Top 5 Benchtop Planers for New Woodworkers

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#5 Craftsman CMEW320 15Amp Two knife benchtop Planer

I personally like this planer and have tried it at a friend of mines house. I got his opinion regarding the planer and will post some pro’s and Con’s to the planer. I think it is a VERY GOOD entry level planer, now I will mentioned I bought a wen 13″ planer for roughly the same price and it did not work out of the box. So I think with this you are at least getting the Craftsman name so it’ll perform in its price point. I will post an Amazon link to this device if you’d like to pick it up!

https://amzn.to/3z6Db7Y

Pros:

  1. Powerful Motor:
    • The 15 Amp motor is robust, providing sufficient power to handle a variety of hardwoods and ensuring smooth and efficient operation.
  2. Cutting Depth:
    • The planer can handle a substantial cutting depth, which is beneficial for removing large amounts of material quickly.
  3. Ease of Use:
    • Designed for benchtop use, it is relatively compact and easy to set up, making it suitable for small workshops or home use.
    • The planer features easy-to-adjust depth settings, making it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
  4. Durability:
    • The solid steel cutter head and overall build quality ensure durability and longevity, making it a reliable tool for long-term use.
  5. Portability:
    • Despite being a benchtop model, it is relatively portable and can be moved around as needed without too much hassle.

Cons:

  1. Noise Level:
    • Like most planers, it can be quite loud during operation, which might require the use of hearing protection and could be a disturbance in a quiet environment. I will say this planer is surprisingly loud lol.
  2. Snipe:
    • Some users report issues with snipe (a slight dip at the beginning and end of the board), which is a common problem with many benchtop planers. Adjustments and additional support may be needed to minimize this, your going to get this with any planer.
  3. Knife Changing:
    • Changing the knives can be somewhat cumbersome and time-consuming, which might be an inconvenience during long projects or frequent use.
  4. Dust Collection:
    • While it may have dust collection capabilities, it might not be as efficient as higher-end models, potentially requiring an additional dust collection system to manage debris effectively.
  5. Capacity Limitations:
    • Being a benchtop planer, it may not handle extremely large or thick boards as well as larger, more industrial planers. It is best suited for moderate-sized projects.

#4 WEN 13″ Spiral blade PL1337

I know I was just talking about my WEN not working out of the box, however I have heard great things about this planer. It even has a spiral blade setup on the device, if you know anything about planers I am sure you have heard about helical heads etc, they give a smoother cut, less noise etc. I have had a lot of people mention this device is great which is why its number four. I will also add some pro’s and Cons’.

https://amzn.to/3VMYggF

Pros:

  1. Spiral Cutter Head:
    • The spiral blade cutter head with multiple small blades provides smoother finishes and less tear-out compared to traditional straight knives. It also tends to be quieter for the price, great thing to have.
  2. Two-Speed Operation:
    • The two-speed operation allows users to choose between faster material removal or finer finishes, providing versatility depending on the project’s needs.
  3. Cutting Capacity:
    • With a 13-inch width capacity, it can handle larger boards, making it suitable for a variety of woodworking projects.
  4. Ease of Blade Replacement:
    • The spiral cutter head design generally makes blade replacement easier and less frequent, as individual blades can be rotated or replaced independently.
  5. Portability:
    • Despite its capabilities, it remains a benchtop model that is relatively portable and easy to move around in a workshop.
  6. Dust Collection:
    • Comes with a dust port, aiding in efficient dust and debris management when connected to a dust collection system.

Cons:

  1. Snipe:
    • As with many benchtop planers, snipe can still be an issue, although proper setup and techniques can minimize this problem.
  2. Power Consumption:
    • The advanced features, such as the two-speed operation and spiral cutter head, may result in higher power consumption compared to simpler models.
  3. Build Quality:
    • While generally well-built, some users may find the build quality to be slightly less robust compared to higher-end brands, especially for heavy, long-term use.

#3 Dewalt 734 Benchtop Planer

Okay guys, I will admit this is the planer I currently use so I might be a bit biased. Some backstory I purchased the Wen 3 blade 13″ planer and it didn’t work out of the box. I think the breaker was bad on it. However I have used it quite a bit and I really enjoy it. There are better planers yes but honestly for the price it doesn’t get any better…….but does it???

https://amzn.to/3W1puR3

Pros:

  1. Three-Knife Cutter Head:
    • The DW734 features a three-knife cutter head, which provides 96 cuts per inch. This results in a very smooth finish, reducing the need for additional sanding.
  2. High-Quality Finish:
    • The higher number of cuts per inch leads to a finer finish on the planed material, which is especially beneficial for hardwoods and detailed projects.
  3. Powerful Motor:
    • Equipped with a 15 Amp motor, the DW734 can handle a variety of woods, including hardwoods, efficiently and effectively.
  4. Ease of Knife Changes:
    • The knives are disposable and reversible, which makes changing them straightforward and quick, without the need for sharpening.
  5. Sturdy Construction:
    • The planer is built with a robust and durable design, ensuring it can withstand regular use and last a long time in a workshop setting.
  6. Ease of Use:
    • The depth adjustment is simple and accurate, with a large depth adjustment handle and clear depth gauge. This makes it easy to achieve precise planing results.
  7. Snipe Reduction:
    • The DW734 features a four-column carriage lock that significantly reduces snipe by locking the cutter head firmly in place during operation.
  8. Dust Collection:
    • Comes with an efficient dust collection system, which helps to keep the workspace clean when connected to a dust collector or shop vacuum.

Cons:

  1. Noise Level:
    • Like most planers, the DW734 can be quite loud during operation, necessitating the use of hearing protection and potentially causing disturbance in quieter environments.
  2. Portability:
    • Although it’s a benchtop model, the DW734 is relatively heavy (about 80 pounds), which may make it less portable compared to some other benchtop planers.
  3. Knife Lifespan:
    • While the knives are easy to change, they may wear out relatively quickly, especially with heavy use or when working with particularly hard woods. This can result in ongoing costs for replacement knives.

#2 JET 13 Inch Helical head planer

We are now getting into the Helical head, truthfully this is why I have it ranked so high. Otherwise I would go with either #3 or #1 in terms of planers, price is roughly the same but ultimately you are paying for the helical head

https://amzn.to/3RE5zot

Pros:

  1. Helical-Style Cutter Head:
    • The helical-style cutter head with 24 quick-change inserts provides a smoother finish and quieter operation compared to traditional straight knives. This design also helps in reducing tear-out, especially on figured woods.
  2. High-Quality Finish:
    • The helical cutter head ensures a superior finish, which is particularly beneficial for fine woodworking projects.
  3. Powerful Motor:
    • Equipped with a 15 Amp motor, it can handle a variety of hardwoods with ease, ensuring efficient material removal and smooth operation.
  4. Ease of Knife Replacement:
    • The quick-change inserts on the helical head make maintenance easier and faster, as only individual inserts need to be rotated or replaced, rather than the entire blade.
  5. Dust Collection:
    • Comes with an effective dust collection port, helping to maintain a cleaner work environment when connected to a dust collector.
  6. Sturdy Construction:
    • The planer is built with robust materials, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance even with regular use.
  7. Snipe Reduction:
    • Features a four-post design and adjustable infeed/outfeed tables to help reduce snipe, resulting in more consistent thickness across the board.

Cons:

  1. Cost:
    • The helical-style cutter head planers are generally more expensive than their straight knife counterparts, which might be a consideration for those on a tighter budget.
  2. Weight:
    • The JWP-13BT is relatively heavy (around 70-80 pounds), which can make it less portable compared to lighter models. This may be a concern if you need to frequently move the planer around your workshop.
  3. Noise Level:
    • Despite being quieter than straight knife planers, it still produces a significant amount of noise, which may require the use of hearing protection and could be disruptive in quieter environments.
  4. Knife Lifespan:
    • While the individual inserts on the helical head are easy to replace, they can be more expensive than traditional straight knives. This could result in higher ongoing maintenance costs.

#1 Dewalt 735 13″ Benchtop planer

I mean if you are a savvy wood worker I am sure you are not surprised I have this up at number 1, there has been so many people that have said this was a buy once cry once purchase. Unfortunately I did not go that route but I can see why. This benchtop planer is darn near perfect and 1 step above a proper cabinet planer. Upgrade this thing to a helix head and you have a planer that can last you a lifetime.

https://amzn.to/3VNXhNc

Pros:

  1. Three-Knife Cutter Head:
    • The DW735 features a three-knife cutter head, providing 96 cuts per inch. This results in an exceptionally smooth finish and reduces the need for sanding.
  2. Two-Speed Gearbox:
    • The two-speed gearbox allows you to change the feed speed to optimize cuts per inch, offering greater control over the finish. You can choose between 96 CPI (cuts per inch) for finer work and 179 CPI for more aggressive material removal.
  3. Powerful Motor:
    • Equipped with a 15 Amp motor, the DW735 can handle large, hard woods with ease, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
  4. Automatic Carriage Lock:
    • This feature significantly reduces snipe by automatically locking the cutter head in place, ensuring consistent thickness throughout the board.
  5. Built-in Dust Ejection System:
    • The fan-assisted chip ejection system expels chips and dust from the planer, keeping your workspace cleaner and reducing the risk of clogging.
  6. Wide and Deep Cuts:
    • With a 13-inch width capacity and the ability to take off up to 1/8 inch in a single pass, the DW735 can handle large boards efficiently.
  7. Durability:
    • The DW735 is built with high-quality materials and robust construction, ensuring longevity and reliability even with frequent use.
  8. Easy Knife Changes:
    • The disposable, reversible knives are easy to change, minimizing downtime and maintenance hassle.

Cons:

  1. Price:
    • The DW735 is more expensive than many other benchtop planers, which might be a consideration for those on a budget.
  2. Weight:
    • Weighing in at around 92 pounds, it is heavier than many other benchtop models, making it less portable. This could be an issue if you need to move it frequently.
  3. Noise Level:
    • The powerful motor and high-speed cutter head can generate significant noise during operation, necessitating hearing protection and potentially causing a disturbance in quieter environments.
  4. No Infeed/Outfeed Tables Included:
    • While the DW735 is equipped with a great built-in dust ejection system, it does not come with infeed and outfeed tables, which are sold separately. These tables can help reduce snipe further and support longer boards.
  5. Knife Lifespan:
    • The disposable knives may wear out relatively quickly, especially when working with harder woods. This can lead to ongoing replacement costs.

The DeWalt DW735 Planer is a powerful and reliable machine known for delivering high-quality finishes with its three-knife cutter head and two-speed gearbox. It’s particularly suitable for serious woodworkers who need a machine that can handle heavy-duty tasks and provide precision and consistency. While the initial cost is higher and it is quite heavy, the features and performance of the DW735 often justify the investment for those who require a robust and efficient planer. I have used one of these personally and see its value, however I will mention this thing is HEAVY so your going to want a mobile base for this thing because I would not want to move this thing around often!

Just wanted to say if you’ve stuck around to the end I appreciate you reading my article! Please feel free to leave me comment down below and all of the products here have been linked to their Amazon!

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