Best Sanders
The WEN Belt Disc Sander easily sands, smooths and removes all of the jagged edges and splinters on your wood and lumber. This package also includes an 80-grit sanding disc, an 80-grit sanding belt, a miter gauge for steady sanding on angled edges, a stop bar for safety and control, and a 2.25 inch dust port to connect a dust extractor. Two-in-one sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"the disc and belt run true - no wobble at all - and the unit is quite heavy. I bolted the WEN to a plywood base, and using some scrap cabinet-grade plywood, made a table that is solid, exactly 90 degrees to the disc, and can be adjusted to get as close to the disc as I need it to be. If I ever need to sand at an angle, I can just put the table back on (but beware, the angle gage for the table is made of tape and is very inaccurate!"
"The machine is the same as the Ryobi Bench Sander Green BD4601G one at Home Depot, but with WEN labeling. After I watched my son almost stick his finger in the the danger spot where the belt meets the machine, I promptly looked up the model number for the Ryobi guard and bought it to replace the junky WEN guard."
"The main reason it only received two stars is because it struggled to sand some of the larger pieces I was working on, eventually coming to a stop. If I used my hand to get the belt going, the motor would eventually kick in and turn the belt, but it would be so slow it wouldn't be useful."
"My previous Delta brand bench sander would also have been underpowered for the amount and types of needs I have now as well. The belt sander is easier to change from horizonal to vertical than other models I've used."
"2 months old and it started on fire in my garage....belt guard is made of plastic and once it ignited it went crazy and even the paint started burning...That plastic belt guard ignited in an instant and the fire spread fast to the paint and melted the plastic throughout the side of the sander including knobs and table supports... my 30 amazon return window closed and WEN will not honor their 2 year warranty due to less than 30 seconds of sanding titanium plate.so I am out $85 because WEN uses cheap materials to build an 'ok' sander."
"In the middle of sanding a piece of pine, a loud POP from the machine, everything slows down, kills the breaker, and then lots of smoke and flames out the bottom."
The WEN Oscillating Spindle Sander features a smooth and quiet 1/2HP 3.5 Amp motor while the sanding spindle moves up to 58 oscillations and 2000 rotations per minute with a 5/8 inch stroke. Meanwhile, the onboard storage keeps the spindles, sleeves, table inserts and spindle washers organized and accessible for quick changes. Attach the dust collector of your choice to the onboard dust port to minimize clean-up.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I hook it up to a standard Shop Vac or my Festool CT26 and very little dust escapes, most especially with the smaller spindles where there is more surface area on the plastic rings for dust evacuation holes. There is on board storage for the various rubber spindle sizes and the orange spindle inserts as the photo shows. Unfortunately, there is no on board storage for the miscellaneous washers that you need for the different spindles- though there is a slot for the wrench as was pointed out to me in an attached comment. It would have been trivial to mold in a plastic tray or two into the side of the plastic cover, but for this price you're not looking for design nuance. note on 3/4" sleeves: Almost all of my work is with the 3/4" spindle so I go through a disproportionately large number of these sleeves vs. other sizes. As a result, combo packs of sleeves are wasteful in my case. I've found that the DELTA 31-792 3/4-Inch 80 Grit Sanding Sleeves for 31-780 Spindle Sander (6-Pack) fits the billl - all i get are 3/4" sleeves and they're a reasonable price on Amazon."
"Some have commented that the dust port doesn't fit their hose end. The 1-1/4 end slides over the outside of the plastic sander dust port with minimal gap and tightening the band clamp makes it a semi permanent part of your sander."
"Did not receive instructions in the box but WEN customer service promptly emailed me a complete set."
"Also I noticed that it has a good set of spindles, more then enough sizes to get into most small corners I might make. On the whole, this machine is well put together, and works well. The work surface is somewhat rough. My wife's and my conclusion: Considering cost and function, why would you buy any other spindle sander than this?"
Bosch's integral pad dampening system, a pad braking system, is designed to eliminate the most common complaint of random orbit sander users; swirl marks on the workpiece. Features microfilter system for optimal filtering of fine dust and trapping particles as small as a 1/2-micron in diameter. Features microfilter system for optimal filtering of fine dust and trapping particles as small as a 1/2-micron in diameter.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Have to give respect for Amazon for getting this shipped the same day and allowing me to get started on sanding my deck. For a really old deck it looks better than the first day we bought the house and looks brought back to life. The sander has a comfortable grip and gets the dust and is easy to change worn sandpaper."
"However, the sander ended up coming with the VAC002 adapter which enables the port on the sander to fit directly onto an 1-1/4" fitting of a standard shop vac hose."
"The bag it comes in is sturdy and good for storing not only the ROS but also sanding discs and buffing pads."
"Uses standard 5” hook and loop pads, has built in filtered dust collection, and it comes with an easy non-proprietary 1 1/4” vacuum adapter (which takes it from low dust to no dust). Unless you compromise and get one with proprietary sanding pads (like the Rockwell) or move up to a 6” unit with handles, you won’t do any better."
"*Bag - The carry-bag is sturdy and includes two slots for storing sanding discs. *Effective - This random orbit has good power and smooths out wood much faster than my 1/4 sheet finish sander."
"I don't know what I did before I bought this random orbit sander, this makes finishing so much quicker, and with the dust collection adapter allows me to tap into my shop dust collection system leaving absolutely no dust behind, especially since it has an 8 hole dust port design instead of 5 like many other sanders that I looked at when purchasing."
"Bought this last week and used it for the first time today. It does come with a very nice hard case."
"I was at Lowe's the other day and looked at this same sander and compared it to other sanders and noticed the other sanders had much larger pile hooks which definitely hold the paper in place."
Best Power Belt Sanders
2561-5188 Features: -Powerful motor for high production use.-Belt speed of 1,640 feet per minute for fast material removal.-Low noise for quieter operation.-Unique design allows flush sanding to walls.-Large front grip is positioned for operator comfort.-Cord is located on the upper portion of the handle for operator convenience.-Dust bag swivels 360 for more convenient operation.-Double insulated. This belt sander features an extended base to allow flush sanding. The replaceable ceramic wear plate keeps maintenance time to a minimum and the low profile provides solid balance and less gouging. for fast material removal Labyrinth construction seals motor and bearings from contamination Large front grip is positioned for operator comfort Cord is located on the upper portion of the handle for operator convenience Dust bag swivels 360° for more convenient operation Unique design allows flush sanding to walls Double insulated. 4-inch-wide belt with a speed of 1,640 feet per minute for fast material removal.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My 30 year old 4x24 had a flat top which could be placed on my workbench upside-down and be stable; not so with this new design."
"This thing tears through anything."
"I bought this model because it uses the same size belts as my stationary sander."
"It's not a finish sander, so I used an orbital sander with a 120 to take out a few scratches, but that was quick because it was just smoothing, not removal. The only strange thing was that the box was already opened, and the sander had dust on it when I received it from Amazon. But the next one from Amazon had the same thing - opened box, dust on the sander."
"I used sander with some 36 grit belts on metal parts and it worked great.It has a nice long cord and easy to adjust belt.I would buy again if I needed one."
"I called Makita USA, and they put me in contact with a repair center in Las Vegas NV. Either I can send it back and put my job on hold HOPING I get one with no problem, or take my chances at cutting off the mold line... NOT an option I want to be faced with either way. I used to work in the tool rental and repair industry, and Makita was a lot different 20 years ago..."
"not really sure why but this created deep random gouges (I've been a professional woodworker for thirty five years). I returned it."
"Completely dead this morning, so I give it one star for every year that it worked."
Best Power Combination Disc & Belt Sanders
The WEN Belt Disc Sander easily sands, smooths and removes all of the jagged edges and splinters on your wood and lumber. This package also includes an 80-grit sanding disc, an 80-grit sanding belt, a miter gauge for steady sanding on angled edges, a stop bar for safety and control, and a 2.25 inch dust port to connect a dust extractor. Two-in-one sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"the disc and belt run true - no wobble at all - and the unit is quite heavy. I bolted the WEN to a plywood base, and using some scrap cabinet-grade plywood, made a table that is solid, exactly 90 degrees to the disc, and can be adjusted to get as close to the disc as I need it to be. If I ever need to sand at an angle, I can just put the table back on (but beware, the angle gage for the table is made of tape and is very inaccurate!"
"The machine is the same as the Ryobi Bench Sander Green BD4601G one at Home Depot, but with WEN labeling. After I watched my son almost stick his finger in the the danger spot where the belt meets the machine, I promptly looked up the model number for the Ryobi guard and bought it to replace the junky WEN guard."
"The main reason it only received two stars is because it struggled to sand some of the larger pieces I was working on, eventually coming to a stop. If I used my hand to get the belt going, the motor would eventually kick in and turn the belt, but it would be so slow it wouldn't be useful."
"My previous Delta brand bench sander would also have been underpowered for the amount and types of needs I have now as well. The belt sander is easier to change from horizonal to vertical than other models I've used."
"Its definitly not for someone who plans on having this sander for a life time."
"Got this for my wife (yes - I said my wife!)."
"There are definitely some loose tolerances on this unit, but it works well for the home shop."
"Had a smaller grizzly that worked fine for the smaller jobs, but this is just what the doctor ordered for small/medium sized jobs for this DIY'r."
Best Power Detail Sanders
It features a 1.5 Amp motor that delivers 21,000 oscillations per minute, and it has a sturdy die-cast aluminum gear housing. This tool is great for trimming door jambs for flooring installation, removing old caulking, glue or paint, taking up vinyl flooring or carpeting, chiseling out door hinges, or trimming cabinets for installation. Designed for home remodelers and do-it-yourselfers, the Genesis GMT15A Multifunction Oscillating Tool is an all-in-one solution that deftly handles cutting, sanding, scraping, and grinding. Thanks to its unique oscillating head and multiple attachments, the GMT15A quickly and easily tackles projects that once required long hours and expensive specialty tools. Multi-purpose tool for home repair and remodeling; attachments included for cutting, scraping, and sanding 21,000 oscillations per minute; 1.5 amps Four-pin flange holds accessories firmly in place Die-cast aluminum gear housing for increased life Two-year warranty; customer service and technical support included. Includes 3-inch Delta sanding pad, sandpaper, scraping blade, 30 mm E-cut saw blade, HSS segment saw blade, and allen wrench.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Work fantastic."
"I'm sure the flush cut bi-metal blade could have cut the thick bolt in much less time. Some of the black paint on the blade came off where it made contact with the bolt I was cutting."
"I bought this Genesis GMT 15amp saw on June 1, 2011."
"Case in point: I had to replace an ancient electrical outlet mounted in a hardwood floor without a box, and the hole had to be enlarged to accept my new box. A dust mask is also a good idea if you plan to be cutting for more than a minute or two, because an oscillating blade creates finer dust than a reciprocating blade."
"The wood blades are for "soft wood" and other soft material. Fortunately it takes many of the competitors' blades so they're easy to find at your local hardware or big-box store."
"On the first use, I noticed the tool was hot to hold and then I realized that the hook and loop backing pad had actually melted onto the back of the sandpaper."
"Worked great for a couple of projects and the switch died."
"I used this tool once and cut a piece of vinyl floor tile and it stopped working after the first cut."
Best Power Disc Sanders
The WEN Belt Disc Sander easily sands, smooths and removes all of the jagged edges and splinters on your wood and lumber. This package also includes an 80-grit sanding disc, an 80-grit sanding belt, a miter gauge for steady sanding on angled edges, a stop bar for safety and control, and a 2.25 inch dust port to connect a dust extractor. Two-in-one sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"the disc and belt run true - no wobble at all - and the unit is quite heavy. I bolted the WEN to a plywood base, and using some scrap cabinet-grade plywood, made a table that is solid, exactly 90 degrees to the disc, and can be adjusted to get as close to the disc as I need it to be. If I ever need to sand at an angle, I can just put the table back on (but beware, the angle gage for the table is made of tape and is very inaccurate!"
"The machine is the same as the Ryobi Bench Sander Green BD4601G one at Home Depot, but with WEN labeling. After I watched my son almost stick his finger in the the danger spot where the belt meets the machine, I promptly looked up the model number for the Ryobi guard and bought it to replace the junky WEN guard."
"The main reason it only received two stars is because it struggled to sand some of the larger pieces I was working on, eventually coming to a stop. If I used my hand to get the belt going, the motor would eventually kick in and turn the belt, but it would be so slow it wouldn't be useful."
"The dust collection is great with a port that fits my rigid shop vac 2 inch hose perfect. The warranty guy was in the USA and shipped me another drill press motor without delay and gave me a return shipping label for that same box for me to return broken motor after."
"My previous Delta brand bench sander would also have been underpowered for the amount and types of needs I have now as well. The belt sander is easier to change from horizonal to vertical than other models I've used."
"Its definitly not for someone who plans on having this sander for a life time."
"Got this for my wife (yes - I said my wife!)."
"There are definitely some loose tolerances on this unit, but it works well for the home shop."
Best Power Drum Sanders
“ McKay Abrasive 51 Pc Sanding Drum Set- Fits All Rotary Tools: Includes 5 Reusable Rubber Drum Mandrels with 1/8” Shank & 45 Quick Change Sanding Bands-120 Grit Pads”. Introducing: Our exclusive drum sander kit that connects to any rotating sanding drum with compatible sizes. Smoothly slides the sanding band over the rubber drum and you’re ready to start your project. PRECISION TIGHT, NON-SLIP FIT: Our self-expanding rubber cushioned drum mandrels were especially designed to embrace the sanding bands with a snug fit, keeping the sandpaper sleeves in place, for extra fine artwork. Our drums should fits most other sanding bands if the sizes are compatible. PREFERRED, EXTRA FINE GRIT PADS: The 120 grit bands that are included in this kit are the designated grit count for smooth, fine art woodworking, especially designed for this compact drum size uses.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had an issue of my own making, since I didnt know you had to tighten the screw in the middle to get them to tighten around the drums."
"Good set of replacement sanding drums and mandrels for Dremel-style rotary tools."
"Finally got a chance to use these, and they are exactly what I needed."
"These guys work pretty well for sanding small parts."
"Outstanding service and the discs are invaluable in tight places."
"Received product again in a very timely manner!"
"Does the job good considrtjng the price."
"If I could give it zero star rating I would!"
Best Power Random Orbit Sanders
Makita BO5041K 5 Random Orbit Sander KitMakita BO5041K 5 Random Orbit Sander Kit Features: Smooth and fast sanding with 3.0 AMP motor Variable speed control dial (4,000-12,000 OPM) enables user to match the sanding speed to the application Ergonomic rubberized palm grip and handle for improved operator comfort and control Adjustable front handle allows for sanding in corners and confined areas Large two-finger trigger switch with conveniently located lock-on button for continuous use and increased operator comfort Large 1/8" random orbit action for fast and super smooth sanding provides a swirl-free finish Pad control system for controlled pad speed upon start-up Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system for a cleaner work environment Pad brake engineered for increased performance and reduced gouging High capacity dust collection system with built-in vacuum port adapter for improved dust collection Uses quick-change 5" (8-hole) hook-and-loop abrasive paper Oversized sealed-ball bearing construction for longer tool life Double insulated Makita BO5041K 5 Random Orbit Sander KitMakita BO5041K 5 Random Orbit Sander Kit Specifications: 1 ea. Abrasive Disc (#120, 794520-1) Dust Bag (166078-4) Tool Case (183782-0) Pad Size: 4-7/8" Abrasive Disc Size: 5" No Load OPM: 4,000 - 12,000 Orbit Diameter: 1/8" AMPS (120V): 3.0 Dimensions (LxWxH): 10-7/8" x 4-7/8" x 6" Net Weight (lbs. Makita's 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander with variable speed, Model BO5041K, combines power, speed and performance with better grip and control, including an innovative adjustable front handle. The variable speed control dial (4,000 - 12,000 OPM) allows the user to match the sanding speed to the material, with a large two-finger trigger switch with conveniently located lock-on button for continuous use and increased operator comfort. About Makita's Power Tools Makita delivers precision, accuracy, capacity, and innovation to woodworkers. Should any trouble develop during this one-year period, return the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita's Factory or Authorized Service Centers. Whats in the Box Makita BO5041K 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander, abrasive disc, dust bag and tool case. Ergonomic rubberized palm grip and handle for improved operator comfort and control. Large two-finger trigger switch with conveniently located lock-on button for continuous use and increased operator comfort. Large 1/8"" random orbit action for fast and super smooth sanding provides a swirl-free finish. Large two-finger trigger switch with conveniently located lock-on button for continuous use and increase operator comfort. Large 1/8" random orbit action for fast and super smooth sanding provides a swirl free finish.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"All you need to purchase to attach this sander to your vacuum is the Universal Corrugated Dish Washer Hose sold at the Home Crapo and elsewhere (Ace and Lowes has them, prolly Sears too) price today at the crapo (11/2016) $11.98 plus tax."
"If you can manage to attach a dust collection / shop vac to this thing it actually works pretty well to reduce dust mess."
"Comfortable."
"It was easy to handle and help make job a lot easier."
"As a test, I used the sander to remove a lot of rust from an old metal tool."
"The I used the orbit sander without any sandpaper to vibrate the mold, and then with the sand paper to smooth and polish the table surface."
"I used a good quality brand paper to sand an outdoor table."
"While waiting for this to come from Amazon, I got impatient and grabbed a similar spec Dewalt locally to use in the interim."
Best Power Sheet Sanders
Precision engineered all ball bearing construction for reduced vibration and noise, large clamping lever for quick and easy paper installation, through the pad dust collection system, conveniently located on/off switch, rubber sealed switch, contoured, rubberized palm grip. Makita's Finishing Sander, Model BO4556K, combines fast, smooth performance with a contoured rubberized palm grip and ease-of-use features. View larger BO4556K Features PERFORMANCE - 2.0 AMP motor rotates pad 14,000 OPM for smooth finish sanding COMFORT - Engineered to operate at a low noise level with reduce vibration. INCLUDES - Abrasive paper, dust bag, punch plate and tool case. About Makita's Power Tools Makita delivers precision, accuracy, capacity, and innovation to woodworkers. Should any trouble develop during this one-year period, return the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita's Factory or Authorized Service Centers. Precision engineered all-ball bearing construction for reduced vibration and noise. Contoured, rubberized palm grip design for improved operator comfort and control. Contoured, rubberized palm grip design for operator comfort.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The clamping mechanism is solid, not a cheap-o plastic thing that other sanders in this price range have."
"Very smooth but has a tendency to work at the corners but the center of the paper doesn't seem to stay in contact with the work surface."
"This is a great tool for me."
"I like it, and it works great, but I think the rubber mat/pad should be made more durable, I fear it may be a part that has to be replaced every 6 months or so..."
"Makita delivers again on a great product."
"My previous Makita palm sander served me well for 30 years."
"It's a Makita so top quality product as usual."
"Did the job but be prepared to vacuum after you sand."
Best Power Spindle Sanders
Now you can make your belt oscillate without ever setting foot on a dance floor with the WEN Oscillating Belt and Spindle Sander. This versatile machine acts as both a spindle sander and a belt sander, oscillating up to 58 times per minute with a 5/8-inch stroke. Includes a beveling work table, five throat plates, four rubber sanding drums, one belt sanding attachment and six pieces of 80-grit sandpaper (one for each size spindle/belt).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I hook it up to a standard Shop Vac or my Festool CT26 and very little dust escapes, most especially with the smaller spindles where there is more surface area on the plastic rings for dust evacuation holes. There is on board storage for the various rubber spindle sizes and the orange spindle inserts as the photo shows. Unfortunately, there is no on board storage for the miscellaneous washers that you need for the different spindles- though there is a slot for the wrench as was pointed out to me in an attached comment. It would have been trivial to mold in a plastic tray or two into the side of the plastic cover, but for this price you're not looking for design nuance. note on 3/4" sleeves: Almost all of my work is with the 3/4" spindle so I go through a disproportionately large number of these sleeves vs. other sizes. As a result, combo packs of sleeves are wasteful in my case. I've found that the DELTA 31-792 3/4-Inch 80 Grit Sanding Sleeves for 31-780 Spindle Sander (6-Pack) fits the billl - all i get are 3/4" sleeves and they're a reasonable price on Amazon."
"Some have commented that the dust port doesn't fit their hose end. The 1-1/4 end slides over the outside of the plastic sander dust port with minimal gap and tightening the band clamp makes it a semi permanent part of your sander."
"Did not receive instructions in the box but WEN customer service promptly emailed me a complete set."
"Some reviews say there are issues tightening the nut for the spindels and the sandpaper sleeves moving. After sanding this cedar 4 foot board I can't tell the 80 grit sandpaper sleeve was worn at all, still has plenty of life."
"Never seen one before - seems really clever."
"My only complaint is that the dust port is slightly bigger than the hose on my shop vac."
"I had to use a band saw to make some of the curved cuts, and this sander took care of those areas with ease."
Best Power Sanding Sleeves
Designed for use with the WEN 6510 Oscillating Spindle Sander, this set includes six 80-grit sleeves, six 120-grit sleeves and six 240-grit sleeves to meet a variety of applications. Designed to fit the WEN 6510 Oscillating Spindle Sander.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Maybe the sleeves that come with the sander are cheap ones to get you going out if the box."
"Great Selection of drum sander grits."
"Very nice sanding drums, they fit right on my spindle sander and wok as expected."
"Excellent Sandpaper."
"Fodder for my new WEN oscillating spindle sander."
"Exactly as shown and described."
"A great assortment for my WEN spindle sander."
"Look fine, good quality."