Great test guys! As always! I'm already on the Milwaukee platform M18 and M12. Flex might be a little faster but with all the tools Milwaukee's has and growing, I can't see changing platforms at this point. Can we mention an 18V tool is giving a 24V tool a "run for it's money"?
I wouldn't change just because of an impact anyway. Furthermore we know nothing about the charging times of this system. A lot has to be taken into consideration.
This is the thing. I have B&D batteries, I have Milwaukee batteries, I have bosch batteries? Who the heck wants to add a fourth battery system? Not me.
if for no other reason then that they have a vast assortment of tools as apposed to the flex that is just coming to market also, for me, since I am already on the platform, I would stay batteries are sometimes more expensive then the tool
Great vid. I prefer Milwaukee but I'm glad to see Flex did so well. They are new and should preform better than a 2+ year old tool. It also means Milwaukee will need to step up their game. Which, is good for everyone. It may be wise to invest in both at some point. Time will tell.
I new too tools and I just wanna say thank you for all the work you guys put in. Your my standard go too forever. For the price I went with XTR line. I like Milwaukee and Makita the most but unfortunately the toooo expensive right now! For all you that have those you’ll blessed but then again we all blessed people.
My first battery drill set was Makita. Awesome set, still runs! I then went to Rigid because I thought that the LSA was a good value. Then I realized I needed some tools Rigid just didn’t offer. So I supplemented my tool set with Milwaukee’s M12 line. After a great experience using the M12 line, I sold my Rigid tools and went M18. Extremely happy with Milwaukee. For me, I will stay with Milwaukee but I appreciate and encourage the innovation from Flex. At some point Milwaukee will re-vamp their offerings and will make their tools even better/powerful. Milwaukee offers an expansive line of tools that gets the job done for me! As always great video! Well done 👍🏻. Hope you are having a great weekend!!!
I do auto work, some intermediate contracting work, as well as rehab homes as a side hustle. The real reason I went with Milwaukee as a primary tool platform was because there was a diverse tool lineup. Yeah, you can piecemeal your working tools together from different OEMs but then you'll have fewer batteries that interchange, a bunch of different chargers, and different warranty terms to remember. I like that I can set up my work lights and my ratchet and impact gun use the same battery. I like that no matter what tool chest or work bag I grab, there's simplicity in the platform. I hear that Milwaukee is more expensive than some other brands and it's true, but the higher cost is justified in having fewer issues in my workflow and simplicity in my tool boxes in my opinion. They might not have the fastest or strongest tool in every category (although I'd argue they have best tools in several categories,) but that doesn't really matter. They've got simplicity, dependability, and user experience figured out.
I'm just an amateur part time do it yourselfer and I bought a Flex impact wrench with 3 speeds for my son on his birthday and the charger has a fan on it.! I was surprised.! I I use the Bauer impact wrench myself and love it. Not half the power of the Flex.!
I’m with you brotha! Speed and power doesn’t mean a tool is better just faster. We’ll see how flex holds up after a few years of abuse. I know guys running gen 1/2 tools still non fuel Milwaukee mainly old timers but still get the job done.
Alright! We were waitin' for this! THANKS! As someone who's about to upgrade to new top tier tools from the midrange stuff, Flex looks like the way to go, ESPECIALLY with the founders warranty. Also, having watched teardowns/disassembly of the tool you can see they are building these well. I still own and love certain Milwaukee tools, but as far as Drills and the Angle Grinder go, Flex has my vote for now.
Brilliant video thanks for sharing i see the gen 3 had more torque before intresting to see whats inside the flex have they taken some designs from the gen 3
Dewalt xr is my team and have no problems. But the company i work for uses Milwaukee so i see both frequently.... dewalt performs well enough all the time that i wound not consider switching out my collection
I thought they were supposed to do that when they hit knots or got hung up safely feature? keeps you from getting your jaw broken or thrown from a latter am I right or wrong
I’m a Milwaukee fan, the flex looks great! I’m staying with Milwaukee for it’s reliability and the warranty is outstanding, excellent quality tools, great quality video ty,
The trigger issue is its own protective feature against high amps. When you pull the trigger quickly on a fully charged high capacity battery it fails to start to prevent damage.
I tried FLex drill when I was there last time at VCG construction for good Friday you let me test out the flex drill it had tons of power and I went out and purchased the hammer drill now I’m looking at that test should 👁 buy the flex impact. 🤔🧐 ❓❓❓❓ that’s very questionable to me to maybe 👁 stick with Milwaukee impact🤔🧐 now I’m having a hard time deciding😵 😣 🤔 should I get the impact🤔 ❓ just so I can have a matching pair 🤔❓
Vince, just to get your tech talk right, voltage is all about potential (stored but not used) energy and the higher the voltage the higher the potential energy. Voltage is basically energy. The difference in potential energy is what allows electric current to flow which is why birds don't get fried on open power lines. Both feet are tied to the same voltages. However, 12v to 0v (ground) is how you get electric current flow. So, the higher the voltage the higher the energy to move electricity through a wire. Just remember, voltage does NOT ever heat a wire. It's the current flowing through the wire is what creates heat. High current = high heat. High voltage means better flow of that current through a wire. Finally, think of power (watts). Power is voltage times current. If I want to get less current through a wire, I would need more voltage so if I have 120v and 240v I would use less current to get the same amount of power as 120v since i have to double the current and therefore the heat which is why 240v table saws have so much less heat for the same power.
I like the side by side comparison. But to be fair and remove chances of one person pushing harder than the other or anything being different. Try putting a small weight on the back of the drivers so the downward pressure is exactly the same on both. Just a suggestion.
I have had the heat shutdown happen to me several time times attaching decking to c channel on a porch. I flew thru 4 boxes of 3" self taping deck screws on 1 5ah battery wich was impressive, but it kept shutting off halfway thru screws
Seeing the title, I already knew what the outro would be. As a homeowner who got into power tools for my previous job, but I no longer use them weekly any more, I'll stick to my Ryobi tools due to price and that I have a TTI outlet in town that sells discount refurb/reman and blemished tools and batteries.
I bought into the Milwaukee battery system years ago and I've been happy with it. When you buy power tools you don't just buy the tool, you buy the system. Wouldn't make much sense for me to change to Flex just because it may be marginally better here or there. For someone looking to start they're tool collection though it's definitely a contender.
I've already invested a few THOUSAND dollars in m12 and M18 tools and batteries, not saying the flex isn't a great tool. But also some people already know flex may have problems them 1st year or 2 (case in point) the hammer and anvil. So I'll keep on team red!!!
@@jdisdetermined but adapters also don't allow the battery and electronics to communicate properly but I'm happy with all my tools so I have no reason to jump ship. I'm sure flex tools are great but not enough to warrant spending thousands to get what I have now
Ok awesome testing right there .8 months later I saw this review. I won't say where I live but what I will say is...I actually work at a lowes....in the tool department. My store does not have Milwaukie, and yes I'm a fan of Milwaukie. With rhat said...
I think the trigger thing is something with the microcontroller when you have it somewhat depressed an then not do anything when you pull it I have had that with my m12 impact
I got my first Flex I understand someone not wanting to switch when they already have another platform but, I’m not a diehard one brand fan of tools no more than I’m a ford, dodge or Chevy guy. I buy what I like. If Flex let’s me down I’ll buy something else. Right now I’m impressed with my Flex time will tell.
I know I'm late but my understanding is it's a 24 volt max voltage tool against a 18 nominal voltage so call it 20 volt max I suppose this is just something I would consider
I love the head to head competitions. Competition leads to innovation ,so bring on the newcomers! Also I appreciate many brands ,but I've been Milwaukee for 20yrs. The quality and reliability has kept me going.
Great video, I'm glad you guys made this video clarifying what each tool can do with each battery configuration. After I did some vs test against milwaukee Gen 3 my flex quick eject starter melting the grease thru the collet area and started not holding the bits? Who knows we will see how these tools hold up overtime. Maybe I was running it too hard lol 😆
2 weeks ago we had a really bad storm hit Texas and I had to Redo my fence made of wood like 120 feet fence and I went nice I finally get to use my Milwaukee for what it's made for and I used a 3.0 cp high output battery 🔋 and long story short took me 2 days driving in lag screws I was impressed with the power the tool had and yea it got pretty hot by the triggered but nothing I couldn't handle or going to shut down mode I definitely abused of it and wow I'll stick with my Milwaukee M18 Fuel
I bleed black and yellow but having ran the new Flex i was very impressed. The flex impact with the same amp hour battery was almost 2x faster than my new dewalt XR impact.
At the end of the day it's really about what tool line you've already invested in, that's the main disadvantage to flex, it may be as good as the big brands, but it would be costly to switch over to a different battery platform
some people worry about investments in battery platforms and some dont....i buy whatever tool will get the job done best even if it means buying diff brands and batteries...i have tools from milwaukee, ridgid, dewalt, makita & craftsman....platform investment does not matter to me....just sayin
@@kingofthecrease30 a lot of ppl can’t carry all those tools. (Batteries, chargers). The hassle wastes time. Good for you if it works out. I’ve only invested on Milwaukee. They carry everything my job requires.
My new Milwaukee m18 mid torque impact wrench has grease coming out from around the anvil after only being used a couple times but it doesn't bother me any.
Yeah lowes had a demo to use them to drill holes but theyre impact drivers so i stopped immediately because of how loud they are in the middle of the store
I have been trying to figure out which battery platform to invest in I have been throwing dewalt, makita, ryobi and flex into consideration and I cant decide. I am a homeowner who does a variety of tasks around the house any suggestions? I am really considering either the flex system or makita based on what I have seen in tons of videos I have watched.
Thank you for the video. I would like to see both do 10-15 1/4x6” fasteners in a row and watch that Flex burn itself up while spitting burning grease everywhere, just don’t hurt yourselves. 👍🏻👍🏻
@@tarutaruomen me too. 👍Vibration, reliability, power, price. In that order. Europe is doing much better than us when it comes to long term power tool hand and nerve damage awareness and vibration safety ratings. They have a whole testing and rating system that tells you how long you can safely operate a tool in any 8 hour period.
I have a Milwaukee drill which has worked great for me for the years I have owned it and know i will be getting a Milwaukee impact driver for Father's Day since my wife asked me what I wanted and had me pick it out. I would rather not change to another brand not because I think they are inferior but rather I would not want to get into another battery system if I do not have to. Having said that, I do own a Dewalt palm sander. The Flex was very impressive in this competition between these two impact drivers. Thanks VCG this was another great video and I would probably really consider purchasing the Flex ID if the price was right and I was not already into the Milwaukee brand.
The much in demand VCG beat the crap out of tools testing! I'd offer this, once the battery has the amp capacity to handle what the tool motor allows, you are at the limit. What happens next is the tools current/temperature limiting takes effect to protect the motor from excessive power draw and might be scaling it back. This greatly increases the life of the tool and is a good thing. My Makita will do this, it while stop if I go maximum Vince on the thing and pound it for long periods of time to cool down. Once you have high C rate (amp rate) batteries that have a low voltage drop under maximum load, the motors can draw enough power to smoke themselves under long duration use so throw a limit on the power as a form of protection. They should make a special Vince VCG tool, basically--a backpack of batteries with a cable and oil cool the motor complete with a fan cooled radiator so not only can you run 1" diameter lag screws through Brazilian Iron Wood with no pilot holes, you could put a pulley on the end and use it to start your truck engine in the middle of winter. I think it is time for VCG to get some liquid cooled tools up your way. Flex VS Milwaukee battery operated liquid cooled oil drilling rigs
Im about to start a cabinet making and kitchen reno apprentiseship, and ive been really debating, cause ive never been a huge fan of milwaukee or dewalt, but i really like ridgid stuff, and I've been debating on maybe just getting a new impact drill or drill kit, and ive been debating cause rn i still only got a brushed ridgid impact, still works great just doesn't got as much power now
Higher voltage will make for higher temps. This goes for the electronic components inside the tools as well. As long as those components are rated for a higher temp than what is showing, it should be ok. But higher temps in electronic components does tend to mean shorter life. Only one way to know for sure, and that would be to test longevity. But something to know and think about either way.
I am a milwaukee fan but i did buy into flex specifically for the life time warranty... the price is out rite ridiculous!!! Bit so far i love it! It keeps up with my milwaukee products and the drill is crazy fast an quick!
Seems it depends on the hands of the user which performs better. A better test would be a weighted test applying the same amount of force on each tool.
I didn't see you guys REALLY test the flex out yet, this was a mild test. remember the dewalt 887?...I'm sure the flex has a shut down feature before burning up , but that heat its giving out cant be good for hours of continuous use. HIT that flex up with a real VCG Construction torture test.....I like the flex brand but i wanna know if it has limits.
Hello again Vince and Vcg You present a very good argument. As I do not own either tool currently. But I am looking for a replacement for my 12 volt Hitachi drill and impact driver. You mentioned both have a heat problem. That concerns me because heat issues are safety issues. I work around the aircraft fuel systems. Jet fuel is very volatile. That's something I take very seriously. So I will probably stay away from both tools. Again thank you for another Great Video.
I only rock HD 6.0ah and 12ah batteries in my Milwaukee kit (mostly for improved performance and less battery swaps through out the work day) Tbh, I’m still rolling with my gen 2 hammer drill and impact drill, I have gen 3 of both, but can’t get myself to swap over when I’m having no problems with my gen 2’s. I’m not sure what Milwaukee have done to the electronics in the gen 3 to have them misfire every so often, but if they bring out a gen 3.5 or 4, they better get it right. I’m a Milwaukee man through and through, just disappointed in lack of reliability the last couple of years. Credit to flex for coming straight out with the big guns, but we’ll have to see in the coming years if the can keep up with the BIG BOYS. Also awesome comparison guys, love your insights and perspectives keep up the great work!!
I think Flex is surprising some folks. If they prove to be durable over time then I think they have a fantastic chance at longevity and even snagging a portion of the high end market. But that all depends on if they last. Great video 💪🇺🇸
I build and install commercial and residential ductwork, install hvac systems and pull service calls, etc... I have an impact in my hand 75% of my day.. I've held and used likely all the typical top tier impacts you'll find on any given jobsite. And I get weak in the knees over new tools and fall into the "latest and greatest" lure like any other tool enthusiast in the trades.. But the truth is, ALL of these impacts are fully adequate in power for the intended jobs we'd use a 1/4" impact for. So what makes a great impact, in mho, is durability, high rpm and torque, a good trigger for control when low speed and torque are desired, compactness, and lightweight maneuverability.. I recently picked up this Flex impact when my Makita finally died.. It served me well. The Flex felt well balanced, high quality, smoothe and responsive, and had a great charger, but totally turned me off because of its unnecessary bulk and weight. Fine for ground work maybe, but not for swingin' in the rafters or hoppin' ladders. And just not practical for use up inside units, and tight spaces. Doable, yes, but that monster battery is a tad goofy for my intended use. It also had a smoothe but finicky trigger lag.. I returned it, along with a new DCF850( COUGH) looking to grab the DCF840 due to its simple but great form factor and performance, but can't find it on planet earth right now.. So I picked up this 2853 Milwaukee after avoiding it and calling it trash for the longest time, due to coworkers struggling with the first run of crappy collet and trigger issues.. And I'd watch these comparisons hoping to see the Milwaukee destroyed.. But, it's been well established by now as being the king in power and performance all others compare themselves to as the standard. Well, I have to say, I pulled this gen 3.5 2853 Milwaukee out of the box and discovered I had received the upgraded version with the collet issue being addressed.. I love the tool.. Powerful, ergonomic, and well balanced.. I own quality flagship tools from every brand.. I'm in several platforms and have many options.. The latest revised version of the Milwaukee 2853 is presently the better tool, all points considered..
My Milwaukee impact driver often drives the wrong direction on the first pull of the trigger, then upon releasing and trying again it will then drive the right way
Grain density and knots could be throwing off the races or causing the outlier runs, Just a thought. Anyway, big fan of your videos. I think I live near yous guys but I've never seen a truck or trailer of yours. I'm waiting for the day, so I can say what's up 😂
The flex was impressive but high temperatures and erratically losing power can’t help but question durability and longevity of its performance. Overall I think good things to come from this new brand.
The real question is did you pay more for the wood in the test or the tools
hahahaha good one :-)
He buys his wood off the corner in dimebags.
Yes lol
For the people! 😂
Great test guys! As always! I'm already on the Milwaukee platform M18 and M12. Flex might be a little faster but with all the tools Milwaukee's has and growing, I can't see changing platforms at this point. Can we mention an 18V tool is giving a 24V tool a "run for it's money"?
I wouldn't change just because of an impact anyway. Furthermore we know nothing about the charging times of this system. A lot has to be taken into consideration.
This is the thing. I have B&D batteries, I have Milwaukee batteries, I have bosch batteries? Who the heck wants to add a fourth battery system? Not me.
My flex impact is the best impact I’ve ever owned. Been doing HVAC for years. Never let’s me down, no issues, and lifetime warranty
I will stay with Milwaukee, m12 and m18 platform.
if for no other reason then that they have a vast assortment of tools as apposed to the flex that is just coming to market
also, for me, since I am already on the platform, I would stay batteries are sometimes more expensive then the tool
Just switched from ryobi to milwaukee m12 and m18 so happy with the switch
@@gagejernigan5277 thus there is no reason to reinvest in a inferior platform
Milwaukee all day, but much kudos for Flex to enter the market with a very competitive line up of power tools.
Competition is seriously a good thing.
Team Milwaukee- Invested and very happy with all my m12 & m18 purchases!😎 -Plumbing contractor
I'm a plumber and use the m12 fuel hackzaw all the time
Sticking with my Ryobi. As a home DIY person, that extra few seconds doesn't bother me.
Great vid. I prefer Milwaukee but I'm glad to see Flex did so well. They are new and should preform better than a 2+ year old tool. It also means Milwaukee will need to step up their game. Which, is good for everyone. It may be wise to invest in both at some point. Time will tell.
Flex tools is over 100 years old. They’re known for innovations in the tool industry
I new too tools and I just wanna say thank you for all the work you guys put in. Your my standard go too forever. For the price I went with XTR line. I like Milwaukee and Makita the most but unfortunately the toooo expensive right now! For all you that have those you’ll blessed but then again we all blessed people.
Would a makita impact driver be a good impact for putting on and taking off vehicle accessories or what would you recommend?
And if so where is the best place to order makita tools I can hardly find them anywhere
My first battery drill set was Makita. Awesome set, still runs! I then went to Rigid because I thought that the LSA was a good value. Then I realized I needed some tools Rigid just didn’t offer. So I supplemented my tool set with Milwaukee’s M12 line. After a great experience using the M12 line, I sold my Rigid tools and went M18. Extremely happy with Milwaukee. For me, I will stay with Milwaukee but I appreciate and encourage the innovation from Flex. At some point Milwaukee will re-vamp their offerings and will make their tools even better/powerful. Milwaukee offers an expansive line of tools that gets the job done for me! As always great video! Well done 👍🏻. Hope you are having a great weekend!!!
Thanks for the feedback ZZ we appreciate it! 👍🏻
Yes I have recently discovered the trigger issue on a gen 3 and Home Depot wouldn’t swap it after 1 week of purchase
The company I work for bought pallets of these and I during testing have noticed quite a few of the Milwaukee impact heating up and trigger failures
We appreciate the feedback Edo
My surge impact has the collet issue sometimes and also the trigger has been weird as well.
Send it in for repair!
I have a question any idea where can I find the belt clip for the flex drill I have hard times trying to find the one that fit
I do auto work, some intermediate contracting work, as well as rehab homes as a side hustle. The real reason I went with Milwaukee as a primary tool platform was because there was a diverse tool lineup. Yeah, you can piecemeal your working tools together from different OEMs but then you'll have fewer batteries that interchange, a bunch of different chargers, and different warranty terms to remember. I like that I can set up my work lights and my ratchet and impact gun use the same battery. I like that no matter what tool chest or work bag I grab, there's simplicity in the platform. I hear that Milwaukee is more expensive than some other brands and it's true, but the higher cost is justified in having fewer issues in my workflow and simplicity in my tool boxes in my opinion. They might not have the fastest or strongest tool in every category (although I'd argue they have best tools in several categories,) but that doesn't really matter. They've got simplicity, dependability, and user experience figured out.
I'm just an amateur part time do it yourselfer and I bought a Flex impact wrench with 3 speeds for my son on his birthday and the charger has a fan on it.! I was surprised.! I I use the Bauer impact wrench myself and love it. Not half the power of the Flex.!
I’ll still take Milwaukee any day👍🏽
I’m with you brotha! Speed and power doesn’t mean a tool is better just faster. We’ll see how flex holds up after a few years of abuse. I know guys running gen 1/2 tools still non fuel Milwaukee mainly old timers but still get the job done.
@@4Thug2Life0 I’ve been using Milwaukee tools for many years and nothing is changing my mind about them👍🏽
Flex es mejor para any day
Spoken like a true fanboy and there's nothing wrong with that.Flex is superior product but only time will tell how it holds up.
@@LARULES100 of course…we’ve been using Milwaukee for years and we have not had one single problem with them. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it 👍🏽
Why did VCG change the background what happened to the white marker board
Alright! We were waitin' for this! THANKS! As someone who's about to upgrade to new top tier tools from the midrange stuff, Flex looks like the way to go, ESPECIALLY with the founders warranty. Also, having watched teardowns/disassembly of the tool you can see they are building these well.
I still own and love certain Milwaukee tools, but as far as Drills and the Angle Grinder go, Flex has my vote for now.
Any performance news on flex tools?
Have you guys compared their outputs (output consistency) when their batteries are on the last indicator?
Brilliant video thanks for sharing i see the gen 3 had more torque before intresting to see whats inside the flex have they taken some designs from the gen 3
Dewalt xr is my team and have no problems. But the company i work for uses Milwaukee so i see both frequently.... dewalt performs well enough all the time that i wound not consider switching out my collection
I thought they were supposed to do that when they hit knots or got hung up safely feature? keeps you from getting your jaw broken or thrown from a latter am I right or wrong
I’m a Milwaukee fan, the flex looks great! I’m staying with Milwaukee for it’s reliability and the warranty is outstanding, excellent quality tools, great quality video ty,
Thanks for the feedback Robert!
@@VCGConstruction keep up the excellent work please,
Huge lineup for Milwaukee as well. It will take years for flex to have that large of a lineup.
Good question . Cause higher the voltage the less the amps that is needed which is heat . This does apply to 3 phase motors
The dewalt guy - "trust me I know How it feels"
Bahaha
Hahaha I love DeWalts 😂😫😫
Eh even if dewalt isn’t statistically the best of them all they get the job done and can take a hell of a lot of abuse
@@dantemariscal8679 dewalt is the best
How good will the flex be after hard use for six months to a year? The Milwaukee’s already been proven.
@@paulblanton1793very well so far ..
The trigger issue is its own protective feature against high amps. When you pull the trigger quickly on a fully charged high capacity battery it fails to start to prevent damage.
I tried FLex drill when I was there last time at VCG construction for good Friday you let me test out the flex drill it had tons of power and I went out and purchased the hammer drill now I’m looking at that test should 👁 buy the flex impact. 🤔🧐 ❓❓❓❓ that’s very questionable to me to maybe 👁 stick with Milwaukee impact🤔🧐 now I’m having a hard time deciding😵 😣 🤔 should I get the impact🤔 ❓ just so I can have a matching pair 🤔❓
🤣🤣 you know you’re gonna buy it Mike, you love going fast!! 👍🏻
I like you but my wallet hate you. 🥴😂😂😂🤣🤣 LoL
Do you have information as to what specific models are you comparing?
Vince, just to get your tech talk right, voltage is all about potential (stored but not used) energy and the higher the voltage the higher the potential energy. Voltage is basically energy. The difference in potential energy is what allows electric current to flow which is why birds don't get fried on open power lines. Both feet are tied to the same voltages. However, 12v to 0v (ground) is how you get electric current flow. So, the higher the voltage the higher the energy to move electricity through a wire. Just remember, voltage does NOT ever heat a wire. It's the current flowing through the wire is what creates heat. High current = high heat. High voltage means better flow of that current through a wire.
Finally, think of power (watts). Power is voltage times current. If I want to get less current through a wire, I would need more voltage so if I have 120v and 240v I would use less current to get the same amount of power as 120v since i have to double the current and therefore the heat which is why 240v table saws have so much less heat for the same power.
Do you think milwaukee are going to bring out a high volt range like flexvolts where the compatible with both, or makita?
No
3:56 The trigger stopping is a safety feature. I'm not 100% sure what causes it, but it happens every once in a while with my Milwaukee impact driver.
Heat probably.
I like the side by side comparison. But to be fair and remove chances of one person pushing harder than the other or anything being different. Try putting a small weight on the back of the drivers so the downward pressure is exactly the same on both. Just a suggestion.
I think the Milwaukee is the best one. Thanks for showing!
I have had the heat shutdown happen to me several time times attaching decking to c channel on a porch. I flew thru 4 boxes of 3" self taping deck screws on 1 5ah battery wich was impressive, but it kept shutting off halfway thru screws
Seeing the title, I already knew what the outro would be. As a homeowner who got into power tools for my previous job, but I no longer use them weekly any more, I'll stick to my Ryobi tools due to price and that I have a TTI outlet in town that sells discount refurb/reman and blemished tools and batteries.
If they’re working for you keep using them! 👍🏻
Is that a cinder block on the bottom of the flex.
Thanks for doing this. Might start adding the flex to my set up starting with that impact
I bought into the Milwaukee battery system years ago and I've been happy with it. When you buy power tools you don't just buy the tool, you buy the system. Wouldn't make much sense for me to change to Flex just because it may be marginally better here or there. For someone looking to start they're tool collection though it's definitely a contender.
Their
I've already invested a few THOUSAND dollars in m12 and M18 tools and batteries, not saying the flex isn't a great tool. But also some people already know flex may have problems them 1st year or 2 (case in point) the hammer and anvil. So I'll keep on team red!!!
@@skulver Unfortunately I don't see that ever changing. Adapters are an option, but they add size and inconvenience, and can hamper performance a bit.
@@jdisdetermined but adapters also don't allow the battery and electronics to communicate properly but I'm happy with all my tools so I have no reason to jump ship. I'm sure flex tools are great but not enough to warrant spending thousands to get what I have now
Ok awesome testing right there .8 months later I saw this review. I won't say where I live but what I will say is...I actually work at a lowes....in the tool department. My store does not have Milwaukie, and yes I'm a fan of Milwaukie. With rhat said...
How does that Milwaukee gen 3 collet hold up now with the duel ball Berings in it?
I think the trigger thing is something with the microcontroller when you have it somewhat depressed an then not do anything when you pull it I have had that with my m12 impact
I have this same problem with drill gen3 switch don't work some time
I always run the 3.0 in the gen 3...size, weight and power of that package is pretty hard to beat.
I got my first Flex I understand someone not wanting to switch when they already have another platform but, I’m not a diehard one brand fan of tools no more than I’m a ford, dodge or Chevy guy. I buy what I like. If Flex let’s me down I’ll buy something else. Right now I’m impressed with my Flex time will tell.
I know I'm late but my understanding is it's a 24 volt max voltage tool against a 18 nominal voltage so call it 20 volt max I suppose this is just something I would consider
I love the head to head competitions. Competition leads to innovation ,so bring on the newcomers!
Also I appreciate many brands ,but I've been Milwaukee for 20yrs. The quality and reliability has kept me going.
I’ve been using Milwaukee since the early 80’s always my favorite, the last 20 years I’ve been changing over to cordless, Milwaukee still my favorite.
why are these not in Canada yet Vince?? WHY!?
great video you guys, I cant wait to see how the flex does with its 8ah
Thanks MCT! 👍🏻
I currently only own Milwaukee and Flex. Will continue to stick with these two.
Great video.
Great video, I'm glad you guys made this video clarifying what each tool can do with each battery configuration.
After I did some vs test against milwaukee Gen 3 my flex quick eject starter melting the grease thru the collet area and started not holding the bits? Who knows we will see how these tools hold up overtime. Maybe I was running it too hard lol 😆
2 weeks ago we had a really bad storm hit Texas and I had to Redo my fence made of wood like 120 feet fence and I went nice I finally get to use my Milwaukee for what it's made for and I used a 3.0 cp high output battery 🔋 and long story short took me 2 days driving in lag screws I was impressed with the power the tool had and yea it got pretty hot by the triggered but nothing I couldn't handle or going to shut down mode I definitely abused of it and wow I'll stick with my Milwaukee M18 Fuel
I bleed black and yellow but having ran the new Flex i was very impressed. The flex impact with the same amp hour battery was almost 2x faster than my new dewalt XR impact.
Black and yellow been outdated for a long time
Hey dude! Where can I find the 3gen m18 fuel? I have the surge and is awesome!
I have experienced that same trigger issue with the Milwaukee impact.
I am still on the fence and want to see how the Flex compares to Makitas 40V and Dewalt Flexvolt.
At the end of the day it's really about what tool line you've already invested in, that's the main disadvantage to flex, it may be as good as the big brands, but it would be costly to switch over to a different battery platform
some people worry about investments in battery platforms and some dont....i buy whatever tool will get the job done best even if it means buying diff brands and batteries...i have tools from milwaukee, ridgid, dewalt, makita & craftsman....platform investment does not matter to me....just sayin
@@kingofthecrease30 a lot of ppl can’t carry all those tools. (Batteries, chargers). The hassle wastes time. Good for you if it works out. I’ve only invested on Milwaukee. They carry everything my job requires.
those higher temps are scary, curious to see what this leads to with longevity.
much better comparison!
Milwaukee + HO batteries is where it's at.
I've seen videos of the flex puking out grease under stress.
My new Milwaukee m18 mid torque impact wrench has grease coming out from around the anvil after only being used a couple times but it doesn't bother me any.
@@charlesquinty7403 lmao. You should return it for a replacement while you can. I guess if you rarely use it should be okay
I wonder if the flex is backing power off due to a thermal limit
Yeah lowes had a demo to use them to drill holes but theyre impact drivers so i stopped immediately because of how loud they are in the middle of the store
Any idea of the differences of RPM and BPM on the various speed selections on each tool?
ua-cam.com/video/spJl7NLlKFU/v-deo.html
The trigger issue is a issue for sure I have issues with the nut driver more with the 3rd gen 2nd wasn't so bad and the lock collar not locking
I'm still team red, but that Flex definitely impressed me though. May buy an impact just to play with it.
its great to see another competitor that may be as good as or slightly better.....im not giving up my Milwaukees thanks for the comparison!
Great review! First one I’ve seen showing the different performance of the standard m18 battery and high output vs flex. Sticking with Milwaukee!
Impressive thx for the tests! 👍
Yo Nick!
Yeah those batteries are key!
I changed all my batteries over to the new 21700 cells.
Makes a BIG difference!
Go Vince!
Those newer 21700 cells are the best for power and run times. Makes quite a lot of difference using those or the 18650
Nice, I was waiting for it. If not watching I wouldn't know there is trigger problem. I guess I'm lucky I have never ever had this happen to me.
Have the same trigger problem but doesnt matter... its a beast!!!! M18!!!
I have been trying to figure out which battery platform to invest in I have been throwing dewalt, makita, ryobi and flex into consideration and I cant decide. I am a homeowner who does a variety of tasks around the house any suggestions? I am really considering either the flex system or makita based on what I have seen in tons of videos I have watched.
Thank you for the video.
I would like to see both do 10-15 1/4x6” fasteners in a row and watch that Flex burn itself up while spitting burning grease everywhere, just don’t hurt yourselves.
👍🏻👍🏻
Chervon and its overprotective feature or rather gear hunting. I think they did great with the Kobalt xtr impact driver though.
At what point does the performance of all tool brands become so high that it becomes a secondary consideration?
In my opinion performance is always secondary to reliability, especially for a daily driver!
I think we're already there At least with drivers. I, personally, am an ergonomics and comfort guy.
@@tarutaruomen me too. 👍Vibration, reliability, power, price. In that order. Europe is doing much better than us when it comes to long term power tool hand and nerve damage awareness and vibration safety ratings. They have a whole testing and rating system that tells you how long you can safely operate a tool in any 8 hour period.
I know craftsman isn't the best but I really like mine and I got the 9 Ah high energy battery. I'd like to see some tool test with that combo
I work at Lowe's and I am very impressed at the results. I'm seriously thinking about buying some flex tools.
i work at lowe’s too and that’s why i went ahead and bought the flex hammer drill and impact (separately)
I used to work at Lowe's and am probably going to go now and look at the impact
Awesome video guys!
I have a Milwaukee drill which has worked great for me for the years I have owned it and know i will be getting a Milwaukee impact driver for Father's Day since my wife asked me what I wanted and had me pick it out. I would rather not change to another brand not because I think they are inferior but rather I would not want to get into another battery system if I do not have to. Having said that, I do own a Dewalt palm sander. The Flex was very impressive in this competition between these two impact drivers. Thanks VCG this was another great video and I would probably really consider purchasing the Flex ID if the price was right and I was not already into the Milwaukee brand.
The much in demand VCG beat the crap out of tools testing! I'd offer this, once the battery has the amp capacity to handle what the tool motor allows, you are at the limit. What happens next is the tools current/temperature limiting takes effect to protect the motor from excessive power draw and might be scaling it back. This greatly increases the life of the tool and is a good thing. My Makita will do this, it while stop if I go maximum Vince on the thing and pound it for long periods of time to cool down. Once you have high C rate (amp rate) batteries that have a low voltage drop under maximum load, the motors can draw enough power to smoke themselves under long duration use so throw a limit on the power as a form of protection. They should make a special Vince VCG tool, basically--a backpack of batteries with a cable and oil cool the motor complete with a fan cooled radiator so not only can you run 1" diameter lag screws through Brazilian Iron Wood with no pilot holes, you could put a pulley on the end and use it to start your truck engine in the middle of winter. I think it is time for VCG to get some liquid cooled tools up your way. Flex VS Milwaukee battery operated liquid cooled oil drilling rigs
Im about to start a cabinet making and kitchen reno apprentiseship, and ive been really debating, cause ive never been a huge fan of milwaukee or dewalt, but i really like ridgid stuff, and I've been debating on maybe just getting a new impact drill or drill kit, and ive been debating cause rn i still only got a brushed ridgid impact, still works great just doesn't got as much power now
Higher voltage will make for higher temps. This goes for the electronic components inside the tools as well. As long as those components are rated for a higher temp than what is showing, it should be ok. But higher temps in electronic components does tend to mean shorter life. Only one way to know for sure, and that would be to test longevity. But something to know and think about either way.
great video vince. i have both and love them both.
Does it drive fasteners... use what you want just ensure a great product for the homeowner or company you work for..
I am a milwaukee fan but i did buy into flex specifically for the life time warranty... the price is out rite ridiculous!!! Bit so far i love it! It keeps up with my milwaukee products and the drill is crazy fast an quick!
I have the flex drill and it's an animal but I'll stick with milwaukee on everything else.
Seems it depends on the hands of the user which performs better. A better test would be a weighted test applying the same amount of force on each tool.
I got a Milwaukee mini shoo vac and the trigger dies on it to a lot
I didn't see you guys REALLY test the flex out yet, this was a mild test.
remember the dewalt 887?...I'm sure the flex has a shut down feature before burning up , but that heat its giving out cant be good for hours of continuous use.
HIT that flex up with a real VCG Construction torture test.....I like the flex brand but i wanna know if it has limits.
Hello again Vince and Vcg
You present a very good argument. As I do not own either tool currently. But I am looking for a replacement for my 12 volt Hitachi drill and impact driver. You mentioned both have a heat problem. That concerns me because heat issues are safety issues. I work around the aircraft fuel systems. Jet fuel is very volatile. That's something I take very seriously. So I will probably stay away from both tools. Again thank you for another Great Video.
Great test thanks for another great video
I only rock HD 6.0ah and 12ah batteries in my Milwaukee kit (mostly for improved performance and less battery swaps through out the work day)
Tbh, I’m still rolling with my gen 2 hammer drill and impact drill, I have gen 3 of both, but can’t get myself to swap over when I’m having no problems with my gen 2’s. I’m not sure what Milwaukee have done to the electronics in the gen 3 to have them misfire every so often, but if they bring out a gen 3.5 or 4, they better get it right.
I’m a Milwaukee man through and through, just disappointed in lack of reliability the last couple of years.
Credit to flex for coming straight out with the big guns, but we’ll have to see in the coming years if the can keep up with the BIG BOYS.
Also awesome comparison guys, love your insights and perspectives keep up the great work!!
I think Flex is surprising some folks. If they prove to be durable over time then I think they have a fantastic chance at longevity and even snagging a portion of the high end market. But that all depends on if they last. Great video 💪🇺🇸
I build and install commercial and residential ductwork, install hvac systems and pull service calls, etc... I have an impact in my hand 75% of my day.. I've held and used likely all the typical top tier impacts you'll find on any given jobsite.
And I get weak in the knees over new tools and fall into the "latest and greatest" lure like any other tool enthusiast in the trades..
But the truth is, ALL of these impacts are fully adequate in power for the intended jobs we'd use a 1/4" impact for.
So what makes a great impact,
in mho,
is durability, high rpm and torque, a good trigger for control when low speed and torque are desired, compactness, and lightweight maneuverability..
I recently picked up this Flex impact when my Makita finally died.. It served me well.
The Flex felt well balanced, high quality, smoothe and responsive, and had a great charger, but totally turned me off because of its unnecessary bulk and weight. Fine for ground work maybe, but not for swingin' in the rafters or hoppin' ladders. And just not practical for use up inside units, and tight spaces.
Doable, yes, but that monster battery is a tad goofy for my intended use.
It also had a smoothe but finicky trigger lag..
I returned it, along with a new DCF850( COUGH) looking to grab the DCF840 due to its simple but great form factor and performance, but can't find it on planet earth right now..
So I picked up this 2853 Milwaukee after avoiding it and calling it trash for the longest time, due to coworkers struggling with the first run of crappy collet and trigger issues..
And I'd watch these comparisons hoping to see the Milwaukee destroyed.. But, it's been well established by now as being the king in power and performance all others compare themselves to as the standard.
Well, I have to say, I pulled this gen 3.5 2853 Milwaukee out of the box and discovered I had received the upgraded version with the collet issue being addressed..
I love the tool..
Powerful, ergonomic, and well balanced..
I own quality flagship tools from every brand..
I'm in several platforms and have many options..
The latest revised version of the Milwaukee 2853 is presently the better tool, all points considered..
Like what I hear and see about the flex, but what do I know I use Rigid still and like it still.
as for now, can impact surge better than gen3 impact? Can anyone tell me?
It would appear the performance is determined by the battery more than which tool you happen to own.
My Milwaukee impact driver often drives the wrong direction on the first pull of the trigger, then upon releasing and trying again it will then drive the right way
Grain density and knots could be throwing off the races or causing the outlier runs, Just a thought. Anyway, big fan of your videos. I think I live near yous guys but I've never seen a truck or trailer of yours. I'm waiting for the day, so I can say what's up 😂
The flex was impressive but high temperatures and erratically losing power can’t help but question durability and longevity of its performance. Overall I think good things to come from this new brand.