Flex PXE 80 12-EC Cordless Polisher Hands-On Review

Flex 12V Cordless Polisher Thrives Where Full-Size Polishers Won’t Fit

The Flex PXE 80 is a compact 12V cordless polisher that uses pads up to 3 inches. So why use a polisher that small? We brought Tom Gaige’s Porsche restoration project over to work out some small details about that.

Pros

• Compact size that doesn’t compromise on performance
• Perfect size for small spaces that larger polishers struggle to effectively work on
• Excellent for spot repairs and paint correction
• Easy quick-connect adapter changes
• Brushless motor offers longer runtime and service life

Cons

•  No significant drawbacks

Flex PXE 80 12-EC Cordless Polisher Finishes Off a Porsche

Tom’s been completely restoring a 1982 Porche 924. Despite my insistence on a blue and orange paint scheme, Tom stuck with its original Mocha Brown.

We have a couple of other polishers that took care of the majority of the work, but there are areas under the hood and around the doors that are too small for those full-size models to do a good job on.

Even though the Flex PXE 80 isn’t the first 12V polisher on the market, it’s not a very crowded space. Getting relevant runtime without dropping performance is a challenge.

Flex uses a brushless motor for its combination of efficiency and performance. From what we experienced, the design team really nailed that balance.

The tool itself is also well-balanced in its weight. It’s already lightweight for a cordless tool (about 2 pounds with the battery), and that weight is distributed in a way that works with you. When you’re finishing smaller areas, the size, weight, and balance all combine to let the tool flow with you over the contours of these mistake-prone spots.

While there is some vibration when you’re using the orbital heads, Flex includes vibration controls. The end result is that you don’t feel it as violently as some of the cheap cordless polishers running around.

Control

The controls are easy to work with. There’s a lock-on switch and speed controls that cycle with the press of – and + buttons. They’re at the front where it’s easy to adjust on the fly.

Personally, we prefer a paddle switch to a lock-on switch. That’s just preference, though, and we didn’t have any issues working effectively with the lock-on style.

You can actually feather it for some speed control, but it’s not nearly as natural as a variable speed trigger.

The four modes you cycle through are all rotation only. The drive accessory you choose is where you can pick up the orbital motion you want. Here are the no-load speeds for each setting:

• 2000 RPM
• 3000 RPM
• 4000 RPM
• 5800 RPM

The brushless motor has electronic controls and Flex uses them to actively keep the RPMs up to those speeds as you apply pressure.

One interesting thing we noticed with the controls is that it returns to the last speed you used in first three speeds. If you finish in high speed, the controls default back to speed three the next time you turn it on.

Quick-Change

We really enjoyed using Flex’ quick-change system. It’s super-simple to switch out the drives: pull up on the collet and the accessory releases. Boom – it’s that easy!

The Flex PXE 80 cordless polisher comes with three drives. One is a standard rotary motion. The other two give you 3mm and 12mm orbital mo movements.

Runtime and Charging

With the 2.5Ah batteries that come in the kit, Flex says to expect up to 20 minutes of continuous runtime. Bouncing between several settings, we actually got a little more.

4.0Ah and 6.0Ah batteries are also available if you need more runtime.

A full charging cycle takes 40 minutes with the 2.5Ah packs. We really like that Flex’ charger gives you a countdown timer so you know what to expect.

With a 40-minute charge cycle, you have a decent shot at cycling two batteries and running all day long. With the amount of start-and-stop that comes from hitting these detail areas, we were getting more than enough working time done to get a full charge on each battery before needing to switch.

Additional Features

• Soft start
• LED speed setting display
• Softgrip ergonomics
• Vibration control
• Cushioned Velcro pads
• Shock protection ring to protect surfaces
• LED battery capacity display

Pricing

You won’t find Flex at big box stores like some brands. With a focus on body work, you’re most likely to find the Flex PXE 80 12-EC polisher at automotive retailers.

The kit we tested includes the polisher, two 2.5Ah batteries, all three drive adapters, three backing plates (1-inch sticky, 1-inch Velcro, and 1 – 3-inch Velcro), a charger, and bag. It runs $399.

The Bottom Line

The Flex PXE 80 EC-12 cordless polisher is an excellent supplementary tool for your larger polishers. Like its corded and air counterparts, it gets into the small detail spots more easily and its combination of included drives gives you enough flexibility to get the results you’re after with the convenience of a cordless tool.

If you haven’t cut the cord or hose on your mini polisher yet, Flex is eliminating your excuses.

Flex PXE 80 12V Cordless Polisher Specs

• Model: Flex PXE 80 12-EC
• Max Pad Diameter: 80 mm (3.14 in.)
• Max. Back-Up Pad Diameter: 75 mm (2.95 in.)
• Orbit: 3 + 12 mm
• No-Load Speed: 400-2,000/-3,000/-4,000/-5,800 rpm
• Orbit Rate, No-Load: 800-4,000/-6,000/-8,000/-11,600 OPM
• Battery Voltage: 10.8V (12V Max)
• Battery Capacity: 2.5 / 4.0 / 6.0 Ah
• Size: 10.4 x 2.5 x 3.7 in.
• Weight: 1.38 lbs (without battery)
• Price: $399 (Check prices on Amazon)

For more information about the Flex Cordless Polisher, check out the website by clicking here.