I recently switched to the Milwaukee M18 orbital sander (model 2648-20) from an old corded Craftsman that finally gave out. After using it for about an hour, I found it quite difficult to handle; it jumps around much more than my Craftsman did. Plus, the dust collection seems to be practically nonexistent due to its design. It has an opening at the top that just lets dust escape, and it also keeps coming undone, letting even more dust out. I'm thinking about the Ryobi PCL406B, especially since it's around $40 right now. Has anyone used both sanders and can share if the Ryobi is any better?
3 Answers
Short answer: Yeah, the M18 isn’t great. Long answer: The newer model, the 2837-20, is miles better! It really fixes a lot of the issues the 2648-20 has, especially with dust collection. But if you don't sand often, I totally get not wanting to fork out over $200 for something you may not use enough.
If you're into woodworking or even some auto restoration like I am, I'd only trust the M12 2585-20 from Milwaukee. The others just don't seem to stand up for regular use.
I've been seriously considering the 2837-20 too. I know it's more than what I need, but the reviews are pretty fantastic everywhere I've looked. Might be worth the investment if you can stretch your budget.
Sure, the new model is better, but it’s way too pricey for occasional use. I feel you!