The electric Planar or any other kind of planer allows a person to level, smooth, and plane the surfaces of rough lumber or wood that might be too big to fit in the standard planning machines. Do you remember the hand planes that were being used in workshops a few years ago? Those have been used for planning surfaces and eliminating a bit of thickness from the doors that aren’t closing properly.
Well, the electric hand planers are advanced versions of the wooden hand planes. With electrical energy, the cutter head spins, and the blades remain fixed with a flat base. This can then be passed across a surface or rough lumber to remove the rough surface, thus leveling it until everything is smooth and flat.
These electric hand planers remain powered with electric motors and can be used by connecting to a normal power outlet.
Top 8 Best Electric Hand Planers
Here is the list of the best electric hand planers that you can choose from and come from the best tool brands in the world:
1. WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer
This is a 6-amp electric hand planer and has the capacity of about 34000 cuts in one minute. It can cut to a depth of 1/8 of an inch. WEN 6530 makes sure that you can easily and quickly slice through most kinds of words, and there will be no issues of the blade to catch on anything apart from the target or being stuck. It has been made to the top of the list because at 6 pounds, this is a lightweight yet quality planer that you can go for. There are many other features like corner sharpening, a protective kickstand, a parallel fence to handle parallel cuts, and a dust bag. This makes sure that the shavings can be kept in one place and won’t get in the air.
Pros
- Comes with a dust bag.
- Straight lines and corners are easily handled.
- Cut speed is quick.
- Build-in protective kickstand.
Cons
- Rarely one can see electric sparks.
2. DEWALT DW680K ELECTRIC HAND PLANER
DeWalt DW680K hand planer is another great quality device that also comes in a mid-range budget. The original packaging includes an edge guide, two carbide blades, a metal kit that fits the planer, and many more. It works with big high speed, re-sharpenable steel blades, and also carbide blades. You will be able to be more accurate in your work and have straight edges. For flat surfaces and square joints, this machine offers high precision. One can also adjust the depth with the assistance of a calibrated adjustment knob. You won’t have to re-zero its depth with every use. It has been made to maneuver as it weighs just 6.2 pounds highly. The ergonomic design provides enhanced comfort, and the front-height knob is rubber coated for better control over the work.
Pros
- The machine is long-lasting.
- Has a powerful motor.
- It is easy to use.
- Offers clean cuts.
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a dust collector.
3. DEWALT DCP580B 20V MAX Brushless Planer (Tool Only)
The DEWALT DCP580B is a fast, lightweight, and extremely powerful hand planer that you can go for. It also features a depth adjustment knob that helps you with accurate adjustment. Also, the cutting rate of 32000 in one minute offers the best result every time.
One can also use a built-in kickstand for placing the hand planer to a surface without brushing against it. A Poly-V drive belt can also be used apart from the blades and offers maximum durability when one deals with thicker, rougher surfaces. As there is no requirement for a power cord, the complete tool weight is 6.8 pounds, making it easy to travel with. It also creates perfect cuts with one pass and is rechargeable.
Pros
- It comes with a rechargeable battery.
- Planer has a brushless motor.
- Offers accurate adjustments.
Cons
- You have to buy a charger and battery separately.
4. Bosch PL1632 6.5 Amp Planer
Coming from a reputed brand like Bosch, you know you won’t be disappointed. The tool has a dual mount guide that helps you with easy set-up. The electric hand planer can be used on any wood surfaces and ready to cut in a few seconds. The spring-loaded stand makes it easy to adjust, and the protective should Is built-in design.
This means that you won’t have to face any danger of the shavings or dust getting in your face. Not only has this but with the depth adjusted system, you can scale in metric and imperial measurement systems. Therefore you get rid of the additional hassle of unit conversions. The good quality handle provides you way better control as the tool is moving. It makes sure that you have nicer-looking and smoother cuts every time!
Pros
- Has a strong motor.
- Simple Design.
- Offers professional results.
Cons
- Might not be suitable for commercial use.
5. PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer
The PC60THPis again an affordable option if you are looking for something on a budget. This is a good value for money device as the tool is filled with several features. The packaging includes the hand planer, wrench, dust bag, 2 cutting blades, kitbag, and edge guide. One can control the cut depth as there is an adjustable knob.
It also has chamfering grooves that can be used for edges as well. The cast aluminum show offers a lot more control over your work. One of the best things about this planer is that it allows you dual extraction on any of the sides; this will help you keep the workplace clean. The product comes with a 3-year warranty that is the longest that you can get with electric hand planers.
Pros
- Value for money tool.
- 3-year warranty.
- Simple to use.
- Comes with a carry bag.
Cons
- The dust bag fills quickly.
6. Bosch PL2632K Hand Planer
Another one from Bosch, the PL2632K, shows that you can easily get a reliable and affordable power tool that will easily work on wooden surfaces. It provides a fine finish, and any professional woodworker will find this very useful. The other functions along the motor are perfect for its size. You don’t have to stress any structural damage as it’s made of high-quality material. The company claims that this is a first-hand planer that has an ambidextrous lock-off button. The depth adjustment feature also promotes precision. However, Bosch could have done better with the dust collection feature.
Pros
- It is safe and flexible to use.
- Has dual guide mount face.
- Blades are easy to change.
- Durable storage pack.
Cons
- The dust collection isn’t the best.
7. WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer
The WEN 6534 is a reliable, portable, and powerful electric hand planer. It is certainly one of the best options that you can consider. The planer also provides the user with the best value for money and is highly affordable. The package includes a hand planer, a dust bag, a parallel fence bracket, and a kickstand. One of the best things about the tool is that you have complete control and accuracy. Slightly heavy at 11.5 pounds, so it can be a bit difficult to carry around.
Verified users highly review this specific model by WEN. As the price is accessible, many people buy it for trying the performance and probably end up liking it a lot more than they initially thought. The dust bag should have been well fastened, and there are times when the dust manages to get out.
Overall this is a reliable product. This can be the perfect choice for anyone that has just started with woodworking and doesn’t want to spend huge amounts of money.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Runs smoothly.
- Descent quality.
- Good for occasional uses.
Cons
- No carry bag.
- Not for professionals.
8. MAKITA 6-3/4″ PLANER, 1806B
Makita 1806B is the electric hand planer that has been specifically built for professional usage and people that are looking for extreme precision. You get a razor-sharp dual blade that gives planning accuracy and can be used in all kinds of woods. It features a powerful 10.9 amp motor, and the spinning RPM is 15000. This high cutting capacity makes the tool to work faster and provide you with flawless results.
The surfaces that it can work up to are 1/16 inch deep and 6-3/4 inch wide. The handle, even after being heavy, provides a good grip and is ergonomically designed. You also get one lock button for ensuring constant, comfortable, and smooth operation. It is not the cheapest but one of the best tools you can go for if your requirement is for heavy-duty work that makes your projects easier to handle.
Pros
- Excellent Performance.
- Great build quality.
Cons
- Heavy and expensive.
Electric Hand Planer Buyer’s Guide
Search for the best electric hand planer might seem easy in theory, but in reality, the market is filled with many options that you will get confused about the one that fits your needs. Even if two electric hand planers have the same features and design, you can’t say if you will be offered the same result. Here are some important things that you should observe when you go ahead with your purchase:
Accuracy and Comfort
A large part of having an electric planer is the cutting work, so one should adjust its depth and accuracy as it can bring a huge difference in the final result. Just a change of 1mm can alter your result, and this is crucial when you are working small scale projects like a carved piece or wall decorations. It won’t matter if the motor is powerful if you don’t get the precise cuts you want. Even a small thing like edge smoothening becomes so difficult as the blade won’t target the place you want it to.
Certainly, accuracy also fluctuates as per the job. At times, Harwood canals, be an issue as it’s likely that the planer blades get stuck on or wear off a bit. You will be ensured of maximum accuracy with the planning tool of the material is softer. However, regardless of the amount you spend, having a planer tool is half work done.
For instance, you can go with any of the above mentioned on the list, but you also need to be patient enough for making sure that you are using it properly. This does need training and experience so that you won’t let anything go wrong from your side as well.
Quality
You need to focus on the quality of the electric planar as it impacts the results. Make sure that you go through the verified reviews in case you find a product that you like. This will help you with two important aspects. Firstly, you will know if you will get the results you wanted and secondly is the tool worth the price you spend.
The best quality will be the one that will fit perfectly for the specific task that you have in hand. High-quality hand electric planers can work well in some odd requirements and situations as well. However, if you aren’t a professional, it’s not recommended that you spend huge money on one tool, especially if you don’t get accessories or vital products for it to work.
Cut Speed
The faster CPM (Cuts/minute) and RPM (Revolutions/minute) a tool has, the higher the speed will be. Also, the smoother each of the cuts made as a result. This is one of the simple parts of buying an electric hand planer, yet a vital one. If your hand planer is very slow, the cut will have less detailing, as well as they will be rough. On the other side, if it cuts way too quickly, the tool can over-cut or slice through and be difficult to control. Faster cuts also produce higher unwanted shavings and dust. So pay attention to what works for you.
Durability
Because of the kind of work we are looking for, the electric planers are rough tools. The operation needs constant and complete contact with the working surface. This can be very different from drill and saw as only the tip works in those cases.
This means that the electric hand planers are more prone to wear and tear and high heat production. The high RPM does produce heat, and with time it can also damage the tool itself. It’s recommended that you go for a model that has metal plates. This will ensure that the shape is maintained after long usage, and you get the maximum benefit from your purchase.
FAQ on Best Electric Hand Planers
Which is the best blade size for electric hand planers?
The selection of the right blade size is vital when you want the best outcome on the project. A small blade size that works on a big wood piece can end up offering unflattering results. Similarly, when one works on a small piece and the blade size is very large, it gets cumbersome and uncomfortable to work.
Most of the electric hand planers have a standard blade size of 3-1/4 inches. This size works well with most of the professional and DIY applications. So you can plan wooden panels, beams, window frames, and door trims that can be the wood dimension lower than 3.25 inches.
The high-end models mainly used by professionals can have blades of 6-3/4 inches and work well for tables, plane doors, furniture, and other wooden structures with larger panels and make the work easier and faster.
What are the different uses of an electric hand planer?
Essentially an electric hand planer is a sander tool. It can be used for shaving and slicing through wood pieces, making smoother edges, or reducing the size or specific purposes. This sounds like simple tasks, but the potential uses are endless. The use ranges from door frame thinning and cutting holes in temporary walls and wooden panels. As long as you require wood to be shaved to a small size or sliced into half, this device will work perfectly.
It can also be used for carving, sculpting as these are slightly like sandpaper blocks or whittling tools in nature. You can flatten the surfaces and be able to create the angled edges with this blade usage.
Are electric hand planers easy to use?
Undoubtedly, if you are a beginner, you will need some practice before going ahead with bigger tasks. You have to be patient, and for the most part, these tools make your work easier to get perfect results.
Should I buy a cordless or cord variant?
This completely depends on the kind of use you are going to put the machine. Sometimes, the cordless variant will be more useful, most of the time, when you have small tasks in hand. It can also help if you are working on a big property that needs repair for fences, sheds, or any wooden surface far from the power outlet.
It can also be great if you work on construction sites and the general mess of cables is reduced. If you go ahead with buying a corded hand planer, notice the cord’s length, and it should be long enough for moving around comfortably.
Final Words
Undoubtedly, handheld electric planers are the fastest sanding tools. This will be an amazing alternative as long as you are working with wood and similar materials. Hopefully, the list of the top products available in the market will be helpful, and you will find the correct tool as per your needs.
