Wen Router
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
- I unbox and make the first cut with the $88 WEN Router. I was actually pretty impressed and will be keeping this router.
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4:10 “Never go with a cheap extension cord” - said the man reviewing one of the cheapest routers 😂😂😂.
Good point!
Some things are more critical than others. Cheap router at the home workshop - no problem. Cheap extension cord: risk of shock or fire.
This router actualy works really well for $80 you get more than what ya pay for comparing to dewalt thats $200+
The wen has that cool adjustment for height with the top spin dewalt doesnt have that, but the downside is its plastic so ya cant be rough on this tool, still should last a long time. Mine doesnt have sticky buttons and the plunge is okay. Not the smoothest plunge but its not terrible either. Operator correction is needed then no problem
I'm also becoming a big fan of WEN. Got the track saw, router, palm sander, planer spiral, spiral jointer, benchtop sander and thats it😅
I just got their air filtration system and it is working great!
Another nice no-nonsense review. Thanks!
Thank you and thanks for taking the time to comment
I got the same WEN router for Christmas. Haven't been able to use it just yet. I've been a big fan of WEN (so far) with the products I have. Planer, band-saw and jig-saw. Thanks for the quick, to the point, review. Some guys simply read the instructions, weigh it, test the spring tension, do a bunch of absolutely unnecessary test that I am not interested in. Your reviews and videos are the kind I like. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more. Thank you!!
Appreciate that John, I am looking at the band-saw as well. I will be getting a lot of use out of the router soon!
All the info I needed!.. excellent review..
Appreciate it Marcos
I have 3 Wen tools that work well in my shop here in Wasilla. The 12" drill press, the Belt/Disc sander and the 1044 CFM Overhead Dust Filtration unit. All Work surprisingly well.
I have been looking at the 1270 model dust filter for my shop. I have a 24x36 shop with 10 ft. walls and wondered if the 1044 would be big enough.
Looks like a nice router for $88! Thanks!
It feels really solid. I will be testing it out more this weekend!
Great video, thanks! I'm thinking of purchasing but waiting for your 6month review😃
To tell you the truth, I don't use this router much. I have a router table and a trim router that gets a lot of use. Based on that, not using it a lot, I would buy it again. If you need to use a plunge router a lot, I would not buy this one, the stiff spring action drives me crazy everytime I use it.
Nobody does a real review anymore, its all day 1 only reviews when crap is brand new... never any longevity reviews its just dumb everyone gotta open the box for us... like seriously you aint proving anything on day 1
Thank you for sharing. I am looking at this for doing door fronts with a eurostile tungsten carbide. How is this router working out for you?
Still working well. I do have 4 routers and use this one for my big jobs. It is a beast!
I have looked at other but it is difficult to find the right combination: high amp motor, 1/2 in, rpm, etc.
I was squatting over my plunge router trying to free the bit when i released plunge mechanism and it shot up smacking my nuts. I was doubled over for awhile.
Oh man, I bet that hurt. Can't say I have done that one yet!
@@AlaskaWorkshop Pain is an excellent teacher. I havent done it again.
Great review. Wondering if you figured out how to use the router with your track saw? Thanks!
Thanks, I never did try to find a guide but I do use the track to run the router along. Works pretty good.
@@AlaskaWorkshop thanks. Yes I may just do that! Can introduce some play but if I design a 3d printed version I'll let you know!
@@philipchristian9935 Yes, please do.
Thanks for the video, I wonder can the WEN router be used on a router table?
Not sure, but I bought it for the plunge feature and for flattening slabs.
@@AlaskaWorkshop Yes you can use it with a router table. You have to build a u shape to put the router in then just a bolt at the bottom and push the router up with that.
@@carlkellogg5342 Good to know, I have a lot of people ask. Thanks for adding to the discussion!
I just picked one of these up for $76 shipped (with a 10% discount). I can't imagine that it's not worth at least that, but definitely interested in what you think now that it's been a year
It is not my everyday router(I have a router table and trim router as well) so I don't use it a lot. When I do need it, it works well. Just cut some rabbits in my fence gate last week and it still works great. I will say that the springs are tough and it is hard to plunge smoothly.
@@AlaskaWorkshopi rate my wen 7/10 on the plunge part... ya really gotta pull down evenly and it works fine, but a bit sloppy... i hear same issue with the bosch its sloppy. With the wen, once its plunged down you can lock it in and then its rock solid. Im doing fine detail work with a carving bit and im not having issue and i wanna say thats where accuracy matters the most is with a small bit. For $80 its way better than i expected
So has your opinion changed any? I've been looking at it on Home Depots site. $87.00
I was going to order Bosch combo fixed/Plunge set, i had one before and I made the ultimate mistake of loaning it to a "Friend" thats decided I'm not his friend anymore (Long Story). The rest you have figured out already. I'll never brake that run again for anyone. I don't borrow tools and I normally don't loan them. Lessons learned the hard way.. I might let you date my wife sooner then borrow my tools
I still might order The Bosch and maybe this one for a back up or to leave on my table.
Thanks for the review.
I would go with the Bosch to tell you the truth. If you use the plunge often, it is worth spending the extra money, the springs on this thing are a pain.
Can you attach this to a router table? I am trying to decide whether to buy this WEN router or Skil fixed and plunge router.
I would not recommend this plunge router for a table. The springs for the plunge mechanism are very strong and difficult to use smoothly. I have this for a dedicated plunge router and recently ungraded my router table to a router lift with a Bosch 1617.
@@AlaskaWorkshop could you take the spings out so that it would go up easier and not like a plunge router? and do you think it would come up huig enough to change bits above table?
@@laurac4562 No it will not come up to change router bits but it can be used in a router table. Works quite well for a cheap router.
How is the spindle lock holding up?
It is holding up okay. I just used it yesterday but do not use it often. I have a router table and a trim router also. Still think it's worth the money but be aware the plunge stiffness is annoying.
@@AlaskaWorkshop
Good to hear it’s holding up. I’m thinking about a larger router. I have a table I built about a year ago and have a good router in there like you do. I also have a small Dewalt router but looking for something that has a little more power. Does it support Porter Cable guide bushings ?
And what's the 6 month verdict?
I just used it yesterday and it worked great. The springs on this thing are way too stiff but it still has a place in my 3 router lineup.
The carry box it total junk. Nothing stays put in it.
You are right, I tossed it as soon as I took the router out. The router sits on a french cleat now, accessories in a drawer.
If all you want is a cheap router it will do. It is anything but accurate. The guide rods are the poorest quality I have ever see on a router. The guide rod springs are to strong for the router. Because of a combination of springs being to strong and guide rods being to sloppy when doing a plunge cut the router bit can be off as much as 1/16 of a inch when making contact with the wood. I can see why they don't make a base plate that excepts the Porter Cable style guide bushings. The router bit would tear it up when plunging the router. The plunging action has that much slop. After using the router for 6 months would I purchase it again ? Nope.
I agree with you. If you are just starting out this is a good bargain but you will want to upgrade eventually. I have upgraded my router table to a lift, upgraded my table saw, upgraded my bandsaw. I just used this router today doing a flush cut on 3/4" ply. It would have taken my trim router several passes. I must admit that most of my router work is handled by my router table. Thanks for your input.
Waste of time...cant use a 1/2 flattening bit...the bit is 2 inch wide cutting,but the throat is 1 7/8ths opening...wasted my time abd money
Get a collett extension, you'd want it for flattening anyways.