Ever spent hours sanding a piece of wood, only to get frustrated with uneven surfaces? You’re not alone! Woodworking can be rewarding, but getting smooth, flat boards is tough. Bench planers are a great tool for this. But choosing the right one can feel like navigating a maze.
Picking a bench planer isn’t easy. There are many brands and features. You might feel overwhelmed by the size, motor power, and cutting capacity. Plus, you don’t want to waste money on a machine that doesn’t meet your needs. This is why knowing how to choose the right one is important.
In this post, we will show you how to choose a bench planer. We will also cover what to look for and explain the key features. By the end, you’ll be ready to pick the perfect bench planer for your workshop. Let’s dive in and find the right planer for you!
Our Top 5 Bench Planers Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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DEWALT Thickness Planer | 9.4/10 | Check Price |
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WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer | 9.2/10 | Check Price |
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DEWALT Benchtop Planer | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
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CRAFTSMAN Planer | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
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Amazon Basics Woodworking Hand Planer – No.4 Adjustable Bench Plane with 2-Inch Blade for Wood Smoothing | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Bench Planers Detailed Reviews
1. DEWALT Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.9/10
The DEWALT DW735X is a powerful thickness planer. It’s designed to make your woodworking projects easier. This machine helps you smooth and shape wood to your exact needs. It has a strong motor and helpful features.
What We Like:
- The 15-amp motor is strong. It handles big cuts in wide wood.
- The three-knife cutter head lasts longer. You can change knives quickly.
- The two-speed gearbox lets you control the wood’s feed speed.
- A fan helps remove wood chips. It keeps the cutter head clean.
- The base is made of cast aluminum. It’s very strong.
- An automatic lock stops the wood from moving.
- You get accurate cuts every time. The gauge and scale help.
- The depth stop lets you easily go back to your favorite settings.
- It comes with tables and extra knives.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users may find it heavy.
- It may be a bit noisy during operation.
The DEWALT DW735X is a great tool for woodworkers. It offers power and precision. This planer will help you create beautiful projects.
2. WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.5/10
The WEN PL1252 is a benchtop thickness planer. It’s perfect for smoothing rough lumber. This planer can handle boards up to 12.5 inches wide. It can also plane boards up to 6 inches thick. The powerful 15-amp motor makes 20,000 cuts per minute. The feed rate is 26 feet per minute. You can adjust the depth from 0 to 1/8 of an inch. It comes with two reversible blades.
What We Like:
- Planes boards up to 12.5 inches wide.
- The powerful motor cuts quickly.
- Includes two reversible blades.
- You can adjust the depth of each pass.
- It is a good option for the price.
What Could Be Improved:
- It might be noisy.
- Some users may need to replace the blades.
The WEN PL1252 is a solid planer for the money. It’s great for DIY projects. It’s a good choice for anyone who needs to smooth boards.
3. DEWALT Benchtop Planer
Rating: 8.7/10
The DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Planer is a powerful tool for woodworking. It helps you make wood smooth and even. This planer is perfect for both beginners and experienced woodworkers. It has a strong motor and sharp blades to get the job done right.
What We Like:
- The 15-amp motor is strong. It lets you cut through tough wood.
- The three-knife cutter head spins fast. This gives you a smooth finish.
- The blades can be flipped. This means they last longer.
- A special lock keeps the wood from moving. This prevents mistakes.
- Long tables support the wood. This helps with accuracy.
- You can easily see how much wood you’re removing. The scale is easy to read.
- You can set the depth for common cuts. This makes your work faster.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find it a little noisy.
The DEWALT DW734 is a great planer. It is a good choice for woodworkers who want a reliable tool. This planer will make your wood projects look great.
4. CRAFTSMAN Planer
Rating: 9.3/10
The CRAFTSMAN Planer (CMEW320) is a benchtop planer. It is made for both hard and soft woods. This planer has a 15 Amp motor. The two-knife cutter head is made of solid steel. It is designed to provide smooth operation and long life. This planer also includes a vacuum port for dust collection. This helps keep your workspace clean.
What We Like:
- The 15 Amp motor has enough power. It works well on hard and soft woods.
- The poly-v cutterhead drive removes a lot of material quickly.
- The two-knife cutter head runs smoothly. It is made of steel and mounted on ball bearings.
- The reversible knives last a long time. They are made of high carbon steel.
- The vacuum port keeps the workspace cleaner.
What Could Be Improved:
- Consider the price compared to similar planers.
- Check the availability at your local store.
This CRAFTSMAN planer is a solid tool for woodworking. It is a good choice for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
5. Amazon Basics Woodworking Hand Planer – No.4 Adjustable Bench Plane with 2-Inch Blade for Wood Smoothing
Rating: 9.1/10
The Amazon Basics Woodworking Hand Planer is a tool for smoothing wood. It’s a No.4 adjustable bench plane with a 2-inch blade. It’s grey and black. This hand plane helps you make your wood projects look great. It is designed for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
What We Like:
- The body is made of strong cast iron. It gives the plane stability.
- The handle has a comfortable grip. It is made of impact-resistant plastic.
- The blade is made of durable steel. This helps it make good cuts.
- You can make easy adjustments. This helps you get precise results.
What Could Be Improved:
- You have to adjust the plane when you first get it. You need to follow the user manual.
This hand plane is a good choice for smoothing wood. It is a useful tool for anyone who works with wood. It can help you get professional-looking results.
Leveling Up Your Woodworking: A Bench Planer Buying Guide
This guide helps you pick the best bench planer. A bench planer makes wood smooth and flat. It’s a great tool for woodworking projects.
Key Features to Look For
You need to know what features are important. These help you choose the right planer.
- Cutting Width and Depth: Look at how wide and how deep the planer cuts. A wider cut means you can plane bigger boards. A deeper cut lets you remove more wood at once.
- Motor Power: A stronger motor is better. It handles tough wood. It also prevents the motor from bogging down.
- Knife Type: Planers use knives to shave wood. Some use straight knives. Others use spiral cutterheads. Spiral cutterheads are often quieter. They also make smoother cuts.
- Dust Collection: Woodworking creates a lot of dust. Good dust collection keeps your shop clean. It also protects your lungs.
- Infeed and Outfeed Tables: These tables support the wood. They help you feed the wood into the planer safely. They also support the wood as it comes out.
- Portability: Bench planers are heavy. Some have handles for easier moving. Think about where you’ll use the planer.
Important Materials
The materials used affect the planer’s quality.
- Steel: Steel is used for the cutterhead and knives. It needs to be strong and sharp.
- Cast Iron: Cast iron is used for the base and tables. It’s heavy and stable. This helps reduce vibrations.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is sometimes used for parts. It is lighter than cast iron. It can be used for some tables.
- Plastics: Some parts may be made of plastic. Look for durable plastics.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a planer good or bad.
- Build Quality: A well-built planer lasts longer. Check the materials. Look at how the parts fit together.
- Blade Quality: Sharp, high-quality blades are important. They make cleaner cuts. They also last longer.
- Accuracy: Check the planer’s accuracy. It should plane wood flat and even.
- Vibration: Less vibration is better. Vibration makes the cut rough.
- Ease of Use: A good planer is easy to adjust and use. Look for clear controls.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the planer matters.
- User Experience: Read reviews to see what other users say. See if the planer is easy to set up. Also, see how easy it is to use.
- Use Cases: Planers are used for many projects. You can plane boards for furniture. You can plane wood for doors and windows. Planers also make wood smooth for crafts.
Bench Planer FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about bench planers.
Q: What is a bench planer used for?
A: A bench planer makes wood smooth and flat. It removes wood to make the board the right thickness.
Q: What’s the difference between a bench planer and a jointer?
A: A jointer makes one side of a board flat. A planer makes the whole board the same thickness.
Q: What size bench planer do I need?
A: Choose a planer based on the size of the wood you’ll use. For small projects, a smaller planer is fine.
Q: How do I choose the right motor size?
A: A bigger motor is better. It handles thicker wood. It also prevents the motor from stalling.
Q: What are the advantages of a spiral cutterhead?
A: Spiral cutterheads make smoother cuts. They are also quieter than straight knives.
Q: How do I maintain my bench planer?
A: Keep the blades sharp. Clean the planer after each use. Lubricate moving parts.
Q: How do I adjust the depth of cut?
A: Most planers have a knob or lever to adjust the depth of cut. You adjust the height of the cutterhead.
Q: What safety precautions should I take?
A: Always wear safety glasses. Use a dust mask. Keep your hands away from the cutterhead.
Q: What kind of wood can I plane?
A: You can plane many kinds of wood. Check the planer’s manual for limits.
Q: Where can I buy a bench planer?
A: You can buy bench planers at woodworking stores. You can also buy them online.
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!