WEN 6502 4 x 36-Inch Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander Review

WEN 6502 4 x 36-Inch Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base

The WEN 6502 is a popular, versatile and affordable belt disc sander. It is available in 4 different variants - the 1 x 30”, 4 x 36” steel base or 4 x 36” cast-iron base and the 6 x 48” sold with a floor stand. For the sake of this review, we will concentrate on the 4 x 36” model.

This 2-in-1 power tool hosts many interesting features that make it both a versatile and reliable sander on the job. If you are interested in a belt sander disc for home or professional use, our review of the WEN 6502 is an absolute must-read!

Without further ado, let us get right in the review of this belt disc sander.

If you want to buy a sander, here are some reviews that I recommend you to read such as drum sanderrandom orbit sanderbelt sanderbelt-disc sanderspindle sanderpalm sanderdetail sander

Wen 6502 4 x 36 Inches Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander Review

Features

Power:

Let us start with the power. WEN 6502 sports a decent 4.3 Amps motor that can provide a respectable speed of 3,600 RPM to the sanding pads. This is quite an amazing feat considering that this model has the same motor as in the POWERTEC BD4600 that costs almost twice its price. Good job, WEN 6502!

Dust Collection:

It includes no less than 2 dust ports - one at the back and one just under the table top. This is a welcome feature and you can easily fit your external vacuum to whichever side is best for you using a 2 x 2 inches coupler.

User-Friendliness:

What we like about this belt disc sander is that even beginners can start using it right away. It has many beginner-friendly and safety features for those who do not have a lot of experience operating this power tool.

Protective Shrouds:

The disc sander protective shroud is made from plastic and protects the user from accidents. It basically prevents the disc sander from scraping your skin when the unit is operational. This is a very important security feature and we like WEN’s implementation of it. It does not get in the way and offers excellent overall protection.

Speed:

The belt in WEN 6502 moves at a respectable 2,700 FPM and the disc rotates at 3,450 RPM. Those are fixed speeds and there is no variable speed control. This means that you do not have to adjust anything and is very straight forward to use.

Table Lock:

The belt table has a dedicated lock screw allow you to securely lock the belt in place, whether you want it to be horizontal or vertical. The belt table itself is easy to adjust and equally easy to lock in place. The sanding disc also comes with a miter gauge that can also be securely lock in place thanks to a handy screw knob.

Belt & Pad:

The belt and sanding disc is the heart of the unit. Out of the box, the unit comes with an 80 grit sanding disc and 80 grit belt. This is great for general purpose sanding. However, we recommend you change it to a 60 grit sanding pad to limit wood burning but 80 grit definitely gets the job done too.

Of course, you can change the sanding pads for both the belt and disc to get a more customized result. A coarser grit will remove material faster while a smoother grit will deliver a more polished finish.

The graphite pad over the platen makes the unit work more efficiently, cooler and help reduce wear and tear of the sanding pad - increasing its longevity. We like how this unit works with you, instead of against you.

Furthermore, WEN 6502 provides easy access for disc changes with the included tension release lever. You can replace sanding pads on this unit in a matter of seconds.

Stability is big in this model. There is also a variant of this model sold with a steel base that provides more stability. Less vibrations translate directly to a more accurate sanding of your material. Both the cast-iron and steel base do a good job stabilizing this unit if you prefer to go with the cheaper cast-iron variant to save some cash.

Price

At around the $100 mark, this belt disc sander is unbeatable. Compared to its competitors like the Rikon 50-112 and the POWERTEC BD4800, WEN 6502 offers almost the same features at a much more attractive price.

Pros/Cons

Pros:

  • Versatility: This unit allows you to work both vertically and horizontally. Changing sanding pads for both the belt and disc is very easy and fast thanks to the tension release mechanism. 
  • Durability: It uses fairly good quality materials in its construction which should last you a long time. 
  • Security: Features like the protective shroud and On/Off switch places in an easy to reach position is a big plus. 
  • Dust Port: There are 2 dust ports in the unit that fits any standard vacuum or dust extraction tool, either directly or via an adapter. 
  • Price: Very competitively priced and offers great value for money, especially compared to other models in the same price point.

Cons:

None that we know of.

Expert Review

Many experts use and vouch for WEN 6502. They point out its versatility and ease of use as one of their main talking points. Indeed, this belt disc sander is a model that many of them recommend especially to beginners since it is very straightforward to use.

Who Should Buy?

WEN 6502 is best as a beginner belt disc sander for general purposes sanding tasks like veneer removal or wood straightening, and even polishing work. However, professionals can still work very efficiently with this unit especially if you do not need a variable speed control.

Bottom line, if you want to find a good deal on a dependable and versatile belt disc sander that will serve you for years to come, WEN 6502 is a good model to get.

Last Updated on January 20, 2019 by

Our Score
Tom Bradly
 

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2006, when I dropped out of university. I wanted to work with my hands, to build things. Now I mix my background with computers with my first-hand experience with woodworking to provide insights into the tools I like best. I love everything about woodworking and have been building stuff for over 20 years of my life. I hope to pass some knowledge and expertise. See more at TomBradly.com

404 Not Found

404 Not Found


nginx/1.18.0 (Ubuntu)