Side by Side! the milwaukee polisher and die grinder, Which is right for you?
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- Опубликовано: 29 окт 2019
- Side by side comparison of the Milwaukee 2485-20 die grinder and the milwaukee 2438-20 polisher.
I'll clean a piece of rusted & painted mild steel on my welding/blacksmithing table. You decide which M12 too is right for you.
Not much out there in competition from Makita or Dewalt. Snap-on does make a cordless polisher, as does harbor freight. I unboxed this die grinder a week ago and have been woking it pretty steadily. I think it's a solid choice. 
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![Why Some People Hate This Milwaukee M12 Die Grinder [COLLET ANGER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z4Nh-Px6ZGg/mqdefault.jpg)
Love your Tombstone reference at 7:05 Fun fact, the famous saying “ I’ll be your huckleberry” is actually him saying “ I’ll be your huckle barer” A huckle is the handle on the side of an old casket so the guys carrying the caskets were called huckle barers.
Best comparison review I've seen for these two tools. Looks like it's the die grinder for me but I'm sure I'll find an excuse to buy the polisher too... no such thing as too many tools. Thanks for the thorough review.
Your observations and descriptions of the many operating variables were exactly what I needed. Subscribed and now checking out your other vids. Well done!
Very helpful comparison. I thought for sure they were basically the same tool. Your explanation of the vents on the tool was also really good information to keep in mind as well!
Hey great video! Nice comparison. Good idea on cleaning the vents,too. Something I didn't think about when I got the die grinder.
Great review of the two products and overview
Great comparison and I honestly learned a bit more about tools. Subbed.
You did a nice job on this video, explained & visualized things well and provided a lot of good information...thanks!
...and now I want that die grinder, lol
Great comparison video, I just got the die grinder but now I might get the polisher too! Thanks for the good info....
Same ☝️☝️
Even years later this video remains a fantastic comparison between these two tools. Thanks!
I cannot thank you enough. I was shopping for a portable sander/polisher to replace my air tools in the field and I was torn between them two tools you've reviewed here. Thanks so, so much.
Great video & comparison. Very helpful and appreciated!
This is exactly what I was wanting to know...I bought the right angle 1st, but planned on getting the polisher/sander next. I was looking at the polisher back in June but heard the right angle was coming out so decided to wait on it....great video!
Thanks Joe.
Thank you for this great comparison video. Your a great teacher.
Great comparison. I have the polisher, but have been using roloc disks since day one. After this video, I'm definitely picking up the die grinder.
Thank you so much for the great comparison!🤝
I ordered the die grinder😊
Excellent review buddy , keep it up!
Great review on the tools! Awesome comparison. You definitely seem like you know what you're talking about.
I liked and subscribed.
Great comparison! Thank you so much for all of the information.
Great, watched this whole review just to find out that I need a polisher... well I’m glad I watched it, it showed me that the grinder is too harsh! Thank you!
Thanks man.
Very nice. Already have the polisher and wondered about this.
One of the best reviews I've ever seen.
I know this is an older video but I found your comparison very helpful and informative. And maybe I'm corny for this, but I thoroughly enjoyed your verbal dialog throughout the video too. Maybe its your Cajun dialect. But I appreciated it all. Thank you man. Great video ⚒
Good information here. Many thanks for breaking it down on the differences. For me, I’m M12 for life, though there’s prolly a lot of other things out there that are good, too.
Glad to help. Thanks for the kind words.
Thanks from Aus mate very thorough great comparison
Awesome video
Definitely helped me me choose the tool right for me so Thank you
You earned yourself a subscriber! Awesome review, brotha!
Great review and comparrison! Just what I was looking for to figure out the difference of the two. Guess I just need them both...😁
Great job on the review! It helped me with my decision.
Thanks, that was educational. Subscribed.
Great review Texa..Thanks ..do more you are good at it.
Very informative. I think for my needs (primarily sanding), I’m going with the die grinder👍🏼
Thanks for the review - I have both die grinders and now I “need” the polisher 😬
Great video sir thanks 🙏
Great comparison
Nice comparison. I appreciate the proper verbiage and terminology to accurately give descriptions of each tool and their capabilities.
Excellent video
I needed to see this video and I thank you for making it, much appreciated.
very good vid my man 👌 quality real life on the workshop floor material 👍
That was well done boss, thanks
Thanks ... I did not even know about the polisher and it looks more suitable for my purposes.
Great video! Thanks!
Great comparison video. I have both and you are spot on. The oddball thread on the polisher is a head scratcher, but I haven't had to replace the original stuff yet. Both straight and right angle die grinders are little beasts. While both of these tools can crossover to do the each other's work, your conclusions are exactly same as what I've come to. I use the die grinders a lot more than the polisher, but that's because I use burrs and cutoff wheels more than polishing pads. Your point about M12 vs M18 is also accurate. I have a ton of both, but find myself reaching for the M12 tools better than 90% of the time. That has really proven to be the opposite of what I originally thought. Nice to have the big stuff on hand when you need it, but that's just not very often. Of course if you're working on heavy trucks and equipment, you'll need the big stuff more, but for routine maintenance, parts replacement, and most under the hood work, the M12 stuff still shines.
Thanks Mike,
I really appreciate it!
Good comparison. I had been wondering what the difference was between the two.
Thanks for the comparison! Die Grinder for me!
Great vid. Excellent explanation and presentation. Have the die grinder alreader. Now I want the polisher as well😂😂
I'm leaning towards the polisher to clean gaskets off old parts. I like the torque. Thanks for the video.
Did you ever get it for gaskets? Curious how it works I spent 4-5 hrs removing gaskets on a dirt bike motor I just rebuilt last week. If I had it to do over again I'd soak the parts since I had it completely torn down but ironically I was in a hurry. Acetone, wd40 you name it did NOTHING to help. Used a scraper and I have a black & decker rotary tool like a dremel I use the ez lock dremel sanding discs on it for gasket removal sometimes. Then I use 1,000 grit sandpaper wrapped around a flat stone. Gaskets are a pain in the ass anytime I put new ones on something I put a thin layer of aenorobic gasket maker on them so I don't have that problem if I ever have to open it back up.
@@latestplague3762 not yet, I girlfriend has a disney trip planned for June that I'm focusing on right now. After that, I'm diving into a few m12 tools. I have most of the m18 that I need. My buddy did get the m12 die grinder and used it while doing a headgasket on a cat 3406 this week. He seemed to like it really well. He is still waiting on an arbor for the 2 inch roloc disk, he was using a wire cup brush. Most of the anaerobic stuff dries pretty hard doesn't it? I think our 515, we have to chip off when we open something sealed with it. A small tack hammer or ballpeen and tap it does pretty good on stiff and hard gaskets. And carbide scrapers work too
Great video. I need them both how!
I never comment of videos but watch a ton or reviewers and like many others mentioned you deserve more subs! I bet anything if you start consistently pushing out 1-2 videos weekly (of popular newer tools) you'll have a big enough fan base to make RUclips a full-time career in a year or two.
Thanks man. Appreciate it. I just won so much right now, it's hard to fully invest in the channel.
I do have lots of future plans. I'll go ahead and tell you guys.
1. Get a better social media presence. FB, Insta, etc.
2. Start a patreon.
3. Buy tools with patreon $
4. do the review that the Patreon's want.
5. do a drawing and give the tool to a Patreon.
I'm naturally opinionated (duh right?), so I really don't care what I review: cologne, kitchen stuff, forklifts, color pencils, cnc machines. whatever!
Then, intermingled with the reviews, viewers can watch this blacksmithing thing evolve if interested.
@@texacajundiy can't wait to see what you make of it! Best if luck
Great video and explanations, I have the die grinder already but didn’t know the difference between a buffer😂 I have a cheap Harbor freight rotary polisher so I’ll stick with that for now for buffing, I mostly do wood work but needed a metal finger for restoring my owl VW
The threads on the end of the adapter that goes in the polisher are M9. The guy on eBay that makes and sells the adapter you bought also makes and sells an adapter that uses collets. He also offers an adapter that accepts 3 inch cutoff wheels.
Great video and real informative. I'm new to steelwork but opted for the die grinder and use it mostly for small grinding and polishing jobs; 60/40 split. The only real thing that makes me consider the polisher is that the die grinder can be feel quite cumbersome for the fine, albeit drawn-out jobs I use it for. Is it worth forking out the dough for the polisher with this in mind? I've already got all the batteries at this point!
Great video, thanks! You mentioned that you use it on knives. I just got the die grinder, I intend to use it to sharpen axes, shovels and other things bigger than knives.
I’m experimenting with what is the best abrasive? Any hints? Right now I’m mostly using aluminum oxide sandpaper discs.
Benchmark abrasives curved zirconia discs. about $2 a piece, but worth it.
Great overeview / review ! I just bought the Harbor Frought version of the polisher its called "earthquake" and their polishing pads and 1 each of the 2" and 3" backing pads is sold for 14.99. It seems its built nearly the same but slightly different if you have watched Ave do the tear down on the HF, Milwaukee and Snap on of the same tool. The HF uses a 1.5 amp charger so it takes longer to charge but its much better on the batteries and they last longer I bought the xtra battery for 24.99 so I don't worry. That is interesting how they put screen on the to air intakes of the die grinder it must blow out the bottom vent slits. Really nice idea about cleaning the intake screens! Have you tried the roloc abrasive flap discs for metal sanding polishing and cleaning off rust ? Those things are a bit more spendy but awesome for these tools for metal prep. Yea your right 8300 rpm is kinda on the low side for high speed polishing with a scotch brite. For aggressive rust removal or paint sanding I thing the sander polisher would be better. (more torque) But the 24,500 speed of the die grinder makes half way shiny stuff super shinier with a scotch brite better. I will probably get the die grinder and 1/4"ratchet next. I wonder which is better with a 3" cutting wheel the speed of the die grinder or the torque of the 8300 rpm polisher? I'm guessing the die grinder its not much surface on the actual metal of a 3" cutting wheel unless its really thick material.
On a 3 inch I bet the polisher does better.
Honestly the only reason I have stayed fully Milwaukee is cause I like the local tool repair/warranty house, the Milwaukee warrantee, and to not have 10 different chargers/batteries.
I bet one of these witha cylindrical flap wheel would make quick work of cleanining insides of up pipe before welding. Bit expensive though.
Thank you. I’m in the Harbor Freight budget. I do small scale welding. I’ve been wanting something smaller than a 4.5” flap disk. I don’t have a big compressor so air die is out.
I’ve really been wanting the Milwaukee die grinder, but I was hoping the earthquake polisher would hold me over until the freight brings one out. Bummed because I was thinking burs would be nice too, but good to know!
A poor man can't afford cheap tools
@@mrsir2378 lol I bought the earthquake polisher on sale and couldn’t be happier. There’s a guy on eBay that machines collet adapters. I’ve used burs, rol- locs, etc with good success. It’s also interchangeable with AC Delcos g12 line.
The Hercules one wasn’t out yet when I got it. I think they’re discontinuing the earthquake branded one now.
Had the polisher for ages. Love it. EXCEPT that fkn M9 connection 😬😬 I wish it had a normal chuck on it or even a 1/4 hex.
I’m getting the die grinder though too of course
You can purchase virtually all the adapters on eBay now.
not this now, at least not in europe....
the M12 line is great! i have more m12 tools now then m18
and i started with the m18 line lol
Some of the new m12 fuel outcompetes the brushed m18 stuff. As well as some of the m12 platforms are actually close to the m18 fuel variant. If my m12 1/2 stubby can replace my mid torque brushed, I'm going for it.
Well done.
started in the m18 line but now m12 is where I spend most of the time
I have the grinder. I have it primarily for sanding. I find the tool to be light weight and easily handled with one hand. The polisher looks more like a two handed tool to me.
My OCD would have compelled me to finish the entire table to a mirror finish, thereby making it to pretty to use as a work table...
It’s on the list, but my ADHD hasn’t let me get to it yet...
@@texacajundiy The Struggle is real....
Need more than anything here for a #8 finish haha
Same here. Woulda been coated in some sort of ceramic wax too or penetrol lol
Earlier in the video I found it odd that the die grinder cut out so quickly when stalled, considering that it has a brushless motor. But later you commented that the way it cuts out can be helpful to avoid maring the workpiece. So, maybe that is why it does it, rather than just to protect the motor?
Hahaha “if that dude on eBay doesn’t have deez nutz...”
There’s actually a guy on eBay that sells an attachment for the polisher so you can attach 1/4 and 1/8 attachments!
Yeah man, i use both! The collect attachment from ebay makes the sander/polisher a whole new tool in my opinion. I'm watching that front bearing on the sander, but "so far, so good!" I like both tools and like the pistol grip and trigger of the polisher. But Those Scotch bright pads work 100 times better at the correct speed on the die grinder. Oh and I use the dremel tool thing with my 1/8" burrs to complete the Trifecta. And yet I still pulled out the 110v Dewalt 'DW888" straight die grinder when I need to move some material. And get you some of the green 3M Bristol Discs and you'll bet set.
I use the scotch brite strip discs for millscale removal prior to welding (4 1/2” Grinder). Purple for just the scale, Green for pitted rusty junk.
Worth.
Every.
Penny.
Great video! Do you have to oil the Milwaukee die grinder frequently like you do with an air die grinder?
Don’t have to oil it at all. It’s a sealed gearbox.
Would any of these work to attach a wire cup brush for BBQ grill cleaning? Would you have a preference of which one? Thanks!!
Sense I own an Atv the polisher will come great into place when I need to polish some plastic or metal but the die grinder is great for wood and metal
i have both, each great for their intended purpose. Though, I've found I don't have that much to polish.
I need both so i got them today
What would your insight be on Milwaukee. I'd like to stick with milwaukee, but are these machines just too small to run 3 inch pads, let's say, for the interior carpet?
I like Milwaukee but for 3 inch pads you are at the max limit of the polisher. The die grinder won’t run them for this application.
definitely showed every difference
The voice sounded so familiar to me but I couldn't place it right away. Finally, it came to me... "My pappy said son you're going to drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that hot rod Lincoln."
lol. I suppose just a bit.
Hi I have the polisher /sander i use it for many tasks and have made the mandrels for different applications the thread in the tool is 9mm diameter 0.75 mm pitch an odd thread you can buy a die for about £17.00 in HSS expensive but you can make as many mandrels as you want.Hope info is of some help
Thanks
I’ve had the die grinder for a few years and the cut out function has become increasingly frustrating. I think I might buy the polisher seems to have more balls
Waiting patiently for Makita to release a 18V die grinder. Excellent and informative review.
I'm glad to hear you recommend the polisher for wheels and headlights. I work on paint. Few of us use direct drive buffers, though I sometimes do for cutting and burnishing. Makita and DeWalt rotaries are the industry standard for direct drive. I have the Makita. Zero issues over the last decade and a half.
The smaller the pad, the faster the speed. With a 5" pad, rarely exceed 1000RPM with a rotary. With a 2" pad I typically spin the machine at around 2000RPM. The rotational speed options on the Milwaukee tools are not geared for paint. Folks should keep this in mind. As a point of interest, most people who work on paint solely use DA buffers. FWIW, I use a Rupes '15 and a Flex 3401. Mostly the Rupes.
I’m glad you commented. I should have said a bit more on paint and random orbit/direct drive.
I have a little pawnshop RO polisher for paint I’ve had about 25 years. It’s not a great tool but I have a feel for it.
Rupes and Flex are fine tools I’ll bet few have seen apart from painters/detailers.
If the polisher was a dual action?? Damn that’d be a killer tool
Which one would be better for spot sanding on a vehicle?Removing spots of rust to repaint. Thanks!
I’d go die grinder.
My answer is assuming you’re using this for straight rust removal, after filling you’ll use random orbital/straight line/prime/block/paint.
@@texacajundiy thank you! I’ll go with the die grinder.
I was surprised when I only saw 880 likes , thinking this review might be lame. But was really impressed by the review. Great Job ! P.S. It really pisses me of , that YT was pressured to into removing the dislikes from the rating of vid content . There are a lot of vids that are a total wast of time watching . AKA , more dislikes then likes. This is because the BS vids the main stream media were posting , were getting had more dislikes than likes. Go figure . Go Brandon !
This larger die grinder ruclips.net/user/postUgkxmwiwyX3ADeryrwvcsiwLeKxme6QNQmGL runs very smoothly in use. There's virtually no vibration. Paddle switch with the safety trigger is a bit cumbersome to use, but is much safer. Grinder cannot turn on if set down on the bench.Note that this die grinder, like most others, runs at 25,000 rpm. Always use a face shield and hearing protection. If your grinding stone has any sign of chips or cracks, throw it away. At 25,000 rpm, the stone sees very high G-loads and could come apart explosively if the stone is damaged. Always run the grinder for a short time before using it to check the stone.This tool is heavier than some but very well made.Recommended.
both are amazing and yet disappointing at the same time.
It's a shame that if you break the Polish Roloc disc it's hard to find a replacement. especially since they will break.
Yet the M12 angle has terrible torque..
I’ll say this, with a carbide burr the little die grinder does what I need.
Why you only have 511 subs (512 now...lol) is beyond me!
Not only did you sell me on why I need the die grinder instead of the the polisher, you ALSO sold me on why I need the polisher over the die grinder!
LOL!
I own neither one of these so I thought I'd only need one of these tools. I was so wrong.....and I'm sure so many others are missing out because no one has done a review like this one sir. No one!
I've been a mobile detailer (well, I'm on suspended retirement due to having 3 spine surgeries...2 fusions in the last 11 months) for 13 years and now see where I could use both so many times. For instance, bad headlights. I could use the DG to knock out the worse oxidation ASAP then come back with the HHP (Hand Held Polisher....love my acronyms) and polish out my work getting ready for Y2K clear.
I can't say thank you enough for this video. Also, I would have never known about cleaning the filter screens on the DG. Excellent demo there along with the sound comparisons. Great demo of both tools!
We all thank you and Milwaukee should too.
In fact, I'm contacting them within the hour to let them know about this video sir!
Now, I just have to hope Santa can find me one of each....now working for 2 years has really hurt the savings.....
Thanks again!!!!
Justin sincerely, thank you for the kind words and support.
More important than the tools, I really hope your recovery is 100%.
Idk i think I’ll stick to a die grinder than a drill whenever I ever need to polish something, good comparison tho!!!
Cool...you know that’s not actually a drill though, right?
@@texacajundiy yes, but if I wanted to chuck something up and polish something that might work better, I don’t really have room to add another Milwaukee tool to my box I was more curious to see if it would be better for cleaning gasket surfaces and shit
The die grinder is the way to go on that.
Honestly though, if cleaning mating surfaces is all you’re needing, a drill is prolly plenty.
@@texacajundiy I agree, I am an auto mechanic, I am no detail guy and I’m no body man, yes I dable in it but I don’t get paid to do it like I do fixing vehicles!
What exactly is the difference between the polisher and a drill, besides the bit attachment method?
Which will last longer on the same battery and same work?
The only work where these two tools crossover is in metal finishing, so I'll answer based on that.
Answer: It depends.
IF you are looking to get a mirror finish the die grinder will win the day.
IF you are just looking to get past some heavy surface rust, or anything sticky, like old gasket material, I'm thinking the polisher, with its higher torque will win.
Going by other m12 I own the fuel versions give better battery life.
I use the polisher and air die grinder for metal polishing. I use felt Roloc discs on the polisher and prep on the air.
I think the nut is M9x0.75
I have the grinder, I fix curbed wheels and I use a 3” wool pad for polishing and it kept stalling if I got 6.0 xc battery would it help with that?
likely not because the cells are the same. it would give you more run time though.
your solutions would be:
1. BIG air compressor (by cfm, not size per se) and a nice die grinder. $$$
2. A corded large die grinder (I have a metabo, it would do). $$
3. Switch to 2" wheel on your current setup instead of the 3" $.
TexaCajun DIY thank you I will be switching to a 2” pad if I can find one
Benchmark abrasives. Good stuff. Cheap.
Any of the bigger batteries like 3Ah or more might offer a little more power but no guarantees
Thanks for doing this side by side. I'm trying to decide which one to get for tool restorations and your examples were helpful. Come on by our DIY group and share some of your projects too if you're interested: facebook.com/groups/diytinkerfixmake
Die grinder good for headlights?
I think it would be too fast. I think it would melt the plastic.
Funny how they make a regular screw gun with polishing pad permanently attached, and calling is “A polisher” lol
The die grinder has problems that the air angle grinder it is supposed to replace does not have. An air grinder has a rt angle gear drive with the motor in the handle. This results in a very small head that is way smaller than a 2" roloc. The Milwaukee has the motor in the head which with no angle gear drive, which saves power and reduces cost of manufacture but the head is bigger than the 2" roloc so forget about getting into corners. It will stall right out with a 3"roloc, which Milwaukee says not to use. With a weak air tool, you can apply lighter pressure if the load is too much. This thing flat out quits. That big head could well be a problem with access or tripping with a grinding burr. I am not concerned with weight or a ling handle. I would have preferred following the design style of air angle die grinders with a rt. angle gear drive, powerfull motor in the handle and probably needing an 18 volt battery. Foget about the polisher. It is fine for the intended use, polishing and I would not buy it for die grinder jobs
Jeffery, all good points.
I just hate the sound of an air grinder.
That said, I’ve bought a set of Kodiak long shank burrs to reach areas that would be normal fare for the air tool.
i have the die grinder and the polisher i am a auto tech. if you work on car you want the polisher. if you do dental work on cats you want the very under powered die grinder
I could see that if the goal would be rust removal or gasket removal.
However if you are blending sheet metal welds on a ‘55 2-door hardtop...
@@texacajundiy Great review not being a troll.... BUT the polisher, Polishes! The die grinder would melt paint or plastic ie clear coat paint and headlights turning too fast. Since they never had a die grinder they gave the roloc option and now they have die grinder too. Great video peace and love brother.
Hi. So u can't use die grinder as a polisher
It’s not as good.
These tools are obviously made for different applications.
That's his point.. Yet milwukee sells both for using scotch brite discs.
@ 1:30 😂🤣😂🤣
1:33 Goteem
Try stopping that die grinder set at 24,500 rpm with just your fingers.
You first!
TexaCajun DIY
Exactly!
Now it’s easy to hold and keep from starting.
Lmfao i couldn't watch after you said you put carbide burs in the sander. Whaaaaaaaat
Sometimes you need a slow speed and sometimes torque. Like when trimming plexi, or in finishing a knife
But I’m sure you know better.
WTF? How are we supposed to compare the grinding when the grinder footage is played at normal speed and the polisher footage is sped up ?
I'm thinking this is a joke I'm not getting, but in case you're serious:
1. I said before I started that it wasn't a race.
2. ALL the footage is sped up, obviously sped up.
@@texacajundiy No, I'm not joking, I wanted to compare how both tools handled the task you were demonstrating, specifically how much longer one took over the other.
I agree that the footage was obviously sped up, I'm not claiming that you were trying to deceive anyone, although, how you did not (and still do not) understand the problem in doing that is curious. My gripe is that it ruined what would have been a very good comparison video.
@@SpaceFrawg I see, your initial question wasn't clear.
I said in the video that I felt I could get to the same level of finish with the polisher as I did with the die grinder, but it would take a lot longer. That means that the die grinder was faster to the shown result. I think that generally answers what you are asking.
As for a "to the second race" that'd be a tough test to keep fair; too many variables. Did I hold my hands the same way?, move this one this way and that one that way?, how much pressure did i apply?, were the roloc's from the same lot?, on and on.
If the question you are really trying to ask is "how long did you work each tool get to that level of clean ?" the answer is this: about 6min on the die grinder and about 8min on the polisher. To get to equal results I'd guesstimate another 5min with the polisher.
Hope that helps.
@@texacajundiy It would have been helpful to show more of the polisher at normal speed, you show the grinder grinding for 30 seconds at normal speed and the polisher grinding for 1 second at normal speed.
Maybe in the future show what both can do (at normal speed) in a set amount of time, say a minute or two.
@@texacajundiy As a side note, I see you have one thumbs down, that is not me, I did not give it a thumbs up either, but after typing at you I can tell you're a fair guy and I did subscribe.
can you not get a replacement thing with your order?? if you don't want it send it back and get your money back into your Account!😉
@15:40 now imagine the lungs 😰
Right!
So basically don't buy the polisher unless you're polishing,
Yup!