Ross wrote in, asking about Wen tools:
What’s the deal with the tool manufacturer WEN? They have the number one selling drill press on Amazon (last time I looked) and I noticed they had a generator on Woot! yesterday (October 28). I’ve never heard of them and now I see them popping up more and more?
Advertisement
I too have noticed Wen tools with increasing visibility.
To be honest, I never gave the brand much thought, as it looks like they are just another tool importer that slaps their name on generic power tools and equipment.
For example, consider the following variations of what appear to be the same exact sander:
There are a couple of differences between the Wen, Rikon, Rockwell, and Ryobi benchtop sanders, but it is probable that all of these machines came out of the same factory.
To me, it looks like Wen tools simple offer one more brand to look at when price shopping for a particular tool.
Advertisement
If you’ve used Wen tools before, what do you think about them? Are they better, worse, or no different from some of the other power tool brands you’ve come across?
Thanks to Ross for the great question!
bryan
I had wen tools in the late fifties, early sixties. power tools were all metal bodies, hand drills “saber saw”, a Wen soldering gun. i thought usa made. I think the name was bought and now a group is trying to reestablish the brand again.
Dave L.
Any number of companies do that. Some times the quality is fine, now and then you get an offshore company that bought rights to an old established name and attached it to totally unrelated products.
Finest construction
I’m all for top quality tools. 30 plus years in construction, I’ve used every tool. But let’s think about this. I’m not saying that there isn’t home owner quality junk out there. However at the end of the day , where do all these parts come from and how much does it really cost to build a good tool that the company turns around for god only knows how many times the price it cost to build. How is it that the same tool hits the shelf for first time at 700 dollars and 2 years later it’s less than half that. It’s all a show. Make the tool look nice , almost like a fancy sports car. All these features we never used or needed in the past and now have no choice but to pay for. So here comes wen. So cheap I actually purchased couple just to see quality. My opinion depending on type of tool. They are worth every penny. Just like I think Bosh makes best jig saw so that’s what I have. I don’t think all their tools are the best so I buy the one I like for the job it does. My air nailers are hitachi my compound miter saw Dewalt etc. Dont be scared because something doesn’t cost 1000 dollars. It’s still can be a good tool. Finally. No reason to make fun of a company that is selling a cheaper costing tool that works good. Hats off to them. I’d rather bash the rip off company’s who’s tools aren’t worth the money. But 40 and 50 dollars for a tool that actually turns on. Come on really ?? Work safe good buy.
G. Ralph Kuntz, MD
Although it is annoying to have to replace tools, if a tool costs 1/3 of the price of another, and still lasts 3/4 as long, in the long run, you save money buying the cheaper one, all other things being equal. Having said that, you have to look closely at the cheaper tool to make sure it will meet your needs.
Dave
I’m a bit late to the party but everything you say — spot on. So much of this is just marketing, and even when it comes to specs there are ways to decide how you want to measure something first, or just fudge the numbers. Is it a crime to take something rated for 3/4HP and list it as 1/2HP on another brand? Don’t think so. Maybe in the opposite direction, sure.
Sometimes it comes down to how much human time is spent on QA. If someone is actually looking at the output, that adds costs, but not in the magnitude we see. There are plenty of times where someones fav thing and someones most loathed thing are made in the same damn factory.
Mark
http://www.wenproducts.com/store/about_us
In Illinois, U.S.A
Steve T
That only says headquarters is IL, not production facility. Anyone’s guess where manufacturing occurs. Some companies do designed in USA built in cheap labor country
SteveR
Each tool could have minor differences in capability that would suggest one is better than another for specific use(s), such as higher rpm or being able to dial that up or down (rather than a single speed), or total horsepower available. That might be difficult to tell just by looking at them, but would present itself when doing a side-by-side comparison of their specs. Most of us focus on a brand name (DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc.) instead when purchasing tools, and may miss out on a better product for our needs that way. It is striking, though, how closely they resemble one another.
fred
I also remember the brand from the post-WWI DIY days of the 1950’s and 60″s. As Bryan says, they sold some oddball reciprocating saws – soldering guns and other tools:
searching on “vintage Wen Saw” I found this:
http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Solder-Sander-Family-Workshop/dp/B00F5B92F8
I was buying mostly Porter Cable and Milwaukee back then – and a Weller soldering gun – Wen seemed like a lower-end brand.
Frank
Don’t you mean post WWII DIY days?
Ross H
Has anyone saw WEN for sale in a store? I haven’t saw them anywhere (Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, Fleet-Farm, etc.) except online?
sheath
Home Depot
Robert FRY
I’ve just seen a saw in Sears. never seen the brand before.
Buck( Jerry Johnson )
Just try and say the first part of your statement real fast ( before the comma ) . A real tongue twister !! I’ve just seen a saw in Sears. About Wen , for a few days a couple of ” sellers” on Amazon had a Wen Rotary Tool , with the flexible extension for , believe it or not, $ 2.51. AND free shipping. That is $2.51. I ordered one. If it’s any good at all how could you beat that? The flex extension is usually around $20 . It has 100 accessories too. Been 11 days and still not delivered . I’ll let you guys know what I get, if it ever comes .
Rob
Did you get it yet?
Pita
Jeez, I hope so by now!
Andy
There are a couple of rip off companies, can’t remember the names,on the WWW that are offering name brand tools at ridiculously low prices. You’ll never see the tool.
Remember the old adage. If it to good to be true, it’s not true.
Joel
I bought a WEN branded Compound Mitre saw a while back. The plastic blade guide piece in the table surface is cracked, and it isn’t 100% accurate to the angle guides, but for a 10″ compound mitre saw at Menards that sold new for $50, you couldn’t ask for much more.
Dale O'Bear
L have a WEN 10″ compound miter saw, model #70711. This saw has a plastic plate (according to the parts list). This plate is to release the table to change the angle cut. The part does not stand up too well. I have replaced the part because it broke. I ordered 2 parts to have an extra. Lo and behold, I put the second one on and it is now broken. I talked to a WEN rep and he informed me the part is only made of plastic. Now I need to order more spare parts or purchase a new saw. If I buy a new one, it most likely will NOT carry the WEN name.
Dave
You should have read the reviews before buying the saw. There were half a dozen negative comments about the plate breaking. If it were mine, I would fabricate something to replace this plastic plate.
Jim
How did you get in contact with these people? Nobody answers the phone.
Randy N Stewart
I talk to them all the time I’ve had issues with there shipping fed ex but I don’t blame wen I have a shop full of tools helix planer and 8″jointer 12″ drill press and 9 disc – 6″ belt sander I think they look as good as they work and at a fraction of the cost of other brands Dewalt had there 3blade planer on sale but after I figured in the change over to the spiral cutter head wen was half the price and designed to be spiral head so anyway I am in on Wen
Jim Parker
You haven’t saw them. Really.
James Smallwood
Is that a double up base on the subject or an oversite in grammar usage
Bob
Oversite? Really? Don’t grammar-nazi if you don’t know grammar either.
Auldphart
If you don’t know grammar from spelling, you still in trouble.
Rob
She sells saws all’s at Stamford sears
Chris
Walmart sells wen tools
Matt Ryan
I think they are a Menards brand. I see a lot of Wen miter saws around my area of Wisconsin. They seem like another home owner brand like Ryobi.
Nic
Menards is MasterCraft. Wen, is not.
Rudy Lipinski
“WEN” is an independant National Brand, not unique to any particular franchise chain.
You can get them at places like Walmart , Home Depot and Lowes too.
Look online.
Ken
I bought a electric hand grinder and a 1/2 inch Wen drill around 1960 and the dirll was OK but the grinder didn’t work too long, last year I got the Wen 40V chainsaw and so far it’s OK.
Eric
I have never actually seen any WEN tools in person, just online. They do not appear to be anything exceptional.
skfarmer
i have never seen any wen tools that screamed quality. even the older metal stuff didn’t seem to be up to par with the older classic metal brands of the 50’s and 60’s. my only real experience with them was electric chainsaws and they did not impress me either.
Travis
I bought a 3500 watt WEN generator off woot a while back and it actually seems to be decent quality for the price. Came boxed with all the tools and even a 240 twist lock plug to wire up a device. Ran really well. Possibly a Chinese copy of a brigs and Stratton engine. I might not say they are on par with dewalt, but if you want a decent tool for the money I think they work well. I also have the belt sander pictured, I haven’t had a chance to give it a good test yet, but it seems to be built well.
Tony
I bought a Wen 5500 W generator just before hurricane Katrina in 2010. I know I can depend on it if I need it.
It has what appears to be a Honda clone.
Rick Owen
I saw a Wen Sliding Miter saw at Sears. It’s was identical to one at HF except for color.
John
Wen, Skill, Central Machinery 10″ table saws all look similar as well. Check it out.
Seth
Skil is actually a Bosch brand along with dremel. All owned by the same company. Not sure about the other ones.
ajw1978
Earlier this year, when I began this tool-acquiring adventure while on the hunt for a miter saw, I came across the Wen model several times; mainly on Woot and Amazon, as well as Menards (as someone mentioned) and Sears — which had several Wen products on display. None seemed rather sturdy or impressive. They were dusty and untouched.
leo
Own a wen-brand jigsaw and I have been using it on and off for the past 6 years. It quite does the job. It was cheap, too, but during the time I bought it, I thought I will only use it once…I now have a ryobi brand but I’m keeping my old reliable wen-brand as a backup. I’m actually considering a wen miter saw…I’m a weekend diy-er, so I’m not really going to use the tool like how contractor does.
Brent Fox
According to the “about us” section of their website, their HQ is in Elgin Illinois. Doesn’t say anything about where their products are actually manufactured.
.357 magnum
I saw one review that said they were made in Sweden
Not Frank
No. All made in China. Come on.
blah
From the US Patent & Trademark Office:
Registration Number 1943739
Registration Date December 26, 1995
Owner (REGISTRANT) WEN PRODUCTS, INC. CORPORATION ILLINOIS 5810 Northwest Highway Chicago ILLINOIS 60631
(LAST LISTED OWNER) GREAT LAKES TECHNOLOGIES, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ILLINOIS 1675 Holmes Road ELGIN ILLINOIS 60123
Randy Baylor
I have they’re 12.5 inch planer, 8inch drill press, electric hand planer, belt/disc combo and a 7amp belt Sander. Got them when we started our craft business to start up thinking I’ll buy better when we get more money. Never had too or wanted to. I beat them and they laugh at me
Walter Butler
Wen tools were made in Sweden. It was a tool with a single blade for cutting wood door threshold. Rather expensive.
Z miller
I have a wen half inch drill that was made in the US but it’s not an old one it’s a newish (extremely thick and solid) plastic one, from the 90s at my guess branded America’s choice by wen, it’s really solid and works great and it’s one of those big things with the handle on the top that could rip your arm off if you weren’t careful. I also have an old wen soldering gun that’s nothing special but works fine,The wen brand however seems like it’s been bought abandoned and sold a few times with varying degrees of quality and the new stuff seems so so.
Nate
I have the belt sander (model 910) pictured. It is made in USA and has been used for farm use and moderate commercial use for most of its life. It is a heavy rugged tool… metal gears inside and still takes a common and available (3 x 18) belt size. I can not say that for my (even older) Sears brand belt sander. I doubt the current “Wen” company is very much like the early one. Its probably using the name, like “Rockwell” or “Mcculloch” that had reputations based on good solid American made tools but are now imports with stickers on them.
Ron Crawford
i have a wen lumberjack electric limb trimmer. Does anyone know where i can get replacement blades they are four and one half inch in length. i love the trimmer but cant find blades any where HELP.
S. Blair
Try wenproducts.com
Brad
I inherited a Wen 521 Jigsaw. Obviously quite old but it works fine and is very solid. I have several blades for it but the wrench to change the blades is missing. I have contacted Wen replacement parts with no response. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Brad
Adrian
A sindle sander and hand held planer were a couple “nice to haves” for our small shop. Saw both on Amazon at incredibly low prices. Took the chance and ordered. Surprise! Both work like a charm. WEN tools (so far) are a real bargain and again,do the job well. Almost forgot, warrenty is generous and I did make a call to their customer service for a set of missing instructions and found them to be first rate.
Rudy L.
As mentioned in several posts here, I presently own the “WEN” oscillating spindle sander . It is a clone of many other brands such as “Grizzly”, ” Triton” and many others.
These operate on 120 volts AC, but get converted to approximately 105 volts DC through a rectifier. This rectifier is the weakest link. It is separate from the motor and mounted on the frame.
If you think your motor burned out, it’s probably just the rectifier. This part is not available from the main parts supplier. It is available from electronics component vendor for about $ 10.
These rectifiers overheat with extended time period usage.
Cooling is the issue. At the bottom the cover is a ventilated louvers with short legs separating it from the work bench. At the top the main housing is ventilated by spacing it off from under the work table.
The motor has an internal fan which has vents it’s heat into the housing. Heat removal seems to be primarily from convection; similar to older gravity heating systems.
I’ve burned out one motor in another clone “CM” brand of this sander.
Discontinue use at the very first sign of a stutter, stall, sparking and check the voltage of the rectifier. You may be able to save your motor.
Stuttering or stalling acts like a loose connection at first, then, … later visible and audible sparking occurs inside the housing. It sound like an arc welder.
This isn’t only a WEN brand problem, all the clones operate the same way.
A computer style cooling fan or external mounting might be useful in extending the life of this part.
I removed the bottom cover and don’t run the unit longer than 15-20 minutes duration per session to avoid overheating the rectifier.
BOZ
WEN is now at Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/s/wen?NCNI-5
Looks like, for the most part, just a couple of bucks more that Amazon.
Appears to be good DIY tools at DIY prices.
dave
I was recently given a wen 950 circular saw with the original box,instructions and tools.looks like it mite have been used only once.shipping.date on the.box is1969,but the saw and instrucyions look much older
It is all metal and says made in USA, qny idea of the value,its in almosr new condition.
Bryan Mroch
I was in the same boat about six months ago when looking for a bench-top drill press; came across a Wen 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press at HD and it seemed to be one of the highest rated out there and price was tempting, but had never heard of ’em. Did some looking around and found more decent reviews then found one for an even more tempting(damn good) price at a local wholesaler(though I DO live one town north of Elgin,Il – hometown of Wen as stated above). If you Google ’12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press’ you’ll see regardless of Jet, Wen, Skil, Bosch, Craftsman, etc…they all look smackingly, startlingly similar, this confused me also but the Wen reviews and the price about clinched it. Regardless of who actually makes it, I couldn’t be happier with the thing though…spindle runout was damn good for the price out of the box, solid usage- as in doesn’t rattle, squeak or otherwise sound/feel flimsy or cheap, only plastic pieces are the switch and switch housing, the laser crosshairs were a bonus, the digital RPM display is nice, work light, etc all make for a product I’m more than happy with. That’s my two cents. 🙂
Bryan Mroch
Two more cents: only found this article because I was looking for more Wen products(gotta spend it before She Who Must Be Obeyed does, right?)….so there’s that.
Steve Kipp
Bryan: They are located west of Randall Road, just south of I-90. They do face to face sales in their warehouse, offer Craigslist discounts, and have a variety of refurbished tools onsite, as well. I just came back from there with a rolling stool and two adjustable height steel saw horses. I may go back for a 10″ portable jobsite tablesaw that sure looks a lot like a kobalt or Rigid saw to me…
Sandy
Thank you so much for the Craigslist warehouse sales information! Some good deals there 🙂
Brian Miglionico
Very late to the game here 😅. Interested to know about the Craigslist discount you mean?
Joe F
Not the OP, but I can confirm that in September 2018 I bought WEN tools listed on Craigslist straight out of their Elgin warehouse. They were either factory seconds, refurbished, cosmetically flawed, or some other issue. In any case, the tools worked perfectly, and at a significant discount.
Just looked through my records. I picked up the 3962 10″ bandsaw with stand for $175 (currently on Amazon for $350); the 4210 10″ drill press for $90 (not currently on Amazon, but the 12″ is there for $230); the 6523 oscillating spindle sander for $120 (a newer 6524 model on Amazon sells for $215); and the 3410 air cleaner for $100 (on Amazon for $140). I’m sure these current retail prices are higher than they were in 2018, but at the time I think I was looking at a 30-40% discount by buying them out of the warehouse.
It doesn’t look like they list anything on Craigslist right now. It might have been a fluke back then– I only stumbled on it when my ancient bandsaw conked out and I was looking for a safer replacement. I vaguely remember seeing the ads get de-listed while I was considering them, then re-listed a couple weeks later. So it might just be an intermittent thing, or maybe they just don’t do it anymore.
I would suggest you just go to the warehouse and see if they have any deals. (Just google “wen warehouse elgin” to get the address– it is indeed off of Randall Road.) The guy I talked to in the office in the back was super friendly about the whole thing. He walked me over to the bandsaws and told me just to pick the one out the three they had that looked best. And I’m pretty sure my purchase of the sander and air cleaner were basically impulse buys after he showed me what they had on offer.
(Incidentally, it’s pretty unbelievable that I stumbled on this thread so close to when you asked the question. Hope I could help!)
Bill
I too have purchased a 12 inch wen drill press and for the money it is excellent,have zero complaints works very well, I liked it so much I recently bought a wen 12.5 planer and it works perfectly have planed a lot of boards with it in a short time with out any problems and both of these tools look surprising just like the others, I agree as well made by the same manufacturer but sold at a better price
Frank
Thanks for all the comments here and for the article. I am certainly looking for a planer that has an acceptable quality of finishing the product, but that is not $600 since I’m a diy, not a professional; and I came as well to the WEN. tried to search it and found very little. Then I called the “headquarters” in Illinois. Yes, they are Chinese investors that bought the brand, buy from (at least one) for us unknown manufacturer in China and resell in USA under that name. They do not own the manufacturer plant and apparently provide good CS. That is possibly the reason why those sanders are that much similar. More likely they are all made at the same plant and commercialized under different brands.
The representative says that their planer (specifically) started being commercialized about a couple of months ago, and that is why it has been difficult for me to find even reviews. For all who speak of WEN tools made in USA or Sweden, forget about that, that dream is not anymore, not at least with WEN.
Jose
I’m thinking of buying their planer. I have seen a few great reviews in home depot and Amazon. Nor a single 3, 2, or 1 ratings,all are 4s and 5s. I think that sits well with me in judgement. Hope this helps you and your search.
Jason
I am also looking at the Planer, the only reason I was looking at the entire line of tools. Please post a review if you bought it.
Mischief Maker
I just bought the Wen 12.5″ Planer.. Ho-Lee-Schitt… For that price its an amazing planer. works very well, and i have to admit, the granite center base for the wood to slide on, its very slick for wood. i get snipe half the time, but thats a usual on a lit of planers. For the price, its a killer deal. Im all for dewalt if i have the cash for it, but this WEN brand is knocking my socks off. Im getting their scroll saw next. Also heading to their site to see if theres any other tools that i could use.
Mike
I got the 12.5 planer about a year ago, it started off fine but after time , it started making a very loud noise inside the motor also alot of the screws had to be tighten. Lime the saying goes you get what you pay for.
R Collar
I also had never heard of Wen, I’be been using power tools for years ,all the name brands some worked good and some didn’t. I replaced my Wilton drill press with the Wen 10″ drill press and has worked perfectly I checked the Craftman, skill, and Ricon and the Wen just seemed better quality.
I am now go into replace my 17 year old SKILL bench top saw and have checked
the newer Skill , Ridgid, Dewalt and Craftman , and based on quality ,convenience and price I am leaning towards the Wen 10 ” tablesaw
I will probably pick it up with in the next month
RWC
Avon MA
Jim
Came across this while googling. It’s weird. My brother has a Wen brand sliding compound miter saw. His father-in-law bought it for him and I think my bro. had the idea he was going to try doing crown moulding in his place. I don’t think he’s actually used it but I did for a couple of things . I have to say it did the work but it felt like a very low end tool. Definitely fine for someone to do a few cuts occasionally here and there (like my brother) but not for anyone doing any kind of good woodwork or in the trades or anything.
Anyway, I was under the assumption it was just some import brand (which they seem to be now) that the home centers sell. But in going thru decades of old Popular Mechanics and Mechanics Illustrated magazines from my grandfathers collection I found tons of ads for their stuff from the 50s and 60s. I thought that was funny.
Gregg
I have the Wen 10 inch band saw and am very happy with it. The 6 inch depth of cut was the main reason I bought it. All other 10 inch saws only cut 4-5/8 inches. The rip fence is sturdy and the attatchment for re sawing works great. Although the miter gauge seems like cheap plastic it works good and a huge bonus is the rail fits the slot perfectly with no slop at all. The stock blade is descent and I’ve re sawn 5-1/2″ oak with no bogging. The light is brite but of course it is on the wrong side. It also is the only 10″ that supposedly handles a 1/8″ blade. Haven’t tried that yet but would make for good scrolling. i was going to buy the Craftsman until I saw the Wen. For $50 more it was well worth it. It even comes with a stand. The Wen looks like a much better product but who knows it just came out. So far I’m liking it.
hector
hi , do you know if the 10 inch bandsaw works with 220/240 W??? I want to buy it to take to my country, thank you
hector
hi , do you know if the 10 inch bandsaw works with 220/240 W??? I want to buy it to take to my country, thank you
Herb
I just ordered their Band Saw for the same reasons that Gregg did. All the other comments seem reason able. This will be my back up saw in the shop that I can walk over and make a cut when I am making jigs etc. I have a larger band saw for resawing and ripping boards. But it doesn’t do well on small work.
Robert Montana
Does anyone have any comments about the WEN job site table saw. There are no reviews concerning this saw. Any comments and/or opinions would be appreciated.
Paul
I bought the job site table saw last week to get back into some simple DIY woodworking around the house. It is well built and performs pretty well (especially for the price). The table extension bars are the only flimsy part. The fence measurement dials needed some adjustment and aren’t perfect even after adjustment. For the money I am pleased with it as a DIY’r saw.
Dave
I had a wen scroll saw and still have a wen circular saw in the 70’s. All plastic and obviously from China, but I used the heck out of the circular saw.
I was in the market for a better benchtop drill press and came across the 4214 variable speed model. They are on HD and Amazon and not similar to others due to the variable speed and depth adjustments. It is highly rated and price is good so I just ordered it. Will follow up after it arrives.
Rob C
I just got a Wen power hand planer off amazon for under $60. I use a planer about twice a year and my ten year old B & D just crapped out–it was a $70 cheapo at the time as well. A descent Bosch or Makita planer was $150-$200. I’ll let you know how this one holds up.
Rudy
I own a “WEN oscillating spindle sander that is a clone of the ” Grizzly” G0739 or “Triton” and” Shop Fox” ……
….. or old model “Central Machinery”. with minor differences.
My old ” CM” from H/F had 1/2″ threads on the shaft where the “WEN” is more like 3/8″. This could be my imagination.
Even through rated the same the old “CM” seemed to have slightly more “Torque” …..
….. other than that the only difference is the color schemes.
These Sanders ASE 120 Volt A/C powered , but get converted to D/C internally for more constant torque.
I’m presently considering the WEN 15 Amp, 10 Inch ,”Job Site” table saw. It seems impressive to me and a great value for the price. It will handle a 13/16″ dado stack and comes with a dado throat plate included. This is a $ 40+ option on other saws IF … they even offer one.
WEN was well know for those small vibrating engraves
I believe.
Rudy
In my previous post:
“It could be my imagination” ,
, belongs with the power rating, not the threads.
The shaft steps down and the threads are different and the nuts take different wrenches.
Rudy
There are presently 2 customer reviews on the ” WEN” Job site #3720 , 15 Amp- 10 inch table saw on the Home Depot website and an unboxing video on youtube
Tony
I have been using the Wen 6×36 belt sander and the 13″ thickness planer.Both have worked out great.So i just ordered the 10″ band saw from HD.231.00 i should pick it up next week.Grant you I do not have a production shop But i have been a carpenter for 30 years I own everything from 30 year old Porter Cable door Planer to an old Rockwell aluminum saw .Wen is perfect for my home shop.The 15 Amp 3 knife planer is one hell of a deal
Rudy
Ive since purchased the “WEN” 3720 Jobs it’s table saw and am very pleased with it.
It IS everything it is said to be !
It has 13/32″ dado stack capacity and comes with a FREE dado throat plate which is about a $ 40 bonus !
This saw is obviously a copy, but NOT an exact clone of the oRanGe branD popular table saw.. It’s geared more toward the DIY/Consumer, rather than the PRO/Contractor, however; it could serve that capacity in a pinch.
The rolling stand with wheels is high quality and very stable. The tires are low profile rubberized vinyl on sturdy plastic wheels; which appear to have sealed ball bearing wheels more typical of a premium lawn mower instead of a BBQ Grill. They’re fastened with Nyloc nuts rather than cotter pins or snap cap clips..
The only complaint I have isTat onboard storage could be better thought out and secure
.
Rudy
CORRECTION: 13 / 16 inch dado stack capacity, not 13/32″
Basil Fletcher
I have purchase the WEN 3×21 inch belt sander and from my experience using other belt sanders it seems very versatile, the way it performs is exceptionally well which cause me to order a few more pieces from WEN like the 31/4 inch plainer, the 1/3 sheet sander and am about to purchase the 10 inch compound saw,,, Having use other brands before like Dewalt, Makita and Bosh and comparing the performance WEN can stand pound for pound. I am a carpenter and have been using other tools but I am convince though being a low-end brand,, like I said WEN give pound for pound
cpj
I have a 2014-purchased WEN 10″ compound miter saw. I think it’s cheap Chinese junk. Came improperly calibrated so when it hit it’s vertical stop it was cutting at about a 3 degree angle. The angle markers for miter cuts are off by a degree or two. When you try to tighten the handle to lock the base angle, it moves the base. Everything about it is cheap and imprecise. Also won’t cut all the way through a 4″ work piece. Poor design, poor quality. Every time I use it I think it may break. Not even in the same league as my Hitachi 10″. Great for rough work, but if you’re doing any fine/finish work it requires major attention to detail/angles. Stuff you wouldn’t have to think about if you spend a little more.
Billy Kidd
The WEN inverter generator is a great value!
Rob M.
Anyone with experience with a Wen coil roof gun?
Rob M.
I am looking for a new switch for my Hitachi C10FS. I have searched the world over. Including hitachi.com & alibaba.com among 20 sites.
Stuart
Have you contacted Hitachi or looked for a parts breakdown?
Mike
Not sure what this has to do with Wen. But I’m too hopped up on caffeine to sleep, so:
http://www.toolpartspro.com/hitachi-parts/hitachi-c8fb2-parts/hitachi-998-839-switch-1p-pillar-type-wilock
http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/hitachi-998839-switch-1p-pillartype-c10fs-h-b.html
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/switch-pillar-type-wlock-p-186263.html
John
I bought a wen rotary tool but it has USA two pin power could I cut it off and replace it with a three pin plug with a 3amp fuse or is it better to buy a adapter
Don
I just bought a small Wen drill press, 8 inch 5 speed Model 4208 from Home Depot online. The cost was $79.43. Free delivery to my doorstep within a week. The drill press while small is built very rugged. Heavy cast iron, good gauge stamped steel belt hood. Only plastic on this is the power switch box. The plastic took a hit on the delivery and was cracked. I telephoned Wen, immediately was transferred to a fellow (no remote foreign, barely English-speaking, office worker) working the floor who knew everything and who was great in then promptly sending me free of charge the replacement part. The drill press actual operation by the way? Smooth operating, close tolerances, NO wobble. For a small drill press this is it. And HD for supplying it. I have no idea how Wen and HD can make any money with this nice item.
rwc
I have the wen 1210 10″ drill have had it over a year and its works perfectly good and solid good tolerances and have ha no issues with would recommend it to anybody also bought it at hd
Rudy L.
Those plastic switch boxes are a weak link on almost all of the smaller bench top drill presses. Mine took a hit while moving it. Presently it’s cleverly duct taped and that has held for a few year. I relocated my 8 inch press to my outdoor works shop in my Suncast Sutton she’d after purchasing my 10 inch drill press for more clearance and a crank height adjuster.
Jeff
After reading through these comments, I have noticed one thing. The people that call Wen junk do not and have not owned one…they may “know someone” who has one, but they don’t actually have one. The people that do own them seem to have nothing but good things to say. I found this looking for some info, and believe that I will give the drill press a try.
It’s kind of cute to see the tool snobs assuming that Wen is junk without ever even trying them out!
Rudy L.
The “WEN”, 3320-10 drill press and my my “Skil” , 4210-10 drill press look suspiciously similar, right down to the T-bolts utilized to establish adjustments.
The main differences seem to be scheme colors and graphics.
The “WEN” was almost $25 cheaper than the “Skil” at one of the major online blue & gray ….. I mean tan & brown big box stores.
Proud owner of a “WEN” jobsite table saw and a oscillating spindle sander. The first from the orange store and the sander from the tan & brown store.
I’ve examined “Craftsman” that was similar as well.
Bob B.
I have owned a Wen 14″ electric chainsaw for about 20 years, used sporadically around the house, on everything the blade would handle. Great little chainsaw. Also have own one of their generator ( in the neighborhood of 3400 watts), also a great machine, only issue with that is have to cut off its fuel to shut it down – otherwise if switch is used she backfires. Take it for what its worth, but I’d say their at the least-Decent tools at a Great Price Point. Also, i’m not sure but I believe they are made in Illinois Area.
Ken
Last year I got the Wen 40V chainsaw and it says China on the box but it’s not bad saw and cuts good.
Paul
I bought a small wen generator last year for like $120 and it works great.
Joe
Absolutely love my 12.5″ WEN planer.
Mike
I have a Wen 10″ band saw, 4 x 36″ bench top belt/disc sander and 12″ bench top drill press. For a hobbyist woodworker and DIYer they are good, solid machines. If you’re gonna fuss about a thou or two, probably not for you. But, wood moves more than that from summer to winter so why get in a twist over it. If you spend just a little time setting them up, they work great and the price is certainly right. No cheap Chinese feel here; they’re heavy, quiet and robust. Hard to go wrong if you want to limit your expenditures and still have good, satisfying results.
DEH
Agreed! See my post further below this one.
Lewis King
I have a Wen Bench top belt/disc sander and a Wen 4210 drill press. In past I have hac and still do have Delta, Makita, and other big name power tools. Now now that I am retired I will not be spending a huge amount of money on power tools. I have also had Harbor Freight, Black & Decker, and other less expensive Tools. One thing that 90 per cent of tools have in common ; they all ride the boat from China to get hear. Wen seems to go a little further with quality than some others do. Also they are user friendly.
DEH
I second this entry. I’m not a pro, and I do not know how they would hold up under profession and/or production work. For my needs, which is fairly often for short periods of time, they do quite well, and for some – after a “tune up” – they work beautifully. Example: I looked at Ridgid’s oscillating belt/wheel sander for some time, then noticed many rapidly diminished reviews on it. Wen was the only other to offer that in a consumer level tool I could find last summer. I bought it, and love it. It did require some tweaking that the factory QA and/or assemblers should have performed, but I did without problem. I left 5 star reviews on Wen’s website, and will once Amazon sells it (not there as of today, 9 Feb 2018). I also have their hand planer and a couple of pneumatic tools – all work very well – better than the ubiquitous HF or other inexpensive tools.
Mike
I’ve got several WEN tools and love them all. 10″ benchtop drill press, belt/disc sander, palm sander and air recirculating fan for the shop. For a weekend woodworker they are great. You won’t make stuff to +/- .001″ but wood moves that much anyway. Good price, solid tools.
Rudy L.
I have both the WEN oscillating spindle sander and the RIDGID oscillating belt/ spindle sander combo.
The WEN is a decent tool, however it doesn’t even come close to the RIDGID machine !
I use the WEN to quick sand specific diameter radii like 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/2″, 2″ or 3″. It works just fine.
The RIDGID will do more work [stock removal] in an hour than the WEN in an 8 hour day !
The only draw back on the RIDGID is the left handed nut on the spindle with the rubber knob that tends to over tighten and bind in use.
Also, good luck complying with the Red Tape on the “Lifetime Service Agreement”. I did it, but it wasn’t simple.
There are a dozen companies marketing the exact same spindle sander as WEN, at varying price$; including “Grizzly”.
Mr. Ron
I have an electric hand planer and a portable circular saw that I bought a long time ago. They both work and do the job they were intended to do. I don’t use them much as I have other tools that I turn to first.
Over by Dere
I remember WEN!
We grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, on “da odder side ah da tracks” from WEN power tools. My brother got his first job there refurbishing/repairing tools (soldering irons, saws) in the mid ’70s. He said the company name WEN was a text reversal of NEW — maybe that neologism had something to do with the refurbishing or rebranding of tools for loot.
Anyway, he didn’t work their long as he wasn’t mechanically inclined. He got the job in desperation after college as Dad yelled at him to get off his butt. Tough times but great memories.
Mrkoolio
It seems a little unfair to pick at WEN and say, “well ,their tools are no Dewalt…or (insert favorite brand here). However, most people dont neec to top of the line tool in every catagory. I notice many guys have 2-3 really nice tools they use all the time and then some medium grade and diy grade. Oh and before i go on, for all the Dewalt army soldiers….you know black and decker own dewalt….right?
Anyway, at the mid to lower lovels, it is ALL about price first and customer service second. If you want a perfectly performing, customer service answers on the first ring and parts available 15 years later….just take out a loam and go,buy one of everything they make and you will be all set….it is only miney….a lot of money. Oh, and grab a saw stop table saw on the way home, Me? I would rather grab some Wens on tools that i dont need to be perfect all the time. I would rather spend my money on an all black Challenger that shakes and pops so loud the neighborhood moms look out in horror (and secret desire 🙂 ).
Wen has good customer service. Ryobi is over priced. They are trying to pretend their quality is just the same as the big boys. But that id how Ryobi got big….by selling decent tools at a lower price than all the other low brands who were trying to pretend thry were just the same as the big boys. The customer service is good, i can beat up my brand new planer that is pretty darn nice. In a year i will sell it for 25$ and then i will have spent a whooping 20$ to “rent” a WEN planer for a year. If you bought a mitre saw and didnt read the reviews or flip it ovef at Home Depo and see if the plate was plastic, well, then you know who is to blame. Personally I think it’s absolutely amazing that they can sell it brand new miter saw for 50 bucks and the only complaints I heard were the plastic pieces were breaking. You mean no burnt motors, fences that move, companies advertising lifetime warrany and then playing games so you can never register for the warranty, etc
When we get to the lower level tools, i am buying the cheapest one that does the job the same, or better, as the more expensive lower level tool makers. I have about 5 WEN smaller tools, sander, planer, jig saw…etc and they all are worth twice the price.
And lastly, sorry folks, but even the king of cheap here Is going to buy a decent mitre saw ( a bigger tool we all use all the time) . I got a Makita 23 years ago put a Diablo blade on it and I think I changed the Diablo blade once and the think has never missed a beat….oh yeah ….the little plastic pieces between which the blade comes down cracked. You know what I did? I didnt complain that platic broke….i made myself a nice wood insert. WEN rules. Let the hue and cry begin
David
I have six and a half ton Wen log splitter. This is the first year I’ve owned it but so far it works great . I Made two modifications, I added to the splitting blade to Accommodate Larger logs. I also fabricated a bracket to Disable the safety feature requiring both hands at the same time to operate it. It was extremely annoying feature and somewhat hazardous as sometimes you need to hold the log In position so it doesn’t fall down.
Jared
I realize this post is years-old, but I just stumbled across it. Thought I would mention in Canada, many Mastercraft power tools are identical to Wen products.
E.g.: here’s the belt/disc sander from the photo used in the post:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-belt-disc-sander-4-x-36-in-0553559p.html#srp
I also own a Mastercraft the drill press that seems identical, minus the color, to the Wen version sold on Amazon. It’s been a pretty good tool actually. I’ve had it for at least 10 years, maybe even 15. I use it quite a bit and, other than a stiff-turning chuck, haven’t noticed any defects in all that time.
The majority of these bench-top Mastercraft/Wen tools however, are not particularly robust – but they work and can be had for cheap. Canadian Tire (the retailer here who sells Mastercraft) regularly has sales on these tools at 40%-70% off – to the point that only the foolhardy would purchase one of these tools at full price. Wen tools sold on Amazon are priced lower than retail for the Mastercraft versions, but then the Mastercraft sale prices can be lower still.
Anyway, I don’t know who came first, but Mastercraft is one more brand selling the same lineup of tools with a different color scheme.
Jared
Check it out! I found another example. This sander is ubiquitous:
https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/6-in-1-2-hp-belt-sander/A-p8706160e
Dan Cross
Im trying to find parts for my # 909 electric all saw and cant find any. Can you help.
Stuart
I’m sorry, but I don’t know who/where to direct you to.
Gloria
Who ??? makes stuff in the USA I’m so tired of buying cheap Chinese stuff I’ll appreciate if you can give me a few companies that are made in the USA
Chase
The wen miter saw stand is a bit clumsy but super heavy made compared to other more expensive brands.
GJenks
I have the Wen 10″ band saw and the Wen spindle sander. Not a lot of heavy use, but that will change after retirement. So far, both have worked well. The band saw was perfect right out of the box.
I was in the Woodcraft store recently and their brand spindle sander is identical to the Wen, so these tools are being produced and branded under multiple names.
Prices are exceptional. These days even the big national brands have manufacturing deficiencies and bad reviews.
WWNewbie
I have two tools from WEN: a 13″ planer and a belt/disc sander (both bought in 2020). Both are usable and I consider them worth the purchase if you’re on a low budget. If money is not a concern, I’d definitely choose other brands, but I’m happy with these for now.
Martin L Woodward
I bought the 8″ drill press on Amazon. It is one of the worst purchases I have ever made. First the drill itself is worthless. Very underpowered. The height adjustment and stop is a complete joke. Worst of all is the customer service. I have contacted then directly twice with no response. Do not buy WEN products.