Ever tried to make a wonky piece of wood perfectly flat? It’s a common woodworking challenge! If you’re tired of uneven surfaces and spending hours trying to sand them smooth, a table top planer might be your new best friend. But with so many different types and brands out there, how do you pick the one that’s just right for your projects?
Choosing the wrong planer can lead to frustration, wasted money, and disappointing results. You want a tool that’s easy to use, powerful enough for your needs, and won’t break the bank. This is where understanding the basics becomes super important.
In this post, we’ll break down what makes a great table top planer. You’ll learn about the key features to look for, how to compare different models, and tips to get the best performance. By the end, you’ll feel confident picking the perfect planer to transform your woodworking projects from good to great!
Our Top 5 Table Top 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 | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
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CRAFTSMAN Planer | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
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DEWALT Benchtop Planer | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
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VEVOR Thickness Planer – 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
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WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Table Top Planer Detailed Reviews
1. WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 9.1/10
The WEN PL1252 is a powerful benchtop thickness planer designed for woodworkers. It can smooth out rough lumber, making your projects look professional. This planer handles boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide, which is great for many woodworking tasks.
What We Like:
- It planes boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide, giving you flexibility.
- The 15-amp motor is strong and provides 20,000 cuts per minute.
- It comes with two sharp, reversible 12.5-inch SK5 blades.
- You can adjust the cutting depth from 0 to 1/8 inch per pass, allowing for precise control.
- The feed rate of 26 feet per minute helps you work efficiently.
What Could Be Improved:
- Benchtop planers can create a lot of dust, so a dust collection system is highly recommended.
- While powerful, it’s a benchtop model, so very large or heavy pieces might be challenging to manage.
This planer makes it easy to achieve smooth, flat surfaces on your wood. It’s a solid tool for anyone looking to improve their woodworking results.
2. CRAFTSMAN Planer
Rating: 8.5/10
The CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 benchtop planer is a powerful tool designed for woodworkers. Its robust 15-amp motor handles both hard and soft woods with ease. This planer is built to help you achieve smooth, flat surfaces on your lumber, making it a valuable addition to any workshop.
What We Like:
- The 15-amp motor easily tackles both hard and soft wood.
- The poly-v cutterhead drive helps remove a lot of wood quickly.
- It has a two-knife, solid steel cutter head that spins smoothly on ball bearings.
- The reversible, double-edged knives are made of high carbon steel, so they last a long time.
- A dust collection port helps keep your workspace clean.
What Could Be Improved:
- The instruction manual could be clearer about setup and blade changes.
- While good for its price, some users might desire a more powerful motor for very demanding jobs.
Overall, the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 offers solid performance for its class. It’s a dependable tool for DIYers and hobbyists looking to improve their woodworking projects.
3. DEWALT Benchtop Planer
Rating: 9.3/10
The DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Planer is a serious tool for woodworkers. It’s built to tackle tough jobs, making your wood smooth and ready for your projects. This planer has a strong motor that can handle even hard woods with ease. You’ll get a great finish every time you use it.
What We Like:
- The powerful 15-amp motor with 20,000 RPM easily cuts through hardwoods.
- Its three-knife cutter head spins at 10,000 RPM, giving you a super smooth finish with 96 cuts per inch.
- The reversible knives last longer and are quick to change.
- The four-column lock stops snipe, which is when the planer cuts too deep at the ends.
- Extra-long tables support your wood well, giving you 33-1/2 inches of space.
- It’s easy to get accurate cuts with the material removal gauge and large thickness scale.
- The turret depth stop lets you quickly go back to your favorite depths.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, it is a corded tool, which means you need to be near an outlet.
- Some users might find the noise level to be significant.
This DEWALT planer is a fantastic tool for anyone serious about woodworking. It delivers excellent results and makes planing wood much easier.
4. VEVOR Thickness Planer – 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer
Rating: 9.4/10
The VEVOR Thickness Planer is a powerful 13-inch benchtop wood planer designed for woodworking enthusiasts. With its 2000W motor and 8000 RPM cutter head, it easily handles wider materials and takes on tougher jobs. This planer boasts a 15 AMP power draw, a 6m/min planing speed, and a sturdy iron stand, making it a reliable tool for any workshop. It’s built to give old, worn wood a smooth new finish.
What We Like:
- The 2000W motor provides plenty of power for thick cuts and wide boards.
- Foldable tables and a detachable stand offer extra workspace and easy storage.
- The automatic feeding design makes operation simpler and safer.
- Height adjustment is easy with a comfortable crank handle.
- The dust exhaust system helps keep your workspace clean.
- It can plane a variety of materials, not just wood.
What Could Be Improved:
- The feeding speed is fixed at 6m/min, limiting options for different finishes.
- While foldable, the overall footprint when set up might still be considerable for very small spaces.
Overall, the VEVOR Thickness Planer offers robust performance and user-friendly features for achieving smooth, professional-looking results on your woodworking projects.
5. WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
Rating: 8.8/10
The WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer is a powerful tool for woodworkers. It helps you make your wood projects smooth and perfect. This planer can handle many types of wood and makes your work easier.
What We Like:
- Its spiral cutterhead has 26 sharp blades that spin. This gives you a super smooth finish on your wood.
- The blades are made of high-speed steel (HSS). They are also rotatable, meaning you can turn them when they get dull.
- It has a special gauge. This tells you how much wood it cuts off with each pass.
- You can plane boards up to 6 inches thick. It can also handle boards 13 inches wide.
- The strong 15-amp motor spins at 10,000 RPM. It feeds wood at 26 feet per minute, so it works fast.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users found that the dust collection system could be better.
- While powerful, it is a benchtop model, so it might not be ideal for very large professional shops.
The WEN PL1326 is a fantastic planer for anyone looking to improve their woodworking. It offers great features at a good price, making it a solid addition to your workshop.
Choosing the Right Table Top Planer: Your Woodworking Companion
Why You Need a Table Top Planer
A table top planer is a fantastic tool for any woodworker, from beginners to seasoned pros. It helps you smooth out rough lumber, make boards the same thickness, and create beautiful, finished wood pieces. Think of it as your secret weapon for making your woodworking projects look professionally done.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for a table top planer, keep these important features in mind:
- Motor Power: More horsepower means the planer can handle tougher woods and take deeper cuts without bogging down. Look for at least 10 amps for most home projects.
- Cutting Width (Rebate Capacity): This is how wide a board the planer can handle. A 12-inch or 13-inch width is common and works for most projects.
- Depth of Cut: This tells you how much wood the planer can remove in one pass. A good planer lets you adjust this easily.
- Number of Knives: Most table top planers have two knives. Some higher-end models have four, which can give a smoother finish and last longer between sharpenings.
- Dust Collection: Planing creates a lot of sawdust. A good dust collection port is essential to keep your workspace clean and your lungs healthy.
- Speed of Feed: This is how fast the wood moves through the planer. A variable feed rate gives you more control for different types of wood and desired finishes.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used in a planer greatly affect its durability and performance. The main body is usually made of sturdy cast iron or heavy-gauge steel. This weight helps keep the planer stable and reduces vibrations. The cutter head, where the knives are, is often made of hardened steel for strength and longevity. A solid, well-built planer will last you many years.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make a planer great, while others can be disappointing.
- Improves Quality:
- A powerful motor means smoother cuts.
- A well-balanced cutter head reduces snipe (uneven cuts at the ends of the wood).
- A solid base and good dust collection make using the planer a pleasure.
- Easy-to-adjust depth settings help you get precise results.
- Reduces Quality:
- A weak motor struggles with harder woods.
- Wobbly construction leads to uneven planing.
- Poor dust collection makes a mess.
- Difficult-to-use adjustments can frustrate you.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using a table top planer is straightforward. You feed your rough lumber into the machine, and it comes out smooth and flat. It’s perfect for:
- Flattening rough-sawn lumber: Get rid of saw marks and uneven surfaces.
- Dimensioning boards: Make all your boards the exact same thickness for projects like tabletops or cabinets.
- Creating smooth surfaces: Prepare wood for finishing, painting, or staining.
- Resurfacing old wood: Give new life to reclaimed lumber.
A good table top planer makes these tasks much easier and faster. It saves you time and effort compared to hand planing or sanding. The ease of use means you can focus on the creative side of woodworking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main purpose of a table top planer?
A: A table top planer smooths rough wood and makes boards the same thickness.
Q: How much motor power should I look for?
A: For most home projects, aim for at least 10 amps of motor power.
Q: What does “cutting width” mean on a planer?
A: Cutting width is the widest board the planer can accept and plane.
Q: Are more knives better on a planer?
A: Yes, planers with more knives (like four) often give a smoother finish.
Q: Is dust collection important on a planer?
A: Yes, it is very important to keep your workspace clean and healthy.
Q: What does “snipe” mean in planing?
A: Snipe is when the planer leaves uneven cuts at the beginning or end of a board.
Q: Can a table top planer handle hardwoods?
A: A planer with more powerful motor can handle hardwoods better.
Q: How often do I need to sharpen or replace the planer knives?
A: This depends on the wood you plane and how often you use it. Sharpen or replace them when you notice rough cuts.
Q: Is a table top planer suitable for a beginner woodworker?
A: Yes, they are a great tool for beginners to improve their woodworking projects.
Q: What is the best way to clean a table top planer?
A: Always unplug the planer first. Then, use a brush or compressed air to remove sawdust from the cutter head and internal parts.
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!