You can also get the ridgid from direct tools if/when they have it in stock. The factory blemished version is usually 229 and the factory reconditioned is 179. Also it keeps its warranty as well as they are a certified seller
There are several makes that sell branded versions of this- basically all that changes is the color. Both this and the Ridgid use 450W motors, so they have the same power. May well use identical mechanics. Very good value. I shall be making a dust guiding shroud for the belt, to improve dust collection. This tool rotates in the opposite direction to the Ridgid- for me, I prefer the anti-clockwise motion of this; others may have a different preference. Shame that if does not have the miter guide slot of the Ridgid- may have to build adapters...
Great video! Thanks for straight talk and getting to the point of things so clearly. Just picked one up new on FB market. I can't get the belt sander right side nut to start. Looking to see if others have same prob.
1. Clean the threads of the nut and the spindle with WD-40, using a stiff bristle brush to ensure cleaning to the bottom of the thread. 2. Blow off the excess oil/dirt with air then wipe both items with a clean piece of paper towel - again making sure to get to the bottom of the thread. 3. Finally, spritz the spindle threads with just a tiny bit of WD-40 - I spray onto a clean portion of the wiping cloth and wipe it onto the threads. 4. Wipe threads almost dry and the nut should go on without any difficulty. If it still won't go, chase the threads of the spindle and the nut to get rid of any flats, dings or dents.
Thanks for the review and the time to do it. How long the belt lasts depends on what brand belt you get. 3M belts way outlast cheaper belts. Price matters.
I wonder if you sprayed the inside of the housing with truck bed liner if it would muffle the sound a bit. It's in essences a large resonating chamber with a loud thing inside of it. You may have some easy way to sound dampen this thing. Look for dead cavities you can stuff with foam chunks or great stuff expanding foam.
Awesome video! I liked your mobile dust station idea, the box fan/filter is a great add on. I saw that WEN offers a stand alone oscillating spindle sander with out the belt. Do you see any benefit in getting the oscillating belt & spindle sander if you already own a belt/disc combo sander? Or would you just get regular spindle sander? Thanks
Good question. The main reason I ditched my belt/disc for a belt/spindle is dust collection; even with a vacuum on the belt/disc, it still shot dust everywhere. Might just be my model (Harbor Frieght), but that was an issue for me. Plus, if you think about it, the oscillating belt alone can do what belt/disc can do (sand edges and circles), but with a larger table to work on. So I saw it as completely replacing my belt/disc, adding in a spindle feature, and getting better dust collection.
Harbor Freight has introduced their Bauer branded version of this same basic unit. I am thinking of grabbing one to use as a horizontal sander for knife making.
I saw that one the other day. Looks identical to the WEN on the outside, but I haven’t compared the power specs. I also forgot the price but I’m sure it’s significantly cheaper than 180
Great video ! Ordered one from amazon just turned it on and the belt sander goes down all the way chewing it up on the bottom tension feels tight not sure what to do any suggestions thanks
before you buy the rigid,,check the reviews,,,on the hd website there is 80 one star reviews,,,they have gotten a lot of 4 and 5 stars,,,but 80 one star reviews,,,thats a lot of bad reviews
Be careful here. The Rigid can be found in other online stores but if purchases, say, from Amazon and something goes wrong, there is no warranty. Only when purchased from HD will any warranty be honored.
Good video! I'll have to go with Rigid. Higher amp motor, bigger table, and made in the USA - not China. My shop is exclusively Rigid, so I'll have to stick with them.
Great review looking at all the sanders on the market 👍.
Thank you for the very helpful video, straight to the point with no BS. Awesome!
Appreciate that. The more no-BS tool reviews out there, the better.
I duplicated your setup (sander, fan + filter, shopvac) and couldn't be happier with the results. Thank you!
thank you so much, your video is so helpful man!! thank you for giving all details about both machines, you are amazing man,
Ive got the Wen spindle sander and i use the rigid small hose and it fits the dust port. Its not a perfect fit but works well
You can also get the ridgid from direct tools if/when they have it in stock. The factory blemished version is usually 229 and the factory reconditioned is 179. Also it keeps its warranty as well as they are a certified seller
Nice video.... thanks for the info...🙂
There are several makes that sell branded versions of this- basically all that changes is the color. Both this and the Ridgid use 450W motors, so they have the same power. May well use identical mechanics. Very good value. I shall be making a dust guiding shroud for the belt, to improve dust collection. This tool rotates in the opposite direction to the Ridgid- for me, I prefer the anti-clockwise motion of this; others may have a different preference. Shame that if does not have the miter guide slot of the Ridgid- may have to build adapters...
Thanks for noting the anti-clockwise motion. As a left-handed guy, that makes a huge difference to me, and just sold me on the Wen.
Great video! Thanks for straight talk and getting to the point of things so clearly.
Just picked one up new on FB market. I can't get the belt sander right side nut to start.
Looking to see if others have same prob.
1. Clean the threads of the nut and the spindle with WD-40, using a stiff bristle brush to ensure cleaning to the bottom of the thread.
2. Blow off the excess oil/dirt with air then wipe both items with a clean piece of paper towel - again making sure to get to the bottom of the thread.
3. Finally, spritz the spindle threads with just a tiny bit of WD-40 - I spray onto a clean portion of the wiping cloth and wipe it onto the threads.
4. Wipe threads almost dry and the nut should go on without any difficulty.
If it still won't go, chase the threads of the spindle and the nut to get rid of any flats, dings or dents.
Thanks for the review and the time to do it. How long the belt lasts depends on what brand belt you get. 3M belts way outlast cheaper belts. Price matters.
I wonder if you sprayed the inside of the housing with truck bed liner if it would muffle the sound a bit. It's in essences a large resonating chamber with a loud thing inside of it. You may have some easy way to sound dampen this thing. Look for dead cavities you can stuff with foam chunks or great stuff expanding foam.
I have the same one you have , and love it
Awesome video! I liked your mobile dust station idea, the box fan/filter is a great add on. I saw that WEN offers a stand alone oscillating spindle sander with out the belt. Do you see any benefit in getting the oscillating belt & spindle sander if you already own a belt/disc combo sander? Or would you just get regular spindle sander? Thanks
Good question. The main reason I ditched my belt/disc for a belt/spindle is dust collection; even with a vacuum on the belt/disc, it still shot dust everywhere. Might just be my model (Harbor Frieght), but that was an issue for me. Plus, if you think about it, the oscillating belt alone can do what belt/disc can do (sand edges and circles), but with a larger table to work on. So I saw it as completely replacing my belt/disc, adding in a spindle feature, and getting better dust collection.
Harbor Freight has introduced their Bauer branded version of this same basic unit. I am thinking of grabbing one to use as a horizontal sander for knife making.
I saw that one the other day. Looks identical to the WEN on the outside, but I haven’t compared the power specs. I also forgot the price but I’m sure it’s significantly cheaper than 180
@@NotThatMattNagy actually the HF is $20 more but maybe you can get a coupon
Great video ! Ordered one from amazon just turned it on and the belt sander goes down all the way chewing it up on the bottom tension feels tight not sure what to do any suggestions thanks
Thanks for the info
Is the entire table metal? I don’t remember hearing you mention it.
before you buy the rigid,,check the reviews,,,on the hd website there is 80 one star reviews,,,they have gotten a lot of 4 and 5 stars,,,but 80 one star reviews,,,thats a lot of bad reviews
I've seen reports that say the table is not 90 degrees from the belt. Is that how yours is?
Also, what kind of material is the table made of?
I checked with a square in the video, it is 90 from table to belt. Table is hard plastic, I believe.
I have a 'sealey' branded version if this. Belt is vertical, and the table is cast aluminium. Sands accurately to 90deg.
Could you use the larger end of the belt sander and use it as a 3" diameter sander, as the spindles only go up to 2" max?
You could certainly use it as means to sand a curve, as it is pretty rigid, but I’m not sure exactly what diameter it could sand
Be careful here. The Rigid can be found in other online stores but if purchases, say, from Amazon and something goes wrong, there is no warranty. Only when purchased from HD will any warranty be honored.
Direct tools is the other store that the warranty is still good if purchased from them
Good video! I'll have to go with Rigid. Higher amp motor, bigger table, and made in the USA - not China. My shop is exclusively Rigid, so I'll have to stick with them.
15 minute video and not a demo?
yes
Get your self a sand parer disk and belt clean up eraser ..............your belt and disk will last a long time