Milwaukee announced their first more traditional standalone sander and it’s a brushless one. It’s the M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander 2531-20. It is scheduled to launch August 2022 as a baretool for $149.
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I say this is their M12 first traditional standalone sander because their first M12 sander was technically the M12 oscillating multitool when paired with the sanding pad attachment. They also had an M12 polisher/sander with a rotating pad. It could effectively be used as a sander but the tools main purpose was polishing. Sanding on those models was more of a secondary feature. Fast forward to today and the M12 Fuel orbital sander is the first M12 standalone sander who’s sole purpose is to take on sanding.
Like most M12 tools, this orbital sander is small and compact and the grip fits easily in your hand and the sanding pad is small and pentagonal’ish shaped. It’s a five point shaped polygon with a v shaped pointed tip which makes it a good fit for sanding into corners. The small pad makes it better as a detail sander to get where a regular sized sander can’t, while it lets a regular sized sander takes care of the bulk of the work. Milwaukee says this M12 Fuel sander sands 2 times faster than by hand. They say the orbital motion “avoids scratches and gouges at a precise removal rate, leaving a stain-grade finish.”
On the top of the tool is where you’ll find a 4 speed selector to toggle between its four speeds that work in conjunction with a variable speed trigger to fine tune your sanding speed. It also has a lock on button so you can sand for longer periods without having to hold the trigger the whole time. It comes with an optional sponge pad which helps conform to the shape of the work surface to better sand uneven surfaces like trim molding. It comes with a pad saver that’s said to save the pad from heat buildup to extend the life. It also has an LED light on the front for additional lighting. The unit uses mesh sanding sheets with sharp cutting grains which they say is for faster sanding and a flawless finish with an open weave design which can be vacuumed, shook, rinsed, and blasted with air to prevent them from material buildup and to extend their life.
M12 FUEL™ Orbital Detail Sander (2531-20)
- LED Work Light
- Variable Speed Trigger
- Lock-On Button
- 4-Mode Speed Select
- 14,000 Max RPM
- Height: 4.6”
- Width: 2.1”
- Weight (w/out battery): 1.35lbs
- Warranty: 5 Years
- Includes M12 FUEL™ Orbital Detail Sander, Sponge Pad, Pad Saver, Abrasives Kit (3) 80 Grit, (3) 120-Grit, (3) 180-Grit
Milwaukee POWERGRID™ Mesh Sanding Sheets
- Available in 7 Grit Types:
- 80 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 12pk + Pad Saver
- 120 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 12pk + Pad Saver
- 150 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 12pk + Pad Saver
- 180 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 12pk + Pad Saver
- 220 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 12pk + Pad Saver
- 320 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 12pk + Pad Saver
- 400 Grit Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet for M12 FUEL Orbital Detail Sander 12pk + Pad Saver
- Sponge Interface Pad
- Assorted 80, 120 & 180 Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheets 12pk + Pad Saver
- Assorted 80, 120 & 180 Milwaukee Mesh Sanding Sheet 36pk + 3 Pad Savers
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