TOOL REVIEW: Cheap Spindle Sanders

[@YarNotsew]

Thanks. You've confirmed what I expected. They're all the same. I've even seen reviews comparing some of these machines and they report different features for the different models but those features apply to all of them. One model has a small footprint (they all do). Another has onboard storage (they all do). Another can be connected to a shop vac (they all can). One has a powerful 3.5 amp motor (they all do) and the next has a 1/2 HP motor (they all do). So far, I have found nothing to distinguish the $200 Shop Fox from the (currently) $100 Wen other than name plates and colors. Nothing. I'm buying the Wen.

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

Ray, thank you. You're the kind of viewer that I'm hoping to connect with and who does their own homework. And yes, I'm finding that the power tool industry is much like other manufacturers who do private labeling for different resellers even though the machine or the product is EXACTLY the same, just different colors and logos. There is one single source manufacturer who makes these for other companies to sell under their own name. Spoiler: Craftsman tools... were never made by the "Craftsman" company. My low cost scroll saw from Rikon has the same issue... you can find at least 5 other brands that are EXACTLY the same. Anyway... thanks tons for watching our little channel and I thought I'd pin your comment as appreciation for your support! Stay crafty!

[@jaykepley5238]

Thanks for this video. I have this sander under the Wen brand, bought through Amazon for less than $100. This tool has exceeded my expectations. It is a fine tool for a hobbyist. Dust collection works very well. This is a tool I'm glad I bought. I've enjoyed your videos!

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

Thanks Jay! I'm looking forward to using mine on more projects in the shop. Happy woodworking!

[@csimet]

Hard to beat and not get one, at $80 for the WEN on Amazon. I'm still torn between the simple spindle sander (WEN 6510T) vs. the belt & spindle version (WEN 6524 at $210)... which one is more useful/flexible. I have somewhat limited shop space.

[@dframed9305]

The first time I saw one was at Harbor Freight about 5 yrs ago. Paid 68 bucks for it w/ coupon before HF stopped allowing shoppers to use their coupons on it. This is a very good, but very small sander. Zero problems.

[@AndreiIR000]

Worth mentioning if the table can be angled.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Good video Friend! Thanks for sharing it with us.👍😎JP

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

And one referral: Check out the "Izzy Swan" KZbin channel. He recently took one of these sanders and built it into his bench top. Pretty cool and handy installation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2XCpquVhJl8p5I

[@alvin10388]

Thank you for the wonderful review just a quick question, How doe's this machines perform on hard wood oak rock maple ect: as a beginner Electric guitar builder really appreciate your feedback

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

Actually I just used my sander to shape an inner curve on 5/4 white oak stock (pretty hard wood) and the motor has plenty of power for that or hard maple. Be careful to pick the right grit for sanding though, the rolls packed with the machine are 60 grit and pretty aggressive. Don't grind too much away from that cool guitar design! Thanks for watching!

[@alvin10388]

@@TheFamilyWoodworker Thank you so much taking your time to answer me. Stay safe.

[@kennethhughes3275]

J

[@nickranger8706]

know where i can get parts for this machine?

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

My machine was sold through Woodcraft and references an 800 number for product questions... Other dealers may have come with a parts break down on their machine... but I would start with the dealer / manufacturer as your first contact... I think a lot of the parts would be universal between brands, but call your particular manufacturer to make sure...

[@nickranger8706]

@@TheFamilyWoodworker yes, thank you logical path

[@PLaTerra]

Thanks for the review and you’re right! They are all the same. I even looked into the Harbor freight model for the oscillating spindle and belt sander…. They are all the same except for the Ridgid which has a 5 amp motor. I think it’s all a conspiracy 😉 and it’s certainly buyer beware.

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! It's like hand tools with brand names like Craftsman, there is no such tool company. They are made by a manufacturer (somewhere) and the Craftsman name is stamped on. I found the same thing on low cost scroll saws... at least 6 brands with exactly the same design. One manufacturer making all, and branding them differently. Yay!

[@lyntoncox7880]

Completely right Mike, in the end it boils down to what the resellers invest in quality assurance. Those with good names to protect are usually the best. Your choice is good but I quite fancy the new one which also allows a short band to be used looks quite versatile. I wonder why they don’t make one that allows straight progression from coarse to a finer abrasive by having two spindles

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

T'was a learning experience... this particular tool seems to be well enough designed that I've counted at least 8 retailers that market their own version of the same sander. Different color shell, same everything else!

[@MrBonners]

Make or buy as many spindles as you want.

[@guillermocarrillo3959]

I thought it was going to compare cheap spindle sanders. ?

[@GeekRedux]

They're all the same. Nothing to compare but colors. Maybe warranties.

[@MrBonners]

All the models are of the same set of drawings so the lowest price wins the day, or your color preference. Has to go with the drapes, ask wife. A negative is that the table does not tilt so have to make a wedge type jig. Footprint size is a concern for a one trick pony and a once in a while use.

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

It was a little bit of a surprise to find that they all are from the same offshore manufacturer... but again that means a stable design. Agreed on the tilt feature, would be nice to have one but that feature takes us into models that cost a lot more. I like your jig idea!

[@MrBonners]

@@TheFamilyWoodworker It has nothing to do with 'stable design'. Built by a contract manufacturer as the drawings supplied. They don't care anything about 'stable design'. They build whatever you want as per the info handed to them.

[@rtgray7]

@@MrBonners No, not if the manufacturer has a proven design.

[@MrBonners]

@@rtgray7 the manufacture is not the design holder. the manufacture is a contract builder. you want 100,000 units in whatever colour and name brand you want. all the 'brand named models' are identical. the cover changes slightly but the mechanicals is the same.

[@Golgi-Gyges]

You didn't review spindle Sanders - you showcased one.

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

You're right, Glenn. Purchasing 6 identical sanders isn't in my budget, but researching them all to find out they're all made by the same manufacturer and then branded with private labels - was my angle. Reviewing one was reviewing six. My apologies if that message didn't come across in the video... All the best... TFW.

[@SwearingenTurnings]

An enjoyable video, but your title is misleading. You didn't review them all, and only proposed that they're all by the same maker. I own the Triton one in the image; it's the only spindle sander I've ever owned. I've had it for about four years and think very highly of it. I've never bogged it down, even when sanding full height on the spindle (band saw boxes). The dust collection, when hooked up to a shop vac, is perfect. It's loud, but so is the vacuum, so I wear hearing protection with it, just as with all my ww'ing tools.

[@chibbert1246]

While I see your point, here clearly states that they all appear to be made identically save for color and labeling.

[@ruftime]

It’s a problem.......few if any, choices for consumers😂

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

Yup. You see that all the time with entry level tools like the scroll saw video we posted and other tools too. Even some of the higher end power tools are from the same China based manufacturer in a different plastic wrapper. I think if you find a "brand" you're comfortable with, one who can help if you need parts, then you're in a good place to find the best price you can. Hey, I appreciate you watching the channel! - Best, TFW

[@joh22293]

You need to be careful on Amazon. I found one of these (definitely one of the copies) selling for 450 Euros... total ripoff.

[@TheFamilyWoodworker]

Yeah, put a pretty plastic layer on it and give it a German brand name and you could probably get an extra 350 Euro! They all perform pretty well since made by the same private label manufacturer... Used to see this all the time back in my retail days... Thanks for watching the channel!

[@donaldhamel9311]

I bought the same exact model from harbor freight and had for about 3 to 4 years and used only a few times because during that time I was constantly moving from one rental home to the next until I finally bought a home with a large shop for my wants and needs so it's like still brand new but about 2 weeks ago it started flinging blue sparks and smelled like the wire insulation was melting so I stopped using it. I started looking at buying a new one with the same design but I went online and checked out reviews and found a whole lot of owners complained about the motor burning up, some on the same day they bought it, returned it only to have the same problem and the bad reviews out weighed the good in my thoughts and I've looked every where to find a replacement motor, but can't find one for sale the machines simplicity is easy to fix and still looks like I just bought it but I will never buy this design of sander again. You might give it a thumbs up now but you'll change your mind in the near future trust me 😠

[@larryschweitzer4904]

If you are lucky you may be able to find a used professional level machine. Way better quality. I have a MAX, cast iron machine with a 24" sq. tilt table. At one time they were widely used for foundry pattern making.

[@rtgray7]

Sorry you had issues but your experience is the exception, not the rule as you make it sound.

[@donaldhamel9311]

@@rtgray7 obviously you haven't checked the reviews on these machines because if you did you would see that I am not the exception, and if you have one with no issues, then you sir are the exception

[@larryaaron3521]

Mistitled video. 😢 Not a review of 6 dift sanders but rather only 1. And no mention of sim models that ALSO have an oscil belt sander too.