{"id":16580,"date":"2017-11-20T00:45:48","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T06:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youthfulhome.com\/?page_id=16580"},"modified":"2020-02-28T19:36:20","modified_gmt":"2020-02-29T01:06:20","slug":"wood-planer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/youthfulhome.com\/guides\/wood-planer\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Wood Planer Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Select the Best Wood Planer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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When it comes to selecting the best wood planer for the money, you\u2019re definitely not short of options. Because it\u2019s a craft that involves many different tools, you can take your pick of the best that suits your exact requirements.<\/p>\n

In fact, those in the woodworking industry can choose from manual planers of various types, electric corded hand-held planers, electric cordless hand-held planers, benchtop planers, and industrial planers.<\/p>\n

Because there are so many on the market, how do you know which is going to be the best for your needs? You may not know right away, but our buying guide aims to enlighten you with several reviews on various different wood planers.<\/p>\n

This information can more than likely help you make an informed decision.<\/p>\n

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Work Type<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Whether you\u2019re a seasoned woodworker, or you\u2019re just starting out, establishing your work type is key to choosing the best wood planer for the money. Not only does each wood planer on the market have a different job to do, but they can either be manual or electric as well.<\/p>\n

Are you a hobbyist who just has a quick job to do without making a big investment? Manual hand-held planers could be a good option. If you\u2019re a professional who spends the majority of their time planing, an industrial electric-powered planer would suit you best.<\/p>\n

For those casual woodworkers who have the space for multiple tools, either a benchtop planer or hand-held electric powered (corded or cordless) planer could tick all the boxes.<\/p>\n

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Safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The safety requirements of thickness planers and all kinds of planers can vary depending on the power source. Manual hand-held wood planers are relatively safe to use, but require you to:<\/p>\n\n

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  • Keep your hands away from the blade.<\/li>\n
  • Secure the wood before planing.<\/li>\n
  • Keep the planer blade sharp.<\/li>\n
  • Use sandpaper to break sharp machined edges on new planers.<\/li>\n
  • Plane at the right height for you. Keep your workbench surface at the same level as your fingertips.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    As for electric-powered wood planers, they certainly require the operator to pay extreme attention due to them being high-powered industrial tools with sharp surfaces. Any woodworker – regardless of your experience level – should never get complacent. One slip of your hand can result in serious injury.<\/p>\n

    We recommend:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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    • Not wearing loose-fitting clothing or long-sleeved shirts that could catch on blades.<\/li>\n
    • Removing necklaces and bracelets that could get caught.<\/li>\n
    • Ensuring your chosen wood planer has an emergency switch.<\/li>\n
    • Ensuring your wood planer is grounded to reduce the risk of electric shocks.<\/li>\n
    • Keeping the workspace clear of obstacles.<\/li>\n
    • Wearing eye protection to avoid wood particles from hitting your eyes.<\/li>\n
    • Wearing hearing protection when operating the planer for long periods of time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

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      Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Wood planer manufacturers try their best to design their products to suit everyone. As a result, they may produce several different brands and models to appeal to a wider audience. Because each planer can vary so greatly in regards to their features, customers should ensure they know what they require, and what they don\u2019t, before they go ahead and make a purchase.<\/p>\n

      Check the:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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      • Dimensions –<\/strong> this is certainly important in the case of industrial wood planers. You will need to allow room for wood on either side of the machine or ensure you have a particular area for your hand-held, benchtop, or industrial planer to be located.<\/li>\n
      • Thickness capacity –<\/strong> ensure the planer you\u2019re looking at can cater to the wood you need to plane down. The thicker the wood that needs to come off, the higher the chance you need an industrial wood planer rather than a standard version. Many come with depth stops to allow you to choose the maximum planing limit.<\/li>\n
      • Width limit –<\/strong> understand the dimensions of the wood you\u2019re needing to plane, to ensure the wood planer you\u2019ve got your eye on will be suitable. Standard electric-powered planers normally have a width capacity of approximately 10-20 inches.<\/li>\n
      • Knives –<\/strong> generally speaking, the more knives an electric-powered planer has, the faster and more effectively it can plane. Most have between two and five knives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

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        Power<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        When it comes to choosing the best wood planer for the money, the power source is going to make a huge difference. The difference is not only in your choice but in how much you will need to spend as well.<\/p>\n

        The most important factor in your decision is just being aware of the types of wood planers for sale. Not all are powered, some run on battery, and some aren\u2019t stationary. You can read the pros and cons of each option below.<\/p>\n

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        Maintenance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Maintenance varies depending on whether your wood planer is manual or electric-powered. Manual hand planers require far less upkeep, and generally only need to be maintained when they aren\u2019t performing at their best.<\/p>\n

        Maintenance for a manual hand-held wood planer can include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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        • Adjusting the tension levels.<\/li>\n
        • Checking the planer blade for nicks. If there are any, remove them by sharpening the blade or replace it altogether.<\/li>\n
        • Check around the planer sole for dings. These can be removed with needle files. Needle files can also be used to remove burrs and roughness.<\/li>\n
        • Check the tool for sharp edges and file these down to ensure you don\u2019t cut your hands.<\/li>\n
        • Unfasten all the screws and disassemble the plane to clean dust and rust with steel wool.<\/li>\n
        • Oil metallic parts to prevent rusting.<\/li>\n
        • Rub any wooden parts with a wet cotton rag.<\/li>\n
        • Clean rusty screws with steel wool and spirits.<\/li>\n
        • Spray spirits onto the blade and sand with fine sandpaper to remove rust.<\/li>\n
        • Lubricate all metal components with paraffin oil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

          When it comes to electric-powered wood planers, it\u2019s a little more important to keep them well-maintained. Failure to do so can result in the machine breaking down before its time.<\/p>\n

          Good maintenance practices can include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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          • Lubricating engine components.<\/li>\n
          • Checking cables and electrical systems.<\/li>\n
          • Sharpening blades\/knives.<\/li>\n
          • Replacing cutting edges and moving parts as, and when, they\u2019re due.<\/li>\n
          • Tightening loose bolts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

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            Budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            The price tag for a wood planer can vary, depending on its power source. For a manual hand-held wood planer, the price tag can be as little as $15, all the way through to $180.<\/p>\n

            For an electric-powered handheld wood planer, this might be stretched from between $40 and $400. A benchtop wood planer could be anywhere from $200 to $800, while an industrial wood planer might set you back between $700 to $5,000.<\/p>\n

            Of course, the price can often be determined by the manufacturer and the brand. The high-quality, more well-known brands can sometimes mean you\u2019re opening your wallet a little wider!<\/p>\n

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            3 Wood Planer Types on The Market<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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            There are many types of wood planers on the market – each effective for different tasks. While you may have your heart set on a particular type, have you reviewed its features in comparison to another kind?<\/p>\n

            While it might look like the best, or it might have the most competitive price tag, that doesn\u2019t make it the best wood planer for your task. Read through the pros and cons of each wood planer type to fully understand the variety on offer.<\/p>\n

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