The Purpose of the Planer
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Using a benchtop planer is useful. Not only for taking the rough texture of the grain out, but the planers can help with small cups or lumps and small warps out of the lumber by running the boards through the planer a few times. By turning a lever in the direction indicated on top, the body and blades come downward. The blades are secured to rollers inside the body housing and ready to give the board a close shave but without the shaving cream. That’s a dry shave and I don’t shave my face like that.
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As soon as the blades touch the wood magical things start to happen. The planer hunkers down and starts screaming like a mad bumblebee spitting wood shavings. If the board is not down to the thickness or desired height, then by all means, shove the board through again and make the angry bee work.
Sometimes the rollers inside the housing will push down hard on the board and grunt and gasp, spraying slivers of wood shavings like a drunken man laughing a joke.
I am currently using a Porter Cable benchtop planer. It is 7 or 8 years old but nowhere near as old as dirt. I love the planer I am using but looking around on the internet you would have to go through Porter Cable itself to buy the one I have. Instead, I would rather review a newer benchtop planer. For only $288.30, I believe this is a good bargain! I have looked at other benchtop planers and came to the conclusion and I picked WEN.
Feed Table
Sometimes the feed table is not accurate and perfectly level. On the bottom of the feed table close to the body of the planer, there are two set machine bolts. Place a level through the body of the planer to see which end goes up or down. By moving the bolt with a wrench (or using your man hands) watch the bubble and stop when level is achieved.
Snipes
So, you think you know what a snipe is. No, it’s not snipe hunting. It is the beginning of the board and the end of the board passing through the body of the planer that has a cupping effect where the board is being pressed higher by the rollers inside the body and the blades are cutting deeper. Either cut the end of the board or use another board to sacrifice by placing end to end allowing both boards to be pulled through seamlessly. This will eliminate the snipe.
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Costs efficient vs. material cost
As a woodworker, you will have lots and lots of scrap of wood lying around, and you will be wading through the scraps as if wading through a pond. Yep, that’s the life of a woodworker. Use the planer to clean the wood or mill the thickness of the lumber down to the desired thickness you can save yourself money. Not to mention, make more profit by making more crafts and projects. By cleaning and milling, you will save yourself in the long run. Think about this. Running to Carter Lumber, Lowes, Home Depot, or any other lumber company, you are practically giving away money. I would save myself time and money on those small projects.
Pros
- Boards up to 12.5” wide and 6” thick
- The depth adjustment knob controls each pass
- Comes with reversible blades
- 15A motor generates 20,000 cuts per minute at a 26 feet per minute feed rate (wow, that’s fast, almost as fast as watching lightning streak across the sky)
- Haves 2 rollers
- Small and compact. Can be moved anywhere in your shop with ease
- Dimensions is 22” x 23.5” x 18.25”
- Has a customer support line if you need help to replace parts
Cons
- Can only handle less than 12.5” wide lumber.
- The height is 6” for material to pass through with ease
- Weighs 63.9 lbs. (if you’re not big and strong, then this planer might not be for you)
The Ratings
- Easy to use — 4.5
- Value for money — 4.3
- Maneuverability — 4.3
- Accuracy — 4.2
Final Thoughts
So, it looks like WEN wins, in my opinion.
I have used my planer to make old rough lumber boards look new. I have run painted boards (after I have sanded most of the paint off, I didn’t want to gum the blades any more than a pack of Hubba Bubba gum strung everywhere inside) looking new. I have built several noodle boards and needed to clean up some reclaimed wood for that old antique look by barely skimming the surface.
Every woodworking shop needs a benchtop planer for small wood crafts. You can always run longer lumber through the small planer, if you can’t afford the bulkier planers, and make wider wood crafts like the charcuterie boards that are wider than the 12.5”. All it takes is to sand the boards with an electric sander and a little elbow grease.
As always, practice safety.
Any questions or comments leave them below in the comment box below.
Thanks, Homer