Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill Heads an Impressive Line of Top Cordless Tools
The Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill with Turbo is one of the most impressive first-generation tools we've seen in this class. Its design and performance are enough to shake the charts and lead some of the biggest names in the industry.
advantage
- Top overall speed on the PTR Drill test track
- Excellent concrete drilling speed
- Impressive 2500 RPM top speed and 1400 in-lbs of torque
- compact design
- Anti-recoil sensor
- Competitive pricing ($249.99 kit)
shortcoming
- on the heavy side
- Not as deep as other top brands (so far)
Editor's note: You think you know it all? Our how to drill article might still be able to show you a thing or two.
Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Performance
Flex posted some impressive stats. For starters, they tuned the brushless motors to a low 700 RPM and a high 2500 RPM. In addition to being incredibly high speed, there's 1,400 inch-pounds of torque to back it up. It's the best in the business right now.
But what can the drill in its 1/2-inch chuck do?
To find out, we ran it on the PTR Drill Test Track to see how quickly it completed a series of real world tests in a 2×4 stud. Here's what it means:
- 20 drywall screws
- 10 x 1/2 Auger Bit Holes
- 10 x 3/4" spade drill holes
- 10 x 3/4" auger drill holes
- 1 inch hole saw
- 2 1/8 inch hole saw
In the test, DeWalt's Power Detect hammer drill (DCD998) achieved the fastest time at 2:05. When the sawdust settled, DeWalt had to make way for the new king of the mountain – the Flex, with a time trial score of 1:56. It's also the only drill or impact drill we've tested that can beat 2:00.
We wanted to see what it could do with a heavier load, so we threw out a 2 9/16" self-feed drill. That's a tall order for any handheld drill, but the Flex hits it all in stride. With 2×4 stud roughing, it gets the job done at high speed even without Turbo mode. Fire up the turbo and it does the job faster.
Switching to concrete, we also saw impressively fast drilling speeds. Using a 1/4 inch bit, it takes 3.99 seconds to drill down 3 inches. The only one we tested faster was Metabo's 3000 RPM beast.
Just for fun, we also tried a 1/2" concrete drill bit. This time the hammer drill takes 5.37 seconds. That's a bit more than most cordless hammers are rated for, but the Flex doesn't seem to be concerned.
Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill Dimensions and Weight
With such high performance in mind, Flex packs its flagship impact drill in a very compact package. It measures just 7.1 inches from front to back.
It's not the lightest flagship rig we've tested, though. Weighs 3.8 lbs naked. The 2.5Ah battery weighs 5.1 lbs. You'll probably want to use this model primarily with the 5.0Ah battery, which brings its weight to 5.9 pounds.
Despite its on the heavy side for its size, it doesn't come across as cheap and bulky. It uses metal parts for a more premium feel, while some brands may switch to plastic.
The handle ergonomics are very good. The shape contours your hand nicely, and the overmolding is more textured than most cordless drills we've used. When your hands get sweaty and oily, it's supposed to provide a better grip than a smooth overmold.
Design Notes
Both the drill and impact drill versions of the tool come with a nice side handle. With so much power, especially in low range, you'll want to use it with bigger bits.
To further protect you, a kickback protection sensor is built in. If your drill gets stuck and starts spinning out of control, the motor will automatically shut off before your arm can twist too far.
The Turbo button is located on the foot. It lights up green when you're using it.
Find the Flex 24 Brushless Hammer Drill at your local Lowe's and online. Packed with a 2.5Ah battery, a 5.0Ah battery, and a 160W fast charger, it retails for $249.99. If you prefer the drill driver version, the kit is $20 less.
There are currently no bare tool options available.
If you want a better-value combo, one way is to pair the same kit above with a Quick Eject impact driver for $349.99.
the bottom line
We don't expect a brand to come onto the scene and instantly become the best cordless drill, but that's exactly what the Flex 24V Hammer is in our time trial. Even in their first generation, the Flex proved to be one of the best. In fact, a year after its initial launch, it's become the performance benchmark everyone else has to chase.
Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill Specifications
- Model: Flextronics FX1271T-2B
- No-load speed: 0 – 700 / 0 – 2500 RPM
- Maximum Torque: 1400 in-lbs
- Weight: 3.8 lbs bare, 5.9 lbs with 5.0Ah battery
- Length: 7.1 inches
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $249.99 for 2.5Ah battery, 5.0Ah battery and fast charger