▼EXPAND FOR TOOL LINKS and INFO▼ Watch Next = First Router You Should Buy - th-cam.com/video/O2B5eEHUwXw/w-d-xo.html PLANS use code SPINDLE to save 20% off: www.731woodworks.com/store WEN Spindle and Belt Sander - amzn.to/3LWTved WEN Spindle Sander - amzn.to/42HtreB Ridgid Spindle and Belt Sander - homedepot.sjv.io/xkkW3k Extra WEN Sanding Sleeves - amzn.to/41reRq6 Extra Sanding Belts - amzn.to/42GKQU2 Sanding Eraser - amzn.to/3LVvncb Festool Dust Extractor I Use - amzn.to/42jmGiJ Ariat boots I wear (super comfortable) - ariat.dkkdet.net/vNDPDv Check this video's description for links to all the videos I discussed. If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I may receive a commission Some other useful links: Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe to our email Newsletter: mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter Check out our easy-to-follow woodworking plans: www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter
I've had the Ridgid sander for close to 5 years. It's served me well. Since I bought mine, a number of companies, such as Grizzly, WEN, and Harbor Freight, have released smaller-footprint versions of the sander. As was pointed out in the video, the difference is size isn't that great. For a lot of things, Ridgid's larger table won't be a benefit. However, I prefer Ridgid's larger table for how I use the sander. I frequently use the larger end of the belt sander to sand the concave parts of a project and then use the flat part of the belt sander to sand the flat and convex parts. On most projects, this allows me to just use the belt sander. I seldom use the spindle sander (but having the various spindles often comes in handy). If you look at the Ridgid sander, you'll see that the belt is not mounted in the center of the table from left to right. Instead, the belt sander is shifted toward the right, leaving much more room on the big end of the belt sander. Since I'm frequently using that end for contour sanding, having more room at that end to support the work is a huge plus for me. I agree that the dust collection on the Ridgid sander is poor. That's not an issue for me. Since the WEN sander's 'better' dust collection only raises to the level of mediocre from poor, I'd be wearing some sort of dust mask when using either sander.
Purchased mine based on your alert for the deal. This is something I should have bought a long time ago. Kind of glad I didn’t buy the ridgid. It’s great for getting close to your template lines, making the router table safer and not as taxing on your bits. I have a Camvac 90l hooked up to it so that makes anything have good dust collection, I’m not sure how well a shop vac would do but suspect it would be fine. I’ve made some clip boards and this makes sanding the edges so much better than using my ROS, and rounding the corners is a dream compared to my old methods. So so so glad I finally have one and I’ve only had it for a few days
Almost a part for part clone, is the Triton TSPST450 3.5A Oscillating Spindle and Belt Sander. The biggest difference is that the front drop section of the table is metal rather than plastic. Normally, runs would $259. I snagged it for $199 with free shipping during a pretty insane sale. HUGLEY recommend getting an Abrasive (Rubber) Cleaning Stick for Sanding Belts & Discs, if you get one of these. . If you are working with with large pieces that are too large to wrestle onto the table of the sander. Both Triton ($130) and HValley ($90) (formerly MLCS) make a hand held spindle sander.
Never change 731, providing tool recommendations for all income and skill levels is very much appreciated. I have unsubscribed to a lot of 'popular' wood working TH-camrs b/c as they succeeded they started to focus on the most expensive tools and gadgets, forgetting that not everyone can afford or needs them. Their sites seem to devolve into a narcissistic exercises; Look at me and my expensive tools. Appreciate you, stay humble, God bless 👊
I've had the Rigid spindle sander for several years now, and it's a great tool, but yeah, the dust collection ... doesn't. And the nut that holds the spindles IS a real PITA. I regularly have to use pliers to get it off. One thing that these sanders are also good for is shaping handle scales for knives, either before or after attachment to the knife blank. One thing to warn about - keep your fingers away! It'll remove skin in a flash! I don't know where you're getting $130 cheaper for the Wen. I just did a quick search, and the Wen is $197.40 vs $299 for the Rigid - about $102 difference. (and, FWIW, when I got my Rigid several years ago, it was $200!) I'm glad you mentioned the sanding eraser - they're invaluable!
I learned more from you about using my ‘green’ machine than I did by searching for “unboxing” videos of the green machine itself. Thanks for your great videos!
My shop is small, and most tools don't have dedicated locations. I haven't broken out my standard belt/disc sander since I got the oscillating spindle/belt sander. It does almost as much as the classic does, plus more - and more importantly it's WAY lighter so it's much easier to relocate.
I lost the little nylon drive washer on mine. It’s only held in place by either the belt sander assembly or by a sanding drum. If you’re using a flip top cart the part is easy to lose. Getting a replacement part is turning out to be very difficult and may be impossible. I looked for the same part on the Ridgid website but the Ridgid part is obviously different. But the Ridgid part is available, and in stock. It’s things like this that make buying Ridgid suddenly much less expensive. Two years ago I bought some replacement parts for a 20+ year old Ridgid Shop Vac. I’m not a huge Home Depot fan but they do stand strongly behind their Ridgid tools.
I have an old craftsman oscillating sander I got at a garage sale for $20 bucks. I wasn't even looking for one, but at 20 bucks, it was a no-brainer . Unfortunately, it doesn't have a belt sander. I googled this Wen sander, and it appears it's sold by several different brand names, so I have zero doubt it's a good one. I'll definitely look at this one when my old Craftsman finally gives up the ghost. It would definitely be nice to also have a belt sander attached. I'm litterly clamping my portable belt sander down to use it when it's needed. Lol!
I enjoy watching your videos and saw your complaint about the knob getting stuck on the spindle. There’s another TH-cam channel, ARTyRV, who advises to put milk of magnesia on the threads of the grinder knob which he uses on his glass grinder. He says that solves the problem. He builds large stained glass windows and does blown glass. He’s worked with stained glass and grinders for more than 35 years so he knows what he’s talking about. Of course, he’s dealing with glass dust and you with fine wood dust but it’s worth a try. I will probably buy a Wen drill press thanks to your recommendations.
I have had the Ridgid for several years. I do not like the knob on the spindle, it is bigger than the two smallest sleeves, since it is left hand threads it’s hard to replace with a nut. That nut interferes with taller pieces. I noticed the Wen spins in the opposite direction and even though it too has an oversized knob it is right hand threads so a nut can be easily swapped. When I was building boxes and making wood hinges I used the Ridgid a lot, since I have started building bigger pieces it has sat in the corner for the past few years. I am not replacing the Ridgid, but if I was in the market for an entry level machine the Wen looks as good as any of the others.
⛔WARNING!!! I purchased this Wen Belt / Spindle sander back in (Apr 2023). It's only (June 2023) and I've only used this VERY LIGHTLY to add bevels to 10-15 pieces of small soft wood. Now for the last 2 days I've been on it a little heavier, but still only using it to buff out the scratches & pits on a few small brass pieces. I use very light pressure and I'm sure I don't even have 100 hours in on this machine... maybe not even 50hrs; but something (POPPED) inside and now it doesn't oscillate anymore. It sounded like maybe some kind of rubber belt snapped - I don't know. But what I DO know is that it just passed the return window last month (How convenient)!! 🙄 So now I'm stuck with a $250 basic sander that DOESN'T oscillate... everything else still seems to work (for now). I'm going to replace it soon... probably separate the features next time and get a HEAVY DUTY SPINDLE SANDER... and a separate HEAVY DUTY BELT & DISC combo-sander. My work is actually considered LIGHT duty, but apparently we gotta go with HEAVY DUTY to keep from replacing all this crap every 6-12 months!! 😮💨 I guess you really do (GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR) because all the higher end machines are $500-$1,000+. The $250 range is considered "Hobby Gear" and there's a lot of videos taking these low-end models apart to replace worn out parts after only a few months of use. For ME - I'm done with WEN! This is the only WEN machine I've ever used... and the last; I don't have $250 to light cigars with, so PURCHASE THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
bought a parkside verion , the beltsander add on it vibrates like crazy and the spindle itself doesnt stay tightened the round belts dont realy tighten up still think a better build version of it would be an good add on to the shop
I recently picked up the Wen sander. I'm working on some shop upgrades and I'm getting a little fancier. I've used steel rods to hang tools from for a while. I'm building a wooden bracket to hold a orbital sander and router with steel rods extending from the back to hold up other tools. I've been getting back into some light woodworking, it's so good.
I got a Wen spindle sander, as well as a Wen helical blade planer, for Christmas. I chose those (Santa brought what I asked for) because of reviews of both. I love them both. I've used the Ridgid spindle sander and the DeWalt 735 planer. I prefer the Wen planer for sure, and the sander has been awesome! Thanks for your review.
How do you like the helical blades? They look like they would cut a much more consistent cut compared to regular planer knives, and I’ve heard you can rotate them up to 4 times b4 sharpening? I went with the Hercules planer from harbor freight, it seemed beefier than all the other bladed planers & was the only locking head, 3 blade one I could find in that price range. It’s loud asf and it’s a beast. But dust collection is amazing with both 2” & 4” outlets on the back. I’ll probably always wonder if I’d been better off getting a helical one lol.. I guess there’s always a chance to go helical when I buy a jointer 😂 ah the never ending list of tools haha
Direct Tools is a good place to keep an eye out for the Ridgid sander. I got it from there, new just factory blemished (the box had a hole in it), for $180 I believe. It was during a sale event, but they do a different sale almost every day. They still qualify for the the Ridgid LSA as well.
I have that same one. And with a simple home made sled, it functions as a jointer too. All the sled is is a piece of plywood with fence that at the front of the board being jointed, like a bench hook. Then you use shims to support all twists and bows in the wood. When you are planing, the work pushes the sled through with it. And it gets that first face flat, better than most small bench top jointers.
Wow, looks like wen is stepping up their game. I used to sell Adirondack chairs and i had a big grizzly edge sander that wrapped around and was like 5' long and massively heavy. Can't believe they make that tool so much smaller and lighter!
I purchased this machine in January of this year and use it all the time on my projects. It just works and he is right about the dust collection, as it works really well...Just my 2 cents worth... I also have the Wen miter saw and really like it as well. Cheers.
You always have such nice helpful videos. You try to help others to build their woodwork shop! And save some money in the process. Just want to let you know that is really appreciated! From the Netherlands ❤👍🏻
I’ve been debating about getting one of these. My alternative would be to get a belt/disk sander with a cast iron table then a spindle sander later. More money yes - but the tables on these just don’t look very sturdy or accurate. (Electric guitars are a long-term goal)
Another great video! I've had my Ridgid oscillating sander for 10+ years and love it. I've never had the knob get stuck like you said but I do agree with the dust collection. I found that putting duct tape over the "vents", on the table behind the belt, makes it much better. Keep up the great work.
I’ve got benchtop versions of Wen’s bandsaw and belt/disc sander. Great in a small shop, both under $150. I also have Wen’s small ceiling air filtration system I know there are much better ceiling units out there, but priced at $110 I couldn’t pass it up. You could hang multiple units all around your shop for the price of a single high end one You did a great job explaining the quality of their products and their functionality. Appreciate you doing this review, a spindle sander is close to next on my list!
How do you like the bandsaw? I was looking for a benchtop model to leave my 1/8” blade on permanently & was thinking about Wen. I have a 14” bandsaw for bigger projects so it doesn’t have to be top of the line.
I personally just got the pure spindle sander as I like the solid cast iron base to it, I just combo it with a belt/disc sander combo which helps with flat cuts
I’m loving my Rigid sander that I got on sale through your discount page! Until this video I thought it was just my sander that had difficulty loosening the threaded cap. Glad to see it’s just not mine. All in all, this has improved my workflow with sanding curved profiles
I bought the wen belt/spindle sander last year and it has worked well for me. The only thing I have to be careful of is when using the belt, It does not sand perfectly straight. It can create an angle or a dip on the part. To counter act this I take it slow and flip the part to keep it even. Otherwise it has been a great addition to my shop. Stay awesome.
I would like to see you review a little more of a professional spindle sander, the bench top Jet spindle sander. Take a trip to Atlanta and do the review at my little shop!
I have the same one shown. I use it all the time. Just makes everything quicker and easier, however you have to make sure you grit is not too coars or you will sand more than you want.
I have that Wen sander, as well as their 8" jointer and their track saw. Great lower cost options that do their jobs without drama or worry. Very happy with my purchases.
Got a question about these great sanders. I want to sand my baseball bat a bit to take some material off. Is it possible to get a concave drum for this sander so that it will evenly sand a baseball bat? I'm not even sure it would work. But im looking for a fitting that would be wineglass shaped if you know what i mean. I've tried sanding the bat with a palm sander and of course it just makes flat spots.
I had been using the Ridgid for years. When I replaced it I tried the Harbor Freight version which is identical to the Wen except for the color. I could not get used to the belt spinning in the opposite direction if the Ridgid so I took it back and got another Ridgid.
Don’t know how I missed this video. Again, almost unbelievably timely for me, this is something I’ve neglected buying and have felt the need more and more as I grow in this. I’m sold on this one for sure. Would you still recommend the Wen drill press these days?
I have the Wen and it works great for my needs. I bought it as it was much cheaper than the Ridged. I was very surprised how well this functioned. I use it all the time.
I agree. I actually have both the Wen spindle sander and the belt sander/spindle sander like you do, just so I don't have to change spindles, I'm lazy. I love them both for all the reasons you mention. Price, quality, power, dust collection. Awesome machines and use the stuffing out of them. I have a small shop, occasional customer projects. Great quality, I don't understand the negative comments about Wen tools. In my experience they are a great combination of quality and value.
I found your review of the WEN oscillating spindle and belt sander very informative and helpful! As someone who enjoys woodworking, I'm always on the lookout for tools that can enhance my projects. The features you mentioned, such as the onboard storage, adjustable table, and good dust collection, make it quite appealing. I particularly appreciate the versatility of the spindle sander for sanding smaller items with curves and profiles. Thanks for sharing your insights and recommendation! Now I just need to find one thats available in Australia!
Depending on sales, the Harbor Freight Bauer also works very well with nearly the same design as the Rigid and Wen. Wouldn’t be surprised if all of the parts are interchangeable
I have been using my Rigid sander for probably 10 years without problems. I like the large table and have used the miter slot many times. One thing about the large table is that you can use the large end of the belt as a spindle sander. It saves having to switch out. I haven’t had a complaint about the dust collection although I use a mask.
I can’t say for sure, but it sounds like you may have watched one of my recent videos 🤔 Or it’s just a crazy coincidence, lol. One of my biggest tool regrets was buying the rigid spindle sander. But that’s only because I didn’t really have a need for it, based on what I build. 🤙
I really like your comparison videos, especially the trac saw videos. Back to this video, I've had the Ridgid for many years, for a long time just because but recently i've used it more and it can be a game changer. You mentioned never using the T track, I recently made a head board with various pieces of wood and created a T track guide to easily square up the ends with the belt sander and was used for the fine tuning to fit all the pieces. The belt was also good for face sanding some of the pieces.
I appreciate the video. Something I'm concerned about is you state you've used the Rigid for years and then you purchased the Wen because it was cheaper. If the Rigid is working fine, why spend one cent on another similar tool just because it is "cheaper"? That doesn't make sense to me.
I have had the Bauer version from Harbor Freight for about 2 years. One of the handiest tools in my shop. I end up using the belt more than the spindles.
I bought a Triton because I had a different wen tool that died after a short time. So I got the Triton, I’ve not been happy with it. Maybe I should try this one.
I bought a WEN spindle sander when I took on a project of making a double Adirondack chair with a table and it was perfect for all the curved parts. The best part was that my wheelchair-bound son was able to do a good deal of sanding with it which he could not do with my orbital sander.
Oh yeah looks just like it. I was considering the Wen but with a HF about a 10 minute drive from me, plus much easier avenue for a return, sounds like a better option. Thanks for the heads up.
I purchased the triton, but I broke it twice. I make a lot of Lazy Susan's. Maybe I am pushing too hard it buy I thought that I'd what you. Any suggestions? I have to buy another machine but I don't want to keep breaking them.
I researched these sanders before buying the Wen. I have had it now for over two years and it has been a workhorse and a big labor saver. I would not do woodworking without it. It is that good. By the way, all of these sanders appear to be made in the same factory in China. The only difference is the color of the plastic. Even the Ridgid is probably made in the same place, in my opinion. Just buy it when you can get the best price, which may be Memorial Day. By the way, get a Rakuten card and save 15%. Can't beat it unless you get a card with a big signing bonus. I bought a lot of tools with those.
Why is it that I am always impressed with WEN? Everyone knows WEN is “budget friendly,” but I often find it to be much more reliable (and more powerful) than brands like Ryobi and Portal Cable
I've always been a Ryobi fan (yeah, they aren't "the best", but they are pretty darn good for the money), but I'm curious about WEN. They seem to get decent reviews... I'm upgrading to Festool for most things now, so, I likely won't be buying one anytime soon, but we shall see....
I just got that exact model. I haven't used it yet but I wish it had a t slot Im not sure what Id use it for but im sure I would find a use if it had one.
I got the Ridgid because of it being the gold standard it seemed but also the larger table top seemed like it would be beneficial. I don't use it often yet, have plans to, but it sure is handy when I have used it. That WEN looks great also.
I recently got a Wen belt sander and I’m very impressed with it! I think it was less than $30 but if I don’t know any better I’d have guessed it was a $200 tool
The 1st thing I noticed is that the rotation is different between the 2. I have had my Ridgid for probably 15 years and use it all the time. Thanks for the review.
I have the Ridgid, purchased a long time ago, 15+ years. This now gathers dust. I do not like the thump-thump of the belt at the joint. I preferred the spindle sander function but found the table too small. I later purchased a dedicated oscillating spindle sander with a larger table. I love using the dedicated spindle sander. I would not want to be without this machine, but the Ridgid was not a good purchase for my needs. Dave.
Thanks for the comparison review- this is the next tool on my list and I have been wondering how I could give up the real estate to store the Rigid in my tiny shop. I’m happy to find out how the Wen performs. I appreciate the smaller footprint!!! 👍
The Wen must be a fairly new machine. When I bought my Ridgid, I researched all the units within my price range but the Ridgid was the only one I found with a tilting table surface. That is the main reason why I paid the extra money for the Ridgid. All the other implementations seem to be the same with all other devices. Oh yes, Like you, I have yet to use the T-track for mitering, but I also wanted that T-track with a miter gauge in case I needed to have to do sanding at an absolute mitered angle. It's better to have it than wishing that you had it.
I bought the Ridgid sander from Direct Tools for around 180 with shipping, when you told everyone about a sale they had going on last year or the year before (time flies). It said it was factory blemished but I never have figured out where the blemish was.
Had 2 ridgid sanders neither one lasted very long. Purchased the Wen a couple of years ago and haven’t had any problems. Only thing I miss is the miter slot
I saw another video listing the Ridgid version as a tool NOT to buy. This is definitely dependent on the type of work you do. I've owned the Ridgid for more than ten years with no hassles or issue. I use it a lot (small projects and guitars) and would buy another one if it ever died. I like the larger table and it has a larger motor. This type of tool is invaluable for me but definitely favors woodworkers that a doing smaller projects with lots of curves. Very informative video and I picked up a couple of uses that I never considered. Oh, and the t-track slot - I've never used it either.
Good review Matt. I believe that the Ridgid you have (and I have as well) has a LSA. I'm not too sure that the newer model has that, maybe a one or two year. That fact may make the Wen more attractive.
Yes, one of these is definitely on the wishlist. I just wonder about the storage if you use a flip top cart. Does everything stay when it's upside down?
I'm on my second Ridgid and would but another if this one fails. I use the belt and spindle functions. It's one of my most used tools. I only wish it was variable speed.
▼EXPAND FOR TOOL LINKS and INFO▼
Watch Next = First Router You Should Buy - th-cam.com/video/O2B5eEHUwXw/w-d-xo.html
PLANS use code SPINDLE to save 20% off: www.731woodworks.com/store
WEN Spindle and Belt Sander - amzn.to/3LWTved
WEN Spindle Sander - amzn.to/42HtreB
Ridgid Spindle and Belt Sander - homedepot.sjv.io/xkkW3k
Extra WEN Sanding Sleeves - amzn.to/41reRq6
Extra Sanding Belts - amzn.to/42GKQU2
Sanding Eraser - amzn.to/3LVvncb
Festool Dust Extractor I Use - amzn.to/42jmGiJ
Ariat boots I wear (super comfortable) - ariat.dkkdet.net/vNDPDv
Check this video's description for links to all the videos I discussed.
If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I may receive a commission
Some other useful links:
Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals
Subscribe to our email Newsletter: mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter
Check out our easy-to-follow woodworking plans: www.731woodworks.com/store
Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter
I've had the Ridgid sander for close to 5 years. It's served me well. Since I bought mine, a number of companies, such as Grizzly, WEN, and Harbor Freight, have released smaller-footprint versions of the sander. As was pointed out in the video, the difference is size isn't that great. For a lot of things, Ridgid's larger table won't be a benefit. However, I prefer Ridgid's larger table for how I use the sander. I frequently use the larger end of the belt sander to sand the concave parts of a project and then use the flat part of the belt sander to sand the flat and convex parts. On most projects, this allows me to just use the belt sander. I seldom use the spindle sander (but having the various spindles often comes in handy). If you look at the Ridgid sander, you'll see that the belt is not mounted in the center of the table from left to right. Instead, the belt sander is shifted toward the right, leaving much more room on the big end of the belt sander. Since I'm frequently using that end for contour sanding, having more room at that end to support the work is a huge plus for me.
I agree that the dust collection on the Ridgid sander is poor. That's not an issue for me. Since the WEN sander's 'better' dust collection only raises to the level of mediocre from poor, I'd be wearing some sort of dust mask when using either sander.
Purchased mine based on your alert for the deal. This is something I should have bought a long time ago. Kind of glad I didn’t buy the ridgid. It’s great for getting close to your template lines, making the router table safer and not as taxing on your bits. I have a Camvac 90l hooked up to it so that makes anything have good dust collection, I’m not sure how well a shop vac would do but suspect it would be fine. I’ve made some clip boards and this makes sanding the edges so much better than using my ROS, and rounding the corners is a dream compared to my old methods. So so so glad I finally have one and I’ve only had it for a few days
Almost a part for part clone, is the Triton TSPST450 3.5A Oscillating Spindle and Belt Sander. The biggest difference is that the front drop section of the table is metal rather than plastic. Normally, runs would $259. I snagged it for $199 with free shipping during a pretty insane sale. HUGLEY recommend getting an Abrasive (Rubber) Cleaning Stick for Sanding Belts & Discs, if you get one of these.
.
If you are working with with large pieces that are too large to wrestle onto the table of the sander. Both Triton ($130) and HValley ($90) (formerly MLCS) make a hand held spindle sander.
Never change 731, providing tool recommendations for all income and skill levels is very much appreciated. I have unsubscribed to a lot of 'popular' wood working TH-camrs b/c as they succeeded they started to focus on the most expensive tools and gadgets, forgetting that not everyone can afford or needs them. Their sites seem to devolve into a narcissistic exercises; Look at me and my expensive tools. Appreciate you, stay humble, God bless 👊
Thank you Mr Gunn!
I've had the Rigid spindle sander for several years now, and it's a great tool, but yeah, the dust collection ... doesn't. And the nut that holds the spindles IS a real PITA. I regularly have to use pliers to get it off.
One thing that these sanders are also good for is shaping handle scales for knives, either before or after attachment to the knife blank. One thing to warn about - keep your fingers away! It'll remove skin in a flash!
I don't know where you're getting $130 cheaper for the Wen. I just did a quick search, and the Wen is $197.40 vs $299 for the Rigid - about $102 difference. (and, FWIW, when I got my Rigid several years ago, it was $200!)
I'm glad you mentioned the sanding eraser - they're invaluable!
I learned more from you about using my ‘green’ machine than I did by searching for “unboxing” videos of the green machine itself. Thanks for your great videos!
Glad to hear it!
My shop is small, and most tools don't have dedicated locations. I haven't broken out my standard belt/disc sander since I got the oscillating spindle/belt sander. It does almost as much as the classic does, plus more - and more importantly it's WAY lighter so it's much easier to relocate.
I lost the little nylon drive washer on mine. It’s only held in place by either the belt sander assembly or by a sanding drum. If you’re using a flip top cart the part is easy to lose. Getting a replacement part is turning out to be very difficult and may be impossible. I looked for the same part on the Ridgid website but the Ridgid part is obviously different. But the Ridgid part is available, and in stock. It’s things like this that make buying Ridgid suddenly much less expensive. Two years ago I bought some replacement parts for a 20+ year old Ridgid Shop Vac. I’m not a huge Home Depot fan but they do stand strongly behind their Ridgid tools.
I have an old craftsman oscillating sander I got at a garage sale for $20 bucks. I wasn't even looking for one, but at 20 bucks, it was a no-brainer . Unfortunately, it doesn't have a belt sander. I googled this Wen sander, and it appears it's sold by several different brand names, so I have zero doubt it's a good one. I'll definitely look at this one when my old Craftsman finally gives up the ghost. It would definitely be nice to also have a belt sander attached. I'm litterly clamping my portable belt sander down to use it when it's needed. Lol!
I enjoy watching your videos and saw your complaint about the knob getting stuck on the spindle. There’s another TH-cam channel, ARTyRV, who advises to put milk of magnesia on the threads of the grinder knob which he uses on his glass grinder. He says that solves the problem. He builds large stained glass windows and does blown glass. He’s worked with stained glass and grinders for more than 35 years so he knows what he’s talking about. Of course, he’s dealing with glass dust and you with fine wood dust but it’s worth a try.
I will probably buy a Wen drill press thanks to your recommendations.
Always appreciate you reviewing products that are not sold at the big box stores. Also, the comparison of features are great!
I have had the Ridgid for several years.
I do not like the knob on the spindle, it is bigger than the two smallest sleeves, since it is left hand threads it’s hard to replace with a nut.
That nut interferes with taller pieces.
I noticed the Wen spins in the opposite direction and even though it too has an oversized knob it is right hand threads so a nut can be easily swapped.
When I was building boxes and making wood hinges I used the Ridgid a lot, since I have started building bigger pieces it has sat in the corner for the past few years.
I am not replacing the Ridgid, but if I was in the market for an entry level machine the Wen looks as good as any of the others.
⛔WARNING!!! I purchased this Wen Belt / Spindle sander back in (Apr 2023). It's only (June 2023) and I've only used this VERY LIGHTLY to add bevels to 10-15 pieces of small soft wood. Now for the last 2 days I've been on it a little heavier, but still only using it to buff out the scratches & pits on a few small brass pieces. I use very light pressure and I'm sure I don't even have 100 hours in on this machine... maybe not even 50hrs; but something (POPPED) inside and now it doesn't oscillate anymore. It sounded like maybe some kind of rubber belt snapped - I don't know. But what I DO know is that it just passed the return window last month (How convenient)!! 🙄
So now I'm stuck with a $250 basic sander that DOESN'T oscillate... everything else still seems to work (for now). I'm going to replace it soon... probably separate the features next time and get a HEAVY DUTY SPINDLE SANDER... and a separate HEAVY DUTY BELT & DISC combo-sander. My work is actually considered LIGHT duty, but apparently we gotta go with HEAVY DUTY to keep from replacing all this crap every 6-12 months!! 😮💨
I guess you really do (GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR) because all the higher end machines are $500-$1,000+. The $250 range is considered "Hobby Gear" and there's a lot of videos taking these low-end models apart to replace worn out parts after only a few months of use. For ME - I'm done with WEN! This is the only WEN machine I've ever used... and the last; I don't have $250 to light cigars with, so PURCHASE THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
bought a parkside verion , the beltsander add on it vibrates like crazy and the spindle itself doesnt stay tightened the round belts dont realy tighten up
still think a better build version of it would be an good add on to the shop
I recently picked up the Wen sander. I'm working on some shop upgrades and I'm getting a little fancier. I've used steel rods to hang tools from for a while. I'm building a wooden bracket to hold a orbital sander and router with steel rods extending from the back to hold up other tools. I've been getting back into some light woodworking, it's so good.
I got a Wen spindle sander, as well as a Wen helical blade planer, for Christmas. I chose those (Santa brought what I asked for) because of reviews of both. I love them both. I've used the Ridgid spindle sander and the DeWalt 735 planer. I prefer the Wen planer for sure, and the sander has been awesome! Thanks for your review.
How do you like the helical blades? They look like they would cut a much more consistent cut compared to regular planer knives, and I’ve heard you can rotate them up to 4 times b4 sharpening?
I went with the Hercules planer from harbor freight, it seemed beefier than all the other bladed planers & was the only locking head, 3 blade one I could find in that price range. It’s loud asf and it’s a beast. But dust collection is amazing with both 2” & 4” outlets on the back.
I’ll probably always wonder if I’d been better off getting a helical one lol.. I guess there’s always a chance to go helical when I buy a jointer 😂 ah the never ending list of tools haha
Direct Tools is a good place to keep an eye out for the Ridgid sander. I got it from there, new just factory blemished (the box had a hole in it), for $180 I believe. It was during a sale event, but they do a different sale almost every day. They still qualify for the the Ridgid LSA as well.
I got my Rigid unit brand new at Factory Direct for $98. Don’t ask me how. This was about 4 years ago.
I did the same thing but it was about 150.
I bought a wren 12 1/2 inch planer and I absolutely love it. I haven’t had no problems yet. I’ve been using it for around two years.
I have that same one. And with a simple home made sled, it functions as a jointer too. All the sled is is a piece of plywood with fence that at the front of the board being jointed, like a bench hook. Then you use shims to support all twists and bows in the wood. When you are planing, the work pushes the sled through with it. And it gets that first face flat, better than most small bench top jointers.
Wow, looks like wen is stepping up their game. I used to sell Adirondack chairs and i had a big grizzly edge sander that wrapped around and was like 5' long and massively heavy. Can't believe they make that tool so much smaller and lighter!
I purchased this machine in January of this year and use it all the time on my projects. It just works and he is right about the dust collection, as it works really well...Just my 2 cents worth... I also have the Wen miter saw and really like it as well. Cheers.
Thanks for all you do my friend
You always have such nice helpful videos. You try to help others to build their woodwork shop! And save some money in the process. Just want to let you know that is really appreciated!
From the Netherlands ❤👍🏻
I've found his reviews and tips to be spot on. When I look for reviews, he is one of about 5 people I check.
I’ve been debating about getting one of these. My alternative would be to get a belt/disk sander with a cast iron table then a spindle sander later. More money yes - but the tables on these just don’t look very sturdy or accurate. (Electric guitars are a long-term goal)
Another great video! I've had my Ridgid oscillating sander for 10+ years and love it. I've never had the knob get stuck like you said but I do agree with the dust collection. I found that putting duct tape over the "vents", on the table behind the belt, makes it much better. Keep up the great work.
I’ve got benchtop versions of Wen’s bandsaw and belt/disc sander. Great in a small shop, both under $150. I also have Wen’s small ceiling air filtration system
I know there are much better ceiling units out there, but priced at $110 I couldn’t pass it up. You could hang multiple units all around your shop for the price of a single high end one
You did a great job explaining the quality of their products and their functionality. Appreciate you doing this review, a spindle sander is close to next on my list!
How do you like the bandsaw? I was looking for a benchtop model to leave my 1/8” blade on permanently & was thinking about Wen. I have a 14” bandsaw for bigger projects so it doesn’t have to be top of the line.
I personally just got the pure spindle sander as I like the solid cast iron base to it, I just combo it with a belt/disc sander combo which helps with flat cuts
I’m loving my Rigid sander that I got on sale through your discount page! Until this video I thought it was just my sander that had difficulty loosening the threaded cap. Glad to see it’s just not mine. All in all, this has improved my workflow with sanding curved profiles
I bought the wen belt/spindle sander last year and it has worked well for me. The only thing I have to be careful of is when using the belt, It does not sand perfectly straight. It can create an angle or a dip on the part. To counter act this I take it slow and flip the part to keep it even. Otherwise it has been a great addition to my shop. Stay awesome.
I would like to see you review a little more of a professional spindle sander, the bench top Jet spindle sander.
Take a trip to Atlanta and do the review at my little shop!
I have the same one shown. I use it all the time. Just makes everything quicker and easier, however you have to make sure you grit is not too coars or you will sand more than you want.
I have that Wen sander, as well as their 8" jointer and their track saw. Great lower cost options that do their jobs without drama or worry. Very happy with my purchases.
Would work great getting pattern templates shaped out.
I have the Triton. Almost exactly as the WEN. Just the colors.
Very happy with it.
Got a question about these great sanders. I want to sand my baseball bat a bit to take some material off. Is it possible to get a concave drum for this sander so that it will evenly sand a baseball bat? I'm not even sure it would work.
But im looking for a fitting that would be wineglass shaped if you know what i mean.
I've tried sanding the bat with a palm sander and of course it just makes flat spots.
I just bought the Harbor Freight version on sale for $159.99 normally $199.99 it seems to be possibly made by WEN. Identical copy.
I’m debating between this or a combination disc/belt sander as my first sander and buy a separate spindle only sander. Any suggestions?
I had been using the Ridgid for years. When I replaced it I tried the Harbor Freight version which is identical to the Wen except for the color. I could not get used to the belt spinning in the opposite direction if the Ridgid so I took it back and got another Ridgid.
I have the Grizzly Oscillating Sander that is the same thing as the Rigid and Wen for $200. It is fantastic one of my favorite tools.
I have the Grizzly, it's a great little sander.
The same as the Wen yes, but the Rigid is different. Not necessarily better…
Don’t know how I missed this video. Again, almost unbelievably timely for me, this is something I’ve neglected buying and have felt the need more and more as I grow in this. I’m sold on this one for sure. Would you still recommend the Wen drill press these days?
I'm still using mine. Works well for the price. I'm sure there are better options out there, but at the price the WEN is, it's hard to beat.
I've heard that the Wen is louder than the Rigid... does anyone have decibel readings on them?
I have had my ridged for about a year now and use it often. Flushing up box joints is a snap with this!!
I have the Wen and it works great for my needs. I bought it as it was much cheaper than the Ridged. I was very surprised how well this functioned. I use it all the time.
Any reason why a bunch of the pictures of the product by WEN don’t have the spindle knob in place?
I agree. I actually have both the Wen spindle sander and the belt sander/spindle sander like you do, just so I don't have to change spindles, I'm lazy. I love them both for all the reasons you mention. Price, quality, power, dust collection. Awesome machines and use the stuffing out of them. I have a small shop, occasional customer projects. Great quality, I don't understand the negative comments about Wen tools. In my experience they are a great combination of quality and value.
How does this compare to the Grizzly one that's almost identical and is currently on sale for $175?
I found your review of the WEN oscillating spindle and belt sander very informative and helpful! As someone who enjoys woodworking, I'm always on the lookout for tools that can enhance my projects. The features you mentioned, such as the onboard storage, adjustable table, and good dust collection, make it quite appealing. I particularly appreciate the versatility of the spindle sander for sanding smaller items with curves and profiles. Thanks for sharing your insights and recommendation! Now I just need to find one thats available in Australia!
Depending on sales, the Harbor Freight Bauer also works very well with nearly the same design as the Rigid and Wen. Wouldn’t be surprised if all of the parts are interchangeable
Many thanks. I put one on my want list.
I favor Wen tools. I have a Wen generator, lathe, bench grinder. etc.
They never let me down.
Any thoughts on the Grizzly Model # G0739?
Did you find any good info on this? Currently looking myself.
I have the Triton flavor of this tool, and have zero regrets.
I have been using my Rigid sander for probably 10 years without problems. I like the large table and have used the miter slot many times. One thing about the large table is that you can use the large end of the belt as a spindle sander. It saves having to switch out. I haven’t had a complaint about the dust collection although I use a mask.
How does theis compare to the other WEN sander?
I can’t say for sure, but it sounds like you may have watched one of my recent videos 🤔 Or it’s just a crazy coincidence, lol. One of my biggest tool regrets was buying the rigid spindle sander. But that’s only because I didn’t really have a need for it, based on what I build. 🤙
I did see that one. Agreed, it is 100% dependent on what types of project you build.
@@731Woodworks Awesome! Thanks for watching. Love your content by the way 👊
@@EverydayBuilds Same to you. You're doing a great job.
@@731Woodworksthank you 🙏
Thanks.
I really like your comparison videos, especially the trac saw videos.
Back to this video, I've had the Ridgid for many years, for a long time just because but recently i've used it more and it can be a game changer.
You mentioned never using the T track, I recently made a head board with various pieces of wood and created a T track guide to easily square up the ends with the belt sander and was used for the fine tuning to fit all the pieces.
The belt was also good for face sanding some of the pieces.
I've got the wen handheld spindle sander, love it. It's good handheld or bench mounted with the clamps
I've been looking at getting this unit for some time. Excellent video!
I appreciate the video. Something I'm concerned about is you state you've used the Rigid for years and then you purchased the Wen because it was cheaper. If the Rigid is working fine, why spend one cent on another similar tool just because it is "cheaper"? That doesn't make sense to me.
Great information 😊.. well explained video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Haven’t built anything yet that requires that tool, but I’ll definitely give the Wen a try! Thanks Mighty Matt
I got this WEN for Christmas and LOVE it. makes sanding small parts so damn fast.
I have had the Bauer version from Harbor Freight for about 2 years. One of the handiest tools in my shop. I end up using the belt more than the spindles.
I bought a Triton because I had a different wen tool that died after a short time. So I got the Triton, I’ve not been happy with it. Maybe I should try this one.
From what I can gather, they are the same or similar machines.
Rubber Feet!! So it has LRF Support! ("Little Rubber Feet") 😀
Hey brother, thanks for another great video and tool review! I appreciate all your hard work, take care!
Man, great review. Definitely gonna pick one of these up based on this video. Keep it up man, very helpful for all levels of woodworkers.
I bought a WEN spindle sander when I took on a project of making a double Adirondack chair with a table and it was perfect for all the curved parts. The best part was that my wheelchair-bound son was able to do a good deal of sanding with it which he could not do with my orbital sander.
I have the HF version. Looks to be the same exact tool. I love mine
Oh yeah looks just like it. I was considering the Wen but with a HF about a 10 minute drive from me, plus much easier avenue for a return, sounds like a better option. Thanks for the heads up.
I purchased the triton, but I broke it twice. I make a lot of Lazy Susan's. Maybe I am pushing too hard it buy I thought that I'd what you. Any suggestions? I have to buy another machine but I don't want to keep breaking them.
Go with the Ridgid. Lifetime Service Agreement on it.
@@731Woodworks Do you know anything about the Grizzly one?
Oh yeah, get one of those rubber things to clean the sanding surfaces, Harbor Freight has them
Spindle sander is on my list. They are definitely a must at some point in time. Such a time saver and so versatile!
And don’t forget the sandpaper eraser to extend the life of your belt and spindles!
I researched these sanders before buying the Wen. I have had it now for over two years and it has been a workhorse and a big labor saver. I would not do woodworking without it. It is that good. By the way, all of these sanders appear to be made in the same factory in China. The only difference is the color of the plastic. Even the Ridgid is probably made in the same place, in my opinion. Just buy it when you can get the best price, which may be Memorial Day. By the way, get a Rakuten card and save 15%. Can't beat it unless you get a card with a big signing bonus. I bought a lot of tools with those.
Excellent review. I bought the Ridgid one on sale (Factory Reconditioned, $180) based on your prior review.
In Canada the price is $272 vs $299 for the Rigid, now which is better to buy?
I'd probably go with the Ridgid for the LSA and the slightly bigger top.
@@731Woodworks I just might!
I have the Wen version. It’s absolutely fantastic.
Ridgid EB4424 Sander is the best
Why is it that I am always impressed with WEN? Everyone knows WEN is “budget friendly,” but I often find it to be much more reliable (and more powerful) than brands like Ryobi and Portal Cable
Agreed!
I've always been a Ryobi fan (yeah, they aren't "the best", but they are pretty darn good for the money), but I'm curious about WEN. They seem to get decent reviews... I'm upgrading to Festool for most things now, so, I likely won't be buying one anytime soon, but we shall see....
I just got that exact model. I haven't used it yet but I wish it had a t slot Im not sure what Id use it for but im sure I would find a use if it had one.
Oh man.... now do I want to get a drill press or one of these? I know you can get the spindles for a drill press, but also want the belt.....
The one you get first is the one you "NEED" for your next project 😉
I got the Ridgid because of it being the gold standard it seemed but also the larger table top seemed like it would be beneficial. I don't use it often yet, have plans to, but it sure is handy when I have used it. That WEN looks great also.
I recently got a Wen belt sander and I’m very impressed with it! I think it was less than $30 but if I don’t know any better I’d have guessed it was a $200 tool
I've been looking at this for the past year think its going to be the next tool I pick up just have to find a place to store it
The 1st thing I noticed is that the rotation is different between the 2. I have had my Ridgid for probably 15 years and use it all the time. Thanks for the review.
I have the Ridgid, purchased a long time ago, 15+ years. This now gathers dust. I do not like the thump-thump of the belt at the joint. I preferred the spindle sander function but found the table too small. I later purchased a dedicated oscillating spindle sander with a larger table. I love using the dedicated spindle sander. I would not want to be without this machine, but the Ridgid was not a good purchase for my needs.
Dave.
Thanks for the comparison review- this is the next tool on my list and I have been wondering how I could give up the real estate to store the Rigid in my tiny shop. I’m happy to find out how the Wen performs. I appreciate the smaller footprint!!! 👍
The Wen must be a fairly new machine. When I bought my Ridgid, I researched all the units within my price range but the Ridgid was the only one I found with a tilting table surface. That is the main reason why I paid the extra money for the Ridgid. All the other implementations seem to be the same with all other devices. Oh yes, Like you, I have yet to use the T-track for mitering, but I also wanted that T-track with a miter gauge in case I needed to have to do sanding at an absolute mitered angle. It's better to have it than wishing that you had it.
I have the Wen and love it. Nice review.
I bought the Ridgid sander from Direct Tools for around 180 with shipping, when you told everyone about a sale they had going on last year or the year before (time flies). It said it was factory blemished but I never have figured out where the blemish was.
Had 2 ridgid sanders neither one lasted very long. Purchased the Wen a couple of years ago and haven’t had any problems. Only thing I miss is the miter slot
Great video lm going to pick one up tonight
I saw a similar review showing the oscillation on Bauer is 1/2” less than Rigid. Curious how much oscillation the Wen has in comparison to rigid.
I have the Harbor Freight Bauer version of this one. Works great.
I saw another video listing the Ridgid version as a tool NOT to buy. This is definitely dependent on the type of work you do. I've owned the Ridgid for more than ten years with no hassles or issue. I use it a lot (small projects and guitars) and would buy another one if it ever died. I like the larger table and it has a larger motor. This type of tool is invaluable for me but definitely favors woodworkers that a doing smaller projects with lots of curves. Very informative video and I picked up a couple of uses that I never considered. Oh, and the t-track slot - I've never used it either.
I'm not gonna lie, I sharpen my mower blades on mine too
I made a knife with mine. It worked pretty well. I mean, the knife is probably trash, but it looks like a knife (and is sharp).
Good review Matt. I believe that the Ridgid you have (and I have as well) has a LSA. I'm not too sure that the newer model has that, maybe a one or two year. That fact may make the Wen more attractive.
I returned mine.
I have what appears to be the same machine but branded by Triton. It's a great tool.
Yes, one of these is definitely on the wishlist.
I just wonder about the storage if you use a flip top cart. Does everything stay when it's upside down?
No, it won't. The parts will fall out easily.
I'm on my second Ridgid and would but another if this one fails. I use the belt and spindle functions. It's one of my most used tools. I only wish it was variable speed.