Powerful motor in combination with an elaborated cutter head gear allows the application of the tool for a wide range of tasks. As the dust bag is collapsible, it can collect much more shavings and it is much easier to clean in the end.
You can use only a branded shavings ejector. Might be a problem to find a new one if the included one gets out of order.
In view of high performance and precision settings, the DeWALT D26500K may become a real find for any professional joiner or carpenter. The tool will cope perfectly with any wood of light- to medium hardness and deliver the straightest cuts.
Corded
0 - 4.0 mm
25 mm
13 500 RPM
1050 W
Rubberised grips, Left and right chip ejection, Parking rest, Rebating depth guide, V-groove in the nose piece of the shoe, Parallel fence, Tungsten carbide tipped reversible blades, Electronic brake
4 kg
1 year
Powered from a quick-charging battery, this planer is able to plane down any type of wood very quickly. The intellectual power system protects it from over-discharging, and overheating, and overloading.
The dust bag isn't included.
Well-balanced and mobile, the Makita DKP180Z will suit users looking for a tool that would work flawlessly for an extended period of time and be lightweight enough to carry around. Its cordless design allows its use almost anywhere.
Cordless
0 - 2.0 mm
9 mm
15 000 RPM
18 V
Soft-grip handles, Lock-off lever on both sides of the housing, Park rest, Chamfer groove, Edge fence, Electric brake
3.4 kg
3 years
The package includes several spare carbon brushes, which makes this tool a good investment. Once the old ones wear out, you will have spares at hand to replace.
As this planer has no park rest, it's recommended to store it in an upright position so as not to damage its blades.
This heavy-duty hand planer has proven effective for a broad range of woods. If you're just getting into planing craft, the Silverline 128891 is the one to go with.
Corded
0 - 2.0 mm
N/A
17 000 RPM
710 W
Rubber-coated handle, Chamfer groove, Guide fence
2.8 kg
3 years
This planer accepts accessories of other Bosch tools, which is a big plus if you've got some. The WoodRazor blade delivers the smoothest cuts in a single stroke.
The handle might slip in your hands if you wear gloves.
Featuring a low vibration level and compact size, the Bosch PHO 1500 suits perfectly well such precision jobs as door edging or cabinetry back-fitting.
Corded
0 - 1.5 mm
8 mm
19 500 RPM
550 W
Lock-off switch for safe working, Park rest, 3 V-grooves for precisely rounding off corners, Reversible tungsten carbide blade
2.4 kg
2 years
The option to change quickly the direction of chip ejection makes this tool perfect for accomplishing awkward and elevated jobs.
Comes with a small dust bag, which means you will need to empty it quite often.
This Black & Decker power planer is an affordable and versatile tool that will be good both for rough cutting jobs and for finishing jobs. From floor scrapping to furniture making, it will do all that and much more.
Corded
0 - 2.0 mm
12 mm
16 000 RPM
750 W
Overmould on front and rear handle, Left and right chip ejection, Park rest, 3 different sized chamfer grooves, Side fence
2.9 kg
2 years
For Left-Handed and Right-Handed Jobs
Starting our review of the DeWALT D26500K, we'd like to cover its convenience features first. The planer has a smartly designed chip ejection system that enables you to connect a bag or a vacuum extractor to either side of the tool, which makes it especially convenient when needing to plane something down in awkward places. The connection of the bag requires the use of an ejector, which comes with the tool.
The dust bag is made of soft material, foldable easily for storage, and has a transparent top for a user's clear view of the contents of the bag. The tool itself sits in hand comfortably. The rubber pads on the handle minimise the levels of vibration and enhance the comfort of use on the whole.
It Works Smoothly
Now let's proceed to the D26500K"s performance characteristics. The planer feels quite weighty, which comes as no surprise seeing its heavy-duty 1050W motor and a massive cast shoe. However, this isn't a drawback. In reality, tools with bigger weight prove more stable and efficient during usage. The same goes for the DeWALT D26500K. It feels right and it works right. The working speed of the tool reaches a maximum 13500 RPM so it can easily cope with both softwood and hardwood. While the option to adjust the planing depth and the tool's ability to remove up to 4 mm of wood in one pass allows for high precision planing results.
The Full Package
Apart from performance and convenience features, we also liked the package of the tool. In the box, alongside the planer, you also get a bag and a chip ejector that we've mentioned before, a parallel fence and a rebating depth guide. The included fence fits either side of the tool and convenient both for left-handed and for right-handed users. The guide is adjustable and allows you to make rebates up to 25 mm deep. These are great indices for any hand planer. Furthermore, the package includes reversible blades that last twice as long as any conventional blades. Thus, you will not need to buy replacement blades soon after purchase. All in all, we can suggest all users who deal with large volumes of work requiring high precision consider this DeWALT D26500K.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £251.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0006JJPYW |
Carefully Designed For Optimum Performance
This one is the Makita DKP180Z, a cordless planer with 18V motor and 15000 RMP working speed, sufficient for making very smooth and more important very fast planing. The tool's fitted with a precision machined aluminium sole that not only ensures higher accuracy but also protects the drum from quick wear. Planing is not the only job the Makita DKP180Z is fit for. As it's got a V-groove in the sole, it will also be good for making all kinds of chamfers, while the edge fence that it comes fitted with will ensure that all your cuts are perfectly aligned and straight. The best part of it all, it won't matter what wood you've got in hand, wet or dry, there's no task the Makita DKP180Z won't handle.
Ideal Balancing
Not only is the DKP180Z high-performance, it is also convenient to use. It has a large handle for depth settings adjustments, which can also be used as an extra grip during heavy-duty use. It is lightweight and balanced and can be operated for several hours in a row easily. It is also safe to use. There's a lock-off lever that prevents accidental starting of the tool and is placed so that both left-handed and right-handed operators could access it instantly.
Less Charging, More Cutting
While boasting so many great characteristics, portability is probably its biggest advantage. The Makita DKP180Z is cordless, meaning you will not be limited by the length of a cord and will be able to move it easily around the area where you work. The tool's powered by one 2Ah battery and it only needs 22 minutes of charging to keep running for several hours. For users who've got not one but two batteries, this literally means continuous operation. The batteries of this type are protected from power surges and shut the tool off if the power is too high or the charge is too low. So decide how many batteries you want to have and choose one or several with the capacity from 2 to 5 Ah. Like most Makita tools, the DKP180Z has an electric brake for safety of use.
Taking all the said above into account, if you need a well-balanced and portable planer with powerful performance, we recommend you to consider this model.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £129.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00HYEAN4I |
The Workhorse From Silverline
Although this power planer from Silverline isn't a high-end product, its performance is still good enough for a great number of tasks. So let's see what this tool is capable of and what it is good for. Fitted with 710W motor running at 17000 RPM and featuring twin blades with the working speed of 34000 cuts per minute, the Silverline 128891 can handle equally well both softwood and hardwood. Considering the depth cut of 2 mm and the planing width of 82 mm, we can also assume the Silverline 128891 will be good for such jobs as planing door boards, ceiling crossbeams, and many similar. Like most of the planers, it has a V-shaped groove in the shoe for 45-degree chamfering. For more comfortable work with the tool, the manufacturer supplies it with spare rubber belt drives and a couple of carbon brushes.
The Practical Assistant For Your Joinery Works
This hand planer is powerful enough to do its job quickly and has all the features to make planing easier for an operator. Aside from a dust bag that comes with the tool, an operator may make use of a regular vacuum cleaner connecting it directly to the planer. This may come in especially handy when doing some really tough planing jobs. With regards to the package, the tool comes with a fence for rebating and an auxiliary guide for adjusting the cut depth.
It's Simple and Safe
The budget price doesn't always mean mediocrity and this hand planer is proof of this. Despite being a low-priced model, it was produced with a user's comfort and safety in mind. It has a rubberized handle for a non-slip grip and a special lever for adjusting depth settings. Also, it features a lock-off button that prevents the trigger switch from accidental depressing, giving users the option to control operation. Basically, it has the same set of features that other hand planers do, but it's way cheaper than most of them.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B002BSH0E8 |
Plane With Safety and Comfort
Bosch tools have always stood out from competition. Why? Let's view this PHO 1500 planer and find out together which features make Bosch products so popular that DIYers around the world get so obsessed with them. What you'll notice right away is its simple, real simple design. However, as they say, genius lies in simplicity. The tool has a Bosch-style handle, with all buttons being arranged so that you could easily access them. The planer is pretty lightweight, which gives you the option to use it as long as you need without straining your arms and wrists. The safety lock-off switch, projected on both sides of the handle, allows both left- and right-handed operators to push it conveniently. A nice addition to all Bosch tools is a flexible handle coupling, which protects the cord from overloading this way extending the service life of tools.
Perfect Cut In a Single Run
Considering performance characteristics, one can easily jump to a conclusion that this planer is only good for light-duty tasks like softwood planing. However, it can give you much more than that. Featuring the patented WoodRazor blade system, the tool can challenge many more powerful peers by delivering perfectly flat and accurate results in a fraction of time. Made of tungsten carbide, the reversible blade takes less friction and lasts twice as long as conventional blades. You will unlikely need to replace it for a long while. But even if you happened to damage it or the blade wore out, you will not have a problem to get a new one and replace it in less than a couple of minutes. It is so simple.
Rebate and Chamfer With Ease
Three V-grooves on the shoe allow the tool to make a variety of chamfers of different sizes. When rebating, the tool can remove up to 8 mm of wood 1.5 mm wide. The option to fit it with accessories is a great advantage, which gives you more flexibility during usage.
In conclusion, we can say that this Bosch planer is the best choice for high accuracy jobs and finish planing.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £62.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00SBN0NUK |
It Cuts Even Oak
Making this selection of tools, we couldn't skip the Black &Decker KW750K. This is a classic electric planer, suitable for different types of wood as well as composite lumber. Fitted with a powerful 750 W motor and a double-blade drum, it yields 16000 RMP and ensures the smoothest finish of surfaces in a minimum number of passes. The planing width of this tool is 82 mm, a standard size suitable for processing medium-sized boards and slats. A maximum cutting depth is 2 mm, but you can change it in 0.2 mm increments. The rebate width of the tool makes 12 mm, which is quite impressive for the tool of this class. Even though we've still got features to cover, we can already say that this Black &Decker KW750K is good for planing down wood of just about any hardness and structure.
Convenience Features
The tool is shipped in a sturdy case and comes with a spanner, a parallel fence, and a bag for chippings. Basically, you do not need to buy anything else; the planer is ready for use out of the box. The KW650K-GB has an elongated design and rubberized handles, which allows its prolonged use with greater comfort. However, one of the best features of this tool is its chip ejection system. Unlike the majority of hand planers that dispose of debris in one particular spot, this one allows you to choose the exact place for accumulating chippings. May come in handy in certain situations.
Safety Above All
The Black & Decker KW750K-GB is a class ІІ electrical tool, which means it is double insulated and safe for outdoor use. The protection features include a lock button and a part rest that both protect the tool and ensure its long service life.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £64.71 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B005S40F0S |
What is a Hand Planer?
Most people know that trees are vital to our very existence as they generate oxygen, yield fruit, and also serve as decoration. Apart from that, timber is widely used in construction and manufacturing. Any wooden item undergoes a few stages of processing, and smoothing is one of the most important. A hand planer will help you make surfaces straight and flat. In comparison with conventional planes, hand planers are more efficient and deliver higher quality, and, what is more important, require minimum skills. Hand planers are able to perform rough chipping, backfitting, chamfering, and rebating, hence these tools are irreplaceable in joinery.
Additionally, you may want to consider getting one of the orbital sanders to make wood work perfectly finished.
What Features to Compare
Type
Decide on the type of a power planer, taking into account where and how you will use it. Today, hand planers come in two types, corded and cordless. Corded planers are the most commonly used tools. A corded planer is usually equipped with a powerful motor that enables processing all types of wood. Corded models are more durable and work longer, as they are connected to a constant power supply. Cordless models also have lots of advantages. A cordless planer can be used in hard-to-reach areas and sites without power supply thanks to its portability. Moreover, a cordless tool is also safe for operating in a humid environment. Cordless tools are lightweight and facilitate processing vertical surfaces.
Performance
When you choose a hand planer, it’s important to consider performance parameters. Planing requires a lot of effort, so the motor power is vital for tool's performance. Pick a model according to the work scope. So, if you’re going to plane a few boards occasionally, a medium-power planer will be enough. Yet, if you have a great deal of work to accomplish, give your preference to a high-power planer. The cutterhead with knives is a key element of a planer that affects the performance. The no-load speed means the number of turns a drum makes per minute. For example, if you use a planer the no-load speed of which is 15,000 RPM and its cutterhead has 2 blades, it means that you'd have to make 30,000 runs with a conventional planer to do the same job. Remember that the higher the speed, the smoother the planed surface. Also, you should know the cutting width and the depth. The cutting width means the width of chips a planer slices per one pass, so the wider the planer is, the fewer runs you’ll make. The cutting depth stands for the thickness of removed shavings and affects the speed.
Convenience
When you consider any hand tool, you surely pay attention to all conveniences it offers. First of all, pay attention to the weight of a planer; it's an important criterion that predetermines working efficiency. For a two-handed comfortable use, look for auxiliary or adjustable handles. Some models come with detachable bags for wood chips, while others may also provide users with a groove and a guide to help them cut accurately and straight.
FAQ:
Q: How to hold a power planer?
A: Use both hands to control the tool. If you're right-handed, guide the front handle of the plane with your left hand, and balance the rear one with your right hand.
Q: How to plane with a power planer right?
A: First of all, you need to take the right position. Place your feet apart wide enough to pass the tool over a workpiece comfortably. Make sure to put the plane down facing upwards so that its blade didn't touch the worktop. Start the engine and let it run at full throttle. Then move it closer to the surface that needs planing and push it forward. Keep the same level of pressure on the front and rear grips to maintain close contact with a workpiece. As you reach the end of a workpiece, slow down a bit so that the shoe wouldn't drop off it and bite off the edge of the wood.
Q: Do I need to clamp the stock before planing it?
A: Yes, you do. Fix a workpiece securely to your workbench with adjustable clamps or vise grips so that it doesn't wiggle or move forward or backward. A well-secured board will reduce the risks of injuries and give you peace of mind.
Q: What are the safety recommendations for using a planer?
A: Before adjusting a blade drum or blades, the first thing to do is disconnect the tool from a power supply. When plugging it in, it's important that its switch is set to OFF position. If the blade wore out, buy a new one of the same size and place it at the same height. Make sure that all locking screws are tightened well. Keep the stock in a position that doesn't impede the tool's use. Investigate the surface for all foreign objects such as nails, staples, screws, etc. before starting to plane. Do not cut a stock shorter than 20 cm or slimmer than 1 cm. Do not try to remove shavings with your fingers while running the tool. Do not put a planer down until its blade drum has come to a full stop. While planing, position yourself in close proximity to controls. Never stand behind a workpiece while guiding a planer. Keep the working area clear of cords.
Q: Do I need to wear safety equipment when planing?
A: Yes, it's advisable to use safety glasses, or goggles, or a face shield, and hearing protectors.
Sources:
1. How to Use a Power Planer, The Family Handyman.
2. Clayton DeKorne Choosing and Using Hand Planes, This Old House.
3. Plane, Wikipedia. November 8, 2016.
4. Planers Buying Guide, eBay.
5. Types of Planers, eHow.
6. All About Planers and Sanders, DIY Network.