Ever looked at a piece of rough lumber and wished it was perfectly smooth and flat? That’s where the magic of a wood planer comes in! Think of it as a woodworking superhero, transforming rough wood into a surface so smooth, you’ll want to run your hands over it. But with so many different types and features out there, choosing the right one can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
It’s a common frustration for woodworkers, from hobbyists starting out to seasoned pros. You want that beautiful, finished look for your projects, but the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. What’s the difference between a benchtop planer and a thickness planer? Which one is best for your needs and budget? This post is here to help you cut through the confusion.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand the key features to look for, the types of planers available, and how to pick the perfect one for your workshop. We’ll break down the jargon and give you the confidence to make a smart purchase. So, let’s dive in and discover how a wood planer can take your woodworking to the next level!
Our Top 5 Wood Planers Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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DEWALT Thickness Planer | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
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CRAFTSMAN Planer | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
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WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer | 9.0/10 | Check Price |
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VEVOR Power Benchtop Planers | 9.2/10 | Check Price |
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DEWALT Planer | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Wood Planers Detailed Reviews
1. DEWALT Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.6/10
The DEWALT DW735X Thickness Planer is a powerful tool for any woodworker. Its strong motor and sharp blades help you get smooth, flat surfaces on your wood projects. This planer is built to handle tough jobs and make your work easier.
What We Like:
- The 15-amp motor spins fast, letting you take bigger bites out of your wood.
- The three-knife cutter head lasts longer and makes changing blades simple.
- You can pick between two speeds to get the best finish on your wood.
- A fan blows away wood dust, keeping your workspace cleaner.
- The sturdy base and special lock prevent rough edges on your wood.
- Easy-to-read gauges help you make perfect cuts every time.
- A handy depth stop lets you quickly go back to your favorite wood thicknesses.
- It comes with extra tables and blades, so you’re ready to go right away.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find the noise level to be a bit high.
- While it’s a benchtop planer, it does take up a decent amount of space.
This DEWALT planer is a fantastic addition to any workshop. It offers great features and reliable performance for all your planing needs.
2. CRAFTSMAN Planer
Rating: 9.2/10
The CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320) is a powerful tool designed to flatten and smooth wood surfaces. Its 15 Amp motor gives it the muscle to handle tough jobs, making it a reliable companion for any woodworking project.
What We Like:
- The 15 Amp motor easily tackles both hard and soft woods, removing material effectively.
- The poly-v cutterhead drive helps you remove as much wood as possible in each pass.
- The two-knife, quick-change solid steel cutter head runs smoothly on ball bearings for a great finish and lasting performance.
- High carbon steel, double-edged, reversible knives mean they last longer, saving you money.
- A built-in vacuum port helps keep your workspace clean by collecting sawdust.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s a benchtop model, some users might wish for a slightly more compact design for smaller workshops.
- The quick-change system for knives, while good, could be even faster for very frequent blade changes.
This CRAFTSMAN planer is a solid performer that gets the job done efficiently. It offers a good balance of power, smooth operation, and convenient features for woodworkers of all levels.
3. WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 9.0/10
The WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer is a powerful tool for any woodworker. It helps you make wood smooth and even. You can use it to flatten boards for your projects. This planer is great for home workshops.
What We Like:
- Its spiral cutterhead has 26 sharp blades. These blades are arranged in a way that gives you a really smooth finish. They can also be rotated, so you get more use out of them.
- The onboard material removal gauge is a handy feature. It tells you exactly how much wood you’re cutting off with each pass. This helps you avoid taking off too much material at once.
- You can plane boards up to 6 inches thick. It can also handle boards that are 13 inches wide. This makes it versatile for many different woodworking tasks.
- The 15-amp motor is strong. It spins at 10,000 RPM. This means it cuts wood quickly and efficiently at 26 feet per minute.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, this planer is a benchtop model. This means it’s meant for smaller workshops and projects. It might not be ideal for very large or industrial jobs.
- The HSS blades, while rotatable, will eventually need replacing. This is a common maintenance item for planers, but it’s something to consider for long-term costs.
This WEN planer is a solid choice for hobbyists and DIYers. It delivers great results for its size and price.
4. VEVOR Power Benchtop Planers
Rating: 9.1/10
The VEVOR Power Benchtop Planer is a powerful tool designed for woodworkers. It helps you get your wood projects done quickly and efficiently. This planer handles both hard and soft woods with ease, giving you smooth, finished surfaces.
What We Like:
- The 13-inch wide worktable is large and can handle boards up to 6 inches thick.
- Pull-out extensions give you a total of 35 inches of support for long pieces of wood.
- The precision-machined cast iron bed keeps your boards flat for accurate cuts.
- It has a high-precision three-knife cutter head made of durable steel for smooth results.
- You can choose between two speeds: 24 feet per minute for fast cutting or 15 feet per minute for a smoother finish.
- The strong 2000W motor delivers excellent performance and a fine finish.
- An over-current protector keeps the machine safe by shutting it off if it draws too much power.
- It has a vacuum port for easy dust collection, keeping your workspace cleaner.
- The planer operates with low noise, making your work environment more pleasant.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the extended tables offer good support, some users might prefer even more length for very long stock.
- The manual does not explicitly state the warranty period, which could be a point of concern for some buyers.
Overall, the VEVOR Power Benchtop Planer is a robust and user-friendly tool that offers excellent value for its features. It’s a great addition to any woodworking shop.
5. DEWALT Planer
Rating: 8.7/10
The DEWALT DW735 13-inch thickness planer is a powerful tool designed for woodworkers tackling bigger projects. Its robust motor and three-knife system make quick work of wider lumber, ensuring smooth and consistent results every time. This planer is built for efficiency and accuracy, making it a valuable addition to any workshop.
What We Like:
- The powerful 15 amp, 20,000 RPM motor easily handles large cuts in wide wood.
- A three-knife cutter head means knives last longer and are faster to change.
- The two-speed gearbox lets you choose the best cut for your wood, either 96 or 179 cuts per inch.
- Fan-assisted chip ejection blows away sawdust, keeping your workspace cleaner.
- The sturdy 19-3/4 inch cast aluminum base is more stable than smaller bases.
- An automatic carriage lock stops unwanted movement, preventing snipe on your wood.
- A material removal gauge and large thickness scale help you make very accurate cuts.
- A turret depth stop lets you quickly return to your favorite wood thicknesses.
What Could Be Improved:
- The dust hose adapter, while included, might require additional fittings for some dust collection systems.
- The unit is quite heavy, making it less portable for those who move their tools frequently.
Overall, the DEWALT DW735 is an excellent choice for serious woodworkers seeking precision and power. It’s a machine that helps you achieve professional-quality results with less effort.
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wood Planer
Wood planers are amazing tools. They smooth out rough lumber and make it flat. This guide will help you pick the right one. We’ll look at what makes a planer great.
Key Features to Look For
1. Cutting Capacity
This tells you how wide and thick of a board the planer can handle. A wider planer lets you work on bigger projects. A deeper planer allows you to flatten thicker wood.
2. Motor Power (Amps or Horsepower)
More power means the planer cuts through wood more easily. It also helps the machine last longer. For most jobs, a 10-amp motor is a good start. Bigger jobs might need more power.
3. Number of Blades
Most planers have two or three blades. More blades usually mean a smoother finish. They also help the planer cut faster.
4. Depth Adjustment
You need to control how much wood the planer removes. A good depth adjustment system makes it easy to set the right amount. Look for a system that is precise and easy to use.
5. Dust Collection
Wood planers create a lot of sawdust. A good dust collection port helps keep your workspace clean. It also makes the air you breathe safer.
Important Materials
The materials used in a planer affect its strength and how well it works.
- Cast Iron: This is a very strong metal. Planers made with cast iron are usually heavier and more stable. This means less shaking and a better cut.
- Steel: Steel is also strong. Many parts of a planer are made from steel. Good quality steel helps the tool last a long time.
- Aluminum: Some parts, like the base or housing, might be made of aluminum. Aluminum is lighter. It’s good for portability but might not be as strong as cast iron.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Many things can make a planer better or worse.
Improving Quality:
- Solid Construction: A heavy, well-built planer vibrates less. This leads to cleaner cuts.
- Sharp Blades: Sharp blades are essential. They cut wood smoothly. Dull blades tear the wood.
- Precise Adjustments: Easy and accurate controls for depth and height are important.
- Good Dust Management: A well-designed dust port keeps your shop clean.
Reducing Quality:
- Lightweight Design: A light planer can move around a lot while you use it. This makes it hard to get a good cut.
- Wobbly Parts: If parts are loose or flimsy, the planer won’t work well.
- Poorly Made Blades: Cheap blades dull quickly. They can also damage your wood.
- Ineffective Dust Collection: Too much sawdust flying around is messy and unhealthy.
User Experience and Use Cases
How a planer feels to use and what you can do with it matters.
Ease of Use:
Some planers are simple to set up and operate. Others can be tricky. For beginners, a user-friendly model is best. Look for clear instructions and easy controls.
Portability:
If you move your tools around a lot, a lighter planer might be better. Some planers have handles or wheels to help you move them.
Projects:
Planers are great for many woodworking projects. You can:
- Flatten rough lumber.
- Make boards the same thickness.
- Create smooth surfaces for furniture.
- Prepare wood for joinery.
- Refinish old wood.
For small projects, a benchtop planer is usually enough. For larger shops and bigger jobs, a stationary planer might be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Planers
Q: What is the main job of a wood planer?
A: A wood planer makes rough lumber smooth and flat. It also makes boards the same thickness.
Q: How wide of a board can most benchtop planers handle?
A: Most benchtop planers can handle boards that are about 12 to 13 inches wide.
Q: Is a more powerful motor always better?
A: A more powerful motor helps the planer cut through wood easier and last longer. For tough jobs, yes, it’s better.
Q: How often should I change the blades on my planer?
A: You should change blades when they get dull. This happens after you plane a lot of wood. You’ll notice the cut isn’t as smooth.
Q: What is the difference between a benchtop and a stationary planer?
A: Benchtop planers are smaller and sit on a workbench. Stationary planers are much larger, heavier, and stay in one place in a workshop.
Q: Can I use a planer to make wood thinner?
A: Yes, that is one of its main jobs. You set the planer to remove a small amount of wood each pass until the board is the desired thickness.
Q: What should I do to prepare wood before planing?
A: You should remove any nails or staples. Also, make sure the wood isn’t too warped or twisted.
Q: Is dust collection really important for a planer?
A: Yes, it is very important. It keeps your workspace clean and improves the air quality.
Q: What does “depth of cut” mean on a planer?
A: Depth of cut is how much wood the planer removes in a single pass. You usually set this to a small amount for a better finish.
Q: Are planers difficult for beginners to use?
A: Not all of them. Many benchtop planers are designed to be easy for beginners. Reading the manual helps a lot.
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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