Flex Adds A Random Orbital Sander To Their Formidable 24V Power Tool Lineup
Sanding is one of those jobs that takes time to do right, but can be incredibly therapeutic! However, choosing the right style of sander to fit your job is key. We’re taking a close-up look at the Flex Random Orbital Sander to see how it can make your next project go a little smoother.
Flex Random Orbital Sander Performance
- No-Load Speed: 6000-13000 OPM
- Runtime: 30 minutes (with 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery)
- Motor: Brushless
- Dust Port: 1-1/4 in.
When talking about orbital sanders, speed isn’t always the biggest factor…but it never hurt, either! This sander’s 4-speed brushless motor operates between 6,000 and 13,000 OPM. That’s pretty darn fast!
Don’t bother just taking our word for it. High-end professional woodworking brand, Festool, dials in their ETSC 125 cordless random orbit sander with a 10,000 OPM max speed. So with Flex’s extra 3,000 OPM, you’re sanding jobs a likely to move even faster than before. Moreover, Flex tells us that you can expect up to 30 minutes of continuous runtime using a 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery.
This sander features a 5-inch round hook and loop-style pad. The vent holes allow dust to flow up through the pad and out the 1-1/4 inch dust port and into the collection bag. You can also connect your favorite Flex wet-dry vacuum to help keep the dust at bay.
Compared to palm sanders I’ve used in the past, the Flex FX3411 has relatively low vibration. Now keep in mind, completely eliminating vibration is a near-impossible task due to the nature of this tool. However, Flex’s comfortable design helps reduce felt vibrations and hand fatigue, even during prolonged use.
Flex Random Orbital Sander Design Notes
- Model: Flex FX3411
- Power Source: Flex 24V battery
- Weight: 2.5 lbs. (bare), 4.1 lbs. (with 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery)
- Pad Size: 5 in.
- Pad Style: Hook and loop
The Flex FX3411 random orbital sander has a much lower profile compared to others I’ve used in the past. It stands a mere 4-1/2 inches tall, and the pommel measures 4-3/4 x 3-1/4 inches. This sander weighs 2.5 pounds and 4.1 pounds with a 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery.
This compact, low-profile design is very maneuverable and easy to control. From our hands-on experience, we believe this sander is well suited for one-handed operation. However, there is plenty of room beneath the pommel if you want to use both hands for a little extra control.
Additional Features
- Compatible with all Flex 24V batteries
Flex Random Orbital Sander Price
The Flex FX3411 retails for $149.99 as a bare tool, but it does come with a few sanding pads to get you started. It’s backed by Flex’s standard 3-year warranty, but they will upgrade that to a limited lifetime warranty through the Flex Founders program. All you need to do is register your purchase within 30 days to take advantage of this warranty upgrade.
The Bottom Line
The Flex Random Orbital Sander is one of those core tools you’re going to need whether you’re into weekend projects or major home repairs. Its feature set, low-profile design, and performance are excellent, plus the price is hard to beat for a Pro-grade cordless sander.
