Imagine you’re building something amazing, maybe a birdhouse or a cool wooden toy. You have your wood, your plans, and your excitement. But then comes the moment you need to smooth out those rough edges, to make your creation truly perfect. That’s where a plainer comes in! But with so many types out there, picking the right one can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Do you need a big, powerful one for heavy jobs, or a small, handy one for delicate work? It’s enough to make anyone scratch their head!
Choosing the wrong plainer can lead to frustration, wasted time, and wood that just doesn’t look or feel right. It can slow down your projects and even make them harder to finish. But don’t worry! This blog post is here to be your friendly guide. We’ll break down the world of plainers, making it easy to understand. You’ll learn what makes each plainer special and how to pick the one that perfectly fits your needs and your budget.
Get ready to say goodbye to plainer confusion! By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident about choosing the best tool to make your woodworking dreams a reality. Let’s dive in and discover the plainer that’s just right for you!
Our Top 5 Plainer Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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DEWALT Thickness Planer | 8.5/10 | Check Price |
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WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer | 9.5/10 | Check Price |
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DEWALT 20V MAX Planer | 9.0/10 | Check Price |
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CRAFTSMAN Planer | 8.5/10 | Check Price |
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WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer | 9.4/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Plainer Detailed Reviews
1. DEWALT Thickness Planer
Rating: 9.5/10
The DEWALT DW735X Thickness Planer is a powerhouse tool for any woodworker, from beginners to seasoned pros. It’s designed to make your wood smooth and perfectly flat, saving you time and effort. This planer tackles even tough jobs with its strong motor and sharp knives, turning rough lumber into beautiful, ready-to-use material for your projects.
What We Like:
- The powerful 15 amp motor spins at 20,000 RPM, easily handling big cuts in wide wood.
- Its three-knife cutter head lasts longer and makes changing knives quick and simple.
- The two-speed gearbox lets you choose the best setting for your wood, giving you 96 or 179 cuts per inch.
- Fan-assisted chip ejection blows wood dust away, keeping your workspace cleaner.
- The sturdy 19-3/4 inch cast aluminum base is very stable, preventing wobbling.
- The automatic carriage lock stops “snipe” (uneven cuts at the ends of the wood) without you having to do anything.
- A material removal gauge and a large thickness scale help you make very accurate cuts every time.
- The extra-large turret depth-stop lets you easily go back to your favorite wood thicknesses.
- It comes with helpful infeed and outfeed tables, plus an extra set of knives.
- DEWALT backs it with a 3-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, it is a benchtop unit, so very large, heavy pieces might still be a challenge to maneuver.
- The fan-assisted chip ejection is good, but some very fine dust can still escape, so dust collection is still recommended.
Overall, the DEWALT DW735X is an excellent investment for anyone serious about woodworking. It delivers professional results with user-friendly features.
2. WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer
Rating: 9.4/10
Get ready to smooth out your woodworking projects with the WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer. This tool is designed to make shaping and smoothing wood easier for DIYers and pros alike. Its powerful motor and adjustable settings let you tackle a variety of tasks, from light shaving to creating precise grooves.
What We Like:
- The 6 Amp motor is strong. It makes up to 34,000 cuts every minute. This means it works fast.
- You have lots of control over the depth. There are 16 stops. You can set the depth from 0 to 1/8 inches.
- It can make rabbets up to 1 inch deep. The 5/16 inch rabbeting guide helps you do this.
- The planer is not heavy. It only weighs 6 pounds. This makes it easy to hold and use for a long time.
- It comes with everything you need to get started: the planer, a dust bag, a kickstand, and a parallel fence bracket.
- You get a 2-year warranty. This offers good peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the motor is powerful, some users might want even more power for very hard woods.
- The dust bag can fill up quickly on larger jobs. It might need to be emptied often.
This WEN hand planer offers a great balance of power and control for its price. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their woodworking capabilities.
3. DEWALT 20V MAX Planer
Rating: 8.6/10
The DEWALT 20V MAX Planer (DCP580B) is a powerful tool for woodworkers. It helps you shave wood down to the perfect size and smoothness. This tool is built for speed and precision, making your woodworking projects easier and faster.
What We Like:
- The brushless motor gives you lots of power and makes the battery last longer.
- It makes 30,000 cuts every minute, so it removes wood very quickly.
- You can adjust the cut depth very accurately, down to a tiny 0.01 mm.
- The smooth aluminum surfaces make sure your cuts are perfectly straight and parallel.
- A handy kickstand lets you set the planer down without scratching your wood.
- It has a special groove to easily create beveled edges.
- The strong Poly-V belt means it will last a long time.
- The handle is designed to feel good in your hand and prevent tiredness.
What Could Be Improved:
- This is a “bare tool” meaning it doesn’t come with a battery or charger, so you’ll need to buy those separately.
- The maximum cut depth of 2mm might not be enough for very deep shaving jobs.
Overall, this DEWALT planer is a fantastic choice for anyone serious about woodworking. It offers great performance and features for a smooth and efficient woodworking experience.
4. CRAFTSMAN Planer
Rating: 9.3/10
The CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320) is a powerful tool for woodworkers. It can handle both hard and soft woods with ease. This planer is designed to make your woodworking projects smoother and more efficient.
What We Like:
- The 15 Amp motor powers through hard and soft wood for fast material removal.
- The poly-v cutterhead drive helps you remove the most wood possible in each pass.
- A two-knife, solid steel cutter head runs on ball bearings for smooth operation and a long tool life.
- Double-edged, reversible knives made of high carbon steel last a long time.
- A vacuum port connects to your dust collection system, keeping your workspace clean.
What Could Be Improved:
- This benchtop planer might be too large for very small workshops.
- While the knives are reversible, they will eventually need replacing, which is an ongoing cost.
This CRAFTSMAN planer is a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their woodworking results. It offers power and smooth operation for a cleaner and more efficient job.
5. WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 9.2/10
The WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer is a powerful tool for woodworkers. It helps you make wood smooth and even. This planer is great for small shops or for projects at home. You can use it to shape boards for furniture, cabinets, or anything else you create with wood.
What We Like:
- The spiral cutterhead has 26 sharp blades. These blades spin and can be turned. This gives you a very smooth finish on your wood.
- It has a special gauge. This gauge tells you how much wood it is cutting off with each pass. This helps you control the depth of your cuts.
- You can plane boards up to 6 inches thick. It can also handle boards that are 13 inches wide. This makes it very versatile for different projects.
- The powerful 15-amp motor spins at 10,000 RPM. It feeds wood at a fast 26 feet per minute. This means it can handle tough jobs quickly.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find the dust collection system could be more efficient.
- While the blades are rotatable, replacement blades might be a bit pricey for some budgets.
This WEN planer offers excellent performance and features for its class. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their woodworking results.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Plainer
Choosing the right plainer makes woodworking projects much easier. A plainer smooths and flattens wood surfaces. This guide helps you find the perfect one.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a plainer, keep these important features in mind.
- Depth Adjustment: This lets you control how much wood the plainer removes. A good plainer has a clear and easy-to-use depth adjustment.
- Dust Collection: Wood shavings can fly everywhere. A plainer with a good dust collection port keeps your workspace cleaner.
- Blade Quality: Sharp blades cut wood smoothly. Look for plainer blades made from strong steel.
- Power: More power means the plainer can handle tougher wood. For most DIY projects, a plainer with at least 10 amps is good.
- Portability: If you move your tools often, a lighter plainer is better. Some plainer models come with a carrying case.
Important Materials
The materials used in a plainer affect how it performs and lasts.
- Body: Many plainer bodies are made of strong plastic or metal. Metal bodies are usually more durable.
- Blades: High-speed steel (HSS) is a common and good material for plainer blades. It stays sharp longer.
- Base Plate: A flat and smooth base plate helps the plainer glide over wood evenly. Aluminum or cast iron bases are excellent.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a plainer work better, while others can make it less effective.
What Improves Quality?
- Precision Engineering: When parts fit together well, the plainer works smoothly.
- Sharp Blades: As mentioned, sharp blades are crucial for clean cuts.
- Good Balance: A plainer that feels balanced in your hands is easier to control.
- Durable Construction: Tools built with strong materials last longer and handle tough jobs.
What Reduces Quality?
- Wobbly Parts: If parts are loose or don’t fit well, the plainer won’t cut smoothly.
- Dull Blades: Dull blades tear wood instead of cutting it. This leaves a rough surface.
- Weak Motor: A weak motor struggles with hard wood. It can overheat.
- Poor Dust Collection: A plainer that doesn’t collect dust well makes a mess. It can also clog the tool.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use a plainer and how it feels to use it are very important.
Ease of Use
A good plainer is easy to set up and use. The controls should be simple to understand. It should feel comfortable to hold. A plainer that vibrates too much can be tiring to use.
Common Use Cases
- Flattening Wood: You can flatten slightly warped boards.
- Smoothing Surfaces: A plainer makes rough wood smooth.
- Trimming Doors: If a door is too tight, a plainer can trim the edge.
- Chamfering Edges: You can create a beveled edge on wood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planers
Here are answers to common questions about plainer tools.
Q: What is the main difference between a hand plainer and a power plainer?
A: A hand plainer uses your muscle power to cut wood. A power plainer uses an electric motor to spin the blades.
Q: How often should I sharpen or replace plainer blades?
A: You should sharpen or replace blades when they start to leave a rough surface. This might be after many uses, depending on the wood you cut.
Q: Can I use a plainer on very hard wood?
A: Yes, but you need a powerful plainer. You should also take shallow cuts to avoid straining the motor.
Q: What is the best way to clean a plainer?
A: Always unplug the plainer first. Use a brush to remove wood dust and shavings. You can use compressed air too.
Q: Is a plainer safe to use?
A: Yes, when used correctly. Always wear safety glasses. Keep your hands away from the blades. Read the user manual.
Q: How deep can a plainer cut?
A: Most plainer models can remove about 1/8 inch of wood per pass. Check the plainer’s specifications for its maximum depth.
Q: What is a “planer jig”?
A: A jig is a tool that helps you hold wood steady or guides the plainer for specific cuts. Some jigs help you flatten wide boards.
Q: Do I need a dust bag or a shop vacuum with my plainer?
A: It is highly recommended. Dust collection keeps your workspace clean and is better for your health.
Q: How do I know if my plainer is set to the correct depth?
A: Most plainer have a depth gauge. You can also measure the wood before and after planing to check the amount removed.
Q: Can I use a plainer to make wood perfectly flat?
A: A plainer can flatten wood significantly. For perfectly flat surfaces, you might need a jointer as well.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
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