Flex Combines 24V Brushless Performance with a Starlock Accessory Interface
Flex may be fairly new as a power tool brand compared to other brands, but the team behind it has been making quality power tools for a long time. Their knowledge and talent is evident with the Flex 24V brushless oscillating multi-tool as it brings several impressive technologies together.
Pros
- Fast cutting and sanding
- Starlock accessory interface
- Isolated head vibration control
- Electronic speed selection
- 5-year warranty extends to a lifetime one if you register by 12/31/21
Cons
The Basics
Flex uses a sensor-free brushless motor to oscillate accessories up to 20,000 OPM. Moving away from variable speed dials, they go with 5 electronic speed controls to select from just above the battery. One of the things we like about the placement is how easy it is to check what speed you’re in without turning the tool.
The oscillation rate is excellent and Flex combined it with a 4° arc that’s more aggressive than most and leads to faster cutting.
PTR Test Track
To see how fast it really is, we set up the PTR Oscillating Multi-Tool Test Track. If you haven’t seen it before, it consists of 5 real-world scenarios:
- Door jamb undercutting
- Drywall cutout
- Removing trim nails
- Removing grout
- Sanding
Along the way, we have to make two accessory changes.
Flex finished in 1 minute, 26 seconds and that’s among the fastest multi-tools we’ve tested! Fein’s discontinued SuperCut Cordless still holds the top speed at 1:24 and DeWalt’s 20V Max brushless OMT is just behind at 1:27.
There’s some human error that comes into play with this type of test, but these three tools set themselves apart as the fastest. That’s pretty high praise for Flex considering it’s a first-generation tool!
Starlock Accessory Interface
Helping Flex stay in that top performance tier, the design team went for a Starlock interface. It’s a tool-free, hands-free system developed by Bosch and Fein. It’s much faster and more convenient than other systems. Just flip the lever to release your accessory and press the new one on until you feel and hear it click into place. Pop the lever back down and you’re ready to work!
Vibration Control
Flex uses an isolated head design to reduce vibration and works well. In all of our tests, we experienced lower vibration than most OMTs we’ve used. However, Milwaukee and Fein are still setting the standard for the lowest vibration.
Size and Weight
Without a battery, the tool weighs 2.8 pounds. Adding the 2.5Ah battery brings it up to 4.2 pounds. Even though you can use any Flex 24V battery with it, the 2.5Ah pack is the way to go in our opinion. You can get away with the 5.0Ah pack, but we like the weight and balance of the smaller battery.
At 12.2 inches long (the battery adds another inch), it’s not overly long compared to what we’re used to. The real star of the physical design is the grip section, though. It slims down and adds a rubber overmold that channels sweat away to help you maintain a comfortable, secure grip.
Additional Features
- LED light
- Battery is compatible with all Flex 24V tools
You can get this oscillating multi-tool at Lowe’s for $199. The kit includes the tool, and 2.5Ah battery, fast charger, depth gauge, a couple of blades to get you started, and a carry bag. At the time we’re writing, it’s not available as a bare tool.
When you look at the while package and compare it to what else is out there in the same tier, this is an excellent value. Flex sweetens the deal with a 5-year warranty that they’ll extend to a lifetime warranty if you register by 12/31/21.
The Bottom Line
Flex finds a balance of performance, design, and value that makes it one of the most compelling oscillating multi-tool options currently on the market. It offers a complete package with a kit price under $200 that might suprise you when you compare it to higher-priced options such as Milwaukee and Fein.
Flex 24V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Specifications
- Model: Flex FX4111-1A
- No-Load Speed: 10,000-20,000 OPM
- Oscillating Angle Left/Right: 4º (+/-2º)
- Accessory System: Starlock
- Number of Speed Settings: 5
- Tool Weight: 2.8 lbs. (without battery)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Kit Price: $199
