So You’re Looking to Buy a Benchtop Planer?
There are tons of options out there when it comes to buying a Benchtop Planer. For your convenience, I’ve gone ahead and included 5 different models that are more than capable of getting the job done for beginner, advanced, and professional woodworkers.
In no particular order:
WEN 6552 3-Blade 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer, 13″
Details:
- Onboard material removal gauge informs users about the cutting depth of each pass
- Plane boards up to 6 Inch thick and 13 Inch wide
- 15A motor generates 25,500 cuts per minute at a 26 feet per minute feed rate
- Three-blade design makes easy work out of even the hardest of woods
- Fan-assisted dust port removes sawdust from work piece
WEN 6550 12.5-Inch 15A Benchtop Thickness Planer with Granite Table
Details:
- Granite table provides a sturdy non-marring surface for wood to smoothly travel over
- Plane boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide
- 12A motor generates 18,800 cuts per minute at a 26 feet per minute feed rate
- Adjust depth to plane off anywhere from 0 to 3/32 of an inch with each pass
- Fan-assisted dust port removes sawdust from workpiece
DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness Planer Package, 13-Inch
Details:
- Powerful 15 AMP, 20,000 RPM motor (10,000 RPM cutterhead speed) handles larger cuts in wider materials with ease
- Three knife cutter-head delivers 30% longer knife life and makes knife change faster and easier
- Two speed gear box allows users to change feed speed to optimizing cuts per inch at 96 or 179 CPI
- Fan-assisted chip ejection vacuums chips off of the cutter-head and exhausts them out of the machine
- Includes infeed and outfeed tables and an extra set of knives.Drop feed rate to 14 feet/min.
DEWALT DW734 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer
Details:
- Powerful 15-amp, 20,000 RPM motor handles larger, deeper cuts in hardwoods
- Three knife cutter-head with 10,000 RPM provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the finest finishes of any portable planer
- Disposible, reversible knives deliver 30 percent more knife life and make knife change fast and easy
- Four-column carriage lock drastically reduces the movement that causes snipe
- Extra-long infeed and outfeed tables provide 33-1/2 inches of material support
Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer with Interna-Lok Automated Head Clamp
Details:
- Compact with less weight for easy transporting to the jobsite
- Engineered for faster, easier blade changes
- Low noise (83dB) for operator comfort
- 4-post design and diagonal cross supports for stability
- Large table extensions to support the workpiece
- Fully adjustable depth stop for repeat cuts
- L.E.D. light indicates that the planer is plugged into the power source
Conclusion
I’ve said it before, but I’m a big fan of the DEWALT DW734. The price point is reasonable, and I’ve more than put mine through the ringer. I also love how incredibly easy it is to switch out the blades once they do begin to dull — I still haven’t had to change mine, and I’ve ran 1000s of board feet through.
Weigh the pros and cons of each unit. Ponder it long and hard, and I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with a tool that fits your budget and needs.
Keep on Craftin’
-Michael