Rigid Oscillating Edge/Belt Spindle Sander

[Justin Rapp]

I’ve had one for over 10 years, love it, and I’ve used it for so many hours. I thought I’d buy another one a couple years ago to keep just in case this one died and the prices went up, but the new one oscillated differently. The old one was smooth and continuous, but the newer one would go up, pause for a sec, go down, pause and repeat. I returned it, maybe it was defective, who knows. I’d be interested in knowing if yours is continuous or has the pauses.

I see them in the background of so many pics of workshops. It seems everyone has one.

Jason - so the one I have does not stop. It goes up and down smoothly and is relatively quiet. I used it for a short while using the belt, and my son spent about 45 minutes using the spindle sander function. It worked fine.

As far as do I like it. It will work fine for my needs. Would I want this unit if I was a production shop, no, I'd go with a something else.

[Rod Wolfy]

I was looking at them today (before I saw this post). The Rigid version was always on my 'someday' list, starting about 20 years ago.

However, I noticed the Wen version appeared to be a copy of the Rigid. I looked at the Rigid one; however, it was evident that the design had changed from the one that I wanted! From the comments & description it was evident that Rigid has quit producing the one that all of you are recommending (& the one I wanted) & substituted an inferior one.

I have other Wen tools. I would buy the Wen version despite the shortcomings over the original Rigid one.

If HD came out with the old one again, I'd buy that!

[Justin Rapp]

I was looking at them today (before I saw this post). The Rigid version was always on my 'someday' list, starting about 20 years ago.

However, I noticed the Wen version appeared to be a copy of the Rigid. I looked at the Rigid one; however, it was evident that the design had changed from the one that I wanted! From the comments & description it was evident that Rigid has quit producing the one that all of you are recommending (& the one I wanted) & substituted an inferior one.

I have other Wen tools. I would buy the Wen version despite the shortcomings over the original Rigid one.

If HD came out with the old one again, I'd buy that!

The WEN looked a bit different and from the similar model, the wen motor was a lower power. I am curious, can you post a link to the WEN you saw?

[Rod Wolfy]

The WEN looked a bit different and from the similar model, the wen motor was a lower power. I am curious, can you post a link to the WEN you saw?

Here's the two I saw:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-O...4840/315674228
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Osci...6524/308605438

But I found that when I later searched HD, it depended on the search terms. "Oscillating Spindle Sander" came up with those two.

When I searched "Sheet Sander", I got the original one, which they apparently still carry:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-O...4424/202459151

I noticed the WEN has a smaller motor, too. 3.5 Amp vs 5 Amp. Get the 5 Amp Rigid!

I actually have the WEN spindle sander:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-3-5-...-307868273-_-N

It works OK for the infrequent use. It takes up a lot less space that the Grizzly that I used to have (https://www.grizzly.com/products/gri...hoCHrUQAvD_BwE).

But I downsized my shop, so the WEN can go under a countertop.

[Jason Evans]

Jason - so the one I have does not stop. It goes up and down smoothly and is relatively quiet. I used it for a short while using the belt, and my son spent about 45 minutes using the spindle sander function. It worked fine.

As far as do I like it. It will work fine for my needs. Would I want this unit if I was a production shop, no, I'd go with a something else.

Thanks Justin. Good to know it still flows smoothly.

[Justin Rapp]

Here's the two I saw:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-O...4840/315674228
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Osci...6524/308605438

But I found that when I later searched HD, it depended on the search terms. "Oscillating Spindle Sander" came up with those two.

When I searched "Sheet Sander", I got the original one, which they apparently still carry:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-O...4424/202459151

I noticed the WEN has a smaller motor, too. 3.5 Amp vs 5 Amp. Get the 5 Amp Rigid!

I actually have the WEN spindle sander:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-3-5-...-307868273-_-N

It works OK for the infrequent use. It takes up a lot less space that the Grizzly that I used to have (https://www.grizzly.com/products/gri...hoCHrUQAvD_BwE).

But I downsized my shop, so the WEN can go under a countertop.

I did see that new model on HDs web site, part of their 'Next' line of tools. I think Ridgid might be trying to up their game a bit to complete more with the Milwaukee and Makita level tools.