The Best Planer

Buying Guide

If you’re a do-it-yourself woodworking type, you know the value of a planer. Using a planer, you can size a board down to the exact thickness you need for your project. At one time, planers were handheld devices, but today’s planers sit atop a platform to keep your hands free to work. With a planer, you can have a larger pick of board sizes, knowing that you’ll be able to get them to the size you need once in your shop.

Your planer’s effectiveness relies heavily on the built-in motor. You’ll see this number listed as its “no-load speed,” which is the maximum RPMs it can reach without any load. So, obviously, you won’t see as fast a speed when actually using your planer, but paying attention to the strength of the motor can help.

If you want perfect cuts without needing multiple passes, you’ll also need to look for a planer with excellent cutting ability. This all comes down to the blades, with some needing sharpening more often than others. However, some planers are also built with multiple blades to boost your efficiency.

As you can probably imagine, planning can generate quite a bit of dust, so a dust collection system can come in very handy. If you opt for a planer without a bin, make sure you work outdoors or in an area like a garage, where the debris won’t be as much of a problem.

For those who use planers for work, portability is also an important feature. Planers can vary dramatically in size and weight, so look around for one that you can easily toss into your truck and transport from one worksite to another. In addition to portability, you’ll also need to take a look at your planned work area and make sure you have a bench or table that can hold large boards, if necessary.

• Efficient wood planing starts with motor power. The DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness packs quite a punch, with a motor that puts 10,000 RPM of power through to the cutter. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp has a 15-amp motor that provides a no-load speed of 8,500 RPM. Lastly, the WEN 6552T 13″ 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Planer promises 25,500 cuts per minute from its 15-amp motor.
• No matter how powerful the motor, though, if you’re working with an inefficient, dull blade, you won’t get far. The DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness’s multi-knife cutterhead provides 30% longer knife life. The WEN 6552T 13″ 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Planer has a 3-blade design that can cut through even the hardest of woods.
• At least occasionally, depending on your use, you’ll need to change your blade. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp is built to make those switch-outs as easy as possible.
• Although planers can be noisy, it may be a bonus to find one that keeps sound output to a minimum. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp promises the quietest operation in its class, outputting 83 decibels when powered up.
• If you take your planer on the road, portability is an important factor. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp is the lightest, at 61.9 pounds, compared to 66 pounds for the WEN 6552T 13″ 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Planer and 88 pounds for the Cutech 40200H-CT 13″ Spiral Cutterhead Planer. However, a lightweight build can work against you, since a 105-pound model, like the DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness. may offer more sturdiness.
• Although it may weigh less than other models, the Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp’s 4-post design with a diagonal cross helps boost its stability.
• Build contributes significantly to a planer’s sturdiness. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp is made from cast aluminum, also adding to its stability despite its lightweight form.
• In addition to a motor and blades, your planer relies on a clamp to hold your wood in place while it cuts. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp’s Interna-Lok clamp system automates the process to eliminate snipe, which causes dips on the end of your boards.
• The Cutech 40200H-CT 13″ Spiral Cutterhead Planer’s spiral cutterhead sets it apart from the pack. It also has 26 two-sided carbine inserts.
• All that hard work can spew considerable dust into the air. It’s important to carefully review how each planer handles that. With the Cutech 40200H-CT 13″ Spiral Cutterhead Planer, you get both 2.5-inch and 4-inch dust ports to collect all of your shavings. The DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness uses a fan-assisted exhaust to vacuum chips off the cutterhead and eject them.
• Like any motorized piece of equipment, a planer can overheat. The Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp is prone to overheating, and there’s no sensor to alert you when it’s about to happen. You may need to use this one in shorter spurts than others.
• One benefit of the WEN 6552T 13″ 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Planer is its ability to make sure you get consistent cuts every time.
• If cost is a consideration, the WEN 6552T 13″ 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Planer is one to consider, with retail prices in the $400 range. The DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness, Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer with Interna-Lok Head Clamp and Cutech 40200H-CT 13″ Spiral Cutterhead Planer all sell for $600 and up, but you should be able to find a good planer for less than $700, no matter what features are most important to you.