8 best planers

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Thicknessing machines with drum knives allow you to align all sides of a wooden blank in turn so that the board has the same dimensions throughout its entire length. This is a useful machine that will come in handy for making carpentry as a hobby or in a professional workshop. Let’s find out how to choose a thicknesser, why it is worth choosing a thicknesser over a planer, and which models are considered the best among buyers and sellers.

How to choose a good thicknesser

Characteristics of thicknessing equipment for wood processing affect the speed of work and the cost of goods. To figure out which machine is better, pay attention to nine key parameters:

1. Drum speed. This indicator varies from 8 to 10 thousand rpm. The higher the setting, the faster the process will go.

2. Engine power. World manufacturers endow thicknessing equipment with a capacity of 1500 to 5500 watts. The powerful motor allows you to confidently cut dense woods or wet boards. It is important to pay attention to the operating voltage of 220 or 380 V in order to ensure the correct connection at the place of use.

3. Permissible minimum workpiece thickness. To make glazing beads or other thin strips, you will need a thickness gauge with the ability to draw a workpiece with a cross section of 5-7 mm. If you try to do this on equipment that is not designed for such a thickness, the picket fence will simply break.

4. The number of knives on one axis and the features of their sharpening. There can be 2 or 4 blades on the drum in the machine. In the latter case, the processing quality will be higher, and it will take less time to broach. The blade can have a flat or wavy edge, which allows you to process wooden surfaces in different ways.

5. The maximum allowed dimensions of the passed part. The dimensions of the portal frame of the thicknesser affect the maximum permitted dimensions of the workpiece in width and height, which are suitable for pulling. These can be boards with a height of 140-200 mm (for processing the rib) and sawn wood with a width of 280-500 mm.

6. Ability to connect to a vacuum cleaner. The thicknesser throws sawdust forward, so after work you will need to clean the floor. Connecting to a vacuum cleaner helps keep things clean and saves time at the end of the day.

7. Depth of cut thickness. Each manufacturer indicates how high the knives of the machine can be removed in one pass of the board. This may be an indicator of 1-5 mm, which affects performance.

8. The number of processed sides. If there are drums with knives at the top and bottom, then the speed of removing an uneven surface is doubled.

9. Machine weight. The thickness gauge can weigh from 25 to 40 kg. This equipment is mounted on a workbench or a regular table, and can also be transported for on-site wood processing. Machines with less weight will be easier to get out of the trunk and carry. But there are also stationary machines, weighing 300 kg each, which are designed only for a permanent place of operation.

Comparison of planer and planer

In addition to thickness gauges, planer machines are actively used in carpentry. They have a flat elongated frame and are designed for stationary installation. It is much more convenient to work with long boards on them. Why is it worth giving preference to the gage? Finally, a comparative table of the pros and cons of these two types of machines will help you make the right choice.

Rating of the best thicknessing machines

As you can see, the thickness gauge has many advantages, so most craftsmen prefer just such a machine, especially when they have to work with boards no more than 150-200 cm in length. If this is your case, then let’s look at specific devices that have collected the most positive reviews and have been liked by experts for their characteristics.

Jet JWP-208-3 708584T

Rating: 5.0

In the first place is the thickness gauge from the Swiss Jet brand, which is designed for professional use in production. The machine is connected to a 380 V network, so the workshop must have a three-phase input. The model has its own base and a bed with rollers, so it does not need a workbench. Masters in the reviews praise the thickness gauge for very sharp knives, where 4 blades are provided on the drum. The machine is also suitable for installing Helical branded shafts, which have a unique cutting edge configuration, which significantly increases productivity. The machine runs at maximum speed with a shaft of 5000 rpm, whose speed can be adjusted by turning the handle.

We put the thicknesser in the first place, because it is the leader in everything. In one pass, a powerful machine is able to remove the height of wood 5 mm. The portal design allows processing boards with a width of 50 cm and a height of 20 cm in it. The cast frame ensures a reliable location of the beam and reduces vibration.

DeWALT DW 733

Rating: 4.9

In second place is a product from the American company DeWALT. The thicknesser has a portal structure with folding supports and 4 supporting rollers, which ensure smooth movement of the workpiece. The machine consumes 1.8 kW per hour and makes up to 10000 rpm with cutting equipment. The thickness gauge is connected to a 220 V household network. The maximum dimensions of the workpiece being processed are 315×152 mm. Rolling rollers are capable of moving the part at a speed of up to 7.8 m per minute. In the kit, the manufacturer provides a dust cover and an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner. The thickness gauge demonstrates good performance among machines connected to a 220 V network. In one pass, the machine is able to remove a height of up to 2-3.2 mm. If processing speed is a priority, then definitely choose this machine.

We took it to the best because of the quality assembly. Most reviews show that the thickness gauge can be used right out of the box. The shafts are exactly in place and do not need additional adjustment. There is enough lubrication in the gearbox.

See 2012 NB

Rating: 4.8

The third place in the list of the best is occupied by the Japanese thickness gauge Makita 2012 NB, which has a power of 1650 W and is connected to a household single-phase network. The machine rotates the tooling at a speed of 8500 rpm. The design of the thicknesser provides for two knives, and the maximum size of the workpiece is valid up to 304×155 mm. The machine weighs 28 kg, so it is easy to transport it from place to place. Planing depth of thickness gauge per pass reaches 3 mm. Auxiliary shafts move parts at a speed of 8.5 m/min. Many buyers in the reviews report that a couple of years after the operation of this machine, they do not regret their decision.

We considered the thickness gauge to be the best due to the increased processing accuracy. It has a planing depth setting that secures the size to prevent scrap. The masters also note in the reviews a very clean processing, after which the wood gets a glossy sheen.

Metabo DH 330 0200033000

Rating: 4.7

Among the products of the German brand “Metabo” there is a practical thicknesser with a large table, the dimensions of which when unfolded reach 84×33 cm, which is convenient for working with boards up to 2 m. The model is connected to a 220 V network and spins the equipment up to 9800 rpm. The design has two knives-planers made of hardened steel. The size of the workpiece in width is allowed up to 33 cm, and in height up to 15.2 cm. A depth removal scale is placed on the side, with an indicator from 0 to 3 mm. If you need to make thin slats, then the thicknessing machine is able to expel parts with a height of up to 5 mm.

Endurance and reliability are two factors for which the experts considered this machine the best. The thicknesser has a power of 1800 W and confidently cuts wide boards up to 330 mm. If the wood is too dense (ash, oak), the speed starts to sag, but the machine continues processing and does not stop. For a carpentry workshop, this is the best option that will cope with its tasks every day.

Ryobi RAP1500G 5133002859

Rating: 4.6

The thickness gauge operates on 220 V and consumes 1.5 kW per hour. The planing shaft speeds up to 9000 rpm. The knives are able to process a board up to 31.8 cm wide and 15.3 cm high. In the reviews, buyers share that the machine pulls a 31 cm linden shield easily. The speed of movement of the broach mechanism reaches 8 m/min. If you need to process a thin picket fence, then the minimum height is allowed up to 7 mm. Thanks to the curved knife lowering handle, turning the drive is much more convenient.

This thickness gauge is recognized as the best for the little things thought out by the manufacturer. For example, the on and off button is of a closed type (in a transparent rubber case), so it does not clog with chips. The dust collector picks up sawdust well when connected to a vacuum cleaner. In the reviews, the masters share that the machine does not vibrate much, even if it is not fixed to the workbench.

Enkor Corvette-21 90210

Rating: 4.5

The domestic brand “Enkor” offers a thicknesser “Corvette-21” with a power of 1500 W, which spins the knives up to 8000 rpm. The tool has two cutting edges. Torque from the motor to the shafts is transmitted through a belt drive. The size of the processed workpiece can be up to 15.3×31.8 cm. The maximum planing depth is 2.5 mm. The broaching mechanism is capable of moving the workpiece at a speed of 8 m/min.

In the reviews, the thicknesser is praised for its reliable frame. Unlike other models, here it is made of cast iron, not alloy steel. This is immediately evident from the weight of the product 39 kg, when competitors have a mass of 26-30 kg. This solution helped to reduce vibration and more reliable positioning of the workpiece. The thickness gauge is also notable for the presence of its own support stand, thanks to which there is no need to find a place on the workbench.

Jet JWP-12 10000840M

Rating: 4.4

Among the inexpensive thickness gauges for working at home or in the garage, the Jet JWP-12 machine stands out. It has a power of 1800 W and rotates a shaft with two knives at a speed of 9000 rpm. The processing depth reaches 2.5 mm at a time. The machine is able to independently move the workpiece up to 7 m/min. Buyers in the reviews like that for a relatively small amount, the manufacturer supplies two sets of knives at once, one of which is already in the equipment. The second will come in handy when the current equipment becomes dull. The 10 cm diameter extraction socket facilitates the collection and removal of chips.

In this thicknesser, the protection of the motor during long-term operation is excellent. The system has a built-in motor temperature sensor that monitors the thermal performance of the winding. When it overheats, the device turns off the power to prevent the coil from melting and short circuiting.

ZUBR MASTER SR-330-1800

Rating: 4.3

The review is completed by a thickness gauge from the domestic manufacturer Zubr. The machine “Master SR-330-1800” is connected to a single-phase network and consumes a power of 1.8 kW. The shaft speed is 9000 rpm. Using the handle on the body, you can switch the speed of pulling the workpiece from 4 to 6 m/min. The maximum depth of planing reaches 3 mm. The machine weighs 40 kg, which contributes to a small formation of vibration. Via an adapter with a diameter of 10 cm, you can connect a chip extraction with a vacuum cleaner. In the reviews, the owners like the machine with a planing width of 33 cm, against 31 cm, common among competitors, as well as high-quality metal of knives.

This planer is distinguished by the presence of a monochrome display, which displays digital designations of knife placement settings. This allows you to set the processing parameters in height with an accuracy of one tenth of a millimeter, which is impossible to set according to the drawn scale.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.