Milwaukee M18 Random Orbit Sander dust collection

I have been using the Milwaukee M18 random Orbit Sander 2648-20 for the past couple weeks. Overall I’m happy with it as a small handheld finish sander. However, I noticed the dust collection vacuum hose hookup and perforations in the backer pad are very restrictively small. I have a larger Bosch 6.5 sander that doesn’t have this problem for comparison, but maybe this is typical of these small sanders? Either way, it was so bad that it was causing my DIY dust separator bucket to collapse from the pressure even with bracing inside the bucket! To solve this problem I installed a 2.5 y-connector that I had for my table saw (dual dust collection), and partially covered the one open side just enough to ease off the pressure. Hopefully this is a helpful solution for anyone that relies on a basic shop vac for dust collection that doesn’t have a variable speed control.

[@degacci]

It’s unfortunate how shitty the dust collector cartridge is especially the flimsy lis that doesn’t stay put. Also good luck finding filter or dust collector replacements. I just connect it to my ridged 14 gal vac directly, not my preferred method but much better than the stock dust collector