The M18 Random Orbital Sander

Posted by Ryan Aug 6, 2021 at 3:09 PM and filed under Reviews & Features

Updated on Aug 6, 2021 at 3:10 PM

My sanders of choice in Texas are a Festool Rotex 150 (the best all around sander I’ve ever used) and the Festool ETS 125 (fantastic finish sander). I love them both, but also realize that their pricing doesn’t often justify their functionality. For my Hawaii shop, the cost/value relationship was very important to me… and so, I went with the Milwaukee M18 Random orbital sander – a $99 (tool only) sander.

I know this sander has been out a few years, but this is my first attempt at going cordless on just about anything other than my drill/driver set up. As such, I figured a review might be interesting.

My thoughts? For me, going cordless on something like a sander is very limiting. I often sand in long sessions, working my way through the grits, and getting everything as flat and as smooth as I possibly can. Doing this with a couple of 5 amp hour batteries is just a real pain in the ass. I often found myself taking brakes when I didn’t need one simply because my limited battery inventory depleted so quickly.

On top of that, it’s hard to sand consistently with the Milwaukee. With a fresh battery, this thing is damn near over powered, but that power curve drops quickly with the batteries’ charge state and that can create issues with your sanding pattern. Of course, the varying weights of different size batteries can also cause fits in this department as well.

All that being said, I still like this little sander simply because it’s built so damn well. Fit and finish is great as is the weight – it feels substantial if not heavy… Also, dust collection with a decent vacuum is surprisingly good. Even when sanding paint off of old redwood boards, I rarely had issues with clogged paper.

Performance wise, with a fresh battery the Milwaukee is capable of moving a lot of material quickly. However, as that battery drains this capability diminishes pretty quickly as well. As such, I would typically consider this a finish sander. The thing is though, to get any run time at all out of the sander you need a bigger/heavier battery and that weight makes it difficult to classify it as a finish sander.

To me, the Milwaukee M18 ROS is a sort of “inbetweener” designed for guys with large battery inventories and jobs off power that don’t require perfection. And for that, I’m sure this is a must have. For me? I just wish it was corded…

Details here.

View thread (27 replies)

LeonardY

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2021

I'm in agreement with you. If I'm working in one location, I prefer corded tools. Especially if I am going to be doing something for a long time.
I have both a Fein multicut and a cordless Bosch. I typically grab the Fein for most jobs. I use the Bosch when I know I have only a small number of cuts or when I am not working in the shop.
A cordless sander seems less than optimal.

LegacyIndustrial

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Aug 6, 2021

If I can plug in, I am doing it. Beyond the cordless drill, you can keep the rest!

LeeG

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2021

I have the Milwaukee, along with a full suite of the Festool sanders. My use case for the M18 does not include long sanding sessions on fine woodworking, but rather for quick touch ups and smaller outside-the-shop projects.

I think it is a great niche tool. I have over 50 of the M12/M18 tools, and other than the drill and impact drivers, my biggest use item is the area lighting.

Craig Bernhardt

Member

Aug 6, 2021

LeonardY said:
I'm in agreement with you. If I'm working in one location, I prefer corded tools. Especially if I am going to be doing something for a long time.
I have both a Fein multicut and a cordless Bosch. I typically grab the Fein for most jobs. I use the Bosch when I know I have only a small number of cuts or when I am not working in the shop.
A cordless sander seems less than optimal.

I prefer corded tools too, have the Bosch orbital sander and I like it

dnschmidt

Well-known member

Aug 7, 2021

I have so many M18 batteries (at least 30) that I don't care. I also have the triple charger that charges three batteries simultaneously, a Supercharger and two of the individual rapid chargers so I'm not ever running out of batteries. That stated if you're in a shop the cord isn't that big of a deal. For sanding a car on the other hand the battery option is the bomb but they do eat batteries but in my case so what.

tarbellb

Well-known member

Aug 7, 2021

Im still confused on cordless tools that still get connected to hoses for dust control... just doesnt add up.

ChevyEFI

Well-known member

Aug 7, 2021

I felt similarly when I went from corded Dremel rotary to M12 Milwaukee rotary.

More batteries and chargers go against the effort against having duplicates. But it's still the answer.

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

Aug 7, 2021

tarbellb said:
Im still confused on cordless tools that still get connected to hoses for dust control... just doesnt add up.

Doubly so if you are in the festool ecosystem. The power cord is packaged with the extractor hose, so there’s really no advantage (for me) using batteries.

tarbellb

Well-known member

Aug 7, 2021

Ryan said:
Doubly so if you are in the festool ecosystem. The power cord is packaged with the extractor hose, so there’s really no advantage (for me) using batteries.

I think we are in a strange phase of cordless but not truly until tools have proper dust management onboard w/o hoses. This obviously only applies to tools that require hoses, the advantage of cordless is amazing especially when working onsite.

If any company cracks this problem it will be Festool, but I havent heard how well the newer TS systems are handling the issue?

Vintage Veloce

Well-known member

Aug 7, 2021

I have a couple power tools I use often: drill, vacuum, leafblower. Others I need but seldom use: sander, dremel, circular saw, hair trimmer ;-) and more.
For the tools I use often, I have cordless/battery powered.
But for infrequently used tools that I still want to last for many years or decades: corded only. I want to know I can plug it in and it will work. I don't want to find the old battery is dead.

MrSurly

Well-known member

Aug 9, 2021

I bought this M18 sander a few weeks ago to use on my bass boat project. I have a bunch of M12 tools and batteries but only a few M18 tools and three M18 batteries.
I found the sander to be quite useful on my project but with a few negatives, most of which you have mentioned: eats batteries like candy; performance wanes after maybe 20% of battery; better performance exacts substantial weight penalty.
One function you didn’t deal with was using the on-board dust bin. That attachment should itself be IN the dustbin that our British friends ofttimes mention. Having no dust collection in my shop, (gasp!!!) I gave it a try and I was thoroughly disappointed.
On the plus side, the dust bin is relatively large for the tool’s size. On the *other* hand, the construction and closure of the dust bin is far off the mark especially when compared to the robust build of the sander, itself.
Drop the sander, the tool will not care, it seems virtually indestructible, actually. The dust bin on the other hand will burst open, might also detach and dust is guaranteed to go everywhere. Latching the cover of the dust bin provides no real feedback that it’s positively securely latched or even that it’s closed.
the dust bin does collect some dust but I’d say it’s only maybe 15~20%. A tremendous amount of dust coats the outside of the machine and your work. I hooked it up as a trial to my M18 mini vacuum (not the wet or dry) and that worked much better on the dust and keeping the machine cleaner..... but ate up another battery!

Overall, I LIKE the sander but one has to caveat that with acknowledgement of its limitations.
It’s not for huge jobs, it’s not for the finest finish work. But.... for small stuff, jobs outside the workstation, sanding on the boat trailer or a hundred other projects it may be the best tool. Don’t forget that it’s variable speed, a very useful feature that is lacking on some competing models.

Last edited: Aug 10, 2021

ColinHorgan

Well-known member

Aug 9, 2021

Have a corded one and I can't fault it. Just works as it should which is brilliant. Dust collection is good too. Have a cordless one just for touch ups and small applications on site or for small repair work and the battery life is impressive

tarbellb

Well-known member

Aug 9, 2021

I've had four modern Milwaukee corded sanders, all due to warranty replacements.

They are terrible, not just because of breakage, excessive vibration, loud, bad dust mgt, and often to aggressive but not efficient?

That being said, I'd still pop for a good deal on the M18.

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Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

Aug 10, 2021

tarbellb said:
I've had four modern Milwaukee corded sanders, all due to warranty replacements.

They are terrible, not just because of breakage, excessive vibration, loud, bad dust mgt, and often to aggressive but not efficient?

That being said, I'd still pop for a good deal on the M18.

Might I interest you in some harbor freight jackstands?

dnschmidt

Well-known member

Aug 10, 2021

As I stated it all depends on an endless supply of M18 batteries, which I have. I've got multiples of all of them the 2.0, 3.0XC, 4.0XC, 5.0XC, 6, 8, 9 (old style small cells) and 12 Amp-hour with the larger cells. The pick of the litter for the sander is the relatively new 3.0CP which also uses the larger cells but it is relatively light. Having 10 of these and 5 chargers, one of which will do 3 at a time. I've got no worries. If your M18 battery poor then this tool isn't for you if you're doing any serious sanding. I change the battery each time I change paper. The same is true with the M12 die grinder. Milwaukee selling these with 2.0 batteries is a complete joke. They require at least a 3.0 XC and work only to their full potential with the 4.0 or 6.0 XC batteries. I've got 10 the the M12 6.0A-hr and when I'm really going for it with the die grinders I need at least three of them fully charged to get the job done.

JeffDM

Active member

Aug 11, 2021

It's good to know, I'd rather a sanding device that has a setting that's as consistent as possible. Just giving me the max because that's what the battery offers isn't always helpful.

On the kind of tool, it helps to know your use case and preferences. I almost exclusively do short sessions and I hate cords, hoses and cables. And sometimes a tether is a lot less convenient than swapping batteries. But if you're doing long sessions and you're OK with some kind of tether then you really should look at a corded device. Many corded or air powered tools are cheaper than a cordless counterpart, even when not factoring in the cost of the battery and charger.

Last edited: Aug 11, 2021

rlitman

Well-known member

Aug 11, 2021

Ryan said:
I often sand in long sessions

Ditto. I want to be able to put my palm down and go non-stop. Sometimes for hours. If cordless were my only option, I'd be reaching for my scrapers and planes.

JeffDM

Active member

Aug 12, 2021

I noticed on the product's description that there is an adjustment dial, you don't mention there's an adjustment. Did you just use it at max?

starckie

Well-known member

Aug 12, 2021

Ryan said:
Doubly so if you are in the festool ecosystem. The power cord is packaged with the extractor hose, so there’s really no advantage (for me) using batteries.

With their standardized detachable power cords and consistent dust port sizes I'd almost argue only so in the festool ecosystem.

I have a similar issue with my Makita LXT sanders - almost too much power and drop off after the first 30% or so of battery, but lowering the speed setting balances things out a bit especially on finish work. Does lowering the speed help things at all on the Milwaukee?

CallumRD1

Well-known member

Aug 12, 2021

I can't say that I've noticed a difference in power as an XC 5.0 battery drains on this tool. It's a cordless sander, not a tool that I really lean into so I'm not pushing it to the point of bogging down. That would result in a poor finish on my work. I use the sander mostly for fine woodworking and it has been very convenient. A battery lasts long enough for me and I've never needed more than two for a project. If you're sanding a floor or something then this is the wrong tool for the job!

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

Aug 12, 2021

starckie said:
With their standardized detachable power cords and consistent dust port sizes I'd almost argue only so in the festool ecosystem.

I have a similar issue with my Makita LXT sanders - almost too much power and drop off after the first 30% or so of battery, but lowering the speed setting balances things out a bit especially on finish work. Does lowering the speed help things at all on the Milwaukee?

Lowering the speed does help a bit, but ultimately the power of the sander is regulated by the remaining power of the battery. Keep in mind that I'm no expert and don't have any real talent for sanding. I didn't know this, but I really lean on the consistency of my Festool sanders when finishing... As such, I can't really use the Milwaukee for the same tasks. For me, battery powered just isn't the way to go...

For quick sanding jobs though, this thing is fine... just a little annoying in that it eats batteries so quickly.

dnschmidt

Well-known member

Aug 12, 2021

As with most things in life it all depends. I use it for body work (maybe one or two panels before I whip out my AirVantage and Dynabrade air sanders.) For this purpose it's great. Rough out the Bondo (actually I use Rage Gold) with P60 on the Milwaukee after cheese grating. Block sand using a block (interesting how they refer to this step as block sanding) using P80 and P180 and then finish sand with P400 prior to primer or sealer using the Milwaukee with an interface pad. For this purpose it's great not having to fight air hoses. I can normally get this done using either 1 or 2 of the CP3.0 batteries. I have also use the 5.0 or 6.0 batteries if I'm on the roof, hood or trunk and the compact batteries on the sides of the car due to the savings in weight.

Firebrick43

Well-known member

Aug 12, 2021

I really have no use for a cordless sander for wood, I have had extremely good luck, especially for the price with my ridgid sander(only ridgid brand tools i own is the sander and shop vac). I always have it connected to the shop vac so??.

However I commonly use the sander to prep stainless and aluminum for welding with 180 grit. I find a grinder with any wheel gives a bad finish. I would really like a burnisher but $$$$. Maybe a cordless sander would be a good compromise.

Last edited: Aug 12, 2021

Hammer1963

Well-known member

Aug 13, 2021

This tool has it's place, I doubt that it was created to replace corded or air powered sanders. If you are on a job location without power, it can be a life saver. The performance is very good and as many have stated, I have plenty of batteries so it's not a big deal, so I am prepared for any extended run times. My sander of choice is neither cordless or corded. It's pneumatic, proving that it all depends on the application!

tboy

Well-known member

Aug 17, 2021

I have it's Ridgid brother (Ryobi, Milwaulkie and Ryobi are mde by TTI, and you can see the similarities between the tools). At first I hated how the tool felt, like I had to fight it or it would wander all over. I figured out if I place the battery AWAY from me, and hold it by the side it works WAY better. I don't know if it was designed to work this way and I've just been doing it wrong (of course i didnt read the manual) but it seems to work much better!

Compressed

Well-known member

Oct 4, 2021

when Makita came out with their 7.2V stick battery cordless drill my boss purchased me one and let me make payments,
Through out the years i've have accumulated majority of Makita's products because blues' better.
Seriously majority of all my corded tools are Milwaukee.
I purchased the orbital for sanding barge rafters off the ladder.
So when every one starts saying things about one brand or the other i pretty much don't care as long as it functions.
Brushless like my RC's