Flex 24V Brushless Reciprocating Saw Demos Impressive Performance
With a well-rounded feature set and impressive specifications, the Flex 24V Brushless Reciprocating Saw is certainly a compelling option on paper. However, there are battery options from 2.5Ah all the way to 12.0Ah, so we set out to see exactly where this model fits among the other cordless options available.
Pros
- Excellent cutting speeds
- Selectable orbital action
- Rafter hook
- Pivoting, tool-free adjustable shoe
- Excellent ergonomics
Cons
- Shaft-mounted blade clamp
- No speed selection (variable speed trigger only)
Flex 24V Brushless Reciprocating Saw Performance
Flex promises 3000 strokes per minute to go with its long 1 1/4-inch stroke length. That lines up with some of the top saws in the industry. However, it’s when we actually have to cut through tough materials that we see how well the brushless motor can keep up.
Just for kicks, we tested with both the 5.0Ah battery and the 12.0Ah battery. Don’t laugh too hard at us, though. Milwaukee and DeWalt both pop pretty big batteries on their respective “super saws” and we wanted to give Flex the best chance possible.
Cutting through wood and mixed roofing materials with a Lenox Demolition CT carbide tooth blade, the saw feels confident. The speed gets even better when you engage the orbital action on the side.
Flipping the orbital mode back off, the saw melted through angle iron and cast iron using our Lenox Lazer CT carbide-tipped blades for medium and thick metals.
Even though Flex doesn’t a specific vibration suppression mechanism, we could feel less vibration in our cutting than most of the other saws we’ve tested. That doesn’t come as a surprise considering Flex is made the same company that brought us Skilsaw’s Buzzkill vibration-reducing technology.
After using the saw for while, weren’t noticing a huge boost in power with the 8.0Ah or 12.0Ah batteries. You do gain some performance, but it’s much more comfortable to use with the lighter 5.0Ah battery or even the 2.5Ah pack for quick cuts.
In the end, it’s clear that Flex designed their first reciprocating saw to be a replacement for your 10 – 12-amp saw rather than the strongest 15-amp models. That’s where the majority of cordless reciprocating saws are positioned, and against those models, Flex is definitely a high performer.
Flex 24V Brushless Reciprocating Saw Design Notes
Size and Weight
Flex keeps this reciprocating saw at a “just right” kind of length. It’s not overly long and it’s not so small that it brings your hands too close together.
At 7.4 pounds bare and 9.5 with the 5.0Ah battery, the saw is right in line with other saws in this class. Using one of the higher capacity batteries will increase that, of course.
Additional Features
What’s impressive about the rest of the design isn’t so much that there are massively impressive new features. Instead, it’s that Flex didn’t made sure to include the most important ones. Here’s the breakdown:
- Orbital on/off switch
- Pivoting, tool-free adjustable shoe
- LED light
- Rafter hook
If there’s anything else we’d like to add to the next generation, it’s a selectable speed. Like most Pros, we’re much more likely to hold the trigger at full throttle and being able to electronically dial back the speed is really helpful in cast iron, stainless steel, and other hard materials.
We’d also like to see a blade release lever on the side of the grip instead of on the shaft. Feathering the trigger to get the clamp out far enough can be frustrating.
Flex 24V Brushless Reciprocating Saw Price
You can grab this Flex reciprocating saw at Lowe’s for $249 with a 5.0Ah battery, 160W Rapid Charger, and a bag to store it in. It’s also part of a couple of combo kits that offer even better value and can launch you into the Flex 24V system. Currently, there’s no bare tool option.
When you look at the other premium options out there, Flex is beating their prices by $50 – $100 in some cases. Granted, some of those are kits with two batteries instead of one, but if high value is a priority for you, it’s something to keep in mind.
The standard warranty for the kit is 5 years on the tool, battery, and charger. However, if you register them by December 31, 2021, they’ll upgrade you to a lifetime warranty as a way to say thanks for being an early adopter of the system.
The Bottom Line
Flex did a really nice job of dialing in the performance and design of their first-generation reciprocating saw. There are a couple of features we’d love to see in the next version, but they’re certainly not deal-breakers by any stretch. What we’re left wondering is whether the design team is going to target the “super saws” later on. They have the battery system to support it and if this saw is any indication, they have the talent and technology to make it happen.
Flex 24V Brushless Reciprocating Saw Specifications
- Model: Flex FX2271-1C
- Battery Voltage 24V
- Motor: Brushless
- Strokes Per Minute: 3000 SPM
- Blade Stroke: 1.25 in.
- Orbital Action: Yes
- Adjustable Shoe: Yes
- Variable Speed: Yes
- Weight: 10.67 lbs.
- Warranty: 5-year (lifetime if registered by 12/31/21)
- Price: $249
