Wen, 4” x 36” Belt / 6” Disc Sander/ One Year Review / Is It Still Worth The Money?

Let’s do a One Year Review of The Wen 4” x 36” Belt Sander / 6” Disc Sander! Is it still worth $136.00? You’ll be surprised....Here’s the original unboxing, set up and Review video from October 2019
• Wen 4” x 36” Cast Iron...

[@trep53]

Bought one of these about 6 months ago and use it much more than I thought I would. It works very well and I couldn’t be happier. I also have the Wen oscillating spindle sander and a Wen 10” band saw they all work great so I cannot say anything bad about WEN.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching! Appreciate the feedback

[@barrybehrle7016]

Very helpful. Bought one for a friend. Like the belt vertical table conversion. Nice

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching!

[@Rad_Pug]

Just ordered one. Been waiting for my local Lowe's price of $180 to go down. Finally caved and went to Amazon and it was $120. Had to get it. Thanks for the reviews.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching Stephen!

[@lesstein3747]

Waiting on delivery of this unit..have the wen drill press and the bandsaw..for the price and work that I do it’s a great value. Always surprised at how sturdy these tool are!

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Les! I agree! A great bang for the buck!

[@joelynch1059]

I'm getting one for Christmas. I peaked don't judge me! Thanks for the video!

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Joe! Congrats!

[@TriMattTV]

Thank you guys!

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Matt!

[@chadbrown8377]

I just bought this sander to do some metal work as a replacement for the wheel I have been using and I am excited to try it out. Most reviews have been very positive. I also own the WEN 10 Inch drill press and am happy as a clam with it. For the price have paid for these tools I think they should fit well in my DIY shop. Now where is the WEN 10x22" metal lathe?

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Chad! Glad you like them… not sure if they have a metal lathe

[@RandyGarbin]

Thanks for the video. I have the same sander, and given its price, I have my fingers crossed it'll last me for a few years. It's so far served me well.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Randy! After over a year, I’m pretty confident that it will last, time will tell

[@timvandyke8165]

I have been researching 6" × 36" sanders. I have seem mixed reviews on the Wen. It is good to hear a review from someome who has used it a lot for at least a year. Thanks for the video!

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks Tim! I appreciate you Watching! It has worked great for me!

[@BODEMAN85]

i picked one up a couple months ago from amazon, i have used it twice for about 1 hour each time. It has worked well both times but now the motor doesnt like to start without helping the belt along then it takes off and works. the capacitor tests pretty close to good, im guessing its the problem. Called WEN they are sending me a new CAP and Motor, after doing their series of troubleshooting tests over the phone, they are sure the motor is bad, i disagree but i didnt argue they are sending both at no cost, so we will see. Good luck with yours! Their customer service in my experience was top notch.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Nate! I’ve had mine for over a year now with no issues

[@shockwave972]

Just bought this on Amazon for 109 worth every penny!

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Richard! Thats a great deal!

[@jhirn2957]

I need a sharpener and went from considering diamond stones, to the Wen sharpener, to maybe just getting this beast and making a sharpening jig. Feel like this could serve multi purposes in my finite space and finite budget.
WEN is really killing it rn. They kinda manage to emulate 95% of performance despite 50-75% of the “build quality”, but for 25% of the cost for the tools they emulate.
I’m considering the Bauer version of this sander from harbor freight but I just had such a great customer service experience with my tracksaw, Wen’s a no brainer. Oh it’s also $20 cheaper than the Bauer/harbor freight 4” belt sander. HOW???

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Joseph! Appreciate the feedback

[@les2998]

Nice review on this.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks!

[@grizztough4091]

does it also work for metal? Like axe heads, hammers, basic hand tool restoration, rust removal? Is it strong enough? Obviously I would use different grits. Maybe grinding a rough edge on an axe for final sharpening?

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching! Good question! I have used it on metal with no issues

[@tskipwadoo3447]

The one Harbor Freight is difficult to change the belt. I’m about to buy one of these.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching! Haven’t had to change the belt yet so I don’t know

[@tubbs200803]

I think I got one of the very last of the previous generation one before this model and mine runs like a champ. Big orange not so boxy not sure of the model number. Make sure you blow out your motor with compressed air from time to time and they'll last longer.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching Dustin! Appreciate the tip

[@giaxxone]

I just bought this exact sander with Bauer branding from harbor freight for $99. Aside from the color and label the only difference is the stop/guard for the belt.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching! Enjoy!

[@versatileduplicity9313]

awesome !

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching!

[@colemahaney880]

with military discount 114 usd at lowes ........love mine

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Cole! Awesome deal!

[@colemahaney880]

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ have a great weekend Tom

[@NormanMcGregor]

I have this unit and YES I recommend it too!!

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks Norman! For the home hobbyist it’s perfect!

[@SmithWesson90]

Is the Ryobi 4x36 the same quality same abilities? My uses are light wood work and knife making.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching!

[@JGDarkOne]

@@SmithWesson90 It seems like generally the WEN, RYOBI, BAUER all have a similar shared model probably owned by their parent company and distributed by them. They all seem to be exactly the same give or take a few details like the position the switch is facing and the plate looks.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Agreed! Thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@ranacherian]

i see they changed that orange turn knob design on the newer one.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching! I have not seen that, Thanks for sharing!

[@b3arwithm3]

Can we glue velcro on the disk to make swaping sanding discs faster?

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching! I don’t think that will work... good idea though

[@jimdimitrios1]

thinking of getting one, but is the disc sander guid tight in the plate groove? ive seen a few brands where its sloppy

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching….?

[@appalachianman824]

Its on sale for $91 today !

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

That’s a great deal! Thanks for Watching

[@frankb.3556]

Great review! Just ordered one. Newer version does not have cast iron base.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching! Enjoy!

[@travis9621]

Mine quit working after a few months. The motor stopped and smells burnt... Junk

[@kkperu6375]

I used one for a fee months heavily to fine-shape wood, and it came out of the box working as intended. when it came time to change the belt it that’s when the frustration began as the locking mechanism was too flimsy/weak to provide tension in the belt to keep from sliding around. I would not recommend this.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching! Ive not had that issue changing the sanding belt

[@kkperu6375]

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Thanks I'm glad that you didn't! I had the arrows on the belt going the right way too!

[@rancehess3458]

The one my son bought me had problems right out of the box. Didn't use it for a few months, didn't even unpack it, so I couldn't send it back. I turn it on and before even using it, the belt won't turn. It just hums and then trips the breaker. Nothing is binding, the motor is defective. This happens several times until it FINALLY starts turning. Has very limited power and stalls out easily. I am going to trash it and buy a Bucktool. They have much better reviews.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Rance! Appreciate the feedback

[@versatileduplicity9313]

Could I just use it without the guard

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching……

[@versatileduplicity9313]

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ I hope mines work. Haven’t tested it yet

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

I’ve had mine for a little over 2 years with no issues

[@ericsprado4631]

Would somebody show how to change the belt????That is biggest buggaboo with lower priced belt grinders......

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching Eric! Havent had the need to do that, You were able to get a spare belt?

[@clinthightowerclinthightow4950]

Sound quality is low volume is low video is great but can't hear you well have to turn the volume all the way up.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@josephromero1596]

is that a 2.5 inch dust port?

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching! Yes

[@josephromero1596]

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ there either out of stock or $210 now on Amazon lol I guess I’ll wait a bit

[@josephromero1596]

Found one on eBay $132😎 ty

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Enjoy!

[@wessunde2801]

@@josephromero1596 I'm looking at this one. It's $121usd on Amazon right now. It seems to be the same as a half dozen other brands, with the exception of color scheme & a couple minor surface details .

[@deejo3021]

Picked one up for $20

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching! Awesome deal!

[@PaintHerWhite]

I bought one and regretted it. The tool support in front of the disc is only supported on one side, and flexes a lot. The sanding disc ran with a wobble. And a large plastic piece behind the sanding disc had mounting tabs that broke off, allowing it to rest against the back side of the disc, creating racket. The one thing this has going for it is that it was cheap, but it is equally cheaply made.
For all their bragging about making quality tools, WEN dropped the ball on this one.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for watching! Over 2 years with mine and I haven’t had an issue. I appreciate the feedback

[@murph1414]

Goo Gone Adhesive Remover works wonders on all adhesives.

[@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ]

Thanks for Watching James! Appreciate the feedback