Milwaukee is noted as being a producer of top-notch tools for the professional. This sander lives up to the Milwaukee name.brThe tool is comfortable to use, doesn't make too much noise and I know it'll outlast most other brands by a large margin. It even comes with a little vacuum bag to help keep down dust particles. This type of sander is usually one of the last tools you think of buying, but once you have it, you'll wonder how you got along without it.brOne caveat BEFORE you purchase the 6018 (used with stick-on sanding disks) or the 6019 (used with the velco-type hook and loop sanding disks)!!! Check which type of disks are available in your local area!!! I bought the 6018 (stick-on), only to find that just the hook and loop type disks were available at the local Home Depot. Furious, I called Milwaukee to get a price on a replacement hook and loop type base ($30+!!!)...(similar base for the Porter Cable is $17.00) I must have sounded a little irate and they sent me one free!!! Now I have a choice of which disks to use. Don't count yourself this lucky....check which pads you can buy at local outlets and save yourself some grief.

Unlike Milwaukee's contract-built Taiwanese jig saw, at least this particular product is of reasonable quality and offered at a reasonable price. It seems, however, that in Milwaukee's effort to become a broad-line tool provider, they have cut some corners and have had their name slapped upon Southeast Asian product.
br /
br /This particular unit is a reincarnation of the Makita sanders that were on the cutting edge back in the late 1980s' and early 1990's. And that's pretty much what you get with this product: a well-built (aside from the plastic shell that could be of better quality and with more grip when the unit becomes covered with palm sweat), rugged unit that is a little behind the times.
br /
br /Not that Craftsman Professional is anything to sneeze at, but I can say with confidence having owned Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, and Craftsman Professional sanders that this particular sand would rank last on this list of manufacturers. For the price, I would recommend the Craftsman Professional and for overall quality and durability, I would recommend the DeWalt. This Milwaukee isn't all that Heavy Duty and isn't even built by Milwaukee or its parent company, Atlas Copco. I'd advise you to pass on this sander!
br /

I have owned many, many Milwaukee tools...But this one was a real disappointment. I estimate 7 to 8 hours on the tool before it is absolutely unusable. First the "random" action ceased, which is not uncommon with a worn out "belt"...but the power became less and less, sparks emit from the windings. I was shocked to get this poor of quality from Milwaukee. Not to complain, but the housing is also very light, the entire unit just feels "cheap" to me. Granted, it is a cheap (inexpensive) sander, but I expected a little more than 7 or 8 hours of use from it.
br /I still recommend Porter Cable, I generally get good hours out of that brand...DeWalt does ok, Makita, so-so...Hope that helps anyone out there lookng for a unit that will hold up under use.

Replaces DeWalt 420 palm sander which is no longer being sold. Semi-professional use. Easy to hold, although they need to completely get rid of the dust bag.

Like all the other Milwaukee power tools that I own, their orbital sander is top of the line. It has all the power needed to make your work effortless. The shape of the sander fits perfect in your hand which helps to prevent wearing yourself out on long sanding times. Have used other brands of sanders but Milwaukee as always out does them all. I would highly recommend this sander to anyone !!

20 years construction/cabinetmaking and woodworking teacher. This sander isn't good. I purchased two Milwaukee sanders with hook and loop and two Rigid brand equivilent hook and loop sanders at the same time, same price. The Rigid sander has it all over the Milwaukee. The Milwaukee pad will go into high speed RPM the moment it is lifted off a surface. It also tends to oscillate and not want to remain flat on the work surface. Anyone who has had this happen knows how frustrating it can be. The top of the sander gets hot right where you need to hold onto it. Poor design. I'm selling my two new Milwaukee's and buying two more Rigid's to replace them. The rigid also has a variable speed feature, is more quiet and seems more substantial and better built.