During the warranty repairs process for our Leopard Catamaran there was ALOT of stainless steel and gel coat that needed to be polished. One tool that stood out among the rest was the Milwaukee M12 Polisher & Sander.
Part of their 12V battery powered tool range, the Milwaukee M12 BPS-0 Compact Polisher Sander is a little beast. We've had multiple tradesmen use it for repairs on our boat, with the size and quality making it such an invaluable asset that Trent and Tynan went ahead and bought one for the boat.
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Specifications for the Milwaukee M12 Variable Speed Polisher/Sander
Let's start with some technical info on the polisher's specifications, including the weight and RPM.
Power source | M12 REDLITHIUM battery and M12 Charger |
Weight | 1.58 lbs |
Length | 5.1 inches |
Sanding RPM | 0 RPM - 8300 RPM |
Polishing RPM | 0 RPM - 2300 RPM |
Backing pads | 2" sanding backing pad, 3" polishing backing pad |
When you buy the tool, you can either get the skin by itself or buy a standardized kit that's put together by Milwaukee.
M12™ Variable Speed Polisher/Sander (Tool Only) 2438-20 | M12™ Variable Speed Polisher/Sander Kit 2438-22 |
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Keep in mind when buying an M12 battery charger that they are voltage specific. In the United States market they're rated for the 110V system, while European and Australian chargers are 220V. Living on a boat this impacts where we order our chargers from, but the tool and batteries can be bought anywhere.
Physical design
Compact and lightweight, the M12 Sander Polisher is designed to be easy to use in tight spaces and along small radiuses. The ergonomic grip is comfortable, and the trigger placement feels natural in your hand.
The balance of the tool is excellent and that, along with the weight, reduces fatigue when using it for long periods of time. The 12V battery doesn’t add excessive weight, and it's easy to maneuver without straining your wrist. There's no problem using it single handed but the Milwaukee M12 polisher kit (tool only) does come with a removable side handle.
On the top of the sander is the dual mode control switch. This is what allows you to easily swap between sanding mode (0-8300 RPM) and polishing mode (0-2300 RPM).
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Milwaukee Sander & Polisher setup
Setting up the Milwaukee M12 Polisher/Sander is straightforward. It comes with both a 2-inch and 3-inch backing pad, making it easy to switch between sanding and polishing respectively. The tool-free accessory change system means you can swap pads quickly, which is a huge time saver when working through different surfaces. Simply attach the battery, choose the right pad, and you're good to go.
Functionality of the M12 Sander & Polisher
This tool is incredible versatile and useful, especially given its size. The variable speed settings allow for precise control, whether you’re removing rust from stainless steel or buffing gel coat to a mirror finish. The lower RPM range is great for polishing, while the higher settings make sanding quick and efficient.
While we use it in a marine context, our gel coat finisher Nino also has extensive experience doing precise detail work in the car industry. He used it there as well for finishing paint and polishing plastic.
Milwaukee Sander & Polisher consumables
We've had good results with Milwaukee-branded sanding discs and polishing pads, as well as compatible third-party products like these American made wool buffing pads. Extra batteries are a must if you're doing extended work, as the M12 battery will need swapping out for longer polishing sessions. We keep both the M12 3.0 AH and M12 6.0 AH aboard, only using official Milwaukee lithium-ion batteries.
Pros and cons of the M12 Sander & Polisher
After our own experiences and speaking to some of the marine repairer we've worked with, here's the consensus on the pros and cons of the compact sander and polishers.
Pros of the Milwaukee Polisher/Sander | Cons of the Milwaukee Polisher/Sander |
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Overall it's a tool we'd recommend getting if you have a use for it as it's a well made, versatile bit of gear.
Fast FAQ
Q: Can you use a polisher as a sander?
A: In the case of the Milwaukee M12 Polisher & Sander, absolutely. All you need to do is switch between the backing pads that came with it.
Q: How long does a Milwaukee polisher last?
A: This depends on how you use it but from our experience they seem quite durable. We've watched tradesmen use one on a weekly basis for hours at a time, taking very little care of it and yet it worked like a charm. Seeing how well it held up is one of the reasons we bought our own.
Summing it up
Our final thoughts - the Milwaukee M12 Polisher & Sander is a solid investment for boat maintenance, especially on gel coat boats, offering portability, ease of use, and excellent performance for detailed work. It makes spot repairs, polishing and buffing around the boat easier, and is something we'd even keep if life ever finds us back on land again.
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