WEN electric file sander

[joe_pinehill1]

Does anyone have this sander, do they like it?

WEN 6307 Variable Speed Detailing File Sander with 1/2-by-18" Belt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q2FTLY/?tag=atomicindus08-20



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[tarbellb]

Might as well buy the Harbor Freight version, unless you dont have access to it.

The high dollar quality version is - Dynabrade 01197 Belt Sander

 

[mc4life27]

I have not used that one but harbor freight also Eastwood (sane just pick your color). There are also a lot of high end ones out there like I know 3m makes one.
Also I was looking into doing a conversion but have not wanted to spend the money yet. But there’s a guy on eBay selling a wheel and a spacer that allows the belt system from the more expensive air belt sander to be used with the Milwaukee m12 3” cut off tool. I did make an arm and little system to use on my cut off tool but wasn’t happy with the first version so I’m remaking mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[cheechi]

I have the HF one. I like it. It's not perfect but it's easily one of the nicest hand held HF power tools I have. You have to get used to using which flat side so you don't run the belt off the track. When I started using it, the belt would come off every other time i turned it on until I got more mindful of that. Worth taking a sharpie and marking the direction on the side so you know if you need to flip it upside down.

that Wen version looks like it might be smaller than the HF one, and if you see value in that then go for it; the HF one is an angle grinder body just with a different attachment. If that one is more dremel body sized then it may fit into smaller spaces/tighter angles. Otherwise you'd be overpaying for the same thing.

 

[matt_i]

I have a Milwaukee version of same, however did not cost $36.

Its an excellent tool for removing the ERW electric resistance welded seam from the inside of square tubing, as deep as it can reach.

No one grinder/sander is going to do all jobs so its super handy for some things and the wrong tool for others.

 

[dnschmidt]

I am use to using the air version of this tool (Astro makes great ones) and this little WEN just doesn't have the power to get the job done for me. I-R makes a cordless version that uses 3/8" belts that works great and in Europe Ryobi makes a 1/2" one in their 18 volt system that is very good value per dollar. I got mine from the Amazon UK site. These tools have become the modern way of removing spot welds in autobody as they chew through the new hardened steels with ease. Also it's much easier to tell when you've ground through the top panel and stop before you've gone through the bottom panel. That's a lot harder to do with a spot weld bit.

 

[cheechi]

since you brought up the comparison to an air powered belt sander I will agree. The HF one at least is not as powerful as an air sander, though you do have to have a big comp to keep up with one. I would say something like 1/3 as powerful; I use mine for woodworking and light metal work (for example, like filing) so i am not too severely impacted by its lack of power, and even some things with the coarse belt they provide (80 i think?) it can be too aggressive.

My earlier comparison was before coffee;

The HF one is listed at 5.3A and as much as a power tool can 'feel like' a certain amperage, it feels like a small, cheap, inefficient motor with a 5.3A peak to it. And I forgot, I have two, I got the second one so I could have one with each grit of belt as I was really tired of swapping them back and forth.

While the Wen at 2A has a dremel-ish motor (I have an old B&D RTX at 2 A and the difference is noticeable in sanding/grinding vs the standard Dremel 1.3 or so motor) i doubt there's really much power for sanding available.

Are you saying the 18v Milwaukee is more powerful than the Wen? I'd be interested in whether they make an M12 version as I could see a small portable one being useful if it's as powerful as the brushless drill/driver motors with the XC batteries.

 

[mc4life27]

since you brought up the comparison to an air powered belt sander I will agree. The HF one at least is not as powerful as an air sander, though you do have to have a big comp to keep up with one. I would say something like 1/3 as powerful; I use mine for woodworking and light metal work (for example, like filing) so i am not too severely impacted by its lack of power, and even some things with the coarse belt they provide (80 i think?) it can be too aggressive.

My earlier comparison was before coffee;

The HF one is listed at 5.3A and as much as a power tool can 'feel like' a certain amperage, it feels like a small, cheap, inefficient motor with a 5.3A peak to it. And I forgot, I have two, I got the second one so I could have one with each grit of belt as I was really tired of swapping them back and forth.

While the Wen at 2A has a dremel-ish motor (I have an old B&D RTX at 2 A and the difference is noticeable in sanding/grinding vs the standard Dremel 1.3 or so motor) i doubt there's really much power for sanding available.

Are you saying the 18v Milwaukee is more powerful than the Wen? I'd be interested in whether they make an M12 version as I could see a small portable one being useful if it's as powerful as the brushless drill/driver motors with the XC batteries.

I don’t think Milwaukee makes a m18 belt sander. I know they make a corded one I think they still do anyways. The m12 one is a build your self thing. You buy the pulley and mount plate from eBay and then buy the most expensive air one from harbor freight. Then you take the belt system off of the air and bolt it to the m12 3 “ cut off tool. So far my little home made version is great I’m just rebuilding the wheel mount up front


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[cheechi]

i was under the impression European Ryobi tools are made by the same company as M12.

 

[neophyte]

i was under the impression European Ryobi tools are made by the same company as M12.

TTI( parent company of Milwaukee ) owns the AEG power tool brand, and has rights to the Ryobi name for power tools sold outside Japan.
Tools sold in the USA under the Ridgid brand are in many cases the same tools sold in Europe or parts of Europe under the AEG brand.
TTI produces tools for both the US and European market under the Milwaukee brand, and uses Milwaukee for its top of the line products. AEG and Ridgid brands are now used for the mid-tier products, with Ryobi used for the lower cost products.
Despite the tools coming from the same corporation, the technology used in the tools is not always the same, and the tools sold in different markets are sometimes completely different products.
For instance, there are Milwaukee models sold in the US which are completely different from those sold in Europe, and vice versa. Cordless jigsaws were one example.
I believe Milwaukee and Ryobi were also both selling hydraulic impact drivers at one point, but with separately designed impact mechanisms.

 

[dnschmidt]

Apparently the Home Depot now carries the Ryobi one that I bought from England: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...ch}+smf:{ca,br}:smf+nf:{1}:nf+qu:{psd101b}:qu

This is far more powerful than the WEN and uses the standard Ryobi 18V batteries. Highly recommended for the money. Uses standard 18" X 1/2" belts which are readily available.