Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used wood planer for sale, there are several factors to consider. Reputation and price are two of the most important considerations, but you’ll also want to look at the size of the machine, whether it’s a stand-alone model or a benchtop model, and the minimum and maximum widths of the planer’s stock.
Reputation matters
Choosing the best wood planer for your home or business is an important decision that deserves the utmost attention. There are many brands to choose from. It is important to do your research and choose the right machine for your budget and your esoteric tastes. One company, in particular, has a stellar reputation. If you are looking for a power planer that won’t cost you the lion’s share of your hard earned cash, then you’ve come to the right place. These machines can be found on wheels and in stand. These are some of the best wood planers on the market. For a price tag in the high fives, you will have a hard time finding a better machine.
One of the best wood planers on the market is the Makita MB3060, which features a three-horsepower motor that can power the machine for an hour or more. This machine weighs in at just under 20 pounds and features a programmable sanding system. The best part about this machine is that it can handle a variety of materials.
Benchtop vs stand-alone
Compared to stand-alone wood planers, benchtop planers are generally smaller and less expensive. They are also portable and can be easily taken to job sites. However, they are less powerful and will require slower feed rates.
A good benchtop planer will help you reduce the thickness of boards. They use a rotating blade to cut a thin layer of wood. They can be used to plane wood, reclaim old wood, and clean rough-sawn boards.
Benchtop planers are made to fit on a workbench and usually have a built-in gauge that shows measurements in 1/64-inch increments. These planers are ideal for woodworkers who want a quick way to plan thick boards.
Some of the more popular benchtop thickness planers include the Dewalt DW735 and the Makita 2012. The DW735 is an extremely popular model, having been around for years. It has a 3-knife cutter head, a two-speed gear box, and a cast aluminum base. The DW735X version comes with an infeed table and extra blades.
Minimum length of stock
Having the proper length of stock for a wood planer is critical. Most planers won’t handle stock that is too short. The best way to avoid this problem is to use multiple lengths of stock. This helps decrease the parts handling, and ensures that the parts can be machined safely.
The shortest length of stock for a wood planer can be determined by the distance between the infeed and outfeed rollers, plus 50 mm. This is the minimum length of stock recommended by most planer manufacturers.
The shortest possible length is often not possible. In such cases, planing is done with alternate surfaces to reduce tearout. This can be achieved by using cloth-backed double-faced tape between the finished side of the workpiece and the thin stock. This tape can be pressed in a bench vise for a good adhesion.
When using a planer, it’s important to stand at least one foot away from the machine. This helps to avoid kickback and kickback accidents. Also, avoid placing your hands or your fingernails into the machine while it’s operating. Wearing safety goggles and hearing protection is also a good idea.
Maximum width
Using a wood planer can be very beneficial if you want to smooth and flat surfaces on wood. They can also be used to make shiplap joints, mill doors, and exterior window aprons. But the maximum width of wood planer depends on the model and the thickness of the wood you’re working with.
The most common professional models weigh between five and ten pounds. These machines feature two blades. These blades are fastened to a head that can be rotated to change the depth of the cut. They can also be clamped to an infeed and outfeed table for thin workpieces.
For a smooth finish, it’s important to make sure that the blades are aligned properly. The thickness of the material will also affect the amount of stock you can cut in one pass. The amount you can cut per pass depends on the thickness of the stock, the width of the cut, and the power of the motor.