Last Updated on
Top 7 Best Planer Thicknessers
- DeWalt Dw733 230V Portable 1800W (Editor’s Choice)
- Makita 2012NB/2, 220 V, 1650 W, 304mm (Luxury Choice)
- VEVOR 12.5 Inch (Best Value)
- Scheppach PLM1800 152mm x 330mm
- Lumberjack Planer Thicknesser
- Metabo MPTDH330 1800 W 240 V
- Makita 2012NB 110 V
Imperfect boards don’t look great, and they certainly aren’t the best to use in woodworking or carpentry. Fortunately, the planer thicknesser exists, combining two great processes in one, thinning outboards and removing imperfections with ease. In general, they operate by trimming down the length of the boards by running them through on rollers in the direction of the cutting blades, which, each time they pass through the boards, remove wood from their surface.
There are numerous planer thicknessers available, and they differ in terms of brand, price, design, and features. Whether you are in the market for a portable item, or a larger item that will remain in situ, there is a planer thicknesser for you. These are not inexpensive items, and it is important to find one that does just what you need it to do and is sufficiently powerful for the job.
We’ve handpicked our favourite seven, showcasing the best in design and value for money and created our top eight, and also provided a buyer’s guide, giving you information and setting out some considerations for when you are making the decision to buy the best planer thicknesser UK stores have to offer!
How we Compared Planer Thicknessers
To find the right planer thicknessers, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Power
- Planing capability
- Additional features
Our team independently examined and compared hundreds of products to help satisfy different needs. We spent our time researching planer thicknessers and consulting customer reviews to ultimately bring you what, in our opinion, are the best options on the market right now.
To find out more about our editorial process, take a look here.
Planer Thicknesser Reviews
DeWalt Dw733 230V Portable 1800W (Editor’s Choice)
The DeWalt DW733 has a powerful 1800W motor and is designed to give complete portability, though it still weighs 33.6 kg. The headlock feature locks the cutter head by removing any movement while cutting to give a high-quality surface finish. In addition, it sports a large in-and-outfeed table to support material as it passes through.
It can handle wood up to 317 mm wide and 152 mm thick, and the four-post design allows the cutter to move up and down smoothly. It has holes in the back, which enable the machine to be fitted to a bench if necessary, and it has a planer depth of 2 mm per pass with a no-load speed of 10,000 rpm.
It has a feed rate of 8 m per minute which is pretty high on our list, making quick work of any job. For other great guides, read our guide on pillar drills.
Pros:
- Planes of wood up to 317 mm wide and 152 mm thick
- Plane depth of 2 mm per pass and a no-load speed of 10,000 rpm
- It has a feed rate of 8 m/min, which is pretty high
- Headlock feature to reduce movement
- Includes a thickness scale, graduated depth crank and material removal gauge
Cons:
- Shavings may get caught in the dust outlet
- The planer is heavy, despite being designed to be portable
Makita 2012NB/2, 220 V, 1650 W, 304mm (Luxury Choice)
The Makita 2012NB/2 is given our luxury choice award due to its fantastic credentials. It offers a 1650 W motor and delivery of up to 8500 rpm. It has a 304 mm cutting width and a 150 mm cutting depth with a fantastic 3 mm planning depth per pass.
Not only this, but it has the best feed rate on our list of 8.5 m/min, all while featuring a great planning depth. The table size is 304 mm by 771 mm, enough for larger materials, and it is supplied with wrenches and a magnetic holder.
When feeding in materials, the downward pressure system prevents sniping of the wood, and the 1-year guarantee gives you peace of mind. In addition, it offers the best performance of any planer thicknesser on our list, with the highest workload capacity.
Pros:
- A feed rate of 8.5 m/min with an impressive planer depth of 3 mm
- The downward pressure system prevents sniping of the wood
- Features a 304mm cutting width and 150mm cutting depth
- LED light indicates when there is power to the machine
- The automated head clamp stops you from having to apply the mechanism manually
Cons:
- You may need an additional extractor to remove all of the chippings
- It may not be suitable for heavy-duty planing work
VEVOR 12.5 Inch (Best Value)
The Vevor planer thicknesser is at the lower end of our reviewed products, but it still has a lot to offer in terms of functionality and power. It has a powerful 2000 W motor, which can deliver a cutting speed of 9000 rpm and a feeding speed of 6 m per minute.
Additionally, this planer thicknesser by Vevor has two-piece double-cutter blades, and the height of the cutter head is easily adjusted using the crank handle. There are also grooves on either side to aid easy feeding of the wood, and a cutting depth gauge gives you a detailed view at all times, adjustable between 6 and 160 mm.
The planer thicknesser is built on a heavy-duty stand for ultimate stability, and it has a maximum cutting width of 318 mm, which puts this product right up there with its competitors. There is also a dust extractor connection so that it can be connected to a dust collector.
Pros:
- Automatic feeding
- The maximum width is an impressive 318 mm
- 2000 W motor and 9000 rpm
- Dust extraction connector
- Stable stand
Cons:
- The vibration may cause screws to come loose
- The stand requires assembly
Scheppach PLM1800 152mm x 330mm
Another option in our best planer thicknesser in the UK list is the Scheppach PLM1800. This is a portable planer thicknesser, smaller than some of the other models in our review, with a 1500 W motor. There are integrated handles to make it easy to move from a van to a workshop or to onsite.
It has a feed speed of 7.4 m per minute and a powerful automatic feed mechanism. The planing table is manufactured from steel and is 330 mm by 630 mm.
It has a clearance depth and width of 152 mm and 330 mm, respectively, and it has a stock removal of 2.8 mm. Additionally, there is a dust collector port for easy connection to a separate unit.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Feed speed of 7.4 m per minute
- Portable
- Crank handle to adjust the planing height
- Planing width of 330 mm
Cons:
- It may be difficult to find spare blades to fit
- The planer is heavy at 33 kg, despite being designed to be portable
Lumberjack Planer Thicknesser
The Lumberjack Planer Thicknesser has a 1500 W motor and an automatic feed rate of 7.5 m per minute. What really sets this planer apart from others is that it can remove an impressive 2.8 mm per pass.
It is designed to be compact and easily transportable, with foldable tables. It has a no-load speed of 8500 rpm and can handle timber up to 330 mm in width and 152 mm thicknessing height.
Stability is achieved through the four-post design, and there are two blades. Additionally, there is a dust extraction port, and the tables are fully polished to aid a smooth feed of wood.
Pros:
- It has an automatic feed rate of 7.5 m per minute
- Plane depth of 2.8 mm per pass
- Four-post design
- 330 mm width and 152 mm depth
- At the lower end of the price range in our review
Cons:
- It may not be long lasting
- It may not be easy to source replacement blades
Metabo MPTDH330 1800 W 240 V
This planer thicknesser from Metabo is a high-end 1800 W machine though it comes at a price. It is ideal for working in rooms with no natural daylight or on construction sites generating minimum heat when compared to a common halogen bulb.
The machine can clean wood up to 330 mm wide and 152 mm thick. Its two blades can remove up to 3 mm of material per pass, making it more than capable of any job. It has a feed rate of 7 m per minute which is slightly lower than some other machines though it makes up for it in trimming depth.
It weighs 35 kg, has a table measuring 840 x 330 mm, two integrated HPHSS reversible planer blades, a push stick, and an extraction nozzle to round it out. For other great tools for your workshop, check out our guide on heat guns.
Pros:
- Accepts wood up to 330 mm wide and 152 mm thick
- A feed rate of 7 m per minute
- Two HPHSS reversible planer blades remove up to 3 mm at a time
- Includes a push stick
- Smooth finish
Cons:
- The extraction may become blocked easily
- It may be quite noisy when in use
Makita 2012NB 110 V
The Makita 2012NB 110V is essentially the same as the 220V described above, with a few minor differences. It features the same 1650 W motor, which delivers up to 8500 rpm.
The cutting width is the same at 304 mm and the depth at 150 mm with a great 3 mm planing depth per pass. It has a great feed rate at 8.5 m/min, while you can set the depth stop anywhere between 3 mm and 100 mm to reach the desired thickness.
It is a compact and lightweight machine weighing only 27 kg featuring the same four-poster design and two handles at the top, making for easy handling if you need to move it. It also features the same downward pressure system for feeding in materials preventing sniping of the wood.
Pros:
- Cutting width up to 304 mm and depth up to 150 mm
- Impressive planing depth of 3 mm per pass and feed rate of 8.5 m/min
- Lightweight at 27 kg with carrying handles
- Precise setting of depth through the large wheel
- Large wood capacity
Cons:
- Narrower width than some other planer thicknessers
- Upper-end price wise
Buyer’s Guide
There are a number of attributes that differentiate planer thicknessers from each other, and we have set out below a few of the key features and considerations to bear in mind when looking to purchase one.
Power and Planing Capability
The power of the motor is a major factor in the capability of the planer. The wattage of the planer thicknessers in our review varies from 1500 to 2000, and it is worth considering whether or not you plan to do heavy-duty work with the machine or not. You do not want to end up with a planer that is either under or overpowered for the job.
The planing depth is also important as it will dictate how many passes are required and the overall effort of trimming down your boards. This can vary from 2 to 3 mm between planers.
Finally, the feed rate will also determine how quickly you can work with your materials. If you are a professional or do a lot of work with wood, a higher feed rate will be suitable for you.
Additional Features
Looking out for a standard-sized extraction port connection will help you when pairing your planer to a dust extraction device or hoover.
The four-post design that many of our planers have gives stability when in use.
Conclusion
We hope that our best planer thicknesser review and buyer’s guide have helped you reach a clear decision about the right product for you. However, If you are still undecided, why not select our editor’s choice – the DeWalt Dw733 230V Portable Thicknesser 1800 W.
The DeWalt DW733 is a powerful planer with a 1800W motor. It can handle wood up to 317 mm wide and 152 mm thick and has a planer depth of 2 mm per pass with a no-load speed of 10,000 rpm. Additionally, it delivers a 2 mm depth per pass, making it competitive against the other leading brands on the market.
This best planer thicknesser UK stores have to offer has a cutter head locked in place by the head-lock feature, removing any movement while cutting and delivering a high-quality surface finish. In addition, it sports a large in-and-outfeed table to support material as it passes through.DeWalt is a quality name and has delivered another quality product in their Dw733 Portable Thicknesser!
Paul is the type of person who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. He can always be found tinkering with something in his house, even if it isn’t broken! His tips and tricks are often shared on our site. He’s the one you call when something breaks because he has been known to improvise fixes for everything from leaky faucets to malfunctioning dryers.
I’m supposed you have a good view of the Vevor . I have one and not impressed with the blades that didn’t get a start on 1inch walnut I wanted to take 7/8 .