Does anyone have experience with Flex cordless power tools from Lowe's?
This one in particular piques my interest. https://www.lowes.com/pd/24V-1...rench-Kit/1002968134 I am unable to determine from the site, or without seeing the actual packaging it comes in (they keep them locked up and I was there on other business and didn't have time to track down a store worker), where it is made. After a Milwaukee impact gun didn't hold up to my hard use, I don't care for Chinesium if I can help it.
September 15, 2022, 08:44 PM
maladat
Flex (along with Ego and the current iteration of Skil) is a part of Chervon Group, which is a Chinese company.
September 15, 2022, 10:31 PM
BlackTalonJHP
You're going to be hard pressed to find non Chinese power tools. If you're going to buy Chinese the HF Earthquake series gets good marks.
I try to avoid buying made in China as much as anyone but cordless power tools made elsewhere are few and far between. There are some DeWalt, Metabo, etc made outside of China though. I try to buy Taiwan made if there's no alternative.
September 15, 2022, 10:48 PM
Excam_Man
No 'Flex' help here, I'm a 12 volt Milwaukee, 20 volt DeWalt guy.
Stopped in to say some of the DeWalt stuff is assembled in USA. As this is listed on the 20 volt pex expansion kit.
September 16, 2022, 06:17 AM
Gibb
According to the Chevron tools site, Flex is manufactured in Germany.
FLEX joined CHERVON in 2013 to combine the two enterprises’ strengths, experience, and manufacturing capabilities. FLEX largely operates independently – including German manufacturing headquartered in Germany.
I shall respect you until you open your mouth, from that point on, you must earn it yourself.
September 16, 2022, 06:21 AM
Patriot
Did you try contacting Milwaukee?
I find there service top notch. Returned a e-ratchet and had a new one in hand in a week.
_____________________________ Pledge allegiance or pack your bag! The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. - Margaret Thatcher Spread my work ethic, not my wealth
September 16, 2022, 06:42 AM
egregore
quote:
You're going to be hard pressed to find non Chinese power tools.
Yeah, I know. [sigh] But I have a Taiwanese Aircat that is still going strong after over 6 years of daily hard use.
September 16, 2022, 08:40 AM
Jelly
I don't have experience with the high torque Flex impact but they tested the Flex in 2021 on youtube Torque Test Channel
"Milwaukee impact gun didn't hold up to my hard use"
"I have a Taiwanese Aircat that is still going strong after over 6 years of daily hard use."
Funny thing my Aircat 1150 also outlasted my Milwaukee HT impact gun. The aircat is still going and I've dumped the Milwaukee tool battery platform.
September 16, 2022, 10:09 AM
DoctorSolo
At least Milwaukee is engineered in the USA with a real US employee base. I like to deal with Americans.
Spend your money how you want, I don't know about the impact guns but Milwaukee is solid IME. I've owned Bosch(also good) and Maketa(wore out a power drill/driver), and broke a few Ryobis at my old job because they wouldn't buy anything better.
My Milwaukee 18V mitre saw is so bad ass I bought the weed wacker.
September 16, 2022, 06:35 PM
Leemur
Only Flex tool I’ve used was a standard drill. Power for days but it kept overheating using a hole saw on 3/4” MDF. Swapped it out with a Dewalt and that thing zipped through like it was as styrofoam.
September 16, 2022, 07:00 PM
egregore
quote:
Originally posted by Jelly:
Funny thing my Aircat 1150 also outlasted my Milwaukee HT impact gun. The aircat is still going and I've dumped the Milwaukee tool battery platform.
Coincidentally, that's the Aircat I have. It takes off Honda crankshaft pulley bolts (if you've ever worked with some of these you know what I mean), removes and installs ball joints and pressed wheel bearings, you name it. I have, however, managed to break one of their compact ½" impacts.
September 20, 2022, 06:49 PM
egregore
Gonna pass on this. I'm going to bank what I would have spent towards a gun or two.
September 21, 2022, 04:27 AM
tacfoley
Over here in UK, purely as an amateur user, it's Milwaukee all the way.
If they made an electric spoon, I'd probably buy one. Utterly dependable for the last 20+ years - I picked up a battery I'd lost over in the railway workshop about two years ago, put it on the wrench, and shazam! Not far off 100% power.