Reddit mentions: The best power benchtop planers
We found 41 Reddit comments discussing the best power benchtop planers. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 9 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. DEWALT 13-Inch Thickness Planer - Three Knife, Two speed, DW735X model
- Purchase includes one stationary 13" Planer, in/out feed tables with fasteners (attached to the base of the Planer base), extra blades and dust hose adapter. Stand is not included.
- Three knife cutter head of the thickness planer delivers 30% longer knife life and makes knife change faster and easier
- Two-speed gear box of the wood planer allows users to change feed speed to optimizing cuts per inch at 96 or 179 CPI
- Fan-assisted chip ejection vacuums chip off of the cutter head and exhausts them out of the machine
- 19-3/4-inch cast aluminum base is 2 times more rigid than a standard 10-inch base and folding tables
- Automatic carriage lock reduces the movement that causes snipe without the need for manual engagement by the user
- Material removal gauge and extra large thickness scale deliver accurate cuts with every pass
- Extra large turret depth-stop allows users to return to most frequently used thicknesses with ease
- Includes infeed and outfeed tables and an extra set of knives
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Height | 18 Inches |
Length | 24 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | One Size |
Weight | 101 Pounds |
Width | 22 Inches |
2. DEWALT Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-Inch (DW735)
- 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-percent 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
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Height | 18.1 Inches |
Length | 24 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | One Size |
Weight | 45.36 pounds |
Width | 22 Inches |
3. DEWALT Benchtop Planer, Single Speed, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch (DW734)
Three knife cutter-head with 10,000 RPM provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the finest finishes of any portable planerDisposible, reversible knives deliver 30 percent more knife life and make knife change fast and easyFour-column carriage lock drastically reduces the movement that causes snipeExtra-lo...
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Height | 21 Inches |
Length | 24 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | One Size |
Weight | 80 Pounds |
Width | 17 Inches |
4. WEN 6550 Benchtop Thickness Planer, 12-1/2"
Granite table provides a sturdy non-marring surface for wood to smoothly travel overPlane boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide, adjust depth to plane off anywhere from 0 to 3/32 of an inch with each pass15-amp motor generates 18,800 cuts per minute at a 26 feet per minute feed rateFan-as...
Specs:
Height | 19 Inches |
Length | 23.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 12.5-Inch |
Width | 24 Inches |
5. WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Corded Thickness Planer
Onboard material removal gauge informs users about the cutting depth of each passPlane boards up to 6 in. T and 13 in. W15 Amp motor generates 25,500 cuts per minute at a 26 ft. per minute feed rate3-blade design makes easy work out of even the hardest of woodsFan-assisted dust port removes sawdust ...
Specs:
Height | 16 Inches |
Length | 25.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 66 Pounds |
Width | 21.75 Inches |
6. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer with Interna-Lok Automated Head Clamp
- 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
- Compact and lightweight for easy transporting to the job site
- Fastest and easiest blade change system on the market; uses disposable double edge blades
- Quietest (83dB) planer in its class
Features:
Specs:
Height | 15.7874015587 Inches |
Length | 30.3543306777 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 61.8837569434 Pounds |
Width | 19.0157480121 Inches |
7. WEN 6552 3-Blade 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer, 13"
Onboard material removal gauge informs users about the cutting depth of each passPlane boards up to 6 Inch thick and 13 Inch wide15A motor generates 25,500 cuts per minute at a 26 feet per minute feed rateThree-blade design makes easy work out of even the hardest of woodsFan-assisted dust port remov...
Specs:
Height | 16 Inches |
Length | 25.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 13-Inch |
Weight | 66 Pounds |
Width | 21.75 Inches |
8. Steel City Tool Works 40300H 13-Inch Bench Top Portable Planer with Helical Cutter Head 2 Sided Inserts
Helical Head has 26 Indexible HSS 2 Sided inserts for superior finish, longer cut time, and quieter operationIn-feed and Out-Feed tables offers extra support for large work pieces and folds up easily for storage or transportCutterhead Speed: 10000 RPMCapacity:Max.Width of Stk:13-Inch Max.Thickness ...
Specs:
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 13-Inch |
9. Powermatic 1791213 15HH 3 HP 15-Inch Planer with 230-Volt 1 Phase Byrd Shelix Helical Cutterhead
- HELICAL CUTTERHEAD WITH 74 FOUR-SIDED CARBIDE INSERTS: Smoother, quieter cutting and finer finish than conventional knives.
- ANGLED DUST CHUTE WITH 4" PORT: Provides efficient chip and dust collection.
- THREE V-BELTS: Transfer maximum power to the cutterhead.
- TWO-SPEED GEARBOX: Features an automatic chain tensioner.
- LARGE, CAST IRON HANDWHEEL: Positions table quickly and easily.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Yellow |
Height | 44 Inches |
Length | 48 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 502 Pounds |
Width | 28 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on power benchtop planers
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where power benchtop planers are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
> If something can save me hundreds of man-hours than it would be a worthy investment right?
You have a limited budget and plenty of free time, and you're a hobbyist, not a factory. Focus on purchases that improve the quality of your work and the capabilities of your shop. Efficiency can come later, once you have a good feel for where you're burning the most time.
> planers are expensive yes? or do I just get one for $500 and do some extra bonus sanding?
If I were buying new on a budget, it would be this one.
These things pop up used for $100-200 all the time because people buy them for a project or two then leave them to collect dust. You could save some $$ by going with a lightly used one.
> any suggestions on a hand plane or two and a backsaw?
Look for a used Stanley #4 or Millers Falls No.9.
Veritas makes a nice carcass saw that's not too expensive.
> 1/4" up-cut spiral bit - yep I honestly can't even see myself doing any other routing aside from mortising, I don't like profiled edges or anything like that so I would never use it for that, crossing the 1/8" bit off the list. To be honest I'm not crazy about routers, but if it's going to be necessary for making those joints I'll have to get one.
> Narex Chisels - sounds good, I'm not set on anything yet but something good quality will do for me. What are you using now?
Now I use Veritas PM-V11 chisels. My favorite "first chisel" recommendation are these, but they are 2.5x the price of the Narex.
> ROS - by the way, is that the first sander I should buy? Do I need a power sander? or is it too much time and energy to do it by hand?Is an ROS they best and most practical for right now?
Yes it is, and yes you should. It's not so much that it's too much time/energy to do it by hand. It takes some practice and discipline to get good results that way, and you won't fully appreciate the process of finish prep before you get through a few projects, and the ROS will make sure that your first projects don't suck for a preventable reason.
> My plan was to buy all the hardwood planed to 3/4", there's only one local mill in town and they will do that.
You will need parts of varying thicknesses sometimes. For instance: you're not going to use 3/4" stock to make drawer sides, backs, or bottoms. A planer, if nothing else, lets you make thinner stock. Thin stock doesn't stay flat for very long, so pre-milling it isn't usually a great idea.
More importantly, it lets you mill your material in the way that's most likely to lead to good results. If you go to a lumberyard, have them mill boards to 3/4", then bring them home and let them sit for a couple of days, they won't be flat anymore. Almost guaranteed. Most lumber yards aren't climate controlled, and they are always going to mill the board in one shot, even if the best option would be to take little nibbles over the course of several days or weeks.
If you want, try doing a few projects without one first and see how it feels. I felt like I needed one to make it to the end of my first non-plywood project without a poor result.
A Jointer (machine) is optional, but you need a way to make the faces of boards flat. A planer sled is probably the shortest path to that for now.
> I'd also love to hear what you'd recommend in the hand tools department.
These two lists are great, just keep in mind they are targeted at someone who wants to use only hand tools. For example, the minimal list recommends a jack plane, but I recommended a #4--I think a #4 is a better fit for a blended (hand/power) shop. But I agree with him for a hand-tool-only shop.
Specific hand tool recommendations are all over the map. I like my choices, but they are on the expensive side. Often you can buy old/used tools for much less.
I'm a professional carpenter and general contractor, and from my personal experience and the anecdotal evidence from the guys I regularly see, Bosch is of the best you can get for cordless tools nowadays. DeWalt used to be the go-to, but their quality has dropped considerably over the last 5-10 years. They still have some decent products, but I know of a lot of people who have had major issues with their drill chucks being off center.
This said, you kind of need a grab bag to get the best of each tool.
Here's my current setup, which is the same as quite a few contractors I work with:
So there you go. Those are the ones that have gone through the ringer on a construction crew and have survived heavy abuse and regular moving/dropping without any signs of letting go. Some may be overkill for your situation, but they're what I've found to be best. I'm probably missing a few loose ends so look out for edits.
I have recently purchased my first home with my fiancée, and like all of you, have an enormous list of projects we'd like to do. I am fairly handy and am prepared to tackle any project (with supervision on electrical). All that being said, I have always used other people's tools when working on projects, so I don't have many of my own. I have a budget and would like to purchase all of my tools on Black Friday/Cyber Monday to get the best bang for my buck. I'd like your advice on which tools are the best for my budget.
We are planning on renovating the master bed, bath, and closet, kitchen, mudroom, and the laundry room. I also plan on making a kitchen table, coffee table, cabinets, dresser, etc. The first project is the laundry room and mudroom, which will require tile, built-ins, cabinets, and replacing washer/dryer. I have a tool budget of $5k-7.5k (ideally staying on the lower end) and would like your thoughts on my equipment list.
If you've used any of this below, what did you think? Are there any cheaper or better alternatives I should consider?
Last question: does anyone know where I can find plastic sawhorses that allow me to put a 2x4 across the top, but also allow the legs rotate for easy storage? My dad had these growing up and I cant find them anywhere. I have found all plastic ones, but I'd like to have the wood so I can saw through it and replace it as needed.
Thank you for your help! I look forward to keeping you updated with our projects.
Just got a notification from CamelCamelCamel and wanted to share:
Amazon has the Dewalt 735X Planer marked down to $530 right now.
https://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735X-Two-Speed-Thickness-Package/dp/B003OX9KME/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Dewalt+735x&qid=1573819734&sr=8-2
This is a pretty good price on these new, normal price is around $650. They are very good planers and I love mine even though I haven't gotten to use it as much as I'd like. If anyone has been thinking about getting one, this might be the right time!
edit: swapped the link for an Amazon Smile one.
The Dewalt DW735 is my recommendation. I have used many floor model planers including by General, Grizzly, and some others. I have also used several of the bench top models, although not the cheaper Dewalt. Once I tried the DW735 at someone else's workshop, it blew me away. I bought one and have planed many types of wood with mine now including hickory, ash, maple, walnut, zebrawood, purpleheart, bloodwood, birch.
It does extremely well on the difficult woods like zebrawood which actually has grain sticking up both ways. None of the other planers I had tried worked very well on this, I would always get some tearout due to the weird grain pattern.
The other thing I was never able to do on other planers is plane thin pieces, on this I have planed pieces down to 1/8" without having to use another sled underneath (there are tricks you can play with laying the thin piece on another board when putting it through like a sled). I have also planed pieces up to 16/4 thick full width taking off 1/8"+ per pass. You will probably want to bolt it down to something, but I have run 12 foot boards through mine by holding it for the first few feet then going to the other side to hold up the finished end. It is expensive, but mine has absolutely worked like a charm. Also a little heavy for a benchtop, but I can pretty easily lift by myself, and it adds stability for when you do longer boards compared to other benchtops.
A few thing will give you excellent blade life for any planer. I check my wood very carefully for any foreign objects like staples nails etc. I cut 1/4" off both ends of the boards first because boards can stand up in dirty areas and get imbedded with dirt, metal shavings, gravel, etc before you get them or while you store them. Sometimes I wire brush the board surface if it looks dirty. Unless you are using especially knotty wood or plywood, the only real cause of knife nicks is from non-wood debris in the wood you are planing. I run on the slow speed setting even when roughing because the blades are removing less material with each cut (less stress on blade). The blade replacement is super easy on this planer too though for when shit does happen or they get dull.
I literally used a chainsaw on an ash tree and a hickory tree to turn them into boards. Probably a 10" hickory and a 16" diameter ash. Got several 10' sections from each. Cut it up with chainsaw into boards, let them dry, cut 6"-12" off the ends from splitting, then ran them all through this planer. After many other smaller projects and then nearly two entire trees, it was time to change the blades for the first time... definitely a workhorse that was worth what I paid.
The tables in this package are worth it in my opinion because they help reduce snipe. I get none to very little snipe. http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735X-Two-Speed-Planer-Package/dp/B003OX9KME/
"Walnut is poisoning" what I hear. My first boards had walnut in them and reddit gave me shit about it. I use them for myself so I don't care that much. I'm not eating the wood.
This planer: (I love it)
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW734-2-Inch-Benchtop-Planer/dp/B0000CCXU6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480052378&sr=8-2&keywords=dewalt+planer
The zig zag pattern was the hardest one. Yes it drifted up to 1/8th. They are not my favorite.
I used a table router on some of them for the edge, but I like the sander better. Something about it just felt more solid and manly.
Feel free to ask more questions. I only have about 50 boards worth of experience. So I don't know everything. I learned a lot doing this.
Everyone recommends the DW735. My father has owned one for years, and it's great and all that. But it's also much more expensive than many other hobbyist alternatives. If I was going to spend $600, I'd be looking at a used quality 15" planer on craigslist, which will be much better suited if you truly intend to plane "lots of it" compared to a cheaper unit.
That said, my budget is/was not that high. I got an old Ridgid TP1300 from CL. It planed beautifully for a month, then died. It worked so well I had HD send it in to see if it could be repaired...parts no longer available to repair was the answer.
In the end I picked up the WEN 13"
It's worked great for me so far through walnut, cherry, and a ton of large pieces of white oak (king bed size). So if your budget is on the low end, that's an option to consider.
If I were in your position, I would definitely shoot for a big ticket item such as the sawstop PCS (36" T-glide) with 1.75hp motor. That will eat up your entire budget (plus $219 more). I cannot imagine a hobbyist woodworker who would not be happy with it.
OR you can do lots of little stuff: (take out the things he may already have)
Sharpening: this this this this and this
Chisels: here
Japanese saw: this and this
Caliper: here
Exceptional quality hand plane set every woodworker would love to have if they don't have it already: here. Conversely, you can get the Lie Nielsen 60-1/2 block plane and get the #4 and #5 from Lee Valley (I prefer their version).
If he doesn't have a planer, this is a great one: here
As for festool products, I would highly recommend the Rotex 150 with Dust collector combination
I'm sure i'm missing a couple of stuff here and there but I hope the list helps you get started.
I'm in the market for a thickness planer. Does anyone have a good recommendation? My requirements are that it's available on Amazon or big box retailer, and be around $300-$400. I'm a hobbyist, so I don't have a huge budget to spend on it.
I've been looking at the Delta 22-555, but its reviews are scaring me a little, and there might be a better choice I'm overlooking.
Edit: The WEN 6552T also looks nice, and seems to retain more owner satisfaction.
Yeah, you could look in to smaller bench top models of table saws and jointers, lunchbox planers, etc.
Ive seen people create some pretty cool work areas out of small spaces.
The downside is with smaller tools comes less surface to reference your workpiece during the cut, less power and dust collection...
These are some smaller "budget" tools that I've heard good things about:
Benchtop "Lunchbox" Thickness Planer
Benchtop Jointer
Benchtop table saw
Benchtop Drill Press
Oh yeah I'm sure he does. That probably makes all the difference in this kind of stuff. I've done endgrain with my dad's Ryobi planer with 2 flat blades and it works ok. Lots of tear out on the back end of course. I've got my eye on this with this sexy beast. mmmmmfff...
Their thickness planer right now is 216 on amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0106XD60Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493501892&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=wen%2Bthickness%2Bplaner&dpPl=1&dpID=51agjtmMp4L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
May be cheaper at walmart. I would have picked this planer up as well if I wasn't already so dead set on the dewalt dw734.
Maybe one of you fine gentlemen can talk me out of getting the dw734? =D
Amazon has the Dewalt 735x for $544.59. The X is the one with the in/outfeed tables and an extra set of blades. It is a very good thickness planer. There is also a third party helical head for it.
I agree with your gut.
I purchased a Jet 15" planer, 220V single phase for $800 about two years ago. I am very happy with the extra width. If I were spending $1000 or up, I would want something wider than 13".
EDIT: I can't resist. If I were going to spend $1K on a 13" planer, I might do this:
DeWalt 735 $599.99
[Shelix Cutterhead $405](https://shelixheads.com/SHELIX-heads_for_Planers/SHELIX_Heads_for_Planers_by_DEWALT/SHELIX_for_dewalt_13_inch_Planer_(DW-735)
I recommend the DeWalt DW735. It's a great machine.
What is a layer, ie, how much material do you want to remove? How big is the piece? These questions would matter in giving you a helpful response.
FWIW, I have NEVER used a belt sander on anything I'm making. But I do have a dw735
I'm saving up for the Makita planer, suppose to be the best in that price range: https://www.amazon.com/Makita-2012NB-12-Inch-Interna-Lok-Automated/dp/B000051ZOO/ref=sxin_0_ac_d_pm?ac_md=5-2-QWJvdmUgJDYwMA%3D%3D-ac_d_pm&keywords=makita+planer&pd_rd_i=B000051ZOO&pd_rd_r=fc74f861-9127-4c51-961a-787333dccfe0&pd_rd_w=ZdYWs&pd_rd_wg=NsX0k&pf_rd_p=24d053a8-30a1-4822-a2ff-4d1ab2b984fc&pf_rd_r=NME0RZF4AE5EG0FRM7C4&psc=1&qid=1573885913
Would recommend it if you want your wood coming out square and equal thickness!
My jointer is a Cutech 40160H-CT (shipped from Tennessee): https://www.cutechtool.com/product-p/40160h-ct.htm
My planer is a Dewalt DW735: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Two-Speed-Thickness-Package-13-Inch/dp/B003OX9KME/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1502140300&sr=1-1&keywords=dewalt+planer
He also just mentioned something about this:
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735-13-Inch-Thickness-Planer/dp/B0000CCXU8
Is this something that would be useful?
I have a decent older tablesaw sturdy contractor grade, but it's fence is shot so I would likely invest in some form of decent fence system for it assuming around $200-350
I would spend the rest on cutting tools for the lathe... still not sold on Carbide as a sole cutting solution.
Since I have nothing and have been shopping lately... Also assuming the products were actually available for purchase.
I just bought a planer from amazon. DEWALT DW734 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer. Amazon is selling it at $360 plus an additional $25 off if you spend more than $100 on Dewalt products. That will bring it down to $335 before taxes, $355 after. It's $400 everywhere else before tax.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW734-2-Inch-Benchtop-Planer/dp/B0000CCXU6
I'm new to woodworking so I don't have a lot of experience and have only tried a handful of things. What I noticed is that a planer will always be helpful or needed in most projects. I could be wrong and there could be other ways to accomplishing the same thing using different tools. That's just been my experience so far.
I use both the Wen 6552 and the Dewalt 735. Don't waste your money with the Dewalt. If I had to choose between the two I'd go with Wen. Don't let anyone tell you, you have to go with Dewalt because of the Helical cutters heads. Those cutter heads are an extra $350-$500 and you can get the Helical cutter heads for almost every brand.
​
Not sure if it's exactly the same kit, but that model is $570 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735X-Two-Speed-Planer-Package/dp/B003OX9KME
I bought this planar about a year ago and have had zero problems. Just made a similar cutting board to this cutting board and I think it turned out better than the original. Never had a planar and used relatively flat stuff from lowes. It changed my life.
Not quite 450 but it's this one: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735-13-Inch-Thickness-Planer/dp/B0000CCXU8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483287217&sr=8-2&keywords=dewalt+dw735x
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735X-Two-Speed-Thickness-Package/dp/B003OX9KME/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dewalt+735x&qid=1574962882&sr=8-1
That's a $3k planer in the video
WEN 6550 Benchtop Thickness Planer, 12-1/2" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0106XD60Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QWWdBbWYN2X3P
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CCXU6/ref=s9_simh_gw_g469_i2_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1656R9796A1531CYPJMX&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop
Amazon has it even cheaper
If you are jsut looking for a planer, why not a 12 1/2" DeWalt?
Then what do you call these?
I've been looking at these recently. For $20 more you can get a 3-blade 13". https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CHP7G70/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&th=1
All planers take some tuning.
Plan to pay minimum $500 for a decent one (13" width). Get a dial indicator for tuning the blade depth.
I'm still saving for one myself. This is the one I have had my eye on.
DEWALT DW734 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer versus [Grizzly G0832 - 13" Benchtop Planer](http://www.grizzly.com/products/13-Benchtop-Planer-with-Built-In-Dust-Collection/G0832?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp4u-1svQ2QIVBY3ICh2K7QFUEAkYASABEgKRE_D_BwE
). Ignoring the cost, which would you choose and why? Seems like the DeWalt is the more practical choice (more horsepower, cuts per inch, rpm, etc.), but there's just something that draws me to Grizzly.
Its complicated but maybe a 4 post chain screw mechanism like in 4 post wood planers. Basically the 4 posts are all screws controlled by a single chain that moves them all simultaneously. You would likely lose a few inches in the bottom for running the chains and gears. How you would implement this is beyond the scope of my knowledge, i just think this would work for your application.
This planer has the mechanism im talking about:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735-13-Inch-Thickness-Planer/dp/B0000CCXU8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479647959&sr=8-2&keywords=dewalt+dw735
Anyone have experience with this planer:
WEN 6552 3-Blade 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer, 13"
Seems to be a really low price right now and I'm needing a planer badly for woodworking projects coming up over winter.