Guys, my Wen oscillating edge/spindle sander let out the magic smoke last night. Smelled so bad I had to strip down right inside the door and put my clothes straight in the wash. Left the garage door cracked all night to air it out. Yuck!
This tool gets a ton of use, so I'm in the market for a new one. I see Ridgid has a new model. Can anyone offer any thoughts on the current state of these products?
My Wen was extremely versatile, but it had some quirks that seemed like common complaints. The table didn't raise enough to be perfect 90deg, the edge sander attachment would wobble a bit making your edge slightly crowned instead of flat, screws on the back plate behind the belt made for an uneven surface. Noisy.
The Ridgid has been held in high regard for years. The new version is 8lb heavier (supposedly sturdier?), improved dust collection (similar to, but my assessment is, still not quite as good as the Wen, which isn't saying much really), more powerful motor, flat top. And $30 cheaper. Seems the way to go? It doesn't have the Ridgid lifetime warranty anymore, but I don't really care about that. Is anyone aware of any other cost-cutting measures inside the unit that may affect longevity?
Alternatively, should I consider spending more on something like this? I don't really care about cost because the unit gets used so much, but this one is definitely pushing my hobby budget.
Shop Fox W1717I really like the outboard induction motor on this one, and what appears to be a sturdier build. But reviews aren't as good. Table is aluminum, not cast iron.
Thanks for any thoughts!