What do you do when you need to level out or straighten a piece of wood? For that project, you'll need a planer.
A planer is a power tool (hand-held or bench-top) designed to level or straighten a piece of wood by shaving its face. A rotating cutter head spins while wood is pushed beneath it using either curved or straight blades, or staggered carbide cutter bits.
Planers are available in three different types:
- Hand-held planers are super versatile and have successfully replaced the larger planer from Dad's workshop. The new generation of planers is able to remove much more material and allows superior control. In addition, contemporary hand-held planers are portable and ideal for smaller, less demanding tasks and tighter workspaces.
- Thickness planers are typically stationary power tools. A pair of rollers and a cutter head work in concert to help flatten boards on their upper surface and retain an even thickness along their length.
- If you often work with larger pieces of lumber, consider a jointer, which consists of a pair of parallel tables, a moveable fence (set perpendicular to the tables) and a cutter head that's powered by an electric motor.
Here are a few features designed to help make your projects go more smoothly:
- Match the tool size with the project scope. The larger your project, the larger your planer should be. For smaller tasks, hand-held planers should do the trick. Similarly, if you're working with larger stock, consider a thickness planer. Also, most residential applications can be met with a bench-top planer. Finally, make sure the width capacities of the planer are enough for your projects.
- A cut above. Depending on the type of planer you're looking for, you'll find they'll typically come with two, three or four knives.
- Variable speeds. One or two speeds are nice, but to maximize your planer's potential, look for tools with variable speeds.
- Depth stops. This feature will allow you to choose and set the desired board thickness for simple and reliable accuracy.