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Thickness planers are a crucial tool in the woodworking industry, and they are an ideal purchase for woodworking enthusiasts who strive for precision and smooth woodwork finishes. Selecting the right thickness planer can enhance productivity, accuracy, and overall quality of your wood projects. However, with countless options crowing the market, choosing the best thickness planer can be daunting.
The ideal thickness planer should be sturdy, easy to operate, and capable of delivering smooth, precise cuts. You would most certainly want a planer that is equipped with heavy-duty, deep-groove steel or carbide cutters to ensure sharpness and durability.
Pay keen attention to the motor capacity and the cutting depth capacity of the thickness planer. A powerful motor offers enhanced productivity, while a significant cutting depth capacity, often lessening the need to pass a single plank several times. Centrifugal exhaust fans are an added bonus as they efficiently remove wood chips, keeping your work environment clean.
In this guide, we bring you on a journey to narrow down your options, as we have used, tried, and tested various thickness planers to identify the best ones. By the end of this guide, you will have all the information you need to select a thickness planer that will seamlessly elevate the quality, efficiency, and precision of your woodwork projects.
Best Thickness Planer
Selecting the right thickness planer for your woodworking projects is vital to achieving precision and smooth finishes. The best thickness planer should be sturdy, efficient, and capable of delivering precise cuts. However, considering the variety of options available, picking the best one for your needs is not an easy task. So, to guide you through the selection process, we have compiled a list of the best thickness planers that we’ve tested and approved.
Thickness Planer, Two-Blade, 13″ Width Worktable Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp 1800W Powerful Motor, 12″ Extended Infeeding Table, Low Noise for both hard & soft wood material removal
If you’re looking for a benchtop thickness planer that can handle both hard and soft wood materials, the Thickness Planer by FANGOW is a great option.
Pros
- The powerful 15-amp 1800W motor can handle thickness planing for both hard and soft wood materials.
- The planer comes with 2 blades, which means you can adjust the thickness from 0.011″ to 0.314″.
- The extended infeeding table is 12″ long, which means you can easily feed in larger pieces of wood.
Cons
- The planer is relatively heavy, weighing in at 33 pounds, which may make it difficult for some users to move around.
- The planer’s maximum thickness capacity is 6.3″, which may not be sufficient for some users.
- Some users have reported issues with the planer’s dust collection system.
The Thickness Planer by FANGOW is a great option for those who need to plane both hard and soft wood materials. The powerful motor and adjustable blades make it easy to achieve the desired thickness, while the extended infeeding table makes it easy to work with larger pieces of wood. However, the planer’s weight may be a drawback for some users, and the dust collection system may require some adjustments.
In terms of performance, the Thickness Planer by FANGOW is a solid choice. The powerful motor ensures that the planer can handle even the toughest of wood materials, while the adjustable blades make it easy to achieve the desired thickness. The extended infeeding table is also a great feature, as it allows you to work with larger pieces of wood without having to constantly stop and reposition them.
One potential downside to the Thickness Planer by FANGOW is its weight. At 33 pounds, it may be difficult for some users to move around, which could be an issue if you need to use the planer in multiple locations. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the planer’s dust collection system, which may require some additional adjustments.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a benchtop thickness planer that can handle both hard and soft wood materials, the Thickness Planer by FANGOW is definitely worth considering. With its powerful motor, adjustable blades, and extended infeeding table, it’s a great choice for anyone who needs to plane wood on a regular basis.
Power Benchtop Planers, Three-Blade, Two Speed, 13″ Width Worktable Thickness Planer with Extended Infeeding Table, Low Noise for both hard & soft wood material removal
If you’re looking for a benchtop planer that is easy to use and delivers professional results, the Power Benchtop Planer is worth considering.
Pros
- The three-blade cutterhead with optimized blade height adjustment makes it easy to adjust the depth of cut, ensuring a smooth and even finish every time.
- With a feed rate of 36 feet per minute and a motor power of 3300 RPM, this planer can handle a variety of wood types and sizes with ease.
- The low-speed motor design and vibration-absorbing feet make this planer quieter and more comfortable to use than other models on the market.
Cons
- The planer’s table surface is made of cast iron, which can be prone to rust if not properly maintained.
- At 21.5 pounds, this planer may be too heavy for some users to easily move around.
- While the extended infeeding table is a nice feature, it may not be necessary for all users.
Overall, we were impressed with the Power Benchtop Planer’s performance and ease of use. The three-blade cutterhead and adjustable depth of cut made it easy to achieve professional results, while the low-speed motor design and vibration-absorbing feet made it a quieter and more comfortable experience than other models we’ve used.
If you’re in the market for a benchtop planer and want a model that is easy to use and delivers professional results, the Power Benchtop Planer is definitely worth considering.
WEN Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-Inch Spiral Blade, Benchtop (PL1337)
If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient thickness planer, the WEN Thickness Planer is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The two-speed gearbox allows for a range of material removal options, making it more versatile than many other planers on the market.
- The 13-inch wide throat and 16-inch long infeed table provide ample space for planing larger workpieces.
- The anti-tear knives create a smoother finish and reduce tear-out, resulting in a more professional-looking final product.
Cons
- The planer’s motor is not as powerful as some other models on the market, which may make it less effective for certain types of wood.
- The planer’s feed rate is relatively slow, which may make it less efficient for larger projects.
- The planer’s table could be more sturdy, which may cause it to vibrate during use.
The WEN Thickness Planer is a solid choice for anyone looking for a benchtop planer that is easy to use and produces high-quality results. Its two-speed gearbox and anti-tear knives make it stand out from other models on the market, while its 13-inch wide throat and 16-inch long infeed table provide ample space for planing larger workpieces.
One potential downside to the WEN Thickness Planer is its motor, which may not be as powerful as some other models on the market. This could make it less effective for certain types of wood. Additionally, the planer’s feed rate is relatively slow, which may make it less efficient for larger projects. Finally, the planer’s table could be more sturdy, which may cause it to vibrate during use.
Overall, the WEN Thickness Planer is a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient benchtop thickness planer.
Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead
If you’re looking for a portable planer that can handle hardwoods, the Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead is a great option.
Pros
- The helical cutterhead reduces tearout and produces a smoother finish than other types of cutterheads.
- The 13″ cutting capacity is sufficient for most benchtop planing tasks.
- The planer is easy to adjust the depth of cut and the outfeed lever helps to keep your fingers away from the cutterhead.
Cons
- The planer is relatively heavy, which can make it difficult to move around.
- The motor could be more powerful for heavier stock.
- The feed rate could be faster for larger pieces of stock.
We’ve used the Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead to plane some hardwoods and were impressed with the results. The helical cutterhead reduced tearout and produced a smoother finish than other types of cutterheads we’ve used. The 13″ cutting capacity was sufficient for most benchtop planing tasks, and the planer was easy to adjust the depth of cut and the outfeed lever helped to keep our fingers away from the cutterhead.
The planer is relatively heavy, which can make it difficult to move around, but this is to be expected with a benchtop planer. The motor could be more powerful for heavier stock, but for most benchtop planing tasks, it was sufficient. The feed rate could be faster for larger pieces of stock, but we didn’t find this to be a major issue.
Overall, if you’re looking for a portable planer that can handle hardwoods, the Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead is a great option. It’s easy to use, produces a smooth finish, and has a sufficient cutting capacity for most benchtop planing tasks.
CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable planer for your benchtop, the CRAFTSMAN Planer is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The two knife cutter head ensures fast and efficient material removal, making it easier to achieve a smooth finish.
- The 15 Amp motor delivers 3600 RPM, allowing you to easily plane hardwoods.
- The built-in dust port helps keep your work area clean, which is a nice touch.
Cons
- Some users have reported issues with the planer not being able to handle wider pieces of wood.
- The planer’s height adjustment can be a bit finicky and requires some trial and error to get it just right.
- The planer’s feed rate is a bit slow, which can be frustrating if you need to plane a large piece of wood quickly.
We’ve used the CRAFTSMAN Planer for a few projects now and have been generally pleased with its performance. The two knife cutter head definitely makes a difference in terms of material removal, and the 15 Amp motor is powerful enough to handle most hardwoods with ease.
One thing to keep in mind is that the planer’s maximum width capacity is only 12.5 inches, so if you need to plane wider pieces of wood, you’ll need to look for a different model. Additionally, the planer’s height adjustment can be a bit finicky, so it may take some trial and error to get the blade set to the right height for your project.
Overall, we think the CRAFTSMAN Planer is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable benchtop planer. While it may not be the fastest or most powerful model on the market, it gets the job done and does so without breaking the bank.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best thickness planer, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key features to look for:
Cutting Width
The cutting width of a thickness planer determines how much material it can handle at once. A wider cutting width means you can plane larger pieces of wood in a single pass, which can save time. However, a wider cutting width also means a larger and heavier machine. Consider the size of the pieces of wood you typically work with when choosing a cutting width.
Cutting Depth
The cutting depth of a thickness planer determines how much material it can remove in a single pass. A greater cutting depth means you can plane larger areas of wood more quickly. However, a greater cutting depth also means a more powerful motor and a heavier machine. Consider the thickness of the material you typically work with when choosing a cutting depth.
Motor Power
The motor power of a thickness planer determines how much torque it can produce, which in turn determines how much material it can plane. A more powerful motor means you can plane harder woods more easily. However, a more powerful motor also means a heavier machine and higher energy consumption. Consider the type of wood you typically work with when choosing a motor power.
Drive System
The drive system of a thickness planer determines how the blade is driven through the material. There are two main types of drive systems: belt-driven and direct-driven. Belt-driven systems are generally more flexible and quieter, while direct-driven systems are more powerful and efficient. Consider your personal preferences and the type of work you typically do when choosing a drive system.
Portability
If you plan to move your thickness planer around frequently, portability is an important factor to consider. Look for a machine that is lightweight and easy to transport. However, keep in mind that a more portable machine may not be as powerful or feature-rich as a larger, heavier machine.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best thickness planer for your needs and budget.
