Dust collection systems – as there isn’t any planner on the face of the earth that doesn’t generate a fair amount of chips and dust, a good collection system is key here. I personally prefer to get a planer with an incorporated fan that will instantly blow any debris away from the cutter-head. Considering the fact that I actually own quite a few planers in my shop, the Makita seemed a bit of an unnecessary toy to buy. I mean, yeah, it’s great at what it does, but so what? All my other wood planners were also great. A good planer will live you with a fine finish regardless of the wood you use and it will allow you to work cheaper and faster. Now, you might not think the Makita is the model for you. Which is perfectly alright. However, you do have to know about some of the key features you have to look for, mainly if you are a beginner that is. Brand Reputation and Customer Support: Consider reputable brands known for their woodworking machinery. Research customer experiences and after-sales support to gauge the reliability and customer satisfaction associated with the brand. This was great news to me as this user apparently didn’t have any problem with the machine overheating. Great news indeed…as I really wanted to get one now. And while there were some people who apparently has some issues with either the blades, dust collector, feed roller, dust boot outlet, you name it. But as one user put it, you do have to put in a little work into properly maintaining the Makita.

The quality Makita provides in terms of build material is excellent. Even the plastic used in Makita 2012NB has excellent quality. On the downside, it is very noisy, quite a bit more so than most other machines we’ve reviewed. Furthermore, while this is a good quality machine, you should know that the sides are plastic, making it slightly less durable. The 1650W motor ensures smooth and consistent cutting performance, making it suitable for both hardwoods and softer woods. The build quality of the machine is robust, ensuring durability and longevity, even under heavy use. Knives that are self-indexing – now, the Makita, as well as many other models in the same category do have double-edged, self-indexing knives. This will save you a lot of drama and potential hassle. Some blades are double-sided and can be turned and used again when one side is blunt. Other types of blades may be resharpenable, saving you money over time.One of the key aspects as to why I like this model is the fact that, in addition to having a 4-post design complete with some diagonal cross supports for a greater stability, it also comes complete with large table extensions. Now, depending on your actual work piece’s size, you might not need them, however, I think they are essential for larger panels. Product Information Now, this third option is a model from WEN. What stands this wood planer apart is its granite tables, providing quite a sturdy, smooth surface for wood to travel on. The 15Amp motor is also very powerful, generating about 18,800 cuts/ minute at a good feed rate of 26 feet/ minute. Pretty good stats I have to say. If the tool is faulty within 30 days of buying it, we will arrange for its collection at no cost to you and supply a replacement.

The twin blades can take off up to 2 mm per pass, so combined with the feed rate of 6.28 m per minute you can get a reasonable amount of work done in a short space of time. Adjustments are made with a series of hand wheels and cranks, and four rubber feet help to keep the vibrations down. This lovely Grizzly model is as durable and high-performance as its name suggests. Coming equipped with a deflector shield, this machine is as secure as it is high-quality. Most previous users do like it, mainly as it is made out of steel. Gauges and stops – before investing in any model, make sure you do your homework, just as much as I did and be sure that it has gauges in all the right places that will stop you from biting too much into any piece. Sporting a 1,250 Watt motor that spins the blades up to 8,000 rpm, this Scheppach planer is more suited to small pieces of wood. With a maximum cutting width of just 204 mm and a height of 120 mm, it’s not the best in its class, but it’s enough for most DIYers.In my eyes, you cannot go wrong with a Dewalt model, and this 13-inch one is pretty good. I have it in my shop and find it leaves even the worst of reclaimed wood boards in top shape. The 15-AMP motor with 20,000 RPM and a cutter head speed of 10,000 RPM will do any work no matter how hard the wood piece is.