Given the companies’ affiliations, there’s a very good chance that Pratt-Read is the OEM.

As well as the Porter Cable version : http://toolguyd.com/porter-cable-low-profile-5-inch-random-orbital-sander/

Brushless motors may sometimes be smaller in size, but I’m not certain. In the case of the new Dewalt brushless impact driver, they achieved a higher max-torque rating (1500 in-lbs vs 1400), and greater runtime in what looks to be a same-size form factor. The decrease in overall tool length may be attributed to both the brushless motor and new chuck designs.

If they designed the motor to be a little smaller, the runtime improvement would be less significant and the max torque would drop. We will probably see smaller brushless motors used in 12V tools in the future, if costs drop and brand managers can justify the R&D. I would say that that’s the direction things are headed since there’s a ceiling as to how much smaller, lighter, and more powerful these 12V tools can be made to be.

The comparison of brushless vs brushed is not quite the same as lithium-ion vs Ni-Cad battery packs. Li-ion is more energy-dense, meaning you can produce physically smaller packs with comparable or even improved performance. In this case, the efficiency is greatly improved, resulting in less current draw to achieve the same power.

If you bump up the current draw, you don’t see as much of a difference in runtime as you do in speed and power. It will be interesting to see which path different manufacturers choose. Different designs mean that some brands will seek a runtime advantage and others will seek the title for best-in-class power.

In dewalt’s flurry of new 20 volt tools, I hope they build a right hand blade circ saw.

Actually, I hope they build an 18 volt version, as I wont be getting into the 20v stuff.

Looks like another place for trouble having a lever actuate the chuck. I don’t think the quest for the shortest overall length is that important. All the impacts are as compact as they really need to be.

just saying……