Ever dreamed of making your woodworking projects perfectly smooth and flat? Imagine taking rough lumber and transforming it into a piece of art, ready for sanding and finishing. That’s the magic a planer thicknesser brings to your workshop!
But let’s be honest, picking the right planer thicknesser can feel like navigating a maze. There are so many different sizes, features, and price tags out there. It’s easy to get lost and worry about making the wrong choice, wasting your hard-earned money on a machine that doesn’t quite fit your needs. You want a tool that makes your work easier, not harder.
This post is here to clear the confusion. We’ll break down what you need to know to find the perfect planer thicknesser for your projects. By the end, you’ll feel confident in your decision, ready to tackle any woodworking task with precision and ease. Let’s dive in and uncover the secrets to choosing the best planer thicknesser for your workshop!
Our Top 5 Planer Thicknesser Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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DEWALT Thickness Planer | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
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WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
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WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
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CRAFTSMAN Planer | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
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DEWALT Benchtop Planer | 8.5/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Planer Thicknesser Detailed Reviews
1. DEWALT Thickness Planer
Rating: 9.3/10
The DEWALT DW735X thickness planer is a powerful tool that helps woodworkers create smooth, flat surfaces on their projects. Its strong motor and sharp blades can handle various wood types, from soft pine to hard oak. This planer makes it easy to get professional-looking results, whether you’re building furniture or crafting decorative pieces.
What We Like:
- The 15 amp, 20,000 RPM motor easily planes thick wood.
- Three knives last longer and are simple to change.
- The two-speed gearbox lets you choose the best cut for your wood.
- A fan blows away wood chips, keeping your workspace clean.
- The sturdy base and folding tables provide stability.
- An automatic lock stops snipe, which is an uneven cut at the end of the wood.
- A depth gauge and large scale help you make precise cuts every time.
- A special stop lets you quickly set it to your favorite thicknesses.
- It comes with tables for the infeed and outfeed and an extra set of knives.
What Could Be Improved:
- The unit is quite heavy, making it harder to move.
- While good, the dust collection isn’t perfect and can still make a mess.
Overall, the DEWALT DW735X is a top-notch thickness planer that offers great performance and features for serious woodworkers. It’s a solid investment for anyone looking to improve their woodworking projects.
2. WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 9.3/10
The WEN PL1252 is a powerful benchtop thickness planer designed to smooth and flatten wood. It’s great for woodworking projects, big or small. This planer helps you get that perfect, smooth finish on your lumber.
What We Like:
- It planes boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide, which is very versatile.
- The 15-amp motor is strong. It makes 20,000 cuts per minute.
- It has a feed rate of 26 feet per minute, so it works quickly.
- The planer comes with two reversible 12.5-inch SK5 blades.
- You can adjust the depth from 0 to 1/8 of an inch with each pass. This gives you fine control.
What Could Be Improved:
- Benchtop planers can create a lot of dust, so a dust collection system is usually needed.
- While powerful, it’s a benchtop model, so it has limitations compared to larger, floor-standing planers.
The WEN PL1252 offers excellent performance for its size and price. It’s a solid choice for any home woodshop looking to improve their lumber.
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 woodworkers. It helps you smooth out rough lumber and make your wood projects look professional. This planer can handle wood pieces up to 6 inches thick and 13 inches wide, making it versatile for many jobs.
What We Like:
- It has a spiral cutterhead with 26 sharp blades. These blades are staggered and can be rotated, which gives you a very smooth finish on your wood.
- The planer has a special gauge that tells you how much wood it’s removing with each pass. This helps you control your cuts better.
- A strong 15-amp motor powers the planer. It spins the cutterhead at 10,000 RPM, and it feeds wood at a fast 26 feet per minute.
- It can plane boards up to 6 inches thick and 13 inches wide, so it works on many different sizes of wood.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the blades are sharp, they are made of High-Speed Steel (HSS). Some users might prefer carbide blades for even longer life and less sharpening.
- It’s a benchtop model, meaning it’s designed to sit on a workbench. For very large projects or continuous heavy use, a larger, stationary planer might be more suitable.
This planer is a solid choice for home woodworkers who want a smooth finish. It offers good power and features for its size.
4. CRAFTSMAN Planer
Rating: 9.4/10
The CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320) is a powerful tool for any woodworking project. It’s designed to make your wood smooth and flat, giving your projects a professional finish. This planer handles both hard and soft woods with ease, thanks to its strong 15 Amp motor.
What We Like:
- The 15 Amp motor packs enough power to easily tackle both hard and soft woods, making material removal a breeze.
- You get maximum stock removal thanks to the poly-v cutterhead drive, which means you can get more done in less time.
- The two-knife, quick-change solid steel cutter head runs on ball bearings for super smooth operation and a long lifespan.
- High carbon steel, double-edged, reversible knives mean you get a long cutting life, saving you money on replacements.
- A built-in vacuum port helps keep your workspace cleaner by collecting sawdust as you work.
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 knife system, while convenient, requires careful alignment to maintain optimal performance.
Overall, the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 planer offers impressive power and smooth performance for its class. It’s a solid choice for woodworkers looking for reliable results.
5. DEWALT Benchtop Planer
Rating: 8.5/10
Get ready to transform your wood projects with the DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Planer. This powerful tool is designed to give your lumber a smooth, professional finish. It’s built for woodworkers who need reliable performance and excellent results. Whether you’re working with softwoods or tough hardwoods, this planer makes smoothing and leveling wood easy.
What We Like:
- The strong 15-amp motor and fast 20,000 RPM speed make quick work of even hard woods, allowing for deeper cuts.
- Its three-knife cutter head spins at 10,000 RPM, creating 96 cuts per inch for a super smooth finish.
- The reversible knives last longer, and changing them is a breeze.
- A special four-column lock system greatly reduces snipe, which is an uneven cut at the end of the wood.
- Long infeed and outfeed tables give you plenty of support for longer pieces of wood.
- Easy-to-read scales help you make precise adjustments for perfect cuts every time.
- The turret depth stop lets you quickly go back to your favorite cutting depths.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, it’s a benchtop model, so it’s best suited for smaller to medium-sized projects rather than very large jobs.
- Some users might find the dust collection a bit lacking, so a good dust collector or shop vac is recommended.
The DEWALT DW734 planer is a solid choice for hobbyists and serious woodworkers alike. It delivers a fantastic finish and useful features that make planing wood a more enjoyable and efficient task.
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Planer Thicknesser
A planer thicknesser is a woodworking tool that makes your wood smooth and flat. It’s like magic for wood! This guide will help you pick the best one for your projects.
1. Key Features to Look For
A. Motor Power
More power means the machine can handle harder wood. Look for at least 1.5 horsepower (HP) for most home projects. Bigger jobs might need 2 HP or more.
B. Cutting Width and Depth
Cutting width is how wide a piece of wood the machine can handle. A 12-inch width is good for most projects. Cutting depth is how much wood it takes off in one pass. A good depth is about 1/8 inch.
C. Dust Collection
Woodworking makes a lot of dust. A good dust collection port helps keep your workshop clean. It connects to a shop vacuum or dust collector.
D. Table Adjustments
Easy-to-use knobs and levers make adjusting the cutting height simple. Look for smooth adjustments.
E. Safety Features
Safety is important! Look for a blade guard that covers the blades when not in use. An emergency stop button is also a good idea.
2. Important Materials
A. Cast Iron Construction
Machines with cast iron tables and bodies are heavier and more stable. This means less vibration, which leads to smoother cuts.
B. Steel Cutter Head
The cutter head holds the blades. A steel cutter head is strong and durable. Some machines have extra blades, which means smoother cuts and they last longer.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A. Vibration Control
Good planer thicknessers have rubber feet or a sturdy base to stop them from shaking. Less shaking means better results.
B. Noise Level
Some machines are louder than others. If noise is a concern, check reviews for quieter models.
C. Ease of Assembly
Some machines are easier to put together than others. Clear instructions and well-made parts help a lot.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
A. For Beginners
If you’re new to woodworking, a smaller, simpler machine is a good start. Look for one that is easy to set up and use.
B. For Enthusiasts and Professionals
If you do a lot of woodworking, you might need a more powerful machine with a wider cutting capacity. Machines with more features will save you time and give you better results.
C. Common Uses
Planer thicknessers are used to:
- Make rough lumber smooth and flat.
- Make boards the same thickness.
- Prepare wood for furniture making.
- Create perfectly flat surfaces for glue-ups.
Choosing the right planer thicknesser depends on your needs and budget. Think about the types of projects you do and the features that are most important to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the main difference between a planer and a thicknesser?
A1: A planer shaves one face of a board flat. A thicknesser makes the board the same thickness all the way through.
Q2: Do I need a planer thicknesser if I only do small projects?
A2: It depends. If you often work with rough lumber, it can be very helpful. For very small projects, you might be able to get by without one.
Q3: How often do I need to replace the blades?
A3: This depends on how much you use the machine and the type of wood you cut. You’ll know it’s time when the wood isn’t coming out smooth anymore.
Q4: Can I use a planer thicknesser on plywood?
A4: It’s best to avoid using them on plywood. Plywood can have voids and layers that can cause tear-out and damage the blades.
Q5: What kind of dust collection do I need?
A5: A shop vacuum with a good filter is a minimum. For heavy use, a dedicated dust collector is better.
Q6: Is a helical cutter head better than a straight blade cutter head?
A6: Yes, helical cutter heads usually leave a smoother finish and are quieter. They also have multiple small inserts that can be rotated, so you don’t have to replace the whole blade.
Q7: How much space do I need for a planer thicknesser?
A7: You need enough space to feed wood into the machine and to move around it safely. Check the machine’s dimensions and add extra space for dust collection.
Q8: Can I plane very warped wood?
A8: A planer thicknesser can help with some warping, but severely warped wood might need to be straightened with another tool first.
Q9: What is the warranty usually like?
A9: Warranties vary by brand and model. Most offer at least one year of coverage. Check the product details for specific warranty information.
Q10: Where can I find replacement blades?
A10: Replacement blades are usually available from the manufacturer or from specialized woodworking tool suppliers.
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!