I wrote a bit about the new Flipout cordless screwdriver last month, and recently bought one to take for a spin.
I’m still working on the written review, but here’s a quick show-and-tell video along with some thoughts I have about it:
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I can see the potential for the Flipout driver, as a fits where no other cordless driver will and saves your bacon kind of tool. But, it felt a little clunky to adjust, especially when pivoting around.
I think this is a nice cordless driver for certain DIYers, and it also seems like the type of tool that would be at home in a homeowner’s kitchen junk drawer. But if you already have an inline driver and/or right angle drill, driver, or driver accessory, than the Flipout loses much of its usefulness.
It doesn’t feel as sturdy as a pro-grade tool, and its built-in battery probably makes it a little less desirable for techs and professional installers. It’s also not quite as comfortable to use as an ordinary pistol-grip driver, which handles most driving tasks as well or better than the Flipout.
I can’t say I expected more, as this is being marketed as a Lowes’ flagship holiday tool offering, but it could have been more. But not at this price level. Right now it’s $50, and it will surely go on sale for $40 or maybe even $30 once the holiday season is in full swing.
I thought I might be able to use something like this, but it just didn’t feel like something I would get a lot of use out of. At the same time, it feels like it might fall apart or self-destruct if subjected to the type of use and abuse that Bosch, Dewalt, or Milwaukee drivers could easily endure and shrug off.
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Guy Lebuc
Ok……
jesse
Well, it seems to be meant as a DIY tool, not a power tool for the construction trade. For homeowners it might be well suited.
jesse
BTW if you check the reviews there seems to a quality control issue.
Stuart
I saw. It’s hard to say whether there’s a quality control issue. Out of the user 5 reviews, two are negative. The first might not have unlocked the tool – this tripped me up at the store for a second too, and the other might have gotten a defective charger.
Unfortunately, if there’s a widespread issue, it won’t become apparent until many thousands of these are bought and gifted for the holidays.
Joe M
That’s… Worse than I thought it would be… That form factor is atrocious. I can understand the locking mechanism, but that is a lot of button pushing, that you have to do with two hands, in order to do so tiny of an adjustment with it. Plus the placement, as shown in the video, that could trigger the tool on while you’re adjusting it. If the buttons were easier to push, or it was easier to operate with one hand, this would be worth it.
And the LED light having a separate battery? That’s not logical for an electric tool.
Not many people are big fans of the DeWalt 8 Volt Max Gyroscopic Screwdriver (the first one, the DCF680), but even that had a better way to adjust everything with just one hand. Adjust and control the whole thing, in fact.
This “Flipout” Tool… Wouldn’t it make more sense if some of these controls were, idaknow… engaged by flipping the tool? Engage a spring-loaded lock with a weight inside, unlocking the joint in question, positioning it where you want it, and it just locks in place until you flip it open again? The name and the form factor don’t match how it works. This is more of a disappointment than I thought it was in earlier previews of the tool. It is a shame! It had some potential, until now!
Lawrence Hertzman
I think many of your responders are over critical.I am an advanced hobbyist doing a lot of miniature projects.The set of accessories work well for me.Many times I need a small screwdriver and had to use a hand held.With the set of small bits my work has become much easier.
Lawrence Hertzman
This an additional comment.I bought two and had to return them.It was impossible to get the charger to work.Im returned them.one more flaw there is no way of holding the driver bits in the socket.If you hold it upright the blade drops out.I think this has to go back to research and development.If they could come up with a new improved model with correcting the notes listed in the other comments I would be interested in purchasing one.I also that Lowes who had exclusive for the Christmas season have removed it from their website.Returns must have have been extensive.
Bo Gregory
The idea of the tool was good but in practice not so. It didn’t feel good holding it. It was hard to move the tool around in different positions. Not worth the money and certainly a lack of quality. The company who makes this contraption requires the buyer to pay for the return shipping. I already paid once to get it now they want you to pay to send it back. If I felt it was worthwhile I would have kept it. This is a gadget tool for wives to buy for their husbands.
Larry G
I loved this tool and it was exactly what I needed to remove some chrome mountings in hard to reach places on an antique automobile.
That is until one of the Phillips hex bits became jammed in the chuck. I even tried to remove the bit with a pair of pliers while holding the chuck lock open, with no success… It now is only usable as a Phillips screwdriver with a worn tip that will not work on Phillip screws. This was a Christmas present that worked great for one job, and now is useless.. If you have any suggestions on how to remove said bit, please advise.
Gene
Same thing happened here. I gripped the chuck with a pair of pliers, off to the side. Then held the unit bit facing downward, and slammed it against a piece of wood. The chuck popped loose and now it works like it should. I thought I was going to have to trash it. Been using it for small projects for several years now.
Bill Bruner
Birthday present. Would not charge or work. Returned to store. Very disappointing. The one at the store display must have been a fluke
Bill Goforth
how do I change the drill bit?
CHRIS DEMEO
can you tell me what size battery goes into slot for the work light
Donald Novak
From the start two of these –the 2014 and 2016–did nothing but beep. The charged batteries registered 8VDC on a multimeter, but there was no motion at the tool tip. The manufacturer should take them all back and make them work properly.