Flex 24V Brushless 7 1/4" Cordless Circular Saw Stresses the Big Boys
With its impressive first generation of 24V tools, Lowe's has come a long way, and many have wondered where the Flex fits in with the other options available to DIYers and professionals alike. We got one of the key pieces in any professional cordless arsenal – the Flex 24V Brushless Cordless 7 1/4" Circular Saw – to dig up some answers.
advantage
- Elite Cutting Performance
- durable design
- excellent ergonomics
- feature rich
- Good performance and design value
- 5-year warranty on tools and batteries
shortcoming
- A bit heavier than other Sidewinder styles when using the 12.0Ah battery
Right out of the box, it might not be obvious exactly where this Flex circular saw will fit. From a size perspective, it can be paired with a standard professional-grade brushless saw or a premium brushless saw. We made some test cuts first and were impressed with the confidence with which it cuts.
From there, we set up the PTR circular saw test track to see if it could compete with the best in the business in terms of cutting speed, power and ease of adjustment.
Test runway parameters
If you're not familiar with the setup, here's what this test track looks like:
- Crosscuts: Five crosscuts (2 x 10)
- Bevel Cuts: Five 45º beveled cross-cuts (2 x 10)
- Miter cuts: Five 45º miter cuts (2 x 10)
- Compound cuts: Three 45º miter/45º bevel compound cuts from each side of the wood (6 cuts total, 2 x 10)
- Power drive: One 4' breach (double 3/4" OSB subfloor)
For the 7 1/4-inch model, the times range from 3:41 to 1:35, the saw we've tested at this point. Using the 12Ah battery, the Flex 24V Brushless Cordless Circular Saw finished in 1 minute and 36 seconds – just a second ahead. Due to the nature of this type of testing, this is entirely within the bounds of human error.
This is very important. It tells us that the Flex has excellent performance—not just above average, but legitimately top-notch performance.
Flex 24V Brushless Cordless 7 1/4" Circular Saw Design Instructions
In our opinion, Flex made a lot of great decisions during the design process. As we've come to expect from a good professional cordless chainsaw, the blade guard and cover are magnesium, as it seems that everything that could be metal is. This is one of the most durable saws we've used in a while.
All of these metals come at a price, even with the lighter magnesium. Saw with blade weighs 9.2 lbs. It weighs 12.3 lbs with the 8.0Ah battery and 13.4 with the 12.0Ah battery pack. While there are lighter options, it's similar to the top Sidewinder style with the 8.0Ah battery, and closer to the rear handlebar style with the 12.0Ah battery.
The ergonomics of the handle are excellent. The main handle is contoured to fit your hand perfectly, and the overmolded texture helps maintain a secure grip on sweaty hands. The front handle is large enough to fill your hand. It's a comfortable distance from the main grip and is offset to the left.
bevel stop
The bevel adjustment has stops at 45° and 22.5°, but they're not like most. There's a knob on the front that you push in and turn into the detent. When you release the ramp lock, it stops and it's clear you're on target.
You can beat it though. Push the dial out of the detent without first pushing it in. While this may damage it over time, regular use won't hurt it. Just make sure to show your crew how it works before they use it for the first time.
The stamped 0° and 45° notches are exactly right, and they have an added bonus. There is also a second set in front of the blades and you can see them clearly. In our experience, they're handy and help make your cuts more accurate.
Additional features
- 2 5/8" maximum depth of cut cuts 3 times in one pass
- Smooth Depth and Bevel Adjustments
- Depth markings for 2x, 3/4" ply, 1/2" ply and 1/4" ply
- strong rafter hook
- Standard arbor lock with onboard wrench storage
- Includes dust port
- led lights
- cutting blower
Flex 24V Brushless Cordless 7 1/4" Circular Saw Prices
You can find the Flex cordless circular saw with 8.0Ah battery, 280W fast charger, 24T blade and bag for $299.00 at Lowe's. That's in line with what DeWalt charges for its DCS578X1 FlexVolt circular saw kit, and a lot less than Milwaukee's M18 Fuel 2732-21HD kit.
Flex also offers a 5-year warranty on its tools and batteries. Plus, they're running a deal for early adopters that will give you a Flex Founders Lifetime Warranty on your tool if you sign up before 12/31/22!
the bottom line
With the performance we've gotten from the Flex 24V Brushless Cordless Circular Saw, it's clear the development team intends to compete at the highest professional level. This saw has top-notch design and performance at an attractive price.
So what do you think – is it worth giving Flex a chance? Let us know in the comments below!
Flex 24V Brushless Cordless 7 1/4" Circular Saw Specs
- Model: Flextronics FX2141-1D
- Power: Flex 24V battery
- Blade Diameter: 7 1/4 inches
- Maximum Cutting Depth: 2 5/8 inches
- Warranty: 5 years (tool and battery)
- Price: $299.99