Woodworkers use oscillating Spindle sanders for smoothing edges, getting a variety of curvatures or unique finishes. A spindle sander is ideal for these kinds of jobs as compared to other sanders.
Most of the oscillating spindle sanders are tabletop tools that can be easily moved from one place to another. Those who need to carry their sander across their workshop will have a great time with the spindle sander.
In this review, we are going to look at two oscillating spindle Sanders from two well-renowned brands, WEN & Shop Fox. Although Shop fox is new as compared to Wen. Still, it has gained popularity because of its product quality. Wen is well known for its reliable product quality.
Quick Summary
Shop Fox W1831 is made in a very user-friendly way. It’s simple design also makes it ideal for home users & woodworkers. If you are a beginner who is trying to learn how to sand & experimenting with your sander, this one has a lot to offer for beginners.
WEN 6510T Oscillating spindle Sander
If you’re looking for a sander that will save you some money & give you a good performance, then WEN6510T is the perfect model for you. It comes with 6 sanding spindles for a variety of curvatures. So that you can change the spindles as per your work needs.
It features a 3.5 amp motor which moves up to 58 oscillations and 2000 rotations per minute. Despite having that high speed, it works quietly and smoothly. You don’t need to use any ear protection unless you’re working on a very large project which will need continuous sanding for a long time.
The dust port of this sander allows the option to attach an external dust extractor, which will ensure a cleaner working environment.
Sometimes, keeping all the equipment in an organized manner can be difficult for the users. The onboard storage keeps the spindle drums, discs, and tools sets on side of the sander. It also maintains the cleanliness of the workshop.
This sander weighs around 30 pounds, which makes it very easy to use. Its lightweight design allows the users to use & carry the sander comfortably. The sander is solidly built which will benefit you in the long run. Overall this Sander is a great performer.
Editor’s Pros & Cons
- It comes with 6 Sanding sleeves in a variety of sizes.
- Changing the sleeves is very easy, it saves some valuable time of yours.
- The Dust port feature is great.
- Drums load up pretty fast.
Shop Fox W1831 Oscillating spindle Sander
Nowadays Shop Fox W1831 is becoming more popular among woodworkers. Especially, beginners find it more useful because of its simple operation & reasonable price. This tool is excellent for smoothing edges. It can also be used for a variety of sanding purposes, like getting a precise curve or unique finish.
It is made in a user-friendly way with a simple structure. It is a very light-weighted machine, having a weight of 34 pounds. It is also small in size. Which makes it very easy to carry & operate.
It comes with a ½ HP motor which ensures a solid & powerful performance. Its 58 oscillations per minute allow it to give an excellent shine to the surface without any maks.
It comes with 6 sanding sleeves which allows you to sand inside curves down to ½ inches. The 5 spindle drums of various sizes allow you the option to change the spindle when the situation demands.
It also has extra onboard storage. You can keep your equipment in an organized way. It will make your workshop look clean.
It has a built-in dust collection system. But the dust collection system of this model is decent. If you want a more advanced dust collection system, You can attach a shop vac at the back. It will ensure there remains no dust at your workshop.
Editor’s Pros & Cons
- Easy to use
- Small size. Doesn’t take much space.
- The sandpaper can be tightened quite easily by the nut on top.
- A bit noisy than the other sander of its class.
WEN 6510T vs Shop Fox W1831: Which one is better?
Both the sanders have some excellent features which make it tough to choose between the two.
But if we look at the overall verdict, 6510T Wen oscillating spindle sander wins here. Not only because of its outstanding performance but also it has an affordable price. This one is lighter than the W1831 Shop Fox oscillating spindle sander, also its footprint is smaller.
Also, wen includes a wide range of equipment, sandpaper sleeves, easy to change spindles which clearly gives it an advantage over the other one.
Also, you should look out for wen because of its affordable price. You rarely get that kind of stellar performance at that price from a sander.
But if you are comfortable with a user-friendly machine, the w1831 shop fox oscillating spindle sander will be a great choice.
Note: you can also read Triton TSPS450 Oscillating Spindle Sander Review
Final Thought
Before you decide which one to buy, we want to make sure that both the sanders are worth the money. They both have advantages of their own. Whereas Wen combines performance & cost-effective price, Shopfox combines simplicity & a variety of features.
If you invest your money into any of these two, you surely will not regret your decision. You’ll be really pleased with the output. They both have a lot to offer. Test it out yourself.
FAQ
- Can a vacuum be connected to Shop Fox W1831?
Yes. The vacuum can be connected to the back of the sander. The connector is 1.5 inches wide. So, size of the vacuum has to be matched with the connector.
- How loud is WEN 6510T?
Not much noise, the noise level rises up to nearly 70 DB while sanding. For a long sanding project, hearing protection is needed. Otherwise not necessary.
- Can I use WEN 6510T for shaping a metal knife?
No, you should not. It can cause damage to the sander. You can use a knife stone instead.
Also, check out
- Makita Belt Sander Review-Updated [2020]
- Best DA Sander For Auto Body Work-[2020 Top Picks]
- Tacklife PRS01A Random Orbital Sander Review
- Porter-Cable 7800 4.7 Amp Drywall Sander Review
- Craftsman CMEW231 Random Orbital Sander Review
- WEN 6502 Belt and Disc Sander Review