Short answer: Yes Longer answer: Most definitely yes. Thew new one (2837-20) is leaps and bounds better. Answer from mau47 on reddit.com
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Milwaukee Tool
milwaukeetool.com › products › power tools › woodworking › sanders
M18™ Random Orbit Sander | Milwaukee Tool
MILWAUKEE® M18™ Random Orbit Sander delivers corded power with 12,000 Max OPM output. Has a 5" sanding pad, 7,000-12,000 variable speed dial, cordless REDLITHIUM™ power
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › Milwaukee-M18-18V-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-5-in-Random-Orbit-Sander-Tool-Only-2648-20 › 304591900
Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (Tool-Only) 2648-20 - The Home Depot
Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (Tool-Only) 2648-20
The MILWAUKEE M18 5" Random Orbit Sander delivers corded power with 12,000 Max OPM output. The orbital sander features a 7,000-12,000 variable speed dial delivering users with more control over the output of the tool to match the orbit speed for the application. The tool's powerful motor enables users to remove more material per battery charge, increasing their productivity. The cordless orbital sander is powered by the Milwaukee REDLITHIUM battery technology, providing users with up to 35 minutes of run-time on an M18 REDLITHIUM XC3.0Ah Battery Pack (Battery Sold Separately).
(4.6)
Price   $99.00
Discussions

is the m18 orbital sander (2648-20) just bad?
Short answer: Yes Longer answer: Most definitely yes. Thew new one (2837-20) is leaps and bounds better. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MilwaukeeTool
9
3
May 24, 2025
I need a orbital sander
Theres also a new fuel m18 5in coming out soon too More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MilwaukeeTool
25
9
February 10, 2024
M18 Fuel Orbital Sander any good?
$200 seems wild for tool-only More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MilwaukeeTool
16
4
November 7, 2024
Cordless Orbital Sander: Milwaukee Seems Meh?
I have it. Personally don't like the dust collector, other wise it serves its purpose. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MilwaukeeTool
41
6
May 5, 2021
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Red Tool Store
redtoolstore.com › home › milwaukee m18 sanders
Milwaukee M18 - Sanders
Milwaukee's M18 sanders are engineered for heavy-duty tasks, boasting cordless convenience and robust design. With options like random orbital sanders, belt sanders, sheet sanders, and speed polishers, the M18 line is built to endure the demands ...
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MaxTool
maxtool.com › home › milwaukee 2837-20 m18­ fuel 18v 5" random orbital sander - bare tool
Milwaukee 2837-20 M18­ FUEL 18V 5" Random Orbital Sander - Bare Tool
Milwaukee 2837-20 M18­ FUEL 18V 5" Random Orbital Sander - Bare Tool
Features Delivers 12K max RPM under load for faster material removal Protection from overloads, heating, and over-discharge Integrated dust control for faster clean-up on the jobsite POWERSTATE Brushless Motor: Generates the power to deliver 12K max OPM under load for faster material removal. REDLINK PLUS Intelligence: Ensures maximum performance and protects from overloads, heating, and over-discharge. Integrated Dust Control for up to 95% dust collected and the versatility of
Price   $229.00
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/milwaukeetool › is the m18 orbital sander (2648-20) just bad?
r/MilwaukeeTool on Reddit: is the m18 orbital sander (2648-20) just bad?
May 24, 2025 -

I was just using an old corded craftsman for when i occasionally have to sand and it decided to die on me so i picked one of these up for $90.

But after using it for about an hour it just feels awful to use, seemed to jump around a lot more than my crafstman.

but the main thing is the dust collection might as well be non-existent due to that box. What is the point of a dust collector that has an opening at the top that just lets the dust all fly out? I also found that it just randomly comes undone letting what little dust it has come out.

I was considering the ryobi PCL406B since it can also be hacked to around $40 right now and was wondering if anyone had used them both could tell me if it was any better.

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Ace Hardware
acehardware.com › tools › power tools › orbital sanders › milwaukee m18 cordless 5 in. random orbit sander tool only
Milwaukee M18 Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander Tool Only Mfr# 2648-20 - Ace Hardware
Milwaukee M18 Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander Tool Only
The Milwaukee M18 5 in. random orbit sander delivers corded power with 12,000 Max OPM output. The orbital sander features a 7,000-12,000 variable speed dial delivering more control over the output of the tool to match the orbit speed for the application. The tool’s powerful motor removes more material per battery charge, increasing productivity. The cordless orbital sander is powered by the Milwaukee Redlithium battery technology, delivering up to 35 minutes of run-time on an M18 Red Lithium XC3.0 Battery Pack.
Price   $99.00
Find elsewhere
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Milwaukee Tool
milwaukeetool.com › products › power tools › woodworking › sanders
M18­ FUEL™ 5" Random Orbital Sander | Milwaukee Tool
The MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ 5” Random Orbital Sander delivers unmatched power and low vibration with a 12,000 RPM motor, 95% dust collection, and ergonomic design.
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › Milwaukee-M18-18V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-FUEL-5-in-Random-Orbit-Sander-Tool-Only-2837-20 › 329967760
Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless FUEL 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (Tool-Only) 2837-20 - The Home Depot
Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless FUEL 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (Tool-Only) 2837-20
Designed for the professional carpenter, remodeler, and general contractor, the MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL 5" Random Orbital Sander generates the Power for Heavy Stock Removal to sand the toughest materials on site while delivering the Lowest Cordless Vibration at 12K OPM and Up To 95% Dust Collection. The ergonomic form factor, compact size, and low vibration offer increased user comfort during operation. The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor and REDLINK PLUS intelligence deliver corded power for faster removal at 12,000 OPM for enhanced productivity on the jobsite. The sander features a random orbital sand
(4.7)
Price   $229.00
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Amazon
amazon.com › milwaukee-m18-orbital-sander › s
Amazon.com: Milwaukee M18 Orbital Sander
Orbital Sander Compatible with Milwaukee M18 Battery, 5” Brushelss Electric Random Palm Sander 21000RPM with Dust Collector for Sanding, Polishing, Waxing (Battery Not Include) · Random Orbit Sander Compatible with Milwaukee m18 Battery 3 Speed Adjustable 5” electric Sander with Dust Bag ...
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Runnings
runnings.com › random-orbit-sander-m18-5475180.html
Milwaukee Tool M18™ Random Orbit Sander - 0000000547
Oops! JavaScript is disabled · To browse the Runnings store, enable JavaScript in your browser
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Amazon
amazon.com › milwaukee-sander › s
Amazon.com: Milwaukee Sander
Cordless Orbital Sander Compatible For Milwaukee 18V, Electric Orbit Sander with Brushless 12000 RPM 6 Variable discs Speed Sander Machine With Dust Collector for Woodworking Sanding (No Battery) · Cordless Sander for Mil-waukee 18V Battery, Random Orbit Sanders 5 Inch Brushless with 6 Variable ...
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Tool Box Buzz
toolboxbuzz.com › home › latest tool reviews › cordless tools › milwaukee m18 sander – 2.5 year look-back review
Milwaukee M18 Sander - 2.5 Year Look-Back Review - Tool Box Buzz Tool Box Buzz
February 6, 2021 - ... This sander has a 5” hook and loop pad and is marketed to be able to perform like a corded sander with a max 12,000 OPM output. The VS dial allows you to control the tool orbit speed from 7,000-12,000 to match your sanding application.
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Milwaukee Tool
milwaukeetool.com › products › 2648-21
M18™ Random Orbit Sander Kit
The M18™ 5” Random Orbit Sander delivers corded power with 12,000 Max OPM output. The 7,000-12,000 variable speed dial allows the user more control over the output of the tool to match the orbit speed for the application.
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The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › home › reviews & features
The M18 Random Orbital Sander – The Garage Journal | The Garage Journal
August 6, 2021 - 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.
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Bomgaars
bomgaars.com › oi-70107.html
Milwaukee Tool M18™ Random Orbit Sander (Tool Only)
Bomgaars: A family-owned supplier across 15 states, 180+ locations. Providing 'What You Need…When You Need It' since 1944.