For those in woodworking looking to attain smooth, precise surfaces in their projects, thickness planers are essential tools. These instruments are particularly skilled at efficiently removing layers of wood to ensure a uniform thickness. Choosing the right thickness planer can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your work. Therefore, before making a purchase, it’s important to evaluate aspects like blade speed, cutting capacity, dust management, and other key features.
In this guide, we’ve meticulously researched, tested, and analyzed various thickness planers in the market to highlight the ones we consider the best. These thickness planers have been scrutinized considering their performance, build quality, ease of use, and value for money. With the comprehensive information provided in this piece, you will be well-equipped to make an informed decision and purchase the best thickness planer that suits your needs.
Best Thickness Planer
Selecting the ideal thickness planer will significantly impact the quality of your wood projects. The right tool should offer precision, smooth operating capacity, an adjustable cutting depth, and most importantly, it must be easy to use. Considering the myriad of options in the market, making an informed decision could be daunting. In this guide, we’ve gathered and evaluated a list of the best thickness planers out there, delivering an all-encompassing information base to help you make an optimal choice.
Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead
If you’re looking for a benchtop planer that’s easy to use and delivers professional results, the Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead is a great option.
Pros
- The helical cutterhead and knives leave a superior finish and are more durable than standard planer knives.
- The planer is easy to adjust and can be set to take off 1/64″ to 1/32″ thicknesses per pass.
- The planer is easy to move around and store due to its compact size.
Cons
- The planer can only handle boards up to 12.5″ wide, which may limit its versatility for some users.
- The planer may not be suitable for heavy-duty planing tasks.
- The planer’s motor may be a bit underpowered for some users.
We’ve used the Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead for a few weeks now and have been impressed with its performance. The helical cutterhead and knives leave a superior finish and are more durable than standard planer knives, which means less time spent on maintenance and more time spent on creating beautiful projects.
One of the things we really like about this planer is how easy it is to adjust. You can set it to take off 1/64″ to 1/32″ thicknesses per pass, which means you can achieve the perfect finish every time. Plus, the planer is easy to move around and store due to its compact size, which is a huge plus if you’re working in a smaller shop.
While the planer can only handle boards up to 12.5″ wide, which may limit its versatility for some users, it’s still a great option for most DIYers and hobbyists. However, if you’re looking for a planer that can handle heavier-duty tasks, you may want to consider a more powerful model.
Overall, we highly recommend the Grizzly Industrial G0940-13″ 2 HP Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead to anyone in the market for a reliable and easy-to-use benchtop planer.
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
If you’re looking for a powerful and portable planer, the DEWALT Benchtop Planer is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The 15-amp, 3-knife cutterhead provides a cutting capacity of 1/4 in. at a rate of 20,000 RPM, allowing for fast and efficient material removal.
- The adjustable twin-bearing cutterhead supports and planing depth stop ensure precise and accurate cuts, while the rear outfeed support keeps the material on track and in contact with the cutters.
- The 12-1/2-inch planing capacity and compact size make it easy to use on a variety of projects, while the rear dust port with 1-1/4 inch diameter ensures a clean and efficient workspace.
Cons
- The 3-1/8 inch cutting depth may not be sufficient for some projects.
- The planer is quite heavy, weighing in at 45 pounds, which may make it difficult to move around.
- The planer’s feed rate of 36 feet per minute may not be as high as some other models on the market.
Overall, we found the DEWALT Benchtop Planer to be a reliable and efficient tool for planing lumber and other materials. Its adjustable cutterhead and rear outfeed support ensure precise and accurate cuts, while its compact size and rear dust port make it easy to use on a variety of projects. However, its 3-1/8 inch cutting depth may not be sufficient for some projects, and its weight and feed rate may be limiting factors for some users.
If you’re looking for a powerful and portable planer that can handle a variety of projects, the DEWALT Benchtop Planer is definitely worth considering. Its 15-amp, 3-knife cutterhead provides fast and efficient material removal, while its adjustable twin-bearing cutterhead supports and planing depth stop ensure precise and accurate cuts. Its compact size and rear dust port make it easy to use on a variety of projects, while its rear outfeed support keeps the material on track and in contact with the cutters. However, its 3-1/8 inch cutting depth may not be sufficient for some projects, and its weight and feed rate may be limiting factors for some users.
DEWALT Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-inch, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
If you’re looking for a reliable thickness planer that can handle heavy-duty tasks, the DEWALT DW735X might be the right choice for you.
Pros
- The two-speed range of 16,000 and 20,000 RPM allows for efficient material removal and superior finish.
- The three-knife cutterhead reduces tearout and produces a smoother finish.
- The rear outfeed roller with an integrated support bracket minimizes deflection for improved cutting performance.
Cons
- The planer is quite heavy, which can make it difficult to move around.
- The dust collection could be better.
- The planer is quite loud, which can be a problem if you’re working in a quiet environment.
We’ve used the DEWALT DW735X to plane some hardwood lumber, and we were impressed with its performance. The two-speed range allowed us to adjust the planer to the material we were working with, and the three-knife cutterhead produced a smooth finish.
One thing to note is that the planer is quite heavy, which can make it difficult to move around. However, the rear outfeed roller with an integrated support bracket helps to minimize deflection for improved cutting performance.
The dust collection could be better, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The planer is also quite loud, which can be a problem if you’re working in a quiet environment.
Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable thickness planer that can handle heavy-duty tasks, the DEWALT DW735X is a solid choice.
Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer
If you’re looking for a portable planer that can handle thicker stock, the Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer is a great option.
Pros
- The 13″ cutter head allows for planning of thicker stock, up to 1-3/8″.
- The planer has a 20% larger planing capacity than the previous model, making it more efficient.
- The rear outfeed roller helps to feed and support the stock as it exits the planer, resulting in a smoother finish.
Cons
- The planer is relatively heavy, weighing in at 68 pounds.
- The planer is quite loud during operation.
- The planer is not the most portable option available, due to its size and weight.
We’ve had the opportunity to use and test the Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer, and we’ve been impressed with its performance. The 13″ cutter head allows for planning of thicker stock, which is a great feature for those who need to work with larger pieces of wood.
The planer is also more efficient than its predecessor, with a 20% larger planing capacity. This means that you can get more work done in less time, which is a huge plus for those who are short on time.
One of the standout features of this planer is the rear outfeed roller. This helps to feed and support the stock as it exits the planer, resulting in a smoother finish. This is especially important for those who need to produce high-quality work.
While the planer is relatively heavy and not the most portable option available, it is still a great choice for those who need to work with thicker stock. The extra weight helps to keep the planer stable during operation, which is important for producing accurate results.
Overall, we highly recommend the Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer to anyone who needs to work with thicker stock. It is a reliable, efficient, and accurate tool that will help you get the job done quickly and easily.
CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
If you’re looking for a powerful planer that can handle thick pieces of wood, the CRAFTSMAN Planer is a great option.
Pros
- The two-knife cutterhead design reduces snipe and tearout, ensuring a smooth and professional finish.
- The rear outfeed support helps to keep your workpiece stable and flat, preventing wobbling or deflection.
- The large, easy-to-read depth adjustment scale makes it simple to set the cutting depth to your desired thickness.
Cons
- The planer is quite heavy, which can make it difficult to move around or adjust on the fly.
- The motor can be a bit loud, which may not be ideal for a home workshop.
- The planer requires a dedicated 15-amp circuit, which may not be feasible for all users.
We’ve been using the CRAFTSMAN Planer for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The two-knife cutterhead design is particularly impressive, as it reduces snipe and tearout to a minimum. The rear outfeed support is also a nice touch, as it helps to keep your workpiece stable and flat.
One thing to keep in mind is that the planer is quite heavy, which can make it difficult to move around or adjust on the fly. Additionally, the motor can be a bit loud, which may not be ideal for a home workshop. Finally, the planer requires a dedicated 15-amp circuit, which may not be feasible for all users.
Overall, we think the CRAFTSMAN Planer is a great option for anyone looking for a powerful and precise planer. With its two-knife cutterhead design and rear outfeed support, it’s sure to deliver a smooth and professional finish every time.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best thickness planer, there are several factors to consider. These factors will help ensure that you choose a planer that meets your needs and provides accurate results.
Cutting Width
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a thickness planer is the cutting width. The cutting width determines how much material the planer can remove in a single pass. A wider cutting width means that the planer can remove more material in a single pass, which can save time. However, a wider cutting width also means that the planer will be larger and heavier, which can make it more difficult to maneuver.
Cutting Depth
Another important factor to consider is the cutting depth. The cutting depth determines how much material the planer can remove in total. A deeper cutting depth means that the planer can remove more material, which can be useful for thicker pieces of wood. However, a deeper cutting depth also means that the planer will be more powerful and heavier, which can make it more difficult to maneuver.
Motor Power
The motor power is another important factor to consider. The motor power determines how much torque the planer can generate, which can affect how well it can handle thicker pieces of wood. A more powerful motor can also make the planer faster, which can save time. However, a more powerful motor also means that the planer will be heavier and more expensive.
Feed Rate
The feed rate determines how quickly the planer can move through the material. A faster feed rate can save time, but it can also increase the risk of the planer catching and damaging the material. A slower feed rate can help reduce the risk of damage, but it can also take longer to complete the task.
Dust Collection
Finally, it is important to consider the dust collection system. A good dust collection system can help keep the workspace clean and prevent dust from getting in the eyes and lungs. Look for a planer with a powerful dust collection system that can effectively remove dust and debris.
In summary, when choosing a thickness planer, consider the cutting width, cutting depth, motor power, feed rate, and dust collection system. By considering these factors, you can find a planer that meets your needs and provides accurate results.
