Review DeWalt FlexVolt Grinder

[Hood]

I got a FlexVolt angle grinder for my birthday at the beginning of April, sadly it was a bare unit as females seem to think because I have other battery tools then I don't need extra batteries

Due to Covid I was only able to return it a few days ago as Screfix had not been accepting returns, so got the refund and ordered the complete set with the 2x 6AH batteries.
Cost of the bare unit was £200 so I had to put £220 of my own money on top to get the complete setup.
It arrived today so I charged the batteries and gave it a wee test. I cut up a load of aluminium and stainless waste parts left over from the plasma cutting and used 2 full discs and when I checked the battery it still said it was full so impressed with that.

The grinder itself is heavy but with the battery on it is well balanced.
The power in it is amazing, it is 1700w and 54v and it feels like it, never once even felt like it was struggling.

I will update as I get more use out of it but so far it seems like it will be a very nice tool for me especially as I work on boats and often I just need a grinder and a drill for doing a job so it will save having to get the boat moved over to the power points at the harbour.

 

[Hood]

Oh man, can't even spell grinder, come on @eSCHEn, put me out of my misery and change the title for me please

 

[Shox Dr]

Oneday they’ll get it right with cordless grinders but not yet. Too big and heavy for a start. So it will be interesting to see how it fairs on a boat

I’d jump at a grinder the same size as a corded unit, batteries in the body, sits in a charging caddy when not in use would be prefect.

 

[Hood]

Oneday they’ll get it right with cordless grinders but not yet. Too big and heavy for a start. So it will be interesting to see how it fairs on a boat

I’d jump at a grinder the same size as a corded unit, batteries in the body, sits in a charging caddy when not in use would be prefect.

I have not bought a cordless grinder up until now because all of the ones I have tried are gutless, this one has no such problem, it seems to be as powerful as any corded 125mm grinder and although heavy and longer it is well balanced so I am happy with it, for now at least

 

[Maker]

I like the look of them but it's a hell of a lot of money for a grinder.

 

[Hood]

I like the look of them but it's a hell of a lot of money for a grinder.

It is for a DIY person, that is for sure.
The biggest benefits to it for me will be, as mentioned previously, when doing a quick job on a boat but also for chopping up the left over sheets on the plasma table. The cords on the corded grinders always seem to be just too short for getting to every part of the sheet without having to get an extension lead out.

 

[angellonewolf]

son brought a flex volt home the other day and yes they are especially heavy on a ladder at the top cutting mortar to remove a brick standing on the ground they are balanced well but i can see the use for them if im doing a few cuts on a mower deak and a small plate to patch the battery comes out to play much more get the corded out as the batterys dont last that long or have the power of the corded the flex volt makes it more like the 240 and does last a fair time and saves prob ages in setting up corded in out there places

 

[Hood]

Definitely agree, too heavy for using up ladders or whatever, well for any length of time anyway.
Then again I tend to use the 9" grinder more than the 4 1/2" when I am out on jobs on the boats so...

 

[Ruffian]

Definitely agree, too heavy for using up ladders or whatever, well for any length of time anyway.
Then again I tend to use the 9" grinder more than the 4 1/2" when I am out on jobs on the boats so...

Have you seen they do a big grinder in the flex volt?? And I mean I think its 14" blade

 

[eSCHEn]

Oh man, can't even spell grinder, come on @eSCHEn, put me out of my misery and change the title for me please

Fixed. That's how you told me you spell Grindr isn't it?

 

[Ruffian]

Here you go @Hood

 

[Hood]

Fixed. That's how you told me you spell Grindr isn't it?

Close enough

 

[Ruffian]

Fixed. That's how you told me you spell Grindr isn't it?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Was gonna but a flexvolt mitre saw before CV kicked off. Impressed with what I've seen on the gear. And the 12inch above I'd happily swap my petrol.

 

[MattH]

Had mine for about 18months and it's the first grinder I go to ahead of all the mains units.

I've cut 8mm wall box section with it no worries at all.

 

[Hood]

Been using the grinder a fair bit this morning and have drained a battery.
It took half of this pile of Aluminium and stainless cutting before it did and I have used 5 discs doing it.

This is the bigger chunks I will keep.

Well impressed and the only thing I am not liking is the nut, it takes one heck of a grip when cutting all the bits off the scrap sheets as often they lock onto the disc. I have ordered a Bosch SDS Clic so that problem should be a thing of the past
Normally I would be using the 9" grinder for chopping up the plasma left overs but the freedom of this 5"grinder with it being cordless makes the price worthwhile for me

 

[Munkul]

That's very, very impressive.

I love our brushless makita 4.5" but they only have the equivelent power of say an 800w corded, and an 18v 5ah battery, although it lasts well, it doesn't last anywhere near that long.

 

[Shox Dr]

Been using the grinder a fair bit this morning and have drained a battery.
It took half of this pile of Aluminium and stainless cutting before it did and I have used 5 discs doing it.

Normally I would be using the 9" grinder for chopping up the plasma left overs but the freedom of this 5"grinder with it being cordless makes the price worthwhile for me

How did you find the weight, after cutting that lot up. Must be lighter than a 9", then you do need both hands on the grinder

 

[Hood]

That's very, very impressive.

I love our brushless makita 4.5" but they only have the equivelent power of say an 800w corded, and an 18v 5ah battery, although it lasts well, it doesn't last anywhere near that long.

The reason I have shied away from cordless grinders before is they didn't last, especially on aluminium as it grips the discs a lot more than the likes of stainless. This one has unbelievable power, I am rough with grinders and push them hard going through material but this thing hardly slows down at all, not much short of the power of the 9" grinders I have from the feel of it but then again it is only 5" so.....

How did you find the weight, after cutting that lot up. Must be lighter than a 9", then you do need both hands on the grinder

I didn't really notice the weight but as said my weapon of choice for this job is normally the 9" grinder and the ones I use are heavier Hitachi G23MR ones. I can use this single handed but you have to be aware of the power in it, it is much more than a 4.5" corded grinder has.

 

[daleyd]

Been using the grinder a fair bit this morning and have drained a battery.
It took half of this pile of Aluminium and stainless cutting before it did and I have used 5 discs doing it.

View attachment 242700

This is the bigger chunks I will keep.

View attachment 242701

Well impressed and the only thing I am not liking is the nut, it takes one heck of a grip when cutting all the bits off the scrap sheets as often they lock onto the disc. I have ordered a Bosch SDS Clic so that problem should be a thing of the past
Normally I would be using the 9" grinder for chopping up the plasma left overs but the freedom of this 5"grinder with it being cordless makes the price worthwhile for me

That pile of scrap is usually what I’m left with when making a small bracket

Grinder sounds good but a bit too “pro” (ie spendy) for my needs. Agree about the 18v grinders, when I bought my Bosch I thought I’d use it for everything but in reality I only ever use it for the jobs that are outside. Even with an 18v battery it’s just a bit too bulky for smaller work.

Can definitely see the attraction for the stuff you do though