Portable wood planer

Types of portable wood planers

A portable wood planer is used to reduce wood to a uniform thickness and create smooth, planer faces. It is also commonly referred to as a thicknesser. There are several types of portable planers based on their usage and design.

• Hand Planers

  Before woodwork becomes machinery-based, handcrafted furniture and items use hand planers. Hand planers need manual power and effort to work on the furniture and wood. Hand planers, also known as wood planers, exist in various styles and types, including metal, wood, and specialty planers. Upper arm strength, grip, and hand function all play a role in the ability to use hand planers effectively.

• Benchtop Planers

  The primary type of portable wood planer, a benchtop planer, is placed on a workbench or other stationary surface due to its weight and dimensions. While wood plank thicknesses are usually 12' to 15', the wood plank capacity in this planer will oftentimes be much greater. Unlike hand planers, which planed wood at various angles with various blade systems, benchtop planers perform the same function but with more accuracy and precision.

• Jointer Planer Combo Machines

  As the name suggests, this machine combines the functions of a jointer and a planer into a single unit. It provides a flat surface to one edge of the board using the jointer component and reduces the overall thickness of the board using the planer component. These machines are typically found in larger workshops and are not as portable as some of the other options.

• Helical Cutterhead Planers

  A helical cutterhead planer features a spiral-shaped head with multiple individual blades or inserts. This design provides quieter operation, improved cut quality, and reduced snipe compared to straight cutterheads. These planers are becoming more popular among woodworkers because of their superior cut quality and less noise.

• Mini or Compact Planers

  Mini or compact planers are smaller, lightweight versions designed for portability. These machines are ideal for DIYers and hobbyists with limited workspace or who require a more portable solution. Depending on the model, these planers may offer features like dust collection, different cutterhead options, and adjustable thickness settings.

Specifications & maintenance of portable wood planers

Specifications

Specifications of portable wood planers vary depending on the type and model. Below are some common specifications.

• Worktable Size

  This is the size of the tabletop. Generally, it is 330*800mm for small planers, and 690*440mm for larger planers with workbench expansions. A larger working table gives more support to wider and longer workpieces.

• Cutting Depth

  It shows the maximum thickness achieved after trimming. Depending on the type of the portable wood planer, the cutting depth ranges from 1.5mm to 5mm.

• Noise Level

  A noisy machine can interfere with normal conversations and cause hearing loss. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The noise level of portable planers ranges between 90 and 100 dB, depending on the motor power.

• Power Source

  A portable planer is powered by electricity or gasoline. Gasoline-powered planers are common in remote areas with no electric power. Electric planers are ideal for indoor use because they provide a steady power supply.

• Planer Blades

  A portable wood planer comes with different blades depending on the manufacturer. They vary in materials, numbers, and designs. The blades are engineered to smoothen rough surfaces and edges, achieving precise cuts.

• Planer Width

  It is the maximum width of wood that the machine can plane. The planer width of a portable wood planer ranges between 82mm and 300mm, depending on the type and model.

• Weight

  Planers weigh differently depending on the type. For instance, handheld and electric planers weigh less than 10Kg. Portable planers that are not handheld weigh between 10kg and 30Kg.

Maintenance

Machine maintenance is essential to increasing its lifespan. Fortunately, a portable wood planer requires simple maintenance routines.

• Clean Dust: Dust build-up on the wood planer can cause functional issues over time. Therefore, during the maintenance process, it is crucial to clean the dust using a vacuum or air compressor. Pay attention to the exhaust port, fan blades, and cooling passages.
• Lubricate Moving Parts: Lubrication of moving parts protects the planer against wear and tear. It also helps eliminate dust build-up, keeping the machine running smoothly. Lubricate bearings, guides, and chains using grease or any recommended lubricant.
• Replace the Blades: Sharp blades enhance precision during wood planing. Therefore, during maintenance, it is necessary to check the blades for dullness or nicks and replace them.
• Dust Extraction: It's important to ensure the dust extraction system is functioning properly. A working dust extraction system keeps the machine clean and prevents dust build-up.

Uses of portable wood planers

Generally, portable wood planers are used by DIYers, carpentry professionals, and woodwork hobbyists for various wood planing tasks. They are commonly used to smooth reclaimed wood. This is because reclaimed wood may have rough areas or an uneven face left from prior use. By using a portable wood planer, an uneven board can be transformed into a beautiful, smooth surface ready for finishing or further woodworking.

Portable wood planers are often used to square and trim wood boards to exact dimensions. By adjusting the planer's height and utilizing its features, carpentry professionals can precisely trim the width of a board to match their project requirements. Furthermore, portable wood planers can also be used to eliminate rough spots, cuts, and knots on solid hardwood. By removing these imperfections and applying a uniform finish throughout the entire board, planers improve the overall quality of the hardwood and simplify subsequent woodworking and finishing steps.

Another common use of a portable wood planer is to level glue lines on laminated boards. The planing action of the wood planer can quickly and efficiently level the glue lines, resulting in a smooth surface on the board. This is particularly helpful when working on tables, countertops, or other projects where a flawless finish is essential.

Portable wood planers are used to create chamfers and beveled edges on wood pieces. As mentioned earlier, the lightweight and compact design of a portable wood planer makes it easy to maneuver on the workpiece. This gives carpentry professionals and woodwork hobbyists the ability to precisely shape and trim edges of wood to their liking.

How to choose portable wood planers

When choosing a portable wood planer, there are several features and specifications to consider to ensure that it meets specific needs. One's primary objective is to select a machine that will efficiently handle wood planking tasks.

• Power

It is crucial to consider the planer's motor power, as this determines the efficiency and smoothness of operations. A higher power translates to greater capacity for cutting tough wood varieties, which means it can endure extended use without overheating. Additionally, higher power helps achieve faster milling.

• Cutting Width and Depth

The cutting width and depth are significant features to consider as they determine the dimension of lumber that one can work with. A wider cutting width enables planking of broad boards. Additionally, greater cutting depth allows adjustment to a higher thickness for rough, unrefined lumbers.

• Portability

Planers are usually heavy and bulky. Therefore, it is important to consider portability features such as weight and built-in handles or roll casters. Weighing is critical as it affects how far one can move the machine. Ideally, a lightweight machine is more portable than a heavier one. Integrated handles and roll casters allow easy and safe lifting, loading, and unloading of the machine onto a vehicle.

• Dust Collection

  The dust generated while milling wood can be detrimental to both health and machinery. Thus, it is essential to consider effective dust collection mechanisms. This can be a vacuum or dust port integrated within a dust collection system. Choosing a planer with such a port allows use of dust extraction systems, which significantly minimizes mess and maintains a clean working environment.

Q&A

Q: What is the difference between a planer and a jointer?

A: Both the wood jointer and wood planer machines are used to flatten wood. The jointer will first flatten one face of the board and straighten one edge. With one side and one edge flat and perpendicular to the dimension starting from the jointer, the board is then sent to the wood planer machine, which will then plane the opposite side to a desired thickness.

Q: What wood planer replacement parts should users have?

A: Many small parts can wear out or break due to consistent use of the wood planer. It is ideal to have the following parts on hand: blades, drive belt, bearings, seals, gaskets, and any parts that are unique to the planer model.

Q: Are portable wood planers difficult to operate?

A: Operating a portable wood planer is not difficult. Simply make sure the wood plank is not wider than the width capacity of the planer, adjust the height of the cutter head to the desired thickness of the plank, and then feed the plank into the planer.

Q: How much power does a wood planer use?

A: Planers are rated by horsepower. Portable planers range from 1.5 to 2.5 HP.

Q: Can a wood planer be used outdoors?

A: Portable planers can be used outside as long as the weather condition is good. Do not use the planer in an environment where flammable gases or dust are present, and make sure the work surface is stable.