We may earn tax income from the products available on this Thomas Nelson Page and enter in affiliate programs . pick up More ›
Drywall sanding can be unpleasant work . It takes a foresightful time , and the o.k. dust it create manages to cake everything in a thin pic , including your centre , ears , nozzle , and airways . record the Wen DW5084 varying - speeding wallboard drum sander , which make dry wall sandpaper a much more gratifying experience by reducing the time it takes and the mess it creates .
This drywall electric sander can quickly sandpaper wallboard joints on walls , ceilings , and even turning point to a smooth , even finis . And it does so while pile up the dust it bring about rather than get it disperse into the tune . But is it deserving investing in ? This Wen drywall sander review answers that query and many more . Keep read to hear more about this handy creature .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Wen DW5084 5-Amp 2-in-1 Variable-Speed Drywall Sander: At a Glance
Rating:8.3/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Wen drywall sander at :
What is the Wen variable-speed drywall sander?
TheWen drywall sanderis a hand-held mogul peter designed to makesanding drywallcompound easier , faster , and less mussy . This puppet features a 5 - amp motor that spin an 8.5 - column inch head at speeds between 600 and 1500 rpm . It ’s also compatible with an 11.25 - inch triangular head that hover to sand corners . Both heads feature a hook - and - loop topology design that clings to sandpaper disc . The whole ’s motor sit on the end of a telescope pole that provides 5 fundament of reach and features an adjustable articulatio humeri shoulder strap .
The Wen variable - focal ratio dry wall sander also feature automatic dust collection . It has a small fan attach to the motor that creates suction and allow the dry wall sanding dust to travel through the handle and down to a 15 - animal foot hosiery , which tie to a standardwet / dry vacancy .
The outfit also includes six round emery paper discs and six triangular pieces , with both bent range from 60 to 240 grit .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
How easy is the Wen variable-speed drywall sander to set up?
When testing thebest dry wall sanders , the Wen was one of the first I put up , and it sort of spoiled me . It comes with the folding handle disconnected and close down out of the box , but all it takes to congeal it up is to swing the head onwards to link up the two hinged segment of the hold and secure the clip . After that , the extension handle simply slip into the bottom of the pole and clamps down with a piece of ass - down adjustment . At that gunpoint , you may extend up to 60 column inch for excess range .
connect the hosiery was also straightforward . One end of the 15 - foot hose snaps into the bottom of the handle . The other end connects to a loaded / dry vac , which is not included with purchase .
This drywall sander boast swappable heads : one is a round , birl head , and the other is a triangular , oscillating headway . trade between these two head is easy . just unlock the toolless lever and slide it down to release the head from the motor mount . set up the other and slew the lever back in plaza to lock it . It ’s very easy .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Maybe the crafty thing about setting up theWen drywall sanderis attaching the orotund sanding disk so its hole line up with the gob on the pad . Getting this proper is important because that ’s where the sucking for the rubble extraction comes from , so it ’s worth taking a minute to ensure it ’s aline .
Is the Wen variable-speed drywall sander easy to use?
It ’s important to translate that all motorized dry wall sanders have some heft and can be unwieldy . However , the Wen ’s eubstance ( without the head attached ) librate about 9 pounds , which makes it one of the light-colored theoretical account , and that makes it relatively well-heeled to use .
The on / off switching locks into the on emplacement during use , which allowed me to let go of the switch without disrupting my work . Also , the speed telephone dial is easy to use and manipulate , and speed adjustments can be made without stopping the electric sander . I found that it was crucial to watch the smoother ’s speed , or it could take off more compound than I intended , but this is true with all of the dry wall drum sander .
However , what really makes theWen variable - speed dry wall sandereasy to utilize is the adjustable shoulder shoulder strap . Rather than carrying all of the weight in my men , arms , and shoulder , I could weary the berm strap and shell out the weight across my core . The strap helps when sandpaper the walls , but it really aid when sanding ceiling seams . However , the pole ’s 5 - foot scope meant I could n’t wear the articulatio humeri shoulder strap when puzzle out on tall ceilings .
The head swivels easily , allowing the surface of the sandpaper to sit flat on the dry wall , progress to it easy to manoeuver . This helps it sand swimmingly and conform to the contour line of the wall .
Is the Wen variable-speed drywall sander well designed?
In my opinion , this drywall sander byWen , a society headquarter in Illinois that ’s been get tool since 1951 , is well designed for three specific reasons :
Between these three features , theWen drywall sanderwas leagues ahead of the other model in my tryout . Only one other role model had a folding handle , and none of them had a shoulder strap or swappable heads . In fact , none of the other great power sanders could fit into corners . These features make the sander convenient and well-to-do to use but also allow for some versatility .
Also , the Wen is as ergonomically design as potential for a pole with a motor on its very destruction . It has nonslip grip and a relatively balanced intent . Since there are times when using the articulatio humeri shoulder strap is n’t feasible , these comfort - robust features are important .
How did the Wen variable-speed drywall sander perform?
The Wen dry wall sander performed very well in testing . It has plenty of power and speed , and to be quite true , I maintain it toward the middle of the focal ratio mount ( around 1000 rpm , but there are n’t speed markings to say for sure ) , which allowed me to sand the joint without losing mastery and sanding more than I planned .
It also did a great occupation collecting dry wall compound , and attaching it to my wet / dry vacuum also helped . The collecting hose is long and flexible , allowing me to sand freely with the vacancy sitting toward the middle of the way without stepping on either . Very trivial dust collected on the ground at the base of the walls and around the way compared to a regular pole sander or sanding blockage .
But herein lie the one issue I have with the Wen : While it does have its own automatonlike dust - collection fan , it does n’t hail with a dust - aggregation bag . You ’ll have to own or buy a crocked / dry vacuum to keep off a mess .
Is the Wen variable-speed drywall sander worth the money?
Yes , theWen drywall sanderis worth the money . I ’ve used many Wen products in the past times , and they ’re either an unbelievable compounding of value and timbre or total pieces of junk . The wallboard sander is the former . There was n’t a single interrogation of build quality or beat intention to deal with . It felt like a mellow - quality tool with seemly balance wheel , a smart design , and a comfortable grip .
And considering that it come with a 2d head that easily swaps on to get through into corners , it ’s certainly worth the money . Corners can be extremely awkward to sand , and this tool makes the process very easy and relatively painless . Also , the hose and sandpaper are unspoiled quality as well . This is one of those Wen ware that ’s unquestionably worth the money .
Is the Wen variable-speed drywall sander right for you?
Typically , when I review a product , I think about the eccentric of customers who are idealistic for the product . every bit as important , I consider who might not be a good paroxysm . In this casing , it was tough to imagine who should n’t give the Wen a try than who should . The adjudicate divisor came down to the intended oftenness of economic consumption .
If you ’re only sand one project , such as a drywall repair , a raw wall , or something of that sort , do n’t buy the Wen . It will make shortsighted study of the project , yes , but a sanding pole can take care of it for around $ 20 ( albeit with quite a minute more effort ) . I ’d advise theMarshalltown 3.25 - Inch by 9.25 - Inch Pole Sander — just be prepared to clean up afterward .
However , if you have a declamatory labor such as a renovation , plus , or several small job like the unity described previously , I believe it ’s worth it . The speed at which the Wen sands and the minimum jam it creates make the Wen incredibly convenient . Yes , it ’s heavier than a sanding pole , but it ’s also much , much faster . compare to the other motorized drywall smoother in the psychometric test , it ’s just a better - quality tool — making it a great choice for just about anyone sanding wallboard .
Where to Buy the Wen Variable-Speed Drywall Sander
Meet the Tester
Tom Scalisi is a full - time DIY and grammatical construction author for many of the largest internet site in the industry , including BobVila.com , This Old House , Family Handyman , and Forbes . He spent years working in the business deal and industrial sustainment , take on more dry wall task than he can consider .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
Keeping your grass green and your plant life thriving does n’t just take a greenish thumb — it starts with the proper tools and supplies .
