Photo: DeWalt

If you’re a DIY fan, and enjoy a bit of woodwork, you’ll need flat, straight lumber. This is where the electric wood planer comes in. Electric wood planers work a lot like bench planes, but have the power to make the work go much faster. They’re great for both big and small jobs, but you won’t have the kind of control you would with a manual planer, so it’s important to get used to using yours before tackling more detailed work.

Choosing an electric wood planer

The biggest decision you make when investing in an electric wood planer may be whether you’ll go for a cordless one or not. While possibly more convenient, a cordless electric planer can be more expensive in the long run. If you’re budget-conscious, bear in mind that you will have to buy a battery and battery recharger along with the planer. You’ll also need to time the work you are doing to be sure that the battery doesn’t run out in the middle of a job. The convenience of a cordless planer might make up for these factors, though. Ultimately, the decision is up to you.

Recommended electric planers

Photo: Bosch

The Bosch 1594K 3-1/4 inch Planer Kit is possibly the best electric wood planer on the market, featuring a powerful 6.5 amp motor and the ability to direct shavings left or right with its chip ejection switch. It uses a carbide two-blade system, and features a bevel guide. Its depth control is also accurate, and it’s easy to use.

The DeWalt DW68-K 3-1/4 inch Heavy-Duty Planer Kit is another good buy. It can shave up to 3/32 inches in a single pass, and it has a low centre of gravity and good balance. A downside, as with some other planers, is that it doesn’t have a dust bag. It’s a good idea to invest in one of these when you buy your electric wood planer.

Hopefully this guide will help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right planer for the job.

Tags: diy