milwaukee 2531-20 M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander User Manual

June 3, 2024
Milwaukee

OPERATOR’S MANUALmilwaukee 2531 20 M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander - Icon
1 Cat. No.
2531-20
M12 FUEL™ ORBITAL DETAIL SANDER

2531-20 M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander

WARNING To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand operator’s manual.

GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS

WARNING
Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifica- tions provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.
WORK AREA SAFETY

  • Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
  • Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
  • Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

  • Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
  • Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
  • Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
  • Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
  • When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
  • If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of an GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

  • Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
  • Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
  • Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
  • Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
  • Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
  • Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
  • If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
  • Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.

POWER TOOL USE AND CARE

  • Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

  • Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

  • Disconnect the plug from the power source and/ or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

  • Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

  • Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.

  • Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

  • Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

  • Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE

  • Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
  • Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
  • When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
  • Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
  • Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
  • Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 265°F (130°C) may cause explosion.
  • Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

SERVICE

  • Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
  • Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

 SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR SANDERS

  • WARNING To reduce the risk of injury, when working in dusty situations, wear appropriate respiratory protection or use an OSHA compliant dust extraction solution.
  • Always use common sense and be cautious when using tools. It is not possible to anticipate every situation that could result in a dangerous outcome. Do not use this tool if you do not understand these operating instructions or you feel the work is beyond your capability; contact Milwaukee Tool or a trained professional for additional information or training.
  • Maintain labels and nameplates. These carry important information. If unreadable or missing, contact a MILWAUKEE service facility for a free replacement.
  • WARNING Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
  • lead from lead-based paint
  • crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
  • arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber. Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

SYMBOLOGY

| Volts
---|---
| Direct Current
|  Orbits per Minute (OPM)
| UL Listing for Canada and U.S.

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

milwaukee 2531 20 M12 Fuel Orbital Detail Sander - Fig

  1. LED
  2. Speed selector
  3. Lock-on button
  4. Fuel gauge
  5. Handle
  6. Trigger
  7. Backing Pad

SPECIFICATIONS

Cat. No. …………………………………………….. 2531-20
Volts…………………………………………………….. 12 DC
Battery Type ………………………………………….M12™
Charger Type…………………………………………M12™
Orbits Per Min…………………………….. 4000 – 14,000
Backing Pad ……………………………..Hook-and-Loop
Recommended Ambient
Operating Temperature ………………….0°F to 125°F

ASSEMBLY

WARNING
Recharge only with the charger specified for the battery. For specific charging instructions, read the operator’s manual supplied with your charger and battery. Removing/Inserting the Battery
To remove the battery, push in the release buttons and pull the battery pack away from the tool.
WARNING Always remove battery pack before changing or removing accessories. To insert the battery, slide the pack into the body of the tool. Make sure it latches securely into place.
WARNING Only use accessories specifically recommended for this tool. Othersmay be hazardous. Selecting Sandpaper and Grits Sandpaper can be made from various grit materials and these should be selected according the material to be sanded. The guidelines below list materials and grit materials that should be used with them.

  • Fine woodwork – garnet or aluminum oxide
  • Rough woodwork – aluminum zirconia or ceramic aluminum oxide
  • Manufactured wood products (particleboard,medium density fiber board, etc.) – silicon carbide or aluminum oxide • Solid surface materials (Corian ® , quartz, granite, etc.) – silicon carbide or aluminum oxide
  • Metals – emery or aluminum oxide Sandpaper is also graded by coarseness. Start your work with an abrasive grit just coarse enough to remove high spots and excessive roughness. Follow with a second sanding using a grit one or two gradesfiner. Continue with successively finer grits until you obtain the desired finish. Do not switch from a coarse grit to a very fine grit in one step because it may be difficult to remove the marks made by the coarse grit abrasive. Use the finest grits practical for the roughing operation, and finish by using successively finer grits.
Grit Type Typical Application

60
80| Coarse| Ideal for initial sanding on rougher surfaces. For fast stock removal. Rough sanding and stripping of painted and rusted surfaces.
100
120| Medium| For intermediate sanding and removal of minor surface imper- fections.
150
180
220| Fine| Ideal for fine sanding prior to straining, priming, or sealing.

Attaching Hook-and-Loop Sanding Sheets

  1. Remove the battery pack.
  2. Align sanding sheet with backing pad, then carefully press fuzzy side of sanding sheet against backing pad as tightly as possible.

NOTE: Hook-and-loop type sanding sheets can be reused for the life of the sanding abrasive. It is recommended that you keep the backing pad clean to provide for best adhesion. Clean occasionally by brushing lightly with a small brush.

OPERATION

WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, always wear proper eye protection marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. When working in dusty situations, wear appropriate respiratory protection or use an OSHA compliant dust extraction solution.
Fuel Gauge To determine the amount of charge left in the battery, turn the tool ON. The Fuel Gauge will light up for 2-3 seconds. When less than 10% of charge is left, 1  ight on the fuel gauge will flash 4 times. To signal the end of charge, 1 light on the fuel gauge will flash 8 times and the tool will not run. Charge the battery pack.
If the battery becomes too hot, the fuel gauge lights will flash and the tool will not run. Allow the battery to cool down.
Using the Speed Selector
The speed selector button is used to adjust the oscillating speed (OPM) for the application. Press the speed selector button to cycle through the 4 speeds. When the desiredspeed indicator number is lit, begin work. Allow the tool to come to a complete stop before changing speeds.

Speed 1 2 3 4
OPM 0 – 8000 0 – 10,000 0 – 12,000 0 – 14,000

Starting, Stopping and Controlling Speed

  1. To start the tool, grasp the handle firmly and pull the trigger.
    NOTE: An LED is turned on when the trigger is pulled and will go off shortly after the trigger is released.

  2. To vary the speed, increase or decrease the pressure on the trigger. The further the trigger is pulled, the greater the speed.

  3. To stop the tool, release the trigger. Ensure the tool has come to a complete stop before laying the tool down.

Trigger Lock-On
Use trigger lock-on when sanding for an extended period of time or when covering a large area.

  1. To lock-on, pull the trigger and push in the lockon button.
  2. To release the lock-on, pull and release the trigger.

WARNING Finish sanding can produce clouds of fine dust that could ignite in the presence of sparks or open flame. Always wear a suitable dust mask or respirator and use your sander in a well-ventilated area. To reduce the risk of injury, inspect for and remove all raised nails and fasteners from workpiece before sanding. Striking a fastener while sanding could cause loss of control.
General Sanding with Random Orbit Sanders When using random orbit sanders there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Unlike most sanders, random orbit sanders should be placed on the workpiece BEFORE the tool is started. If the sander is started before it is placed on the workpiece, the free floating pad may be spinning at a speed that can cause scratches when it is finally placed on workpiece.
  • Unlike most sanders, random orbit sanders can be moved across the workpiece in any direction (in the case of wood, regardless of the direction of the grain).
  • Varying pressure applied to the sander will affect its rotating speed. A light pressure is recommended for fine work, moderate pressure for rough work. Excessive pressure does not allow the pad to rotate enough.
  • Keep sanding pad flat on the workpiece. Tipping the sander or using the edges of the pad may produce an uneven finish, and reduce pad life.
  • Keep sander moving in broad even strokes across the workpiece. Sanding in one spot too long can cause gouging and uneven results.
  • Check the workpiece frequently, random orbit sanders work more aggressively than simple orbital sanders.

WARNING Properly secure workpiece before sanding. Unsecured work could be thrown towards the operator causing injury. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry when operating sander. They could get caught in moving parts causing serious injury. Keep head away from sander and sanding area. Hair could be drawn into sander causing serious injury.

  1. Place sander on the workpiece and turn on thesander.

  2. Keep the sanding sheet flat against the workpiece, keep the sander moving across the workpiece, and use long, sweeping strokes.

  3. Begin sanding with a coarse grit sandpaper and gradually use finer and finer grits of sandpaper until the desired finish is reached. For example when using the sander on wood, begin with an 80 grit followed by a 120 grit, then a 180 grit and so on. Removing Paint or Varnish 1. When removing several layers of paint or varnish, remove as much as possible with a paint solvent or varnish remover. 2. Scrape away the residue with a putty knife or other scraping tool and allow the surface to cool and dry before applying sander to the workpiece.
    WARNING To reduce the risk of fire and explosion, paint solvents and varnish removers must be removed from the workpiece and the workpiece must be completely dry before sanding. 3. Select a coarse grit sandpaper sheet to help preventthe sandpaper from clogging.

  4. Keep the sander moving over new areas to avoid heating and softening the old coating (paint or varnish).

  5. Work in wide, overlapping strokes to produce auniform finish.

  6. As the workpiece begins to show through the old coating, switch to a medium grit sandpaper sheet to avoid scratching the surface of the workpiece. Gradually switch to a fine grit sandpaper until you achieve the desired finish.

MAINTENANCE

WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, always unplug the charger and remove the battery pack from the charger or tool before performing any maintenance. Never disassemble the tool, battery pack or charger. Contact a MILWAUKEE service facility for ALL repairs.
Replacing the Backing Pad
The hook-and-loop backing pad can be rotated in 8 positions for ease of use. Replace backing pad if broken or defective.

  1. Remove the battery pack and any sanding sheets.
  2. Remove the screw that holds the backing pad in place.
  3. Remove the backing pad.
  4. Clean dust and debris from the sander.
  5. Install the new backing pad in the desired position with the screw securely. NOTICE: Do notovertighten.

Maintaining Tool
Keep your tool, battery pack and charger in good repair by adopting a regular maintenance program. Inspect your tool for issues such as undue noise, misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, or any other condition that may affect the tool operation. Return the tool, battery pack, and charger to a MILWAUKEE service facility for repair. After six months to one year, depending on use, return the tool, battery pack and charger to a MILWAUKEE service facility for inspection.
If the tool does not start or operate at full power with a fully charged battery pack, clean the contacts on the battery pack. If the tool still does not work properly, return the tool, charger and battery pack, to a MILWAUKEE service facility for repairs.
WARNING To reduce the risk of personal injury and damage, never immerse your tool, battery pack or charger in liquid or allow a liquid to flow inside them.
Cleaning
Clean dust and debris from vents. Keep handles clean, dry and free of oil or grease. Use only mild soap and a damp cloth to clean, since certain cleaning agents and solvents are harmful to plastics and other insulated parts. Some of these include gasoline, turpentine, lacquer thinner, paint thinner, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia and household detergents containing ammonia. Never use flammable or combustible solvents around tools.
Repairs
For repairs, return the tool, battery pack and charger to the nearest authorized service center.
ACCESSORIES
WARNING
Use only recommended accessories. Others may be hazardous.
For a complete listing of accessories, go online to www.milwaukeetool.com or contact a distributor.

SERVICE – UNITED STATES

1-800-SAWDUST (1.800.729.3878)
Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM CST
or visit www.milwaukeetool.com
Contact Corporate After Sales Service Technical
Support with technical, service/repair, or warranty questions.
Email: metproductsupport@milwaukeetool.com
Become a Heavy Duty Club Member at www.milwaukeetool.com to receive important notifications regarding your tool purchases.
SERVICE – CANADA
Milwaukee Tool (Canada) Ltd

1.800.268.4015
Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST or visit www.milwaukeetool.ca

LIMITED WARRANTY USA & CANADA

USA & CANADA Every MILWAUKEE power tool* (see exceptions below) is warranted to the original purchaser only to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Subject to certain exceptions, MILWAUKEE will repair or replace any part on an electric power tool which, after examination, is determined by MILWAUKEE to be defective in material or workmanship for a period of five (5) years* after the date of purchase unless otherwise noted. Return of the power tool to a MILWAUKEE factory Service Center location or MILWAUKEE Authorized Service Station, freight prepaid and insured, is required. A copy of the proof of purchaseshould be included with the return product. This warranty does not apply to damage that MILWAUKEE determines to be from repairsmade or attempted by anyone other than MILWAUKEE authorized personnel, misuse, alterations, abuse, normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, or accidents.
Normal Wear: Many power tools need periodic parts replacement andservice to achieve best performance. This warranty does not cover repair when normal use has exhausted the life of a part including, but not limited to, chucks, brushes, cords, saw shoes, blade clamps, o-rings, seals, bumpers, driver blades, pistons, strikers, lifters, and bumper cover washers.
This warranty does not cover Air Nailers & Staplers; Airless Paint Sprayer; Cordless Battery Packs; Gasoline Driven Portable Power Generators; Hand Tools; Hoist – Electric, Lever & Hand Chain; M12™ Heated Gear; Reconditioned Product; and Test & MeasurementProducts. There are separate and distinct warranties available for these products.
**The warranty period for Job Site Radios, M12™ Power Port, M18™ Power Source, Jobsite Fan and Trade Titan™ Industrial Work Carts is one (1) year from the date of purchase. The warranty period for the M18 FUEL™ 1” D-Handle High Torque Impact Wrenches, Drain Cleaning Cables, AIRSNAKE™ Drain Cleaning Air Gun Accessories, REDLITHIUM™ USB Laser Levels and TRAPSNAKE™ 25′ Auger w/ CABLE DRIVE™ is two (2) years from the date of purchase. The warranty period for the M18™ Compact Heat Gun, 8 Gallon Dust Extractor,M18™ Framing Nailers, M18 FUEL™ 1/2″ Ext. Anvil Controlled TorqueImpact Wrench w/ ONE-KEY™, M18 FUEL™ 1″ High Torque Impact Wrench w/ ONE-KEY™, M18 FUEL™ 2 Gal. Compact Quiet Compressor, M12™ Laser Levels, 165′ Laser Detector, M12™ 23GA Pin Nailer, M18 FUEL™ 1/4″ Blind Rivet Tool w/ ONE-KEY™, M12 FUEL™Low Speed Tire Buffer, M18 FUEL™ Random Orbital Polishers, and the M18™ Utility Fencing Stapler is three (3) years from the date of purchase. The warranty period for the LED in the LED Work Light and the LED Upgrade Bulb for the Work Light is the lifetime of the product subject to the limitations above. If during normal use the LED or LED Bulb fails, the part will be replaced free of charge. Warranty Registration is not necessary to obtain the applicable warranty on a MILWAUKEE power tool product. The manufacturing date of the product will be used to determine the warranty period if no proof of purchase is provided at the time warranty service is requested.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE EXCLUSIVE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENTREMEDIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IS A CONDITION OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF EVERY MILWAUKEE PRODUCT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THIS CONDITION, YOU SHOULD NOTPURCHASE THE PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT SHALL MILWAUKEE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIALOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY COSTS, ATTORNEY FEES,EXPENSES, LOSSES OR DELAYS ALLEGED TO BE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF ANY DAMAGE TO, FAILURE OF, OR DEFECT IN ANYPRODUCT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CLAIMS FOR LOSS OF PROFITS. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EX- CLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MILWAUKEE DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE; TO THE EXTENT SUCH DISCLAIMER IS NOT PERMITTED BY LAW, SUCH IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE APPLICABLE EXPRESS WARRANTY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
This warranty applies to product sold in the U.S.A. and Canada only. Please consult the ‘Service Center Search’ in the Parts & Service section of MILWAUKEE’s website www.milwaukeetool.com or call 1.800. SAWDUST (1.800.729.3878) to locate your nearest service facility for warranty and non-warranty service on a Milwaukee electric power tool.

MILWAUKEE TOOL
13135 West Lisbon Road
Brookfield, WI 53005 USA
58142531d1 12/21
961014346-01(A)
Printed in China

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