What is Bad About My WEN 6502 Belt and Disk Sander -

Having a Belt and Disc Sander is a great idea in a small workshop, but should you buy a WEN 6502 or look for a different brand. In this video, I will show you why I would not buy this particular power tool.

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Discussed in this video:

Here is a partial list of tools, etc. I either use in my workshop or
which I would buy next time (in lieu of what I did buy last time):

[richardkoch]

I'm a old guy also and after watching I ordered one and am way more than pleased with it.

[jfinnall]

Consider adding a star washer behind it to help prevent it from slipping.

[SmallWorkshopGuy]

Subsequent to shooting this video, to fix the problem, I simply replaced the washer with a star washer and that seemed to help a lot. So, if you have one of these sanders from WEN, you might want to give that a try as well. In addition, I did another fix that gives me even more.confidence that I can keep the table at 90 degrees - I cut a piece of 2 x 4 that was just over 4 1/2 inches and then kept cutting it down in length until my table became perfect with the 2 x 4 simply placed under the platform. No way my platform is dropping on me with that support under it.

[ericsprado]

You didn't mention one BIG plus feature: This is the ONLY machine in this price range that has a quick belt changing feature..Flip a lever and change belts!! I looked at five other brands online and chose this one for that feature. In my metal shop I might go from150 grit 600 grit in several steps. Thanks for frank and straight up review.

[rebeccahobbs]

I recently purchased this and love the belt sander for small projects.

[LNSayre]

Considering all the issues it could have this sounds like it is working out pretty well. There are so many things that could go wrong on these tools. Appreciate your input on this item!

[markfannin]

Fair review. I'm on a tight budget but refuse to buy H.F. products anymore. WEN is a step up for me and with just a little "tweeking", like you indicated, I can get very good results from WEN products. The WEN belt/disk sander is a great addition for my Intarsia projects.

[hanslain]

Very good feedback of a weak spot to fix. I've been on the fence to get this and appreciate you posting this... need to order. :)

[andyspoo]

I've seen this exact looking appliance re-badged by numerous manufactures, and in different colours, including Ryobi.

[johnfrasca]

just a silly gess but I think that if you put a lock washer on that adjustment screw it would solve all your problems, i hope this helps good luck mr john

[GCG]

Hi thanks for sharing your views on this belt sander. I want to comment that I have more than 1 year with the same model and I have not had problems with this tool. The angular base of the disc fits perfectly and does not move when you rest on it. Maybe I was lucky. I also have a Wen band saw with more than 1 year of use and so far it has performed perfectly. Greetings.

[sonofspaceghost_]

That was thee only problem you ran into, and THAT would keep you from buying it again???? Wow man, everything else in your shop must run as smooth as silk fabric soaked in cooking oil cause holy crap that's gotta be one of the easiest things to troubleshoot ever.

[Rusty_ok]

Based on your review I am going to go buy one of these as I am also a novice. Tough to justify a $400-$500 dollar version for something I will use sporadically. My 30 year old craftsman 4x36 belt sander died this morning. I plugged it and hit the start button and let the smoke out. I almost never use the disc function but that belt and I are pretty good friends.

[Autotech]

I acquired an old Craftsman belt/disc sander from my neighbor who was moving and hadn't used it in six years. It did the same thing as your Wen, so I put a lock washer between the knob and the flat washer and solved that problem.

[wayneli]

Want to order one and found your video. Very helpful. Thank you

[TokyoCraftsman]

I have the WEN air filter thing, it works well, I also have the WEN metal cutting bandsaw, it too works OK, but needed tweaking out of the box.
For you knob problem just put a bolt in there and tighten it with a wrench or socket, I bet it would work better.
Cheers from Tokyo!

[alberthuynh]

Appreciate the honest review! This was helpful.

[edhaskell]

You're supposed to push the wood into the disc sander not push the wood down to the table???

[craigmonteforte]

good honest review thankyou it does seem that the Wen sander you reviewed is the better of the models in that price group for a long time the other one was Harbor Freights Central Machinery unit that has a very weak motor that you can stop completely with a minimum amount of pressure being applied to the belt or disc

[chrisgraham]

A star lock washer, as others have suggested, should hold the tilt table firm. Another alternative would be to epoxy glue some emery paper to the main body with grit out and glue emery paper to the trunnion facing in to create greater friction between the mating surfaces.