Milwaukee gave us an early look at their new M18 Fuel™ 7″ Variable Speed Polisher at the New Product Symposium for 2016. Due in July of this year, it’s an impressive machine for the kit of an automotive detailer or anyone who likes a nice, professional finish on their painted sheet metal. While it looks similar to their Braking Grinder, it has a different feel, one more appropriate to the job at hand. I tried it on the car hood they had set up for demonstrations and hands-on time at NPS16 and found it comfortable with the optional side-handles and easily controllable. Automotive detailing is far from my area of expertise, but, given a few tips, good results were easy to attain.
The first thing I learned about applying liquid wax under power is not to spin it all over creation. The second was to allow the polisher to heat the wax enough to let it melt into the paint finish, which is why you see me feeling the car hood with the back of my hand. With Assistant Product Manager Bill McCormick gently reminding me that there were others that wanted to try the tool, I didn’t get to finish the car hood, but the obvious potential of this polisher, along with the convenience of not dragging a cord over the car, has me looking forward to giving it a run over my F150.
Here’s a look at the variable speed dial which, in conjunction with the trigger, gives great control over tool speed.
Milwaukee says: “The only cordless tool of its size and capacity, the M18 FUEL™ 7” Variable Speed Polisher features an ergonomic design that focuses on three key benefits: speed control, balance, and weight. Through a variable speed and dial trigger users have maximum control during operation, and nearly 2,200 RPM to tackle the most demanding applications. The new Polisher is also designed to distribute more of its weight over the pad, providing natural pressure on the surface area and more comfort to the user, as well as total control and power when polishing in the center of larger areas like hoods or roofs. At more than 1lb lighter than industry-leading corded competitors, users will experience less fatigue, as well as more maneuverability and portability while polishing.”
“The REDLITHIUM™ XC5.0 battery provides all-out portability, and on a full charge the M18 FUEL™ 7” Variable Speed Polisher can complete a full-size car. When accompanied by a Rapid Charger, users will be able to charge an entire XC5.0 battery 40% faster – for example, on really large polishing jobs, by the time they’re done using one battery, another is back up to full. This translates to huge savings in time and increased productivity.”
Now that I think of it, there are a lot of other surfaces around the shop that could benefit from a session with this. I may end up with everything waxed! I’ll take a closer look at this tool in the near future and share my experiences. Until then, here’s a minute with the polisher from NPS16.
-dvl
Specifications
M18 FUEL™ 7” Variable Speed Polisher (2738-22)
- 0-2,200 RPM
- 7” Capacity
- Variable Speed Dial and Trigger
- Lock-on/Lock-off
- Weight: 4.9lbs
- Length: 19.8”
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