Planers Buying Guide
| Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
$2802.54 | 1164 | 173 |
A planer is used for smoothing rough wood surfaces or reducing the thickness of a board. Using rollers to move the stock past fast-spinning, sharp blades, thin layers of material are removed from the board. While it will not straighten a bowed board, a planer will produce a more stable product by running the lumber through the machine enough times create a smooth surface.
Sometimes referred to a power surface planers, stationary planers are quicker at surfacing boards than hand held planers which, while effective, are physically tiring and time consuming.
A typical surface planer is comprised of a small table (around 10 and 14-inches in width) that helps guide the stock through the planer, a hand-crank to adjust the cutting depth, and two rollers (one above the infeed table, the other roller is above the outfeed table). Sometimes, it can come equipped with a dust collection port so it can be connected to a shop vacuum or dust collection system.
As for surface planer safety, hearing protection and safety glasses are always a good idea. When feeding the stock through the planer, be sure to stand beside the stock and not behind it – that way, if the stock kicks back you won’t be standing behind the stock and get a swift kick to the body. Also, if the stock becomes stuck in the machine, or if sawdust or shavings need to be cleared away, do NOT use your hands around the planer’s feed tables while it is in operation.
Types of Planers
Portable
Portable planers differ from stationaries in that the table is fixed and the cutter head is adjusted.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planers | |
$2802.54 | 1164 | 173 |
| Portable | |
$410.53 | 385 | 29 |
The average ranking of the 29 products in Portable Planers is 4 and the average price is $410.53. The 173 products in Planers have an median rating of 4 and an median price of $2802.54. The individual product links have detailed information on each model.
12-13"
The average ranking of the 25 products in 12-13" Planers is 4 and the average price is $381.69. The 173 products in Planers have an median ranking of 4 and an median price of $2802.54. Seperate product links have additional information on the models.
We've picked one product from 12-13" Planers that we think stands above the rest. To find out why the DeWalt 735 is our favorite, click here.
14-16"
The 28 products in 14-16" Planers have an average ranking of 4 with an average price of $1639.31. There are 173 products in Planers with an average rating of 4. The average price is $2802.54. Seperate product links have additional data on the models.
18-20"
There are 43 products in 18-20" Planers with an median rating of 3.5. The median price is $4736.77. There are 173 products in Planers with an average ranking of 4. The average price is $2802.54. Specific product links have detailed information on the models.
22-28"
The 23 products in 22-28" Planers have an average ranking of 5 with an average price of $10125.11. The 173 products in Planers have an median rating of 4 and an median price of $2802.54. product links have more data on the models.
Planer
A wood moulder shapes stock with profiled cutters. Moulders almost always have the capacity to serve as a planer, but a wood planer does not necessarily have the capability to be a moulder.
The 11 products in Planer Moulders have an median ranking of 4 with an average price of $910.63. There are 173 products in Planers with an median rating of 4. The median price is $2802.54. Click the Planer Moulders product links for more reviews and information on the specific models.
Planer Jointer
A planer jointer is a machine that is used to surface wood stock. Its primary function is to produce flat edges on lumber prior to joining pieces edge-to-edge to produce wider boards.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planers | |
$2802.54 | 1164 | 173 |
| Planer Jointer |  |
$1413.75 | 49 | 14 |
The average rating of the 14 products in Planer Jointer Combos is 4.5 and the average price is $1413.75. The median rating of the 173 products in Planers is 4 with an median price of $2802.54. The product links have additional reviews and information on each model.
