Give Your Hands A Break With The Milwaukee M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander
Sanding by hand in hard-to-reach areas or on uneven surfaces is often influenced by factors like speed, pressure, and fatigue that can lead to inconsistencies. The Milwaukee M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander is a compact, lightweight alternative that is changing the way we approach these sanding tasks. Is this your long awaited solution for detail sanding perfection? Let’s find out.
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander Performance
- Speed: 4,000-14,000 OPM
- Oscillation Diameter: 1.5mm
- Motor: Brushless
- Pad Type: Hook and Loop
- Trigger Type: Variable Speed
The Milwaukee 2531 sander is a handy replacement for sanding tasks that are typically done by hand. The sander’s brushless motor utilizes a 1.5mm diameter orbital sanding pattern that removes material much faster than manually sanding. This ultimately helps avoid potential scratches, gouges, and other inconsistencies and leaves behind a stain-grade finish.
This sander has four preset speed modes for tackling a variety of sanding tasks across a range of materials. Speeds range from 4,000 RPM to 14,000 RPM, plus, there’s a lock-on button for more extended uses. The variable speed trigger lets you feather the speed in areas that require more control. That’s an unusual feature for a sander, but we feel it affords us a bit more control compared to the variable speed dials we typically see on sanders.
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander Design
- Model: Milwaukee 2531
- Power Source: Milwaukee M12 battery
- Weight: 1.3 lbs. (bare), 1.7 lbs. (with M12 High Output CP 2.5Ah battery)
- Length: 10 in. (including battery)
- Tool Height: 4.5 in.
- Pad Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.5 in.
This tool is designed with Pros in mind and is optimized for precise applications that complement a full-sized sander on the jobsite. In order to keep vibration under control, Milwaukee utilizes a counterweight system that significantly reduces felt vibrations in the barrel grip.
As we mentioned earlier, this sander was designed to allow improved access in tight corners and better accuracy when following the curvature of your workpiece. The compact pad extends nearly a full inch past the front of the tool body which gives it a distinct advantage over a typical 1/4-sheet sander.
Milwaukee includes a few accessories that help extend the life of your sanding pads. The optional sponge pad allows the abrasive pads to contour to complex trim profiles while the thinner pad saver helps protect against excessive heat buildup.
This sander also features an adjustable backing pad. Simply remove the bolt in the center of the pad with the included hex wrench and then orient the pad to the angle that best suits your needs. This allows you to utilize all sides of the backing pad depending on your application.
Additional Features
- LED light
- Compact size for toolbelt storage
- LED battery gauge
Milwaukee PowerGrid Mesh Sanding Sheets
Alongside the M12 Fuel orbital detail sander, Milwaukee is also releasing PowerGrid tear-resistant mesh sandpaper sheets that are exclusively compatible with the M12 Fuel detail sander. Sharp grains on the sheets allow for faster material removal and an open-weave design allows you to clean them to prevent material buildup. Better yet, they’re designed to last up to 12 times longer than standard sandpaper. The sandpaper sheets will be available in selections from 80 grit to 400 grit.
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander Price
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel Detail Sander retails for $149 as a bare tool. While this sander isn’t available as a kit yet, the bare tool does include the sponge pad, a pad saver, a hex wrench, and 3 sheets each of 80-grit, 120-grit, and 180-grit abrasives. Milwaukee also includes a generous 5-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
After getting some hands-on experience with the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Detail Sander, it’s very easy to see why it’s appealing to Pros. It’s efficient, relatively quiet, and more compact than the average impact driver. On top of that, the low vibration and variable speeds make this a great grab-and-go option for busy craftsmen.
Discover more at Milwaukee’s website!
