Back in 2021, Flex dropped a brand new line of 24V tools that aimed to challenge the biggest names on the market. Leading the charge, the FX1271 Hammer Drill delivered genuine raw power that we don’t typically see from a first-gen tool.
Now, 5 years later, we have the second-gen 24V FX1272 Hammer Drill here at our shop for some hands-on testing. We want to know how this drill compares to the previous generation and how it performs under pressure, so you can decide if it’s a worthy upgrade.
Pros
- Highest overall performance
- Kickback control
- Selectable Turbo creates four operating modes
- Balance makes it feel very nimble
- Best grip security of the group
- Excellent value
- Lifetime warranty w/registration
Cons
- Heavier than average
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Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill Performance
Speed and Power
Flex posts some pretty impressive stats, especially when you compare it to the previous model (more on that later). For starters, they geared their brushless motor to deliver 550 RPM in low and a blazing 3,000 RPM in high gear with the Turbo mode engaged. In addition to incredibly high speed, there are 1500 in-lbs of torque to back it up. Those specs put this drill at the top of the charts in terms of speed, and second only to the Makite GPH03 in the torque department.
Hammer Drilling
The Flex FX1272 has a max hammer rate of 48,000 BPM with the Turbo mode engaged, a whopping 8,000 more than the previous model. This is a significant performance improvement, and we’re excited to put it to the test during our hands-on portion.
Quick Model Comparison
Before I jump into testing, I want to give you a quick side-by-side look at how this new model compares to the previous version.
| FX1271 (Old) | FX1272 (New) | |
|---|---|---|
| No-Load Speed | 550/2,200 RPM (Standard) 700/2,500 RPM (Turbo) | 550/2,300 RPM (Standard) 700/3,000 RPM (Turbo) |
| Hammer Rate | 8,800/32,000 BPM (Standard) 11,200/40,000 BPM (Turbo) | 8,800/36,800 BPM (Standard) 11,200/48,000 BPM (Turbo) |
| Max Torque | 1,400 in-lbs | 1,500 in-lbs |
| Working Weight | 5.9 lbs (with 5.0Ah battery) | 5.8 lbs (with 5.0Ah battery) |
As you can see, Flex isn’t messing around when it comes to performance. Seeing these numbers side by side got me excited to get out to the shop and really put this drill through its paces.
Hands-On Impressions
To get a feel for how this drill performs, I set up our typical battery of tests. This gauntlet is designed to test a hammer drill’s overall drilling and driving power. Once I finished all my testing, I averaged the tested times to get our final result, and then we could compare our findings with past contenders.
I kicked off our testing by driving three 8-inch GRK RSS screws into a stacked and glued OSB test block. This medium-duty test gives us a good understanding of how well the drill maintains its speed when driving larger structural fasteners, making it a solid indicator of real-world performance expectations.
Next, I switched to a 1-inch spade bit and drilled a series of three holes through another one of our stacked OSB test blocks at high-speed. At roughly 4 inches thick, this material puts a drill under a common medium load, making it another great way to evaluate its speed and overall drilling power.
For my third test, I broke out our 4,000 PSI concrete test block and drilled three 3-inch holes with a 3/8-inch masonry bit. This is the perfect proving ground to show off Flex’s impressive hammer rate and endurance.
Fourth, I grabbed a scrap section of 2×4 and drilled three holes with a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit. I was able to keep the drill at high speed because the FX1272 churns out some serious power, and it’s easily capable of performing this task in high gear.
Here’s a look at the results:
| FX1271 (Old) | FX1272 (New) | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSS Screws | 2.22 seconds | 1.72 seconds | 23% faster |
| Spade Bit | 2.42 seconds | 1.85 seconds | 24% faster |
| Concrete | 5.66 seconds | 4.24 seconds | 25% faster |
| Self-Feed Bit | 1.84 seconds | 1.37 seconds | 26% faster |
As you can see, the FX1272 is a clear improvement over the FX1271 in every metric. It’s faster and more powerful, and the overall form factor stayed very consistent, so making the switch is easy.
Even compared with other top performers from Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita, Flex has an obvious competitive edge. We look forward to our next round of hammer drill testing to see how this model fares against the rest of the group.
Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill Design Notes
Size and Weight
Considering such high performance, Flex packed its new flagship hammer drill in a pretty compact package. It measures just 6.9 inches from front to back.
It’s not the lightest flagship drill we’ve tested, though. It weighs 3.6 pounds as a bare tool. The 2.5Ah battery brings it up to 4.9 pounds. However, you’ll likely want to use this model with the kitted 5.0Ah battery for optimal performance, and that brings it to 5.8 pounds.
Even though it’s on the heavy side for its size, it doesn’t come across as cheap heavy. It has a more premium feel from using metal components, whereas some brands might turn to plastic to lighten the load.
Like its predecessor, the handle ergonomics are excellent. The shape contours your hand well, and the overmold has more texture on it than most cordless drills we’ve tested. It certainly provides a better grip than a smooth overmold as your hands get sweaty and oily.
Side Handle
Like before, this hammer drill comes with a sturdy, removable side handle. With so much power at your fingertips (especially in low gear), this extra bit of leverage is a lifesaver, especially when using larger bits.
Anti-Kickback Technology
For additional protection, there’s also a built-in kickback protection sensor. If your bit binds up and begins to spin out of control, the motor automatically shuts down before it can wrench your arm too far around.
Flex 24V Brushless Hammer Drill Price
Look for the Flex 24 Brushless Hammer Drill at Acme Tools for $299. It’s packed with two standard 5.0Ah batteries, a 160W fast charger, and a hard plastic storage case. Flex backs the tool with a 5-year limited warranty.
Should You Buy It?
After 5 years without an update, the FX1272 proved that Flex still deserves a spot in the conversation. It delivered outstanding performance during our tests and made a strong case for an upgrade. I especially appreciate that they didn’t alter the overall profile or design. Yes, it’s a little heavy compared to other premium brands, but to me, the performance outshines that particular detail.
Of course, all that performance comes at a premium price. With that in mind, this might not be the best option for the occasional hobbyist or weekend warrior. However, this is an incredible value for budget-minded Pros thanks to Flex’s dual-battery kit configuration.
If you’re already invested in Flex’s 24V platform, upgrading from the FX1271 is an easy recommendation. I believe the performance increases alone make it worthwhile. It has the speed to compete with the fastest drills we’ve tested, enough raw torque to drive challenging fasteners, and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a Pro-grade drill.
Simply put, this is one of the most impressive hammer drills I’ve ever tested in this shop. Even if you’re shopping across brands, the FX1272 deserves a spot on your shortlist
Specs
- Model: Flex FX1272
- Power Source: Flex 24V battery
- No-Load Speed: 0 – 550 / 0 – 2,300 RPM
- Turbo No-Load Speed: 0 – 700 / 0 – 3,000 RPM
- Hammer Rate: 0 – 8,800 / 0 – 36,000 BPM
- Turbo Hammer Rate: 0 – 11,000 / 0 – 48,000 BPM
- Max Torque: 1500 in-lbs
- Weight: 3.6 lbs (bare tool), 5.8 lbs (with 5.0Ah battery)
- Length: 6.9 in.
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $299 kit with 2x 5.0Ah battery, and fast charger
