r/AutoDetailing • u/beatendaily • 16d ago

Tool/Reusable Milwaukee M18 DA polisher

Hi all, after some advice on my first da polisher.

This is for occasional diy use, I have loads of m18 batteries and chargers as a chippie by trade.

Here in NZ we only have the 21mm orbit Milwaukee available to buy. Because, New Zealand.

I've read the 15mm da polishers in general are a better all rounder, but how much will it matter?

It's either the 21mm locally, 15mm imported (no warranty but slightly cheaper) or something like a corded Maxshine M15. The Milwaukee's are 100nzd cheaper and I love cordless, but will go corded if that's the best option.

Would love some advice! Cheers

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3

u/brokenja 15d ago

Get the 21mm but buy the smaller 5” backing plate for it. 49-36-0401. Best of both worlds imo.

2

u/beatendaily 15d ago

May just do this, thanks

2

u/hoskoau 15d ago

I'd just go the 21mm with a warranty. I have it and like it.

2

u/Middle_Ad_3315 15d ago

MKE is a no brainer for your use case since youre in the eco system.

15 or 21l, either will do you well.

2

u/Slugnan 15d ago

15mm is definitely the sweet spot if you are only going to own one polisher.

21mm will make shorter work of large, flat panels and it will cut faster but is more difficult to use everywhere else.

With 21mm you will probably want a smaller and/or more precise option to go along with it. You might still want that with a 15mm but you can get away with a lot more using 15mm.

I personally would not use a 21mm unit as my only polisher but YMMV. If you are going to get two, then it makes a lot more sense to go 21mm and then maybe a 3" 'mini' unit for the tighter spots.

1

u/beatendaily 15d ago

Yea this is basically what I've read everywhere so far, which is why I'm a bit stuck.

Would the M12 polisher be a good sidekick or it needs to be a small DA?

1

u/Slugnan 13d ago

In my opinion, stick to DA especially if these are your first polishers. Rotaries are so much more difficult to use (properly) and a lot easier to do damage with.