Flex 24V Cordless Band Saw Review

The latest Flex 24V power tool expansion added quite a few amazing tools to their formidable cordless lineup. Among them, there are two new cordless band saws—the Deep Cut FX2351 and the Compact FX2331. We’re taking a closer look at both models so you can decide if they’re a good fit for your tool arsenal.

The Flex 24V deep cut band saw has a large 5×5-inch cut capacity. Its standard 10/14 TPI blade powers through PVC, cast iron pipe, large angle iron, and wood with ease. At its heart is Flex’s sensor free brushless motor that powers the blade up to 490 SFPM. For added convenience and versatility, this model has five speed modes that allow you to adapt the blade’s speed to the material you’re cutting.

For the most part, blade changes and shoe adjustments are both tool-free, which is incredibly convenient. To swap out blades, start by removing the outer plastic spindle covers, then turn the tensioner lever clockwise, and carefully slide off the blade. Just be sure the teeth are facing towards the rear handle when re-installing a new blade.

Adjusting the shoe is even easier. Simply press the release button on the side of the shoe and slide it to your desired depth. This is much faster than having to loosen set screws, and you can do it on the fly.

Overall, this band saw is fairly well-balanced, but there’s no denying that this saw is no featherweight. From tip to tail, this saw measures 20.8 inches and tips the scales at 15.25 pounds with a 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium battery.

In spite of its size, the rear handle and large front pommel allow for relatively easy maneuvering. Flex was kind enough to place the speed control dial close enough to the rear handle so you can adjust it without taking your hand off the tool.

Rebar, threaded rod, unistrut, PVC, conduit – we could go at it with a hacksaw or recip saw, but the handheld Flex 24V compact band saw has your back. The Flex FX2331 has a 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 inch cut capacity and the brushless motor accelerates the stock 14/18 TPI blade up to 590 SFPM. While this model doesn’t have an adjustable speed dial, you can easily feather the variable speed trigger to produce clean, accurate, and controlled cuts through your material.

Just like on its full-sized counterpart, blade changes on this compact saw are a cinch. Start by lifting the tool-free quick release blade cover, rotate the tensioner lever clockwise, and carefully slip the blade off of the pulleys. This compact saw features a more traditional shoe design. It’s still adjustable, but you need to use the onboard hex wrench to loosen the screws in order to set your shoe’s depth.

As a bare tool, the FX2331 weighs 7.44 pounds, and adding in the recommended 2.5Ah battery brings that number up to 8.75 pounds. Side by side, Flex tells us that their compact band saw is 27 percent more compact and 43 percent lighter than the full sized model. This smaller profile makes it especially useful for plumbers and electricians needing to cut materials in tight spaces or while working on a ladder.

The compact model’s rear handle is draped in Flex’s same aggressive rubber overmold and the front pommel provides some much-needed stabilization precision during cuts.

The Flex 24V Band Saw and Compact Band Saw are currently available as bare tools and retail for $319.99 and $269.99, respectively. Both are eligible for the Flex Founder’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, but you need to register the tool within 30-days of purchase.

The Flex 24V cordless band saws are definitely winners in our book. Their efficient cutting power and ease of use definitely exceeded our expectations for a first generation tool. The large cut capacities, variable speed motors, and premium ergonomics give you plenty of good reasons to leave your old corded model in the past. Overall, these cordless band saws are a great choice for metal, wood, and PVC cutting tasks across the trades.