Lowes Flex Tools

[dalepres]

It's been about 6 months since the announcement but the only thread I find here was about the announcement. Has anyone used the Flex tools from Lowe's? Any thoughts?

I've recently bought in pretty much into Milwaukee so I'm not anxious to switch but I would be anxious to have a local supplier since there are no local sellers of Milwaukee. I might consider a split battery set, some Milwaukee and some Flex if Flex were really good. Actually, probably not, though it is not certainly not, so I would still like to hear what real users are saying about the Flex tools.

 

[Fly YX]

I checked them out last time I was at Lowe’s. They had a demo comparing it to a Milwaukee drill but I don’t go up a mess round with it. I’m sure somebody will make a battery adapter for it. That is what I use on the different brands that I have and they work fine.

 

[David0858]

The problem for anyone new coming in new making cordless power tools is almost everyone needing or wanting a better quality tool is already invested in a battery system or two. It also doesn't help Flex that their tools are almost for sure not going to be better tools than the known quality of Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita but the price isn't really any less.

 

[dalepres]

The problem for anyone new coming in new making cordless power tools is almost everyone needing or wanting a better quality tool is already invested in a battery system or two. It also doesn't help Flex that their tools are almost for sure not going to be better tools than the known quality of Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita but the price isn't really any less.

That's what I thought - very expensive for an unknown Lowe's house brand. And changing platforms is a very expensive proposition even among known brands.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I believe Lowe's is the exclusive distributor for Flex (at least for now). IMO it makes no sense to buy a power tool that is only available at one store. Plus I don't see people switching platforms if they have already invested into DeWalt/Milwaukee etc.

I guess this is aimed at people wanting to up their game, but to a relatively unknown brand with limited product selection.

 

[zendriver]

Some expert on FB was sure I was wrong and that new Flex power tool were German made, but the boxes at Lowes said China.

Probably does not matter anyway, at least in this century, since whatever "brand" anyone owns, seems to work just fine.

 

[ZRX61]

Flex polishers/buffers seem to be popular among the car detail crowd

 

[dnschmidt]

There is the red Flex (Made in Deutchland) and the black Flex (PRC). The me COO is unimportant what is important is that there is no way in hell I'm buying into a battery powered tool line that only has one store selling their batteries particularly Lowes where Hitachi and Bosch have been moved aside for Flex. What's after Flex when they discontinue that line. At least with Hitachi and Bosch there are other sources for batteries. I have never worn out a cordless tool but I've sure gone through a ton of batteries. I don't trust Lowes and anybody that does seems a fool to me.

 

[tarbellb]

I could see Flex branching out beyond Lowes, the brand existed well before this moment.

In fact they were top shelf power tools in the EU for decades, grinders, polishers, sanders mostly, competed head to head with Metabo, Fein, Bosch etc..


But until they have a better market share and prove to be long term players I agree, its a risk investing.


Note worthy- FLEX Inline circular saw looks badass

 

[BlueWho]

Flex isn't a Lowes house brand like Kobalt. The parent company for Flex is the OEM for the Kobalt 24v line, but Flex tools are going to be sold elsewhere. Acme Tools has them available for preorder.

The Flex tools felt pretty nice in the store display, but I haven't actually used them for anything. They seem to be an improvement on the Kobalt XTR line, which I've found to be solidly powerful and reliable.

 

[MitchL]

Was wondering about these as well so dug this thread up. I think initially FLEX and Lowes were offering lifetime warranty (or lifetime service agreement/ LSA...or whatever they call it) similar to Ridgid. That might be the only thing that could sway a persons decision to take on that line of tools vs the Makita/ Dewalt/ Milwaulkee lines that are already established and stand a good chance of being around 5 years from now. Does anyone know if these tools have an LSA?

 

[MJK]

Old school German red/burgundy flex was (is?) a fantastic company for a long time. The quality of their corded grinders, polishers and such were second to none. I still own quite a few of their tools and will never sell them. That said, they've never had much in the way of North American marketshare or brand reputation.

The Flex at Lowes is Chervon product. For may decades they were known as the OEM of Craftsman electric tools. There is nothing wrong with either of those things, but I wouldn't rate it as quite the same level of tool that Flex has historically made.

I don't know what the brand arrangement is there (purchase, license, etc), but if I were a betting man this would look like another Lowes attempt to counter Home Depots dominance with TTI brands like Ryobi and Ridgid. Or perhaps a hedge/negotiating tactic to be not so reliant on SBD Craftsman for the same thing.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds, but I haven't seen anything to compel me away from my red and yellow tools yet. And unless that changes, this will go the same way some of the previous attempts have gone. And if they are gone, good luck with that platform/warranty.

 

[ike]

I personally like the option of buying bare tools. I'm invested in the Dewalt line and have several 5ah batteries, so unless there is a promotion with a free battery, I just buy bare tools. The Flex tools seem to mostly come with a battery and chargers, so if you have 5 tools and 5 batteries, and you need a new impact, you are buying the kit with the tool, battery, and charger instead of buying a bare tool for 1/3 to 1/2 of the price. I haven't used Flex, but I don't see them as a competitive tool line the way their products are currently offered.

 

[Torque Test Channel]

Heavy, partly because they need extra cell(s) for 24V. Powerful, but also some of them get quite hot doing so. Yet to be seen how they hold up, but the warranty makes sense to convince you there.
At least for now, not keen on having to buy almost everything as a kit. You'll be driving home with 2-3 chargers and 6 batteries if you want a tool of a few different types.

 

[johnu]

Chervon owns Flex-Ergo-Skil. There car polishing machines are the top player in that market. I've owned one for 14 years and added two of their cordless units. Their battery technology is at the top!

Chervon | Our Brands

global.chervongroup.com

 

[tarbellb]

Chervon owns Flex-Ergo-Skil. There car polishing machines are the top player in that market. I've owned one for 14 years and added two of their cordless units. Their battery technology is at the top!

Chervon | Our Brands

global.chervongroup.com

Nice selection where are those made?

 

[johnu]

The corded was Germany. The cordless have Chervon’s China factory made motors assembled in Germany.

 

[tarbellb]

The corded was Germany. The cordless have Chervon’s China factory made motors assembled in Germany.

Wait... are you implying the new cordless line has a "assembled in Germany" tag?

I was under the impression it was 100% China made?

 

[johnu]

Wait... are you implying the new cordless line has a "assembled in Germany" tag?

I was under the impression it was 100% China made?

Great question. I went to look on the machines. The older corded and large cordless are Made in Germany. The small cordless is Made in China. Both 12V & 18V batteries are labeled China.

 

[tarbellb]

Great question. I went to look on the machines. The older corded and large cordless are Made in Germany. The small cordless is Made in China. Both 12V & 18V batteries are labeled China.

Ok, gotcha. The cordless looks nice enough, hopefully a step up from their other offering like the old Craftsman and PC line.

The older corded stuff was awesome. Im still kicking myself for not scooping up a bunch of grinders and polishers at a auction back in the day that went for pennies