Over at Acme Tools, they have the Flex VCE 33 LAC 9-gallon HEPA vacuum on sale for $300. I’m not familiar with the Flex brand, although it seems to me that this vac is made by the same folks that make Milwaukee’s HEPA vac. (Both Flex and Milwaukee vacs appear to be customizations of the Nilfisk ATTIX 33.)
In comparison, the similar Milwaukee vac is ~$650!
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The Flex HEPA vac features a corded tool auto-activation receptacle, 11A motor, and both dry and wet pickup capabilities.
- Manual on/off and “automatic” mode switch
- Automatic filter cleaning system
- Adjustable suction flow rate
- Electronic liquid level control (for wet pickup)
- Soft start
- 15 second overrun/run-on feature empties dust and debris from vacuum hose prior to shutdown
- Dust-protected anti-static finish prevents electric charging of the suction hose
- Large rear wheels and swivel casters in front
- 158 CFM max
- 25 ft power cord
- 1.25″ x 13′ hose
Sale Price: $300
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
Compare(Milwaukee Vac via Tool Nut)
The Flex vacuum also seems to have a third dial, with the first two being for on/off/automatic control and variable suction power adjustment, but we’re not sure what it does and there doesn’t seem to be any documentation about it.
Replacement HEPA filters look to be available from Acme Tools and elsewhere.
I can’t help but feel there’s a catch somehow, but I can’t find any. Maybe there’s a new model coming out? Otherwise, this is a fully-featured 9-gallon HEPA-rated vac that’s currently priced at a fraction of the price of other leading HEPA-rated vacuums.
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Last night, when I first spotted this vac in Acme Tools’ deal list, the price was published. As of this morning, you have to add the vacuum to your cart to see the $299.99 promo pricing. Update (6pm ET): you should now see the advertised price as soon as you visit the product page.
I’m not familiar with the Flex brand, but if I didn’t already have a Festool HEPA-rated dust extractor, I’d likely jump on this deal. It still seems “too good to be true,” but on the other side of things, supplies might be limited, or the promo pricing might only be valid for a short time. I’ll be looking to learn more, and will post an update if I discover anything.
Update: Supplies are limited. I’m also becoming increasingly convinced that this is an even better deal than I realized. Auto filter cleaning, adjustable suction power, automatic liquid level sensor, HEPA-rated filtration, and decent specs, and for only $300.
Nathan
Flex is well known in the Auto Detailing world with random orbit and powerful orbit polishers.
Considered by many to be the best of the best.
Irony you mention Milwaukee – since they make their M18 device – Flex also markets a cordless RO polisher that on first glance you would think is the milwaukee device with some minor changes. I think somewhere I read you can use themilwaukee battery on them. Which honestly would have been a great tie in.
Sort of wish there was a cordless dewalt version of the Porter Cable buffer/sander that is also well regarded (and I own). Not that the cord bothers me that much.
They do make grinders that I know of – not sure what else. As far as I know they are German based. I’ve sort of always thought they were an arm of Fein or something along those lines.
Regardless – great deal it seems and I suspect if like their other products it works pretty well. I’d not buy their polisher mostly because of the shear cost of it over how often I use it. but I’ve tried them before and they are great machines. There are just other products that I can get cheaper that do the same job.
I will say the equivalent flex polisher to my Porter Cable device is a better tool in the hand – it also costs over twice as much. If I used one day in and day out I might could be swayed. Sort of like buying a 200+ dollar titanium hammer.
Carlson carpentry
Nilfisk builds this model, they build a lot of high end vacuums for a lot of companies Mirka, Milwaukee etc.
Yes this model is the same as the Milwaukee unit so if you want in depth reviews just search the Milwaukee version, it is the same.
Stuart
Thanks! I knew it looked to be made by Nilfisk, but it took me some time to track down the common model (seems to be Attix 33).
Skye A Cohen
Tyler tool has them now for 250 https://www.tylertool.com/flex-444251-vce-33-l-ac-plus-hose-hepa—9-gallon-hepa-vacuum/flzn444251.html
Nathan
So I looked it up
2016 they are now owned by the Chevron tool group.
Probably their other popular widget – is the Giraffe tool. Long neck, dust suppressing, wall sander.
Doresoom
I’ve used the Giraffe for some ceiling drywall work and was really impressed with the quality. I thought they were a German-made tool company, so I was a little surprised to see this was manufactured in the US. Maybe they’ve made some changes after the Chervon acquisition.
Dan
It’s back to $645.
Stuart
It’s been fixed and now shows $299.99.
matthew h
Deal looks to have ended, seeing sale price of $645 when I add to cart now. Looks like folks who jumped on this scored pretty big time!
Stuart
Check back again soon. I was told there’s an issue with the listing, and so it might just be in the process of being fixed.
Brian
Was the listing issue the fact that it was on sale? 🙁
I’d like to know what timezone this site stamps comments in, would you please add it to your “About” page or the timestamp so I don’t forget? Haha – it would be nice to know when your update is actually posted without having to post a comment.
Stuart
No, it’s definitely on sale.
All timings are usually set to be Eastern Time.
Todd
I have 2 dead Nilfisk , both with dead motors, repairs exceed value of units. Both were in for major repairs to the motherboard that exceeded value of vac barely making it in under warranty.
Great machine When there running disposable when there not.
Koko The Talking Ape
Well, I just added one to my cart, and the price is $645. Oh well.
Stuart
It’s been fixed and now shows $299.99.
Koko The Talking Ape
There are some other cheap HEPA wet-dry vacs, from Ridgid and others. How do they compare to this guy?
Jean Benoit Lega
Amazon sells it for $499 if the deal does not return….
https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Vacuum-Cleaner-Automatic-Filter/dp/B07G8KJ15B
Ron
It’s back down to $299.00 again.
Bonson
Familiar with Flex from their auto detailing polisher. Their products are positioned as a higher end brand and the quality meets expectations.
Bought one. Huge thank you for the post. Extremely happy to get one. Was just about to purchase the Makita at a much higher price. Didn’t know this existed honestly.
Julian Tracy
I recently purchased the Metabo Hepa vac deal that was also pretty remarkable at Acme tools quite a few months back. That deal was TWO vacs for $549 plus shipping and tax, so about $300 each too.
Overall, the Metabo is a great vac for that price, but I just ordered this Flex deal as there’s a few things about the Metabo that aren’t great.
– The power socket is very underpowered – probably due the the skimpy-ass 16ga power cord the vac runs on.
– the bags are very expensive – cheapest I could find was about $40 for a 5-pack. (I think I saw the flex bags for closer to $24 a 5 pack somewhere.
– The Metabo is big and heavy. that’s ok – and it’s also a 35L vac so it’s a bit more capacity than than the Flex, but I’d rather have portability.
– The auto-tool on feature on the Metabo is only available with the self-cleaning mode, which I don’t need, as I only use the vac with bags, and it’s quite loud.
– Finally, the Metabo is not what I’d say quiet. It’s not too bad, but louder than a Festool or a Fein vac.
None of the above issues can really be found out about the Flex in their specs or info, so it’s easier to buy and try. Having sold off one of the Metabo vacs from the deal for $375, I’ve only got maybe $225 into it plus the $75 I paid for 10 bags.
If this Flex is better, I’ll sell the Metabo for a bit more than the $300 purchase price and keep on moving on…
Did a bunch of research into the Giraffe sander they’re offering for 20% off with the vac, but it wasn’t compelling enough to replace my Porter Cable unit. I’ve got one of the original USA-made PC drywall sanders that run at a much lower RPM. the new models made in China run at a ridiculously high rpm, even at the low setting.
Stuart
To be fair, the power sockets are always going to be under-powered. They’re better suited for running sanders and tools like that than full-powered 15A tools. I’ve used my Festool with all kinds of tools, but for heavier duty tools and work I plug them into two outlets.
I couldn’t comment on the noise rating because it wasn’t explicitly described, but if it’s as low as the ~70 dB of the Nilfisk it resembles, that’s relatively quiet compared to many other vacuums and dust extractors.
Julian Tracy
The festool vac’s come with a 12ga cord. And Festool will tell you any of their tools can be plugged into them. Metabo’s use of a 16ga cord for a tool activated vac is just a bad call all the way around.
It’ll be interesting to see what ga. Cord the Flex uses.
NewtonApple
Anyone know the amp rating for the autostart plug? The biggest load I would regularly use would be a Makita track saw at 11amp max, but shouldn’t generally run at that.
Stuart
A manual from Flex Tools (PDF link) says that it can have a max connected load of up to 2400W, which doesn’t seem right.
Max consumption is 1400W, which agrees with the 11A power rating for the vacuum.
I was concerned that the vac has a 20A plug, which would limit its use, but the only dust extractor I know of that has a 20A plug is Bosch’s, and its specs and capacity are much higher (https://toolguyd.com/bosch-hepa-wet-dry-dust-extractor-vac-gas20-17ah/).
So, in the PDF manual, page 17/Section 6.2, it says this for the US version of the VCE 33 LAC:
Possible Voltage: 120 (12A)
Power: 1000W/840 (7A)
Power Max: 1250
Connected load for appliance socket: 600
Fuse: 15
Max airflow: 159 CFM (which agrees with the 158 CM claim)
So… taking that into consideration, 600W would mean ~5A.
The product image shows “2400W” on the outlet, which would allow for heavier duty tools. Maybe there’s a setting to change it to 20A total for if/when it’s plugged into a 20A receptacle, but I don’t see mention of that anywhere. I quite frankly don’t know how they can reference 2400W in some product descriptions if it can only be used on a 15A circuit.
So, my understanding is that it’s meant for use with a 15A receptacle, and that max connected tool amperage draw is around 5A. That seems low, but it’s a limit built into a lot of vacuums like this. For heavier duty tools, that auto-activation plug can’t be used, and it’s often advisable to use the tools on two different circuits or there’s a higher risk of tripping a 15A or even 20A breaker, especially if other devices are connected to the same circuit breakers.
Alick
These were designed to work from a European wall socket rated 16A at 230V = 3680 Watts between the vac itself and the connected load. So no problem connecting a 2400W circ saw on the original.
With a 15A fuse on a 110V supply, the US version will be limited compared to the 240V models.
NewtonsApple
Thanks, it looks like there are 220-240v versions that allow either 1100w or 2400w from the appliance plug, which makes sense.
I wonder how the 600w compares to Festool and other similar vacs. My biggest regular load would be a Makita track saw. I wish they had a way you could supply a second cord from separate circuit for high powered tools. Most tools rarely run at their listed power ratings fortunately. I know frequent high power draw seems to kill a number of these autostart circuits (Fein reviews, and DGC I-Socket).
NewtonsApple
I can’t make sense of why the 44L version would be limited to 1100w? Are their different plugs in EU for 10A and 16A+ that would be on these tools? At least if the 120v hardware inside the switching circuit is mostly the same, it is designed for at least 10A at 240v. That is a big maybe at this time though.
I’ll keep an eye on this and see if Acme rolls out a decent % off coupon that works.
Stuart
The Festool CT 26 user manual says that it has a max total connected load of 12A (1440W) and the max rating of a connected power tool is 3.7A. The vacuum power consumption can vary from 2.9A to 8.3A (350-1000W).
8.3A is said to be the medium value, and that a max power consumption of 10A (1200W) is possible.
There is a footnote that says that when the suction power is adjusted to its lowest value, the maximal connected power tool rating can be 9.1A.
The What?
HEPA rated doesn’t mean that it’s a real hepa vacuum. Here’s the catch that you’re trying to figure out and it went right over your head. Have you ever seen a shopvac with a suction power dial? I’ve owned several different brands of shopvacs and I’ve yet to see one with a suction power dial. Generally when I’m cleaning up debris or any kind of mess, I want full power every time. Why would I want an option that’s counterintuitive & counterproductive if I’m trying to make my mess disappear? It’s not an air purifier. I noticed that there’s not one word about the filter mentioned in the post. No MERV rating or anything about it being a sealed hepa vac. For $300 I’d expect a sealed washable hepa filter. These are generally standard for a sealed hepa vacuum cleaner. That’s why they cost what they do. There shouldn’t be an option for replacements. There’s a big difference between a hepa vacuum and a half-assed hepa like vacuum. And generally a hepa vacuum should be used for very fine particulates like sanded drywall dust or ground masonry dust and that’s really about it. These aren’t for cleaning up debris. And that includes sawdust.
John
Suction power dials are common on this class of HEPA vacuum. Take a look at the offerings from Bosch or Fein.
Stuart
No. In my experience, vacuums described as HEPA vacuums ARE HEPA vacuums. It’s when they are only described as having HEPA-rated filters that you might find that lack some of the properties of true HEPA vacs.
I am open to specific reasons why you think this isn’t a “real” HEPA vac.
When looking at air filters, vacuums, or anything with eventually replaceable parts, you want to ensure you can buy those parts. That’s why it’s important for filters to be available if needed.
As for variable suction, have you tried using a sander with a dust extractor set to full power? You will likely experience excessively high suction where the sander will stick to the work. You can improvise with special handles or accessories that can bleed some of the vacuum power to the environment, but variable suction power dials offer greater control, repeatabilty, and performance.
I won’t buy a dust extractor without variable suction. Setting the suction power to lower than its max output also lowers noise a little bit.
There’s no reason why you cannot use HEPA vacuums and dust extractors for cleanup tasks, and I sometimes do.
They describe the filtration as class L, which Nilfisk describes as “Dust representing a moderate risk – The vacuum cleaner filter traps over 99 % of dust with a grain size of under 2 microns.”
My Festool CT26 is also class L.
Jon
Lol. What a funny post. These have sealed systems using en1822 certified hepa filters.
Art
I was doing some research, but can this be hooked up to a small cyclone (like a Dust Deputy)? I’m guessing the Milwaukee bags are compatible, but just wanted to minimize bag changes (although his one seems reusable if it’s the fleece bag?)
Stuart
You usually can hook vacs like this to small cyclones and dust separators.
Julian Tracy
On a side note – why would anyone “store” the hose in the tank? My vacs always have some amount of half-filled bag (or maybe no bag) but who’d want to store their hoses in a dusty dirty or cramped space like that?
Stuart
I’m not sure what you’re referring to. If you’re talking about what’s shown in the product manual, that’s just showing how it ships.
Julian Tracy
You mentioned previously that maybe manufacturers don’t account for hose management because they assume users store the hoses in the tank.
Stuart
Do you remember where? Because that doesn’t seem like something I’d ever have said. Who would store the hose inside their vacuum?
I see a lot of people wrapping hoses around their vacuums, or around the handles of larger vacuum carts. But not in the tank. With this one, you have clips to facilitate wrapping the hose around the tank, which is easier than having a “dock” like Festool’s, although it’s not as tidy.
John
I’m sorry to ask a dumb question, but I’ve never used one of these (HEPA) type of vacuums. Is this any different than a shop vac as far as it’s use? I currently have a shop vac and a Dust Deputy for woodworking. Would this be a step up? Would it replace the vacuum or the combination of vacuum and Dust Deputy? The Festool brand is a fortune so these must be much better than a shop vac for the price difference. I have a Festool orbital sander – would this turn on automatically when I run the sander? Again sorry for dumb questions but I don’t want to spend the money if I’m not seeing a big advantage. Thank you.
Stuart
Generally, a shop vacuum excels at cleaning up messes, but can be used as a dust extractor, and a dust extractor excels at removing dust as it’s created through the use of tools, but can also be used for cleanup tasks.
Dust extractors are often quieter and capture more dust. Fine dust can clog shop vacuums much more easily than dust extractors. This one has a filter-cleaning method to ensure high suction throughout use.
If you plug your sander into the AC port, switch the operational mode to “auto,” and the vacuum will turn on with the sander. You can turn down the suction power if you find your sander sticking to the work material.
Your questions aren’t dumb, they’ve very typical, and great questions to ask.
I purchased a Festool CT 26 a couple of years ago, and I love it. Can you use a shop vacuum with power tools? Yes, but the experience and performance won’t be as good. Can you clean big messes with a dust extractor? Yes, but that experience won’t be as ideal, and you’ll also go through pricier filter bags quicker.
If budget and space isn’t an issue, it’s good to have both. I used my shop vacuum to clean up water from the basement after a small flood. But it’d be a big pain to use with my power tools that have dust collection ports.
I bought my Festool as part of a track saw and vacuum bundle, and with a few tools in my long-term shopping list. It works wonderfully with my sander, and I have used it (and another vac sample) with a sample router and sample Domino machine. I also use it with miter saws and portable table saws.
I find the Flex deal to be extremely tempting. You get great specs, all the features I’d consider must-haves, and it looks like different collection bag options are easily available, as are replacement filters.
I do like things about my Festool vac, but if I had to make the decision right now, the price of this Flex might be too tempting to pass up.
Festool tools have a 30-day money-back guarantee (excluding shipping/freight), which helps ease concerns related to “what id I don’t like it or see any advantages?” But at the moment, the Flex vac is less than half the price of Festool CT vacs.
Since you already have a Dust Deputy, you could use something like this both ways, with and without a cyclone. Having a cyclone does improve some aspects of using a shop vacuum with tools. And you can also improvise automatic modes by use of 3rd party relays or other accessories. Using a cyclone with a dust extractor can help lower how often you have to buy replacement filter bags. There are reusable filter bags, but they’re often pricey.
I can try to answer any other questions you might have.
John
Wow – what a great reply. Thank you for taking the time to do so – much appreciated. So it seems it would server a different purpose (or at least a better purpose) to have this. I could always us this for my power tools and keep my shop vac and dust deputy attached to my table saw. Right now I’m lugging the vac/deputy around the shop to where I need it. To top it off – I don’t have a cart built for it yet so I’m lugging 2 components around. Less than ideal but it works. Thanks for the feedback – I may jut jump on this deal! Regards and thanks again. John
Julian Tracy
Run don’t walk to this deal. These hepa tool activated vac’s are simply just higher quality, variable speed quieter and better filtering shop vac’s. If their raw power is slightly less – who cares? The job will still get done. And keep in mind the cfm ratings might be throttled by the smaller hoses, but you can put any hose on it for general cleanup, even old Craftsman hoses. In general, they’re simply a pleasure to use and easier to transport and not nearly as rude to your clients in terms of noise.
And at less than half than a festool, there is no advantage anymore. The slight water lift or cfm or case stack ability benefits between this flex (or the previous Metabo deal) are pretty much washed away by the super low price combined with the premium quality.
ktash
Never heard of the brand, though the machine sounds good. Is this a new brand and they are trying to generate credibility with reviews, etc? Perhaps they are trying to sell the drywall sander and add the vac to sweeten the price of that.
One of the advantages of some of the Festool dust extractors is their compact size. This one is, according to the Amazon listed dimensions, 22″ high, 15″ wide, 26″ long. If it were more compact I’d be tempted. The Metabo was pretty big, too. This probably doesn’t matter to most people, but to me it is a key consideration.
Stuart
They might have overstocked. When the new silica rules went into effect last year, every brand thought there would be a huge surge of interest. So, maybe there’s a surplus. Or maybe they’re trying to drive awareness. I’ve seen some too good to be pricing on a new of corded and cordless power tools in the past year.
While I wasn’t familiar with this brand before, I sure am now, and I’m also still contemplating getting in on the deal myself.
Julian Tracy
Flex has been around for at least 10 years. I’ve only really seen their granite polishers – variable speed, water feeding grinder style.
cody
I already got mine. Super impressed with how fast they got it out. Now i just have to get home. 🙂 hopefully i can at least report the noise and get hooked up to my miter saw or something. Using a shopvac right now.
Dean
would love to hear your comments on build quality and if you could do a light comparison on other brands ie festool etc etc
Jay J Levan
Just ordered.
I can’t tell if this comes with ANY accessories. Maybe a hose. No attachments or wands I guess. Maybe one HEPA filter and one bag? I ordered a 5 pack of bags to take advantage of the shipping and I’m thinking I’ll use other brand attachments etc. Any tips? Can anyone confirm exactly what it ships with?
Alick
As mentioned right at the top this is a Nilfisk Attix 33 branded up for flex who are a reputable if specialist company.
It has metal swivel castors which are more durabe that the plastic ones fitted to the yellow version they make for Mirka.
The Attix 33 and it’s big brother the 44 are top end extractors that compete directly with Festool. They are available as a standard (European L class), M class (for silica dust) and can have an additional HEPA filter cartridge fitted.
Antistatic hoses are generally bundled (red ones) and the auto filter clean option is an advanced design. The long life filter is PTFE coated for durability and fleece bags available for dust control.
I chose an attix 44 in preference to festool and use it with a festool tracksaw and a Metabo orbital sander as well as for general cleaning.
The top spec attix has a selector for continuous run vs slaved to the power outlet. It has auto filter clean on or off in either mode.
It has a suction control.
It has dial to enter the diameter of the hose. Airflow is then monitored and if airflow drops below what is considered right for that hose size, an audible alarm beeps / LED flashes to warn you to dial it up or clean something out.
Systainers and Bosch L boxes clip on top via an optional top platform.
Alick
Here’s the top end one with the extra HEPA filter installed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSjtx9mxFmw
At USD 300 for what I assume has L class filters fitted it is still an excellent deal.
cody
Mine came with a CoC stating it is an H class filter.
Forgive my ignorance, as i am in no way qualified to review this thing. I’m not even a home gomer yet. I have a shop vac and some cordless/corded power tools. That’s it. But I read the site daily and sprung on the deal since eventually I’d like to be a hobbyist and make it a second income if i can get some experience.
Anyway, it comes with an adaptor of some sort to connect to smaller ports, i think. It also has a very nice red hose, two bags, one plastic and one fabric, and the filter of course.
Matt F
Hey, you got yours from the Acme deal? Does it have the second round filter with orange cover in it? The class H cert is surprising.
I actually ordered the round HEPA filter from the Milwaukee version and am will get the orange cover to make it do 99.97% @ .3 micron.
Does it come with the L-Boxx bracket for the top. None of the photos show it, but it seems to come with it at least in Europe and unclear in the US.
Would you be able to post some photos?
Ben V
I got mine today, yes it has a round orange cover for the filter. I have posted some more photos on Instagram – @dusty.tools.
Ben V
First impressions – It’s very nicely built! It’s pretty compact and very solid. I’m going to put it through it’s paces this weekend!
Dean
Are the Attix 33 and Flex vce 33 the same machine? do they have the same motor and internals? Will they have the same performance specs? You seem pretty high on the Attix. I got in on the flex deal only because I don’t want to pay $700 for a Festool vac but I still want something that is comparable in performance to a Festool. There was a review done by Tool Box Buzz and the Milwaukee clone of the Flex vce didn’t do nearly as well as the Festool (granted some of the testing was purely subjective) Im curious on your thoughts about how the FLEX directly compares to Festool CT vac performance wise
cody
Only the cartridge filter is listed as h class, though. Not the bag filters.
Ole
Nilfisk Aero 26, Milwaukee AS2-250 ELCP and Metabo ASA25 L CP are also identical, just discovered this when looking for a small dust extractor.
Alick
No. You’re wrong.
The Aero 26 (and the Metabo looks like that model) are different.
They share some of Nilfisk’s house styling but they are a different machine. The Aero is budget line, The Attix a professional model.
Note the primary filter of the Aero is a pleated canister inside the drum.
In the Attix, the main filter is a flat pleated item fitted into a hatch in the back of the top housing. When Attix machines are upgraded to H class, a small pleated HEPA filter is added in an orange plastic housing that sticks down into the drum where the main filter sits in the Aero.
There’s also a difference between the push to clean on the Aero and the automatic “Infiniclean” system on the higher specc’d Attix vacs.
Dean
@alick, you seem very knowledgeable about the different brands and versions of this style of Vac. I think what we all want to know here is how this particular Vac (FLEX VCE) compares to a Festool CT and where you would place it in the over a hierarchy of this manufacturers models. IE Nilfix, Flex, Aero, Metabo, Milwaukee
G Miller
watch the concord carpenter comparison on YouTube the Milwaukee version was tested alongside others
dean
already have, but just because it looks similar on the outside doesnt mean its the same on the inside.
Ole
Alick, you misunderstand me. The three models are identical, but of course different from the Attix and its likes from other brands. The Aero 26 is a smaller model, for lighter duty.
G Miller
I bought one of these. Works great and the tool activation works great. Can power my bosch 12″ miter through the built in plug.
dean
Have you ever used a Festool Vac. if so how does it compare?
G Miller
I have not used a Festool vac
Andrew
Do you know whether the included hose or included adapter (if there is one) will work with a Festool track saw dust port?
G Miller
Not sure specifically but the included adapter is nice and should fit a good variety.
Andrew
Thank you for the reply.
Andrew
Good to know, thank you for the reply.
Art
I’m hoping someone who purchased this reads my post … I received mine but when I turn it on, it lets out a pretty odd / concerning “ka-chunk, ka-chunk” sound (two sounds) from the filter lid. Should I be concerned this is a defective unit? It does it at low and high speeds.
Art
It is also intermittent, but always two sounds. It is fairly “violent” as it shakes the entire unit and it comes from the rear lid where the filter is. I’m kinda sorry I already purchased it now … I think it’s defective out of the box. I emailed Acme to see what options I have now.
Dean
That should be the auto filter cleaner
Art
Thanks for explaining this.
Art
I don’t see how this is “normal” … my unit.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aaGYnvLpp2TDzcEd6
Dean Kaye
by the way, Im curious at Acme’s response to your customer service call. how did that all go?
Ben V
Mine does something similar, I’m wondering if it’s the auto-clean. My Dewalt makes a similar noise when it’s switching filters.
Please let us know what Acme says….
Peter
Flex vce 33 ac arrived today. For what it’s worth, the CoC is listed as: “Certificate of Compliance for Nilfisk” and the description is: “nilfisk hepa filter cartridge”. It appears to be an attix 33, branded for flex. I’ve used the Alto extensively and love it, but this looks to be quite a step up. It comes with an antistatic hose that reminds me of the festool. At this point the 300 dollars would seem well spent.
dean
It’s great reading these positive posts on the Vaccum. Makes me feel good about my purchase! I still don’t have mine yet but it has been shipped. I watched the shoot out on dust vacs by the concord carpenter and have to admit, I’ve been worried how this vac will perform since the Milwaukee clone did so Meh! ( middle of the road I guess) It’s great to see the comparisons to the Attix 33 since that’s a top-notch vac. What I have been sorely missing is any comparisons between this Vac and a Festool. guess Ill have to wait until I receive mine 🙂
John+E
One thing to note on the Concord Carpenter dust extractor shootout: Although they put an incredible amount of time and effort into their comparison review there is a major flaw with their results. Four of the models reviewed did NOT have HEPA filters installed while the remaining four did. The HEPA filter is designed solely to capture sub micron particles and to do so restricts airflow noticably.
Guess which four had no HEPA filter? The four that came out best! Of the rest, the Milwaukee/Flex/Nilfisk performed the best, according to their tests.
Put HEPA filters in the top four and the results would not be the same.
Frank D
Did not buy when this was posted, but still interested in these units.
Hoping to hear some reviews.
The bigger one has the automatic filter cleaning, right?
I’m on the fence between a small workshop dust collector vac with 4” hose and a mobile unit like this, for intermittent woodworking needs in a small space. And, perhaps this could stand in for my bulkier ridgid shop vac for small things inside the house.
Tyler Grove
Appears to be on clearance for $239 at CPO
I just bought one. Free Ship, did charge tax in NC
I was tempted at 299, but 239 seemed like a no-brainer.
Could not find any coupons to add to make better.
Thoughts?
https://www.cpooutlets.com/flex-444251-vce-33-l-ac-plus-hose-hepa—9-gallon-hepa-vacuum/flzn444251,default,pd.html
Hunter5117
Just ordered one myself from CPO. They had it about a month back for maybe $350 or so, I almost bought it then. Getting this quality of vac for $240 is definitely a no-brainer, I almost ordered 2 of them. Ordered a spare filter and bags just to be sure, don’t know what will be coming in the box. Makes me feel better knowing it is a rebranded Nilfisk so I know filters etc will stay available.
Ben V
That’s a crazy price, only a bit more than a Festool Anti-Static Hose, which Flex make for Festool!
I think I’ll buy a 2nd at that price!
Mike S
I ordered one from CPO this morning at 8am, at the $240 price – and then at about 2pm – they canceled my order. They are now listing the vac at $320.
What gives? Is CPO always doing this sort of thing?
Ben V
That sucks!
I ordered on Monday, it was waiting for me at home when I got home on Tuesday! The shipping can’t have been cheap!
Hunter5117
I called to place my order with them. The sales guy said they are just trying to get rid of some inventory before the Black Friday and Christmas rush. My order actually filled at $299 but they applied a credit to bring it down to the $240 advertised price. It was delivered yesterday, haven’t got it unboxed yet but will be using it today for some hardwood floors I am refinishing. I have never seen them cancel an order for something that is in stock, you might want to give them a call. I have always found them to be very fair.
Tyler Grove
I got mine yesterday. Really impressed. At first I did not know what the banging was, only to realize the auto-clean function was working. Really cool. I might spend more on the accessories then the vacuum.
The long term use felt bag is 120. 🙁
Also, bought the L-Boxx attachments from Acme, but they are backordered.
I would love to get the Flex L-Boxx and mount everything on top:
https://www.flex-tools.com/de-de/produkte/cle-32-as-l-boxx-0/
Mike S
Actually – I think that the shipping for all of these vac deals was likely very reasonable – for an unexpected reason…
UPS has set up a system with a number of retailers and manufacturers whereby products are shipped to and stored in warehouses around the country that UPS controls. Once the item is sold, the item gets picked up by UPS and placed into the normal delivery distribution channels.
The manufacturer and retailer both need warehouse space anyway – but, UPS can provide this to them at a lower price by aggregating lots of manufacturers and retailers. And, UPS gets the final distribution from it as well.
I suspect that’s what is happening here, as my vac shipped from a local source. And since it seems basically everyone got their vac the next day – unless everyone lives where I live – I would guess this new arrangement is in play. And – I don’t live where CPO is located, so I know it didn’t come from CPO. The Shipper is in fact listed as UNITED STATIONERS.
The magic of e-commerce!
Mike S
I called them this morning, gave them my order number, and asked what happened. They transferred me to order fulfillment, who looked at the order and initially said everything looks fine, please hold. When they came back – they said the system canceled my order b/c it didn’t like the email address I had used. I explained that is valid, I got all of the emails. They asked if I had ever used it with them previously, and I said that this was my first order. They said ok, and that they would replace the order and match the original price and it would ship out today.
So – despite having the order canceled, their customer service was actually top notch and very easy to deal with. I got the problem resolved without a fuss and very quickly.
Happy that I’ll have this vac at a great deal soon!
Tom
Just picked one up today at Tyler Tool. $279.99, plus tax with free shipping. This seems to be the best current price.
Mike S
Anyone have a good dust separator setup that they’ve created / used with this vac?
Ben V
Yes 🙂
https://toolguyd.com/building-diy-dust-deputy-cyclone-separator/
I built this for my Dewalt but it took 5 mins to convert to the Flex.
Hunter5117
Mike S, I have 2 of these Flex vacs now and I have fitted both of them with the systainer mounting brackets. I have a Makita systainer that I am using to keep all my accessories, spare bags, etc in one place. While I don’t plan to do this soon, it does give me the option to fit the Festool dust separator that is made to mount on top of the vac using systainer type fittings. Not a cheap option but might come in useful if I end up using either of these in a situation where I am generating a lot of large chips such as portable planer etc.
Hunter5117
Is anybody planning to convert their Flex 33 to full HEPA? Seems it needs a housing then of course the filter. I am considering this as I will be doing a lot of drywall sanding with this and don’t want exposure to fine dust. Thanks.
Hunter5117
Never mind lol. I should have checked better first, mine has the HEPA filter installed already!
Derrick Ferguson
Looking to get is on this deal but am skeptical because there is not Water Column lift Specification that I can find. One could argue that W.C. is more important than CFM. Anyone have thoughts or info on the W.C. Specs?
Hunter5117
Derrick, not a lot of that sort of info on the Flex/Nilfisk vacs. Tool Box Buzz did a comparison that included the Milwaukee vac which is made by Flex and it finished in the middle of the pack with I think about 85″ of water lift. However, on the all features comparison, it finished 2nd. I can tell you that mine has a lot of suction for sanding floors and drywall.
FYI, CPO has the bigger version on sale for Cyber Monday at a really low price of $180. I actually ordered another one so I can keep one at my shop plus have one at the job site.