Wen Belt Disc Sander

[vykus]

I was at the hardware store today and there was a Wen belt disc sander on sale for $50. I wasn't sure about it because I was unfamiliar with the brand. The floor model seemed solidly made and had nice features so I went ahead and bought it. When I got home I did some online research and it seams to have a lot of negative reviews. Has anyone ever bought one of these, know anything about it. It's still in the box and am seriously thinking about taking it back just on the reviews alone. Any info would be appreciated.  

Edited February 20, 2014 by vykus

[sullyscroller]

For $50 i'd keep it. The belt and disc are standard size so go for it.

 

sully

[Bendita]

How can you wrong for 50 bucks, looks like a keeper to me.

[oldhudson]

I have used a Wen random orbit buffing tool on my cars for years and it's been fine. I suppose this is a single speed unit and it's generally better to have speed control but anything that can reduce sanding time is of value. So as long as you can get replacement belts and disks, at fair pricing - I'd think it's a keeper.

[rjR]

They pretty much summed it up.  It won't take long to get $50 use out of it!

 

I would find a way to make  a decent fence that I can angle set solid etc. Could even be made of a good hardwood piece.

 

 

 

 

G-H-F has good belts at a reasonable price. 

 

I had a throw-away small sander like that for years. I had made the shaft bushings from automotive starter bushings with a drill bit and emery cloth to get the right size. It will make you realize what a valuable tool a belt sander is. I have even used mine to grind an edge off tile!

 

The belt sander I have now is a Jet and was not cheap; but is still single speed; H-F sells speed controls that work and are reasonable.

[amazingkevin]

Well you got it might as well like it ,you will find plenty of uses for it. tools are mans second best friend,lol

[Phantom Scroller]

Matt for that price I wouldn't worry if it only lasted a year which it probably would and a few more so snap it up.

 

Roly

[Wilson's Woodworking]

At one time WEN was top of the line equipment. In the last 15 years or so they have made a line of products to sell cheaper to appeal to the small home shop person. I don't think they are a bad product for the money and I agree with the statements above. For $50 how can you go wrong? You get what you pay for but I think it will be a useful tool.  

[heppnerguy]

 
Wen has been around a long time. They make drill bit sharpeners too. Their products seem to work Ok and the price is an earmark for the quality. i purchased on of these items from Harbor Freight a few years ago and I use is a fair amount of times. and it still works as well as it ever has. If at some point it decides to give up teh ghost, I will just throw it away. I say, go for it. How can you go wrong?

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Multifasited]

I usually buy for intended use ,hd ,if going to use a lot and need some precision ,for occasional use cheapest I can find ,But use lightly ,don't over power and expect it to last ,I have a lot of hf and off brand occasional tools and they do the job .I have found one of the handiest tools to be 4 1/2" grinders ,I have two good ones & 4 cheap ones four are bench mounter ,1 Wire brush ,1 grinding disc ,1 sanding disc , 1 cut off disc ,There fantastic, I rarely use my bench grinders with stone and wire wheels any more even the cheapest Hf don't stall and slow like the bench grinders .So ,I'd jump on it ,just go easy and it will serve you well for many yrs. Thier a lot like your scroll saw ,you can't force that either ,let it maintain it speed hen your using it if it slows down back off a little ,and keep your disc or belt clean or changed .Thats the major reason for any tool failure ,over feeding them ,

[rjR]

I forgot to mention one very important aspect of this.

 

Mount it where it is in YOUR comfort zone to work!. I have the jet hooked into the mediocre shop vacuum system and then use the long hose on my small vacuum if I am doing any serious sanding.

 

I use a long plastic tube to extend the hose and keep it in place. (I think it is an old golf bag tube, not sure) I heated the end and made it to slip on and off my hose end.  It slips in between the plate grinder angle adjustment and the main body and stays well.  Helps control more of the  dust--.  I use mine vertically by far the most!  I di my old junk one also. Try that; It may or may not work for you, but, does for me.

[Dennis Key]

someone  once told me  something is better  than nothing ...if you needed a sander and you didn't have one... its a keeper ... if ya didn't  need it ..Take it back ..sometimes I may settle for less than what I want and save up for what I want and purchase it  .... I want a disc sander and not able to buy one so I am building one with a 1 hp motor that was give to me I done a little checking and shopsmith sanding disc will fit the shaft so when 

I find a disc I will have mine done