Wen tools?

I’ve noticed a lot of Wen brand tools popping up in both Home Depot and Amazon. They’ve got some drill presses and vises that look promising. Is this an established brand that has suddenly gone Chinese and picked up major distribution, or a good range of tools at a decent price, or? I don’t expect Made the USA at these prices, but I do want someone who’s watching the quality. 

Experiences? Comments?

Without looking anything up I feel like I saw that they are a Chicago based company... What did I see that makes me think that? 

I haven't looked at anything from them recrntly, but the 1/2" Wen drill I received as a gift in 1999 was pure, unadulterated garbage. 

I bought their version of a Dremel because it had great Amazon reviews and a suspiciously low price. It's been surprisingly good so far, but only has 5 usable speeds. 

I looked at their bigger tools, but only on Amazon, I've never seen them in person anywhere. Not being able to examine them, combined with prices lower than harbor freight gave me concerns about quality so I never pursued them, but Amazon reviews seem positive. 

Wen tools used to be good decades ago - like, back when power tools were built with cast aluminum housings. I know they were producing junk by the early-90’s though. I believe the name had been acquired by another company. 

I’d guess someone else has bought their name now, and is sticking it on the same cheap tools they’ve always been making. That said, most of my power tools are cheap & they’ve been working fine for me for years. 

Never had luck with any WEN tools i've tried there right up there with 20 year old HF stuff...figure out how to use it as a hammer before you buy it.....

I have been very pleasantly supriced by Kawasaki tools.  Two years ago I bought two flex shaft variable speed rotary shaft tool (durmel tools) and i've not had to open the second one.

Thanks guys. The Amazon reviews are remarkably positive, which is why I asked.

So, suggestions for a good, affordable drill press for home use? I think I'll be fine with a small 10-12" tabletop unit, and I want room to fit a cross slide vise. I'd really like an aiming laser although I can survive without it, and I'm okay shifting belts instead of digitally controlling speed. It will likely see more wood than steel. Other than random stuff on CL, what does the hive suggest?

I'm still pleased with my 33 year old Harbor Freight drill press.

I had a Wen drill about 30 years ago. It was fairly cheap at the time. I think I bought it for $5 at a yard sale. I enjoyed throwing it in the trash as soon as I got a better drill. There is zero chance the quality is the same as it was back then. They would have to be better by now. 

Here's a link

I'm very happy with my Ryobi 10".it has laser and spot light,  and was around $100.

Fairly quiet, I think it's capable of 10 speeds with the belt and pulley system, but with a table that is meant to spin around, it can move sometimes when you don't want it to. A set screw could fix it but it hasn't been an issue yet for me. 

It is lightweight, and feels kind of cheap, but works just fine. 

I picked up this Ryobi this summer after being tempted by the cheap Wen drill presses too.  It works pretty decent for a cheap bench top unit and the lasers are a nice feature.

I'd rather gamble my money on Chinese power tools that  were at least designed in the US.

Also Home Depot you can bring it back in after 30 days when Amazon will just give you the finger.

Edit: looks like RevRico beat me with Ryobi link.  Also I typically buy corded Ryobi tools when Milwaukee doesn't make something (I work for the red power tool company).

So, how do you feel about the Ryobis?

You can actually get the Wen tools through Home Depot, but they don't stock them so you can't get a feel for their construction without buying one - unlike the Ryobi.

Robbie said:

Without looking anything up I feel like I saw that they are a Chicago based company... What did I see that makes me think that? 

According to Wen's website, they still are. I can't figure out if it's the same Wen company or if it is under new ownership, but it appears to be importing generic Chinese white-label tools.

I briefly had a Wen electric chainsaw. It began disassembling itself mid-use which was somewhat unsettling as it kept running. 

I have an older version of the same Ryobi drill press that has been linked to previously. It works well enough. I wouldn't say it's perfect, but it's held up through hundreds of holes drilled and it's been accurate enough for everything I've needed it to do. "Competent and workmanlike" might be the adjectives to apply to it. Much like most Ryobi tools, it will do its job happily for a homeowner grade situation. Someone using it every day or for high precision work might find a lot to complain about. But I've used it to drill holes for hardwood plugs in a butcherblock counter, enlarge the hole in a steel trailer tongue, and situations inbetween and it's done the job acceptably. It's survived about 8-10 years of light usage and looks like it'll survive another 20.

I bought a Wen brad nailer for some odds and end stuff around the house. It was tricky to get the nail depth to the right setting, but otherwise it’s been fine. 

Robbie said:

Without looking anything up I feel like I saw that they are a Chicago based company... What did I see that makes me think that? 

Chicago is the Wen-dy city. 

Good pun?! No? Ok. I’ll see myself out. 

I have a 50s era floor standing craftsman 150 press.

Doesn't even have a switch other than a toggle, no lazers, no digital readouts, nuthin.

Its a fantastic piece of equipment. 

It replaced an 80s luddell floor standing model that had seen use in vocational rehab since new and had some serious quill runout. 

The luddell was better than any bechtop press ive tried. 

So mt suggestion, especially for a drill press for woodworking, is an 50s-60s model from a brand youve heard of. Check it for runout with a long, known straight bit. No bit wobble is good. Grab the chuck when extended and feel for play. If its a floor standing model that you like, cut the tube down until its benchtop.

The problem with that is that it falls under the category of random CL stuff. Looking for drill press on my local CL, I get two options for 1 HP presses, both pictured in industrial environments which means they're pretty heavily used and probably pretty tired. Then everything else is in a different town. I'm not sure that driving a 2 hour round trip to check out some guy's old Craftsman that's bigger than I need and may or may not be shagged out is really the best use of my time.

Keith, if you're going to start applying logic and rational thinking to the process of acquiring old Craftsman tools, the boys around here won't take it well, from what I can gather.

They may also have an issue with the concept of "bigger than I need."

Okay, let's go with "bigger than I have room for"  This is for my garage workshop, not my shop. There, I have a 10,000 lb lift to work on 2500 lb cars.