Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 5460-6 7-Inch/9-Inch Polisher with Electronic Speed Control

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a very nice polisher. Their is nothing wrong with it. The reason why I suggest the Milwaukee model 5540 polisher instead, even though it is a few more dollars, is because it polishes up to 2800 RPM's. 1750 is usable for a lot of purposes, but 2400 is where you want to be for the ultimate gloss in catalyzed urethanes or old world leaded lacquers. (They took the lead out years ago, and their went the glass like gloss, so next day polishing on catalyzed urethanes is the mile deep club)
I had a body shop for 20 years, did a lot of high-end cars. Spend a zillion hours behind a polisher. Had a multi step polishing procedure. First you wet sand the car with 600 grit or 800 grit wet dry sandpaper. Then you use a true silky smooth tie on lambs wool bonnet and Dupont 606 hand application compound. (The secret is after going over the car the first time with the 606S compound, put on a fresh lambs wool bonnet, and go over the car a second time. It is amazing how it improves the gloss. That way you have a true polished surface to build your protection on. Then use liquid ebony to eliminate the swirl marks, then Maguire's machine glaze, and then hand glaze. People couldn't help but come over and ask you about the finish on the car. Three new bonnets are required) Anyhow, 1750 rpm's didn't do something, like warm up the finish enough to give you mind blowing gloss. The 5540 gives you up to 2800 RPM's with a speed setting dial, so you can tweak it in to the desired speed, which is 2400 for, automotive.
By the way the owners manual, which is available here at Amazon at this listing, and the listing on the 5540 as well shows you that the hook and loop pad is available as an option, with several different types of pads, depending on the application you are using.

Milwaukee makes great equipment, and no matter which model you choose, it is a nice piece for your arsenal. I just think the 5540 is worth the extra money, because of the increased capacity into an area that includes automotive level of finishing. Hope this helps.

When you what a polisher with some guts this is the one. Having been a Millwaukee fan since my first hole shooter drill, I expect a lot from each product I buy from them. This polisher is no exception. You can put a nice buff on a wax job with a light touch, or you can grind off 10 years of oxidation with rubbing compound and a firm application. The Millwaukee just keeps on working, staying cool in your hands and not bogging down. Costs a little more to buy this quality at first, but down the road these tools are always a bargin.

I compared this with the Makita 9227-c side by side. The Milwaukee is a good deal beefier and I'm confident it will run all day long if I ask it to. Note one difference is the Makita has a hook and loop (velcro) disk if you are for or against that. The Milwaukee has a plain rubber disk. I don't know if H&L is an option or not.

I use this for final buff-out of high gloss lacquer furniture finishes and it works great.

A nice feature is that the back has a "stand" of sorts, so you can lay the tool down securely without contaminating the bonnet. Also nice is the twist-lock cord that helps prevent breaking the conductors at the point where it leaves the tool. I have this problem with other tools that require a sharp bend to get them back in their cases.

This is variable speed, with a dial, so all you do is dial in the speed and pull the trigger switch. The speed dial is conveniently located at thumb-tip above the trigger.

I bought a cheap polisher for $30 that did a lousy job polishing the
car and motorcycles. Then I bought the Milwaukee - I can tell you this is
the real one - I was able to put a mirror finish back on scratched
motorcycle tanks whereas the cheap polisher only seemed to create a mess.
The balance, vibration, and longevity of this machine is far superior
to the cheap ones. Spend some extra money and buy a real tool !

I used this product to remove oxidation from my fiberglass ski boat. I tried several different compounds with no luck until I used them with the polisher. Completely removed haze and restored boats finish.

This is a great buffer but I did notice a couple of minor limitations. I wish the cord didn't angle down at the back of the handle. My first use was on a 30 foot sailboat and I had just put a second coat of ablative bottom paint on. The cord managed to screw up some of the fresh paint, which is my fault, but if the cord had gone straight out the back it wouldn't have happened. Someone else commented that to do true professional work you need a buffer that spins faster. Based on my experience I would have to agree.

That said it made short work of a dull, oxidized hull, and put a mirror like finish on the hull. I used lambs wool pads for the polishing compound and wax. The next job will be my Lincoln Town Car and I have foam pads for this job. I expect the same results.

The 4 star rating is the result of the limitations, if it weren't for these I would have rated it 5 stars.

As a pro resto shop we burn up about two Dewalt buffers a year. We have run every available brand and so far the Milwaukee seems far superior. The case is higher quality than other brands. A little shorter than the Dewalt which feels right. The slow start up and speed control are excellent. Weight is not an issue as with some Milwaukee tools. I would defiantly recommend this buffer.

After using my friends Milwaukee 5460, my Makita 9227c, which is a good machine, feels like a toy. The Milwaukee has better balance, is a little quieter and didn't get as hot, after extended use. We detail tractor-trailer cabs; they are a little more involved and take more time than a car. I highly recommend this excellent machine! Milwaukee 5460-6 7-Inch/9-Inch Polisher with Electronic Speed Control

IT remove all my swirl marks off my 2008 lexus gs 350 never had to go past 2000 rpm I am very happy camper with this polisher one thing is a little heavy after 1 hour of use so you need to take a brake all around is great

I have used this buffer for several years since purchase with no issues. Good quality. Precision speed control. Worth every penny.