it through one hole from a full battery. I looked for the tool w/ the most power, flex seemed to be it. Bought it, and it crushed the job. It's a bit heavy for around the house small tasks. When my "every day household Makita drill dies, I'll replace it with the Flex Compact"
I have been on the platform since they launched, and haven’t had any complaints. I like the fact that they aren’t putting the smaller, more compact line behind another battery voltage/ paywall. You can tell Flex is listening to the customers with these new tools (just an example would be the placement of the light on the impact). They could have made the impact even smaller and put the quick eject feature on it but they decided to go standard and allow the light to be where the button would have been.
I am not loyal to any one tool brand, I work by the motto that a tool company has to earn my purchase, and I could care less with everything being of 'one color'. That being said, I have tried a few flex tools. And I do like them, I am happy to hear about the compact drill and would like to try it. Yet, all brands (Flex not withstanding) need to continually update their tools to improve ergonomics, power management, longevity, and simply better ways to get the job done. I love competition among tool brands, and want to see robust and competent tools available. What I can't stand are the 'fanboys'/'fangirls', that denigrate a tool just because it's not their brand. If you are considering Flex, I don't think you'll be dissappointed, but before jumping all in, just try one or two tools for a while and see what you think! Thanks for the Video Vince!
Flex has been my go to when I need something new. Very impressed with this brand.
Great review as usual vince ! I'm interested in the flex platform and this new driver has peaked my interest.
I stick with the 18/20V architecture because I can buy tools from all these different brands, add an adapter for my Dewalt batteries and I'm good to go. If I own Flex tools then I'm completely stuck in its ecosystem. Then of course I'm just a weekend warrior and my time isn't that precious for driving in screws a few seconds faster.
The Flex tools are definitely worth it. Especially if you catch the right sale. Not to mention, they extended the founder's warranty yet again. Lifetime warranty if you register within 30 days of purchase, between now and the end of the year. Don't try to convince yourself you don't need it or won't benefit from it just because you're a weekend warrior. You're doing yourself a disservice. If you were to give them an honest evaluation, I think you'd be impressed. There are also Flex battery adapters available out there. So no need to feel stuck. If you started adopting the Flex tool platform, unless you need some specialty tool that isn't offered yet by Flex where you would use an adapter anyway, I think you would continue to choose something in the Flex lineup over an equivalent tool from another brand without a second thought. I used Dewalt for years. Most of the guys I work with use Dewalt. I was also worried about feeling limited, but I took the plunge anyway. I'm glad I did. I highly encourage you to give them a try.
Are these tools available in the UK?? Can only find in US. Can find flex tools in red but only 18v
SHE'S A BEAST VINCE 🏁
FLEX's introductory tools actually were/are not that big. They were good compact tools...lol... a lot of Dewalt's tools that were out when FLEX came into the market were bigger.
Is your grey Flex tools stuff the same as the red german one?
I’ll stick with m12 fuel causes although these compact 18,20and 24 volt to get decent power out of them you’ll have to stick bigger batteries on the only exception I’ve seen would be dewalt atomic with there 1.7 stack lithium battery
Everyone i work with uses Milwaukee but i dont like to go with the crowd, so i chose FLEX. The name is the only thing that i dont really like, but besides that theres just something about these tools that i love. They just feel good in my hands and they get the job done. I got the Impact and Drill driver set at Lowes for $200. Very pleased with the pair. It never dawned on me that theyre not hammer drivers though which bummed me out since i didn't discover that until after i fell in love with them. Makes sense why its a $200 combo kit. Super happy.
The full name is FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH. At least they kept it short and as a nod to the flexible shaft grinder (angle grinder) that they invented.
What model are you testing?
The base and battery are quite large still, and unfortunately that cannot be redesigned without redesigning batteries as well, I would assume.
It operates good enough but I’m not sure I’d want such a bulky bottom on the tool. Maybe I’m being picky, I dunno.
Im biased as I’m deep into Dewalt and Dewalt atomic’s for the compact tools. Milwaukee seems to have the best compact line available imo.
Was thinking the same thing on the base and looking for this comment
Nice job Vince! Do you have any plans to bring the brand new Ridgid High Torque Hammer Drill and 4-mode impact driver on to the channel?
Wait, which one exactly? Give me a product number, I keep losing track of all thne new releases!
@@VCGConstruction it’s the 2-tool kit that comes in the Ridgid hard case. Model # R92082.
Hope Flex will make a compact 5-3/8” trim saw. I rarely cut deeper than 2x material and one of those running 24v would dominate anything in that size.
Love my flex tools. Zero complaints.
Ive switched to flex. Literally just because no one else I see has them so on them big jobs I know which tools are mine easy. The impact has elite power at least for me. And I hate hearing that they are too heavy. Get stronger. It's really not heavy especially after using it every day and I run a 6 amp on it. I've dropped it from 30+ feet multiple times onto concrete and have had no issues so im absolutely happy with it. The downs to me is the bit eject button and the damn speed and mode button. I swear I end up in self tapping mode unintentionally all day long.
I go through 2- DeWalt 887 every season, tried the flex impact, it’s much louder when impacting. Am I wrong?
I have the flex combo and it is great but i find myself grabing my old m12 just cause its so much easier to use. Id really love for flex to make a competitor to m12 or get the bulk down significantly on the batteries
Hay Vince, is the gen four stronger than dcf850?
Hi Vince - Your show is great. I'm also a native Philly boy from G-town originally & currently living in the Raleigh, NC area. On subject, I got most of the Flex line last December with the founder's warranty. I was happy to see that warranty extended for 2023, but have yet to see any of their 2023 line (that you previewed) in Lowes stores. I know, you're not Lowes or Flex personnel, but have you heard anything about why as of 05 AUG 2023 there's no new flex tools (like those you previewed) in stores? I want to get those too under that lifetime warranty, otherwise the 2023 lifetime warranty extension is bogus in actuality except for what's already on the (mostly empty) Flex display shelves.
When did you check last? The stores in Philadelphia area are carrying a lot of the new compact tools and bandsaws, and have been for months.
No hate personally for flex i actually bought the turbo hammer drill and quick eject impact combo while it was on sale but... due to my extensive milwaukee m18 and m12 line up of tools made it really hard to use them over said m18/m12 alternatives. That being said i think thwy are cool i like the grey color the batterys were awesome with the cooled charger but damn cant beat big red
Their original tools where just too heavy for the type of work I do? Ended up going M12, but would have preferred just 1 battery line, like what Flex just did with the compact line?
Am I the only one who would love to see flex utilize the ego connection and release ego powered table saw and 12 inch miter saw and dust extractor etc
I’d like to see an EGO demo saw for pavers and hardscaping work!
@@VCGConstruction ego or do a flex crossover and use the wonderful ego batteries for flex
They are all around missing out ona huge weakpoint in their line up that the other companies struggled to fill because they all had to rework their battery tech to make it work for big boy tools ego has batteries for that
Gimme them ego flex 56v tools
I have Flex and can't complain! Vince you mind find a little edge here or there from another platform but just hard to beat for the price and quality!
M12 is my “compact” line of tools that use. Two things, kinda do wish had the m18 slide style batteries; buts it’s all good and the belt clip location isn’t the best and usually will take off or make own so can use like an m18 belt clip having the tool hanging balanced on belt.
Cheers guys ✌🏻
Definitely interested in exploring flex and possibly switching over
Vince, GREAT video! I’ve honestly got to get this new compact set!
If the Flex tools would use the Kobalt 24V batteries, They'd be selling a butt load more. Have 2 24V max and 2 XTR tools. Would step up tp Flex on my next tools I'd like to get if I could use my batteries and then upgrade to the Flex batteries as the Kobalt ones wear out.
Just get an adapter for the tool then use kobalt batteries an adapter costs about 14bucks
@@a.i.gdallas3581 Do you have a link for one? Not finding an adapter through google.Thanks
Hey Vince, I have been watching your videos for sometime now and love the way you portray brands to the public, I think its a nice fair way to show how tools compare to consumers like myself. I wanted to ask you, I currently have a large array of Ryobi tools, and have been considering making a change to another brand. However, Ryobi has an immense of amount of tools variety wise. So I am torn between making a decision to change brands. Please do not get me wrong Ryobi has been a very reliable tool to me and none of them have failed me, but I am considering Flex or Kobalt, but both brands do not offer the tools Ryobi does. Any Suggestions? Please advise thank you.
2 years with my flex tools n no issues what so ever
Vince do you think it’s worth buying??
Sticking with he surge as an industrial electrician. Power for conduit, tapcons, control for mounting 40 limit switches for a baseline like an electric screwdriver.
Flex's OG tools are for professionals in the foundation and roughouts. My "overpowered" and "heavy" hammer drill smoked both of my buddies' drills (the newest DeWalt and Milwaukee) in power, speed of drilling, and battery life. I still love Milwaukee but there's no doubt Flex delivered to the pros. Now to just expand their tool lineup...
What i like about the different vontage is something like milwaukee with the Compact batteries
I for one have actually been trying to make the flex jump and just haven't been able to put enough back. Life just keeps happening it is what it is ill get there eventually
Never heard of flex Powertools because they aren’t here in New Zealand sadly I will buy some when i go to America
Yeah wish we could get them here, wanna try em out bro.
Are those not black and decker/craftsman/DeWalt tools?
I have Milwaukee and I plan on switching to the Flex Brand. Ive had bad luck with their batteries even buying upgraded one. I think its time to switch. Flex has had my eyes for awhile.
Hi Guys!!! Hey Vince, does the Compact Driver have one or two ball-bearings in the collet? Just curious? Have a good one everybody!!! 🙂
2
I'll be sticking with my Dewalt XR 805 Drill, Atomic DCF 850B impact driver, and the Atomic 3/8 Impact wrench with Powerstack batteries. Flex still has some work to do to compete with Milwaukee and Dewalt.
Dang, Vince lost 20 years along with his beard… he’ll have to show ID now when he walks into a bar.
Hi I just bought the flex vacuum it was $129 and you got a free 350 amp stack battery which is worth 179 alone. I don't understand flex every time I go to Lowe's every week they have tools on clearance and they're 60% off I feel that Lowe's might be dropping their line it doesn't make me feel good in the heart knowing that these nice tools are being sold so cheap but on the other hand I buy a lot of them when I see them on sale. Let me tell you about this tremendous vacuum I'll leave it in the back of my Mercedes van so I can always keep it clean when I throw my crap in the back and have trash days where I have to take bags of trash off the job site if you use a 2.5 volt battery it will work fine but I will tell you if you put a 10 amp battery and that thing it will work like it's supercharged or turbocharged The thing just sings away really loud and the suction is much more incredibly stronger so there you go the bigger the battery the faster that thing will work now I'm talking about going from a 2.5 amp regular battery to a 10 amp stack battery I don't necessarily know if you need to put a 10 amp stack battery cuz it makes a little bit heavy but I'm sure if you put a 6 amp stack or an 8 amp battery it will work good too anyway it's a super good tool but the way they're selling these tools where you buy the vacuum for $129 and they give you $179 battery for free all these prices are just insane it doesn't leave me comfortable that the company is going to be in business or possibly Lowe's is dropping their line I'm looking forward to hopefully on clearance the tripod light that's 249 coming down in price My store where I live has eight of them they've been there for 3 months they haven't sold a one I can see them up in the top and I asked the guys that do the flex there and they all own flex now cuz they get them on clearance too they said the lights haven't moved at all they're too expensive but it's a great light so I'm waiting for the light to go on clearance and the radio. I bought the rear handle saw that was 399 for $209 on Amazon. Now two weeks ago Lowe's had it on clearance for $159 that was the kit with the charger and a 10 amp battery I kept the bat two batteries I bought two saws I kept the two batteries and I sold the saws with the charger for $159 what I paid for them and they gave you a $300 battery. See this is ridiculous this is not what I understand how does the company make money doing this. Why is Lowe's dumping all these things
Great video Vinny.👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
*_Glad you enjoyed it_*
I sell tools at the blue store. So, I sell Flex. I got more information from these videos than at work. I think I will have more confidence pushing them now.
Glad to help
They can only reduce so much.
You still have that gargantuan battery footprint. Biggest issue with slide on packs is the battery sits more forward thus restricts working depth. As an electrician I prefer M12 because the battery foot print is like a ballet slipper where M18 is like a work boot and Flex is like a work boot stuck in a bucket. So no compact tool Flex does will be compact because the battery
Im a milwakee guy in the uk and i wish we could get these flex tools here. Also the flex take on the pack out looks pretty dam impressive
Let me start this off by saying I haven’t run into a flex tool I wasn’t impressed by.
I’m an union electrician by day & do some residential service work off the clock.
On the clock all of the contractors almost exclusively Milwaukee. And off the clock, I personally I own a majority of dewalt tools.
Despite this, I have no loyalty to either brand. I’ve been slowly replacing my yellow tools for black/gray. eBay has been a great place for me to sell my dewalt tools
I love how flex pushes the envelope with options, features, performance & designs.
Would like to try flex out for my self but I’m too heavily invested in Hart and Hercules tools
Well good thing I choose Milwaukee. I really like my M12 drill and Impact and Surge Impact. If need the more power ill grab the M18 tools.
Flex looks great. Been really impressed with the stuff on the channel but for a platform that's made in europe, it's really hard to get hold of in the uk. For that reason. I'm gonna stick with milwaukee for the foreseeable future. But I love the look of flex, I love their version of the pack out, I'd love to get my hands on it, to give it ago.
you can check out Devon, almost same as red flex 18v, but for south east asian market. Maybe it is easier to buy, also price lower.
I'm already super deep into the milwaukee lineups, if it ain't broke don't fix it. But they're an interesting company
makes sense adam, thanks for watching!
How’s your locking collar / trigger sensor doing by the way 😂😂
@@Wizard__J Just fine. How's your line of tools with very few options treating you?
I have been using Milwaukee tools for 25 plus years, furthermore I still have old school Milwaukee tools that are made here In the U. S. A. And still use them, love them. I refuse to switch to another tool brand. I bleed Milwaukee red, all the way. Also, I have a few old school Makita tools that I use from time to time...
Honest with todays tech you can’t go wrong with any I just get what’s cheaper and good warranty everything breaks I’ve burn a bunch of high end Milwaukee tools
If this would have torch/ speed setting increase and decrease with the more you squeeze the trigger this would have been godly.
Well I love my Milwaukee but my flex has more torque than my Milwaukee. I bought dealt,Kona let,Milwaukee & flex. The only one that doesn’t get used is my desalt. I like my kobalt for my basic stuff. I use my Milwaukee m12 for cutting wood ect & I use my flex for drilling in screws & bolt. It just does the job better in my opinion than my Milwaukee. Now I’m just your average guy doing stuff around my garage or working on cars ect… I’m not harping on these tools like most contractors would on a everyday use.
Speed 1 is more for when you can’t afford the screw to go too deep, so it’s a more controlled speed. Speed 2 is the “get it done” mode
Flex seems kinda dope not gonna lie. Only thing is I’m already a couple thousand dollars invested into Milwaukee so switching over wouldn’t be a good idea. Ain’t gonna do it! Wouldn’t be prudent!!
I've had 5 flex batteries fail this week. They can't handle the heat. Started leaking goo and not only ruined the battery but a charger and my rear handle circ saw
You got pictures I haven't seen that before
I do, but I can't post them here
I’ve had my hammer drill for 2 years and love seeing my coworkers having to buy new dewalt shit every 3 months it’s awesome
I’ve been a Auto detailer since 2012 and over the years I had many polishers and I can truly say FLEX 💪🏽 beat each one of them by far. I a big FLEX believer I bought there drill and impact and I am selling all my dewalt and Makita tools and replacing them with Flex tools. I wish they make hand tools and tool boxes as well power washers and compressors so I can replace my detailing tools for all FLEX tools. Just sold my ridged pack out box and working on get the flex one. It’s some good sht.
IMO...They're very nice tools. VERY strong. But SO big & heavy. I personally have liked Kobalt 24v for a long time. They're big also, but they don't cost what FLEX costs. MHPT is my favorite line, but they don't make everything. Dewalt is great as long as you stay at the top of the range, same for M18. I find that a combination of MHPT, DW20/12, Kobalt and M12 takes care of everything I need lol, in that order.
You have Mixed view about those items/products
@@sayyamzahid505 cool thanks.
Vince or flex tools have good power ❤️ yeah me convinced when you let 🥰me try it out when I came down😊👍🏻😁
Great video today!!!
Will you please do another ToolcTest Raw? I know that the "scientific " channels have become pretty popular, but I would still like to see your real world tests too.
can this tool be bought in Europe?
A question from a coworker today was is Flex more like Kobalt, than Milwaukee is Ridgid?
Doesn't matter to me, after 30 years of Plumbing, I've kept Carpal Tunnel away by using Makita, or so that's what I'm going with.
I like it but I already got my nice compact impact from milwaukee but if I wanted to go over to another brand idk I look in to it or maybe in the dewalt line to
The manual bit insertion is the common standard for European power tools, Bosch, Metabo etc. I would guess this unit is based on a Flex Germany tool.
Quite possibly!
As interested as I am in flex, I’m deep in dewalt and unless all my batteries fail at once, I probably won’t be leaving anytime soon. I have several friends on the same platform so when we help each other out, we can easily “help each other out”
The one thing that hurt Flex people don't talk about. I'd invested in the Kobalt 24v XTR line. Did they make it so Flex could use the Kobalt batteries? According to Lowes when I asked- No.
As expensive as batteries are, this is a big deal for those invested in the Kobalt line. Had they made the electrical connections and mechanical mounts so you could use either battery (knowing you wouldn't get as much run time using the Kobalt batteries) they probably could have retired the Kobalt line by now. I could have added new Flex tools while using my Kobalt batteries, and then gradually bought the Flex batteries as the Kobalt ones wore out. Highly disappointed they made that business decision.
I wish I had known about this before I bought into Milwaukee ecosystems during Father’s Day weekend.
5:42 .... Amen to that, am I right?
The question now becomes how off-center is the weight balance between the weight of the and battery. Smaller head means less weight. But flex his batteries are freaking huge. So those compact smaller ones to keep the weight distribution even is going to be no better than a two and a half amp hour battery. Anything bigger and it throws off the weight distribution and makes it unwieldy to hold