The planer is the most important piece of equipment you will buy when you get started with your woodworking. It allows you to create smooth, accurate cuts for all your woodworking projects, from the most intricate to the simplest. You can choose a surface planer, a thickness planer, or even a benchtop thickness planer.
Benchtop thickness planer
A benchtop thickness planer is a portable machine that allows you to quickly and efficiently smooth out and plane rough wood. This type of machine is especially helpful for restoring and reusing old wood. Then, it can be used for projects such as building a bed frame or work bench.
There are several different types of benchtop planers to choose from. They all share a few features, such as a precision steel cutter head and a high-speed motor. Some benchtop planers also include built-in gauges to indicate the thickness of the board before you start planing.
Many of the best benchtop planers have speeds above 8,000 rpm. That means they can cut at a maximum depth of 1/8 inch in a single pass. Several models even have the ability to double the cutting depth.
Several types of benchtop planers have a built-in gauge that is attached to the side of the intake slot. Having the ability to measure the board before you plan it is extremely helpful.
Benchtop planers have a very easy-to-use design. Once you have the machine set up, you simply crank the handle to adjust the depth. You can also use a combination square to adjust the cutterhead.
The WEN PL1326 is a top quality benchtop thickness planer. It comes with two return rollers and a dust exhaust interface.
Surface planer
Wood planers are used for a variety of purposes, but mainly to shape rough lumber for use. When buying a planer, you should do some research to make sure it can handle your particular job. A surface planer may be the best choice if you need to produce a smooth, flat wood surface. However, if you are working on an extremely detailed project, a handheld planer might be a better choice.
Surface planers, also called jointer planers, work with a rotating knife to remove material from a piece of wood. The planer is often powered by a steam engine or electrical power. Many planers feature long infeed and outfeed beds that enable you to handle large boards without bending.
While surface planers have several advantages, you may want to choose a thicknesser if you need to process thick lumber. Thickness planers can be purchased new or used. Used models are less expensive than their new counterparts.
You may also want to consider a combo planer, which combines the functionality of a thickness planer with that of a surface planer. This is ideal for woodworkers who need both tools.
If you need to plane thick wood, it’s important to invest in a planer that features a cutter head designed to minimize snipe. A helical cutterhead will offer more efficiency. It’s also much easier to replace carbide inserts on a helical cutterhead.
Thickness planer vs sander
Planers and sanders are two tools that are frequently confused by unseasoned woodworkers. While both have a number of similarities, their differences allow you to decide which tool is best suited to your needs.
In a nutshell, a planer is a handheld woodworking machine that uses large blades to cut wooden boards. These blades can be manually operated or electric powered. They are capable of making straight, even cuts on long, flat wood boards.
Planers are also good for finishing projects. This is because they can remove a lot of material quickly. However, they can be expensive to operate. Additionally, they can leave a messy work area.
In order to determine the best planer for your needs, it is important to know what you are planning to use it for. Most people will only need a planer to make smooth and level surfaces.
A sander is a similar tool that removes layers of wood. However, sanders are slower. You will also need a lot of patience to achieve the same results with a sander. Furthermore, you may have to use a lot of sandpaper.
The planer is a good choice for beginners. It is easier to use and less messy than a sander. It is also less costly to maintain.