Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 5540 11 Amp 7-Inch Polisher

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

 

 

I have looked all of the polishers available here at Amazon. Using something at 1750 RPMs might be ok for some finishes, but to get true high quality gloss, you need a 2400 RPM machine. Less than that, you don't bring up deep gloss. More than that, with the speed of a sander or grinder (4500=6000 RPM) will burn your finish right up.
This Milwaukee has the right speed, and it is variable if you want to go into a different level of polishing, than the automotive level. With 11 amps in the motor, you are sure to have the kind of power that will guarantee a constant speed, even when you have a 7" bonnet loaded with compound.
Another great feature is the locking collet. I had a body shop for 20 years, did a lot of high end cars, personally spent more hours on a 7" polisher than would be believable if I stated it, seriously, and locking collet would be a dream come true. Most polishers have an allen wrench based nut in the center of them, which holds the rubber backing pad to the shaft. When it is time to change a pad, it is often frustrating, because of the center nut. All you can do to change the pad is hold on to the backing pad, and use an allen wrench. That resulted in a slipping backing pad, sliding around the spindle. To have a locking collet is an engineering dream for a polisher.
Since polishers require a lot more torque, and beefy components, than a grinder, it is comforting to know that this Milwaukee has helical gearing, and all ball and roller bearings.
I have come to appreciate the heavy duty build on Milwaukee tools. Their new Lok Tor cordless drills are the highest torque in the industry. Their 11 amp sawzall is the best, and the list goes on.
I noticed a comment in the editorial review, that a pro might need more speed. NOT. This polisher covers the proper speed. A burn mark in a polished finish, looks like a raising of the material, in a little series of ridges. Another peril of too much speed is a quick burn through the finish, revealing base coats for example primer. I mention this because this is the heavy duty unit. You don't need something faster, or more powerful. You would be hard pressed to find another tool out there that does the job better. The competition, with less power, slower speeds, and that funny handle that goes over the top of the polisher is not what you want. I went into the local home center and felt that handle position just today. It is uncomfortable for polishing. You want your hand out out to one side of the head, just the way this Milwaukee is. They further enable you to choose a side, in the event that you are left handed. It gives you a wider stance with a side handle, which equals better control.
All in all this is a five star piece of equipment. It costs a little more than the competition, but the extra money is put in the tool. Highly recommended.

This is the best High speed Polisher i have evre used.It's light and easy to use.not only has it out lasted my outher polishers it stil works like it's new. It also has the best feel to the hands,it never heats up or slows down it's one Heavev Duty tool.

This is the third polisher I have purchased, the first two were inexpensive Craftsman units and neither lasted very long. I have owned a Milwaukee sawzall for twenty years and it has been great. This Polisher is every bit up to the quality I expected. I have used it for polishing and sanding and its power and speed range are up to the tasks. Changing sanding disks or polishing bonnets is quick and easy with no tools required, also the speed control feature makes using the unit almost fool proof. The Bottom line is you get what you pay for.

This tool is great .... its a buffer and a large angle grinder ... you can adjust the speed down for buffing and put it at 100 percent for grinding

I won't pretend that I have owned several polishers before, however I do own several Milwaukee products and this is just another great product. It is used for weekend detailing and i use it all day without any hick-up or problem. I have owned this polisher for about two months and I would definitely recommend this product. It has plenty of power and it is built to last.

I've owned many Milwaukee tools over the years and they've always been great and hard to kill. The problem I have with the 5540 11 amp polisher is the trigger, I got pinched the very first time I used it. Milwaukee decided to save money on this on by not using their signature long trigger. The short trigger has a slight opening at the top and will pinch your finger unless you press it at the bottom. I would of returned the tool if I was using it for production but I'm just using it for polishing my cars.

The polisher works great but I thought a Milwaukee would be made in the US.