Ever wish you could magically transform rough, uneven lumber into smooth, perfect boards? Building anything with wood can be tough when the wood isn’t flat. You might spend hours sanding, only to get frustrated. That’s where a benchtop wood planer comes in! It can save you time and effort.
Choosing a benchtop planer can feel overwhelming. There are so many different models. Each one has different features and prices. This can make it tough to know which one is best for you. You might worry about wasting money on the wrong tool. You don’t want to buy something that doesn’t work well or is too hard to use.
This blog post will help you. We will break down everything you need to know. You’ll learn about the important features to consider. We will also discuss how to use a planer safely and effectively. By the end, you’ll be ready to choose the best benchtop wood planer for your projects. Get ready to turn rough wood into beautiful, smooth pieces!
Our Top 5 Benchtop Wood Planer Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer | 9.4/10 | Check Price |
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DEWALT Thickness Planer | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
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CRAFTSMAN Planer | 8.5/10 | Check Price |
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VEVOR Thickness Planer | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
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VEVOR Thickness Planer – 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Benchtop Wood Planer Detailed Reviews
1. WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.7/10
The WEN PL1252 is a benchtop thickness planer. It is a powerful tool for woodworking. This planer can smooth and size wood boards. It has a 15-amp motor. This motor helps the planer make many cuts. It can handle boards up to 12.5 inches wide. The planer can also work with boards up to 6 inches thick. It comes with two blades. You can adjust how deep the planer cuts. This makes it a good choice for many projects.
What We Like:
- Planes boards up to 12.5 inches wide.
- The 15A motor cuts wood fast.
- It has a feed rate of 26 feet per minute.
- You can change the depth of cut.
- It comes with two blades.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might need to replace the blades.
- It’s a benchtop planer so it’s not for very large projects.
The WEN PL1252 is a good planer for many woodworkers. It’s a helpful tool for getting smooth and even boards.
2. DEWALT Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.5/10
The DEWALT Thickness Planer (DW735X) is a powerful tool for woodworking. It’s a 13-inch planer with a strong 15 amp motor that spins at 20,000 RPM. This lets you easily work on wider pieces of wood. It has a three-knife cutter head for cleaner cuts and longer blade life. The planer also has two speeds and a chip ejection system to keep things tidy. It includes infeed and outfeed tables and extra blades.
What We Like:
- The powerful motor makes quick work of tough jobs.
- The three-knife cutter head cuts smoother and lasts longer.
- Two speeds let you choose the best cut.
- The chip ejection system keeps your workspace clean.
- The cast aluminum base is very rigid.
- The automatic carriage lock helps prevent mistakes.
- It has a material removal gauge for precise cuts.
- The included tables and extra knives are a bonus.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users may find it a bit noisy.
The DEWALT DW735X is a great planer for any woodworker. It’s reliable and can handle most projects. This planer is a solid choice for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
3. CRAFTSMAN Planer
Rating: 9.1/10
The CRAFTSMAN Planer (CMEW320) is a benchtop planer. It is built for woodworkers who want a smooth finish. The 15 Amp motor is powerful. It can handle both hard and soft woods. This planer is designed for efficient material removal. It has a two-knife cutter head for a smooth cut.
What We Like:
- The 15 Amp motor is strong. It removes material from wood easily.
- The cutter head has two knives. This gives a smooth finish.
- The cutter head is made of solid steel. It is built to last.
- The knives are reversible. This means they last longer.
- The vacuum port keeps your workspace clean.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users may find it a bit loud during operation.
- The dust collection system could be more efficient.
In conclusion, the CRAFTSMAN Planer is a solid choice for woodworkers. It provides power and a smooth finish. This planer is a good tool for any workshop.
4. VEVOR Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.7/10
The VEVOR Thickness Planer is a powerful tool for woodworkers. It’s a benchtop planer with a 13-inch worktable. It has a strong 15-Amp, 1800W motor. This planer is great for both hard and soft woods. It can make your wood smooth and even. The planer also has a low noise level.
What We Like:
- The worktable is wide. You can plane boards up to 13 inches wide.
- The planer has a strong motor. It can handle tough jobs.
- The two-knife cutter head is designed for smooth cuts.
- It has safety features like current overload protection.
- The extended infeeding table gives better support.
- It has a port for dust collection. This keeps your workspace clean.
What Could Be Improved:
- None specified.
The VEVOR Thickness Planer is a good choice for woodworkers. It has many helpful features that make wood projects easier. This planer helps you get the job done right.
5. VEVOR Thickness Planer – 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer
Rating: 8.8/10
The VEVOR Thickness Planer is a powerful machine for woodworking. This 13-inch benchtop planer boasts a 2000W motor and a fast 8000 RPM cutter head. It’s designed to make your wood smooth and even. With a foldable workbench and stand, it saves space. The planer can handle various wood types and sizes, making it great for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
What We Like:
- The powerful 2000W motor makes it easy to plane wood.
- The foldable workbench and stand save space in your workshop.
- You can adjust the height of the cutter head easily.
- The dust exhaust helps keep your workspace clean.
- The planer works on wood, bamboo, and more.
What Could Be Improved:
- We don’t have any cons.
This VEVOR planer is a solid choice if you want a reliable and efficient way to smooth your wood. It offers many great features for any woodworking project.
Level Up Your Woodworking: The Benchtop Planer Guide
Are you ready to make your wood projects smoother? A benchtop wood planer is the perfect tool. It makes wood flat and even. This guide will help you choose the best one.
Key Features to Look For
Here are things to check when buying a benchtop planer:
- **Cutting Capacity:** How wide and thick can the planer handle? Measure your wood. Make sure the planer can handle it.
- **Motor Power:** More power means the planer can handle tougher wood. It also works faster. Look for a motor with at least 1.5 horsepower (HP).
- **Cutterhead:** The cutterhead holds the blades. Look for a cutterhead with two or three blades. It gives you a smoother finish. Some planers use spiral cutterheads. They are quieter and last longer.
- **Depth Adjustment:** How much wood can you remove with each pass? Look for easy-to-use depth adjustments. This will help you make accurate cuts.
- **Dust Collection:** Planing wood creates a lot of dust. Make sure the planer has a dust port. You can connect it to a dust collector or shop vacuum.
- **Feed Rate:** This is how fast the wood goes through the planer. A faster feed rate means you can work quicker.
Important Materials in a Wood Planer
The materials used in a wood planer affect how well it works. Here’s what you need to know:
- **Cutterhead Blades:** These are usually made from high-speed steel (HSS) or carbide. Carbide blades last longer.
- **Table:** The table is where the wood sits. A cast iron table is heavy and stable. It helps the planer work smoothly.
- **Body:** The body of the planer is usually made of metal or plastic. Metal bodies are stronger.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a planer better. Other things make it worse:
- **Improve Quality:**
- A heavy-duty motor.
- A solid, stable base.
- Precise depth adjustments.
- A well-designed dust collection system.
- High-quality blades.
- **Reduce Quality:**
- A weak motor.
- A lightweight, unstable base.
- Difficult-to-use depth adjustments.
- A poorly designed dust collection system.
- Low-quality blades.
User Experience and Use Cases
A benchtop planer is easy to use. Here are some things you can do with it:
- **Flattening Wood:** This is the main job of the planer. It makes rough wood flat.
- **Reducing Thickness:** You can make wood thinner.
- **Creating Uniform Pieces:** You can make all your wood pieces the same thickness. This is great for building furniture.
- **Projects:** You can use a planer for many projects. Think of making tables, shelves, and doors. You can even make cutting boards.
Benchtop Planer FAQs
Q: What size planer do I need?
A: Choose a planer that is wider than your widest piece of wood.
Q: What is the difference between a planer and a jointer?
A: A planer makes wood flat on one side. A jointer makes one edge perfectly straight.
Q: How do I stay safe when using a planer?
A: Always wear safety glasses. Use push blocks or push sticks. Never put your hands near the blades.
Q: How often should I change the blades?
A: Change the blades when they get dull. This depends on how much you use the planer.
Q: Can I plane wet wood?
A: It is not recommended. Wet wood can warp and damage the planer.
Q: How do I clean my planer?
A: Clean the dust out after each use. Wipe down the table with a rust preventative.
Q: What is a spiral cutterhead?
A: A spiral cutterhead uses many small blades. It’s quieter and gives a smoother cut than straight blades.
Q: How do I adjust the depth of cut?
A: Most planers have a knob or lever for adjusting the depth.
Q: What kind of dust collection system do I need?
A: A shop vacuum or a dust collector works well.
Q: Where can I buy a benchtop planer?
A: You can buy them at home improvement stores and online retailers.
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.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!