Evaluating and ranking every WEN woodworking tool for my budget plan shop. For 10% off your very first purchase, go to:
There's a reason why WEN tools are less expensive than the big name brand names which we discuss in detail. But besides one MAJOR problem I would feel comfy suggesting any one of these tools to the budget minded woodworker.
Join the Make Something Patreon to get weekly behind the scenes, early gain access to, ad free videos and discount rates:
WEN Tools Reviewed (Affiliate Hyperlinks).
Drill Press:.
Bandsaw:.
Density Planer:.
Jointer:.
Miter Saw:.
Belt & Spindle Sander:.
Plunge Router:.
Trim Router:.
Track Saw:.
Guide Rail Track:.
Circular Saw:.
Palm Sander:.
Table Saw:.
Woodworkers Secrets Revealed – Click Here to Discover the #1 Woodworking Resource!
I don’t know if I’d say Wen is a lesser known tool. They have been making decent power tools since 1951. I have some old Wen tools that I inherited from my grandfather and they still work. I think to many people get caught up in name hype and buy more overpriced tools that they really don’t need for the type of work they do.
Wait! What? You mean one doesn’t need a Fuel 18V impact driver to install pocket screws?
My mind is blown.
I fully agree that people get way too into brand loyalty and trying to have the most and the best toys. I don’t even really buy the whole thing about sticking with one battery platform because it doesn’t really put me out much to have 3 different chargers plugged in. Hell, it’s pretty handy knowing that tools have a dedicated battery that I don’t have to switch when I want to use something else.
However, literally the first time I had ever heard of Wen was just a few years ago when 731 Woodworks mentioned them and the only experience I’ve had either personally or anecdotally is when I ordered their electric handplane 2 Christmases ago with a gift card I received and I only picked it because it was the cheapest. It works great btw. No issue.
it is a lesser known tool. good grief.
@@gregmize01 perhaps to you but they have been in business for over 70 years. They are known, otherwise they would have gone out of business by mow. People definitely buy their stuff. You just don’t see them in videos on YouTube because the majority of channels are just shills trying to sell overpriced tools to pad their pockets instead of doing actually woodworking. At least that’s my view of things.
I have the Wen track saw and belt/spindle sander and I’m really happy with both. I’ve thought about buying the rubber grips that go on the back of the Festool track and putting them on the Wen track. However, I ended up buying the Wen track clamps which solves the problem for me.
I love the belt/spindle sander❤️
BTW, I had a couple parts missing from the sander and called Wen directly about it. That afternoon I had an email (no cost) receipt of the parts that were missing which shipped the next day. It arrive at my house 3 days after that. I’m sure they will accommodate you on your planer issue.👍🏻✅
FWIW I bought the power tech track instead of the wen track, no problems with stickiness. Plus power tech track had a nice storage bag….
I have the Wen spiral head planer. It greatly outperforms my Delta planer. It was perfect out of the box.
Same. Mine worked perfectly out of the box and has been worked hard since with zero issues. I’m hoping this one gets a second chance once WEN makes it right. Unfortunate that this is the one that makes it out of the factory incomplete.
I really hope there will be an update review on the planer. Both how the company handled the replacement or repair, if at all, and hopefully seeing it in action.
It was the tool I watched the video for, and I too was greatly disappointed in its condition.
I had good experience with my first lathe. The control housing was cracked during shipping/handling and they replaced the whole unit quickly at that time. I am also interested in how the handle his issue, though his taking a great deal longer than I had to deal with
I have the Spiral Cutting Head from Wen, I got it for a great deal, and replaced my old delta planer. This thing cuts like butter, and has taken on some task that bogged down my old delta.
I was even able to find Carbide blades that fit the planer too. I swear some finished from this planer i feel like I don’t need to sand. However I did overtighten and broke a leveling bolt on the feed bed and Wen replaced that no questions, they asked, they even sent a few spares incase I did it again.
lol. My sentiments exactly
EDIT: ignore, I’m an idiot. It’s a local company.
Removed post that has nothing to do with anything.
@@eric_has_no_idea wen is from Illinois…it’s an American company
The torsion spring tension can be adjusted on all (most) drill presses.
My favorite part of this video is when you had the Wen planer eating the Dewalt sawdust #735 dominance
I am really excited for this series. I am looking forward to how these tools feel after a good couple projects compared to your master set up at home.
I am curious about the email you originally sent about the planner. Even though you bought these with your own money and did your own review on them, would you or did you tell them that you were doing a video? By the sounds of it you did not tell them and I appreciate that as that may have expedited their response.
I did not tell them I’m making a video. As far as I know they don’t know who I am or what I do.
I bought the bigger Wen track saw and the Powertek tracks for it last year. I’ve ripped and cut dozens of sheets of plywood and pvc with it at this point and I love it for doing straight cuts. There is a little flex to it that you have to be mindful of when cutting, but as long as you don’t torque the saw on the track and you just gently push it down it cuts great. The Powertek tracks are longer too, so 1 track lets you easily cut a 4′ piece.
Your Sawstop is much more quiet because it’s belt driven vs almost every new contractor saw which is direct drive. The saw running by itself is louder than running something through it.
Thank you for that explanation.
It’s also the motor type. The sawstop has an induction motor, and the little jobsite saws have universal motors. Universal motors have brushes and like to “scream” even under zero load.
This is a five star video, Dave. Hope Wen resolves your planer issue soon!
4.5 stars because there is no REM 🙂 😉
ahhh.. what the hell, 5 stars it had some Skee-Lo 😀
* * * * *
I’ve done this a couple of times. Here’s a playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhqK_8dnaIW0-iGlP8FltSY9jAjizqw44
Every one of them was fun and informative. Thank you!
The whole planer drama was so touching, and also I like the humor and positive attitude, and also honesty. Thank you for the very entertaining video! You have your own unique approach. Please, continue making videos 😀
The planer missing the drive system is honestly a surprise, I got one about 5 years ago and it’s still going super strong, only issues I’ve had was self generated cause I missed a piece of metal before sending a board through so now I need new blades. But it still chews right through hardwood no problem.
I bought a similar Craftsman mini drill press that same exact size for $99 many years ago. The only difference I can see is the Craftsman has a laser X crosshair that points down on the spot where you’re drilling. I love the small footprint of these presses. I’d never be able to fit a regular size press in my shop. I had to go mini on most of my tools.
In the case of the Wen bandsaw, it is mind blowing to me that you would recommend it. To me it seems like you have a very hard time getting it square (you even comment on how flimsy the rotary base is) and it even looks totally wonky on video, can’t imagine how it would be irl. I know it’s tricky to weigh the pros and cons when you take the price into consideration, but this seems like a machine that you’ll be wrestling with the entire time, can’t imagine giving it 4 stars!
David. You speak the truth. As a woodworker I agree with everything you said. Even the tidbits you gave like getting the 8” planner over the 6” are little things you learn over time buying equipment without others advice. If you are new to woodworking listen to all the little tips David says. That is experience talking. 4 stars. J/k 5 stars.
Thanks for the video! Would have been great to see more about the accuracy of the outcome vs the build quality of the tool itself. Like you did with checking the 45 degree on the miter, would have been great to check square on the cuts, performance on hardwood vs softwood etc.
Obviously you can’t test every possible scenario, but I’m sure most folks just want to know if they’ll be able to build something reasonably accurate using these tools. Excited to hear the outcome of the planer saga!
I have a WEN planer (about 2 years old) and it’s been great to work with… Of course mine came with all the parts! Another key point about WEN is that they make replacement parts for a lot longer than some other brands, so you should be able to repair them down the road.
Excellent reviews, David. I have been a Nguyen fan for the last few years, and I’m old enough to remember when when made good tools through the 60s and awful tools ending in the 80s. I was excited to see them coming back and do feel that they are producing high-quality, attainably priced tools for hobbyists. I’ve been using their track saw for a couple years now, and really am impressed. Scott
For the router spin down time, the wired Wen is using a brushed AC motor, and the Dewalt is using a Brushless DC Motor (3 phase motor). With Brushless DC Motors, you can use the motor controller as a brake to stop the motor quickly, the same way electric cars use “regenerative braking” to cause the motors to slow down. This is not something that can be easily done with brushed AC motors without expensive electronics, so it take much longer to stop spinning.