Flex Expands Its Polisher Roster With Three New Corded Models
Flex Tools made their United States debut just a few short years ago, but they came in hot, competing with the top players in the game. While we’ve mostly focused on their 24V battery-powered lineup, the brand has not abandoned the automotive-focused corded power tools they built a reputation on in Europe. A case in point: three new Flex corded polishers are coming soon in 2025, each targeting unique removal applications. I’m going over each model to determine what they have to offer and who they’re a good fit for.
FLEX 120V Brushless Rotary Polisher FC3311-Z
- Model: Flex FC3311-Z
- Brushless motor
- Power input: 120V
- Speed: 550 RPM – 1800 RPM
- 11 speed settings
- Includes 5-inch and 6-inch backing plates
- Drive type: rotary
- Cord length: 20 ft
Flex claims the FC3311-Z rotary polisher can cut through clear coat to remove defects like rock chips, swirl marks, and other imperfections. It features eleven speed settings, letting you set your polishing rate between 550 RPM and 1800 RPM. A variable speed trigger lets you control your speed even further.
The tool maintains constant speeds, even at the highest speed setting, to provide even polishing results. This is aided by the tool’s brushless motor. Brushless technology isn’t as commonplace in corded tools as it is in cordless tools. However, Flex employs a brushless motor in each of the three new corded polishers to deliver efficient, high power, and eliminate motor maintenance.
The FC3311-Z includes a 5-inch and 6-inch backing plate, letting you choose between those sizes for your polishing pad. An optimized gear head also keeps the high-frequency noise to a minimum while you work, and vibration suppression technology reduces fatigue.
Price: $499.99
Should You Buy It?
If you need something for aggressive, high-speed removal, the FC3311-Z specializes in cutting through clear coat to buff out imperfections. One of its key selling points is that its brushless motor maintains speeds even under pressure, ensuring that your work surface remains smooth and even. As a corded tool, you also don’t have to worry about swapping out batteries, and a 20-foot power cord gives you plenty of slack to maneuver around your whole project.
Pro auto body shops, as well as serious, experienced hobbyist vehicle restorers, would benefit from this tool. However, rotary polishers are the trickiest type of polisher to use, as the added friction can more easily cause you to remove more paint than intended. If you’re not as experienced with this type of tool, it’s safer to consider something like a gear-driven model for moderate- to heavy-duty removal. Luckily, Flex has one of those coming out, too, which we will touch on later in the article.
FLEX 120V Brushless Random Orbital Polisher FC3321-Z
- Model: Flex FC3321-Z
- Brushless motor
- Power input: 120V
- Speed: 1350 RPM – 4350 RPM
- Oscillating rate: 2700 OPM – 8700 OPM
- Orbit diameter: 9/16 in (15 mm)
- 11 speed settings
- Includes 5-inch and 6-inch backing plates
- Drive type: Dual-action
- Cord length: 20 ft
The Flex FC3321-Z introduces a random orbit motion into the mix. Like the other polishers in this launch, it features a brushless motor, and this model delivers rotary speeds ranging from 1350 RPM to 4350 RPM.
That’s quite a bit faster than the rotary-only polisher above. Notably, the added orbital motion in dual-action polishers like the FC3321-Z prevents too much heat from building up and burning through your paint. However, you still get enough polishing power to add finishing touches to your paint jobs. This model has an oscillating rate between 2700 and 8700 OPM, which allows for moderate blemishes to be buffed out.
Like the rotary model, you have 11 speed settings to choose from, as well as a variable speed trigger to hone in your speed further. Flex also claims the FC3321-Z maintains constant speeds under load, even at the highest speed. Additionally, like the other two new corded Flex polishers, this tool offers reduced vibrations and an improved gear head for a more comfortable user experience.
Price: $499.99
Should You Buy It?
While the rotary polisher in the previous entry is ideal for aggressive material removal, the FC3321-Z specializes more in adding finishing touches. Thanks to its added random orbital motion and higher top speeds, Pros can complete delicate finishing work on automotive surfaces without worrying about removing too much material.
While neither tool is better overall, each is targeting a specific polishing application. For experienced automotive Pros, it may be worth it to add both polisher types into your roster: a rotary model for aggressive, quick material removal, and a dual-action model for moderate dings and scrapes. However, if you’re just after something to keep your vehicle in top shape, the Flex corded FC3321-Z should serve you well.
FLEX 120V Brushless Gear-Driven Orbital Polisher FC3401-Z
- Model: Flex FC3401-Z
- Brushless motor
- Power input: 120V
- Speed: 225-700 RPM
- Oscillating rate: 2700 OPM – 8700 OPM
- Orbit Diameter: 5/16 in (8 mm)
- 11 speed settings
- Includes 5-inch and 6-inch backing plates
- Drive type: Gear-driven
- Cord length: 20 ft
Finally, the Flex FC3401-Z is the brand’s last new corded polisher for 2025. It’s a gear-driven model, which combines a rotary motion with a driven oscillating action. Gear-driven models are often easier to use than rotary polishers and offer more power than a dual-action tool.
In this tool’s case, it achieves speeds between 225 and 700 RPM, and an oscillating rate of 2700 to 8700 OPM. Like the other two Flex corded polishers, you can choose between 11 speed settings, and a variable speed trigger lets you dial in your speed even more. Reduced vibration levels and an improved gear head also provide a more comfortable user experience.
Price: $499.99
Should You Buy It?
Gear-driven polishers, such as the Flex FC3401-Z, deliver performance that falls somewhere between rotary and dual-action models. They’re not as aggressive as rotary polishers, but they offer a good level of abrasive power as well as a driven orbital motion. If you’re after something that’s powerful enough to strip down a clear coat, the gear-driven FC3401-Z would be much easier to control than a rotary model for those with less polishing experience.
