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RONA carries Manual Woodworking Tools for your Tools renovation/decorating projects. Find the right Planes and Rasps to help your home improvement project. Power planers deliver powerful and precise removal of material from doors and framing, as well as fast and efficient smoothing of wood. Adjustable planing depths allow you to tackle a range of tasks, whilst planers that feature chamfering grooves make it possible to cut bevels and chamfers without reaching for another tool.
Planers
Planers deliver powerful and precise removal of material from doors and framing, as well as fast and efficient smoothing of wood. Adjustable planing depths allow you to tackle a range of tasks, whilst electric planers that feature chamfering grooves make it possible to cut bevels and chamfers without reaching for another tool.
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Planers deliver powerful and precise removal of material from doors and framing, as well as fast and efficient smoothing of wood. Adjustable planing depths allow you to tackle a range of tasks, whilst electric planers that feature chamfering grooves make it possible to cut bevels and chamfers without reaching for another tool.
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Hand Planer Reviews
Contents
Our Top Pick is the Makita KP0810
A hand planer is a handheld electrical tool used for shaving down or cutting wood. Some examples of jobs that a hand planer might perform are shaping doors that may be too tight for their openings, straightening out crooked cuts or nicks in your work materials, or a hand planer can even be used to clean up painted or ruff surfaces, returning them to their bare, wooden, original state. Hand planers are inexpensive power tools and worth the investment due to the wide range of tasks they can perform. People also love the quality finish it produces.
After conducting extensive research to determine the best hand planer on the market, the Makita KP0810 rose above the competition. It is the best and highest-rated hand planer in virtually every category including durability, performance, and customer satisfaction. The Makita comes with a 7.5-amp motor that can produce up to 16,000 RPMs, making it powerful enough for any job. It comes with two heads, and three groove options ranging from 1.4 mm to 4 mm. Depth increments can be made in 1 mm increments for precision work. Weighing only 7.3 pounds it has an excellent power-to-weight ratio making it the best tool in its class for both power and precision.
Who Should Buy This?
Manual Hand Planer
A hand planer is a must-have tool for anyone who works with wood on a regular basis. This includes both professionals, DIYers and amateur wood workers who have small shops. Homeowners will also find many uses because the hand planer can be used if a door gets stuck or a painted wood surface needs to be refinished. Wood workers, home owners, DIYers, carpenters, and those who participate in furniture restoration will find the tool invaluable. Engineers, framers, window and door installers, construction workers, those participating in fine wood working projects, will also find themselves using a planer on a regular basis.
What Makes a Good Hand Planer?
Great planers require a strong motor in order to do a good job. The motor also defines the type of jobs that can be completed. When using a power tool designed for cutting and grinding down materials, especially tougher materials such as hardwoods having enough power to get the job done right is essential. You need enough power for the tool to work through the wood without having to apply too much pressure, which could overwork the motor. The best hand planers need to have a minimum of 5 amps on the motor or higher. Selecting a hand planer with a minimum of a 5-amp motor will ensure that your power tool will work powerfully and effectively. For those who will use the tool more frequently and for more detailed work a 7 amp should be considered.
The number of blades in the head will impact the speed in which the job can be completed. Top of the line planers have more than one head allowing you to have a more powerful and complete more precision work. Having a dual blade cutter head versus a single blade will allow you to complete jobs more quickly, and with more ease. This is especially true when you need to shave off paint, or widening frames. It will reduce hand fatigue and get the job done a lot faster giving you more efficiency.
Another useful feature is a chip ejector and a bag that catches the dust and chips. The chip ejector should be directed away from the machine and an adjustable model will allow you to move to where it is most convenient. A hand planer is often used on either side of the tool and being able to adjust the chip ejector makes it convenient to keep the debris from flying in your direction. A chip bag will not catch all the sawdust but will speed cleanup and reduce the amount of dust in the air.
Having a depth adjustment is another must-have feature. A depth knob is exactly what it sounds like – a knob on the side of your hand planer that easily allows you to read and monitor the depth of your cuts and shavings. This allows precision cuts and will ensure that your materials come out with the precise depth needed on the first try. Lower-end planers have limited or poorly labeled depth options. The smaller the depth adjustment ability the more precise your work will be. The ability to manually control this to your exact needs, along with a depth knob, is the perfect way to do just that. Depth adjusters lock into place to ensure the correct depth throughout the cut.
How We Tested
We began our research by first conducting a general search for hand planers. In doing this, we were able to determine what features and qualities make up the best hand planers. We came up with durability, control, cutting ability, depth functions, and speed control. Following this we reviewed tool blogs, handyman and woodworking forums, as well as tool magazines to find their recommendations. From there we consulted professionals who use the tools on a daily basis so that we could determine the best brands and models of currently-available hand planers. We then consulted verified customer reviews to find out which planers held up best in real world performance and heavy duty jobs.
Our Pick
Specifications
| Amps | 7.3 |
| Weight | 7.3 Pounds |
| Max Width | 3 ¼ inch |
| Max Depth | 5/32” inch |
| Number of Cutter Heads | 2 |
| Maximum RPMs | 16,000 |
| Depth Increments | 0.1 mm |
| Groove Options | 3 (1.4mm, 3mm, and 4mm) |
| Product Dimensions | 9.1 x 15.3 x 8 Inches |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Satisfaction Guarantee | 30 Days |
| Warranty Description | 1-year Warranty |
The Makita KP0810 hand planer features a 7.5 AMP motor delivering the maximum amount of output power. This hand planer features a two blade cutter head that can produce up to 16,000 RPMs for increased stock removal and the ability to work on the toughest woods. It comes with double-edge carbide blades for increased precision and has the ability to plane up to 3-1/4th inches wide and 5/32th inches deep within a single pass. The rigid die-cast aluminum housing features 100% ball-bearing construction and is engineered for long tool life and supports the planer drum for increased durability.
The Makita KP0810 is both compact and lightweight making it easy to transport and store. Weighing in at 7.3 pounds it offers great power-to-weight ratio and easily fits into any tool bag, or tool box. The light design also reduces worker fatigue. It is equipped with an ergonomically centered balance and rubberized front and rear handles for more comfortable operation and added control.
Lastly, the planer features a spring loaded stand that is very handy as it allows you to elevate the base. This protects the blades and work piece which saves you from mistakes or unwanted cuts. The chip ejection can be directed to either side of the tool so you don’t send debris and other loose particles onto your working area. The depth-adjust knob features an easy-to-read scale with click stops in 0.1 mm increments for precision planning. The front base features 3 chamfering groove options of 1.4, 3, or 4 mm adding to its versatility. This tool includes a one-year warranty along with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Who Else Likes It
The guys at Bestplaners.com wrote “The Makita KP0810 is a sweet little planer. As the most important tool in the arsenal of a carpenter, the planer is supposed to cut, shape and reduce wood as required leaving a high quality smooth finish. This hand held planer does exactly that and is light enough to be portable. However, its tiny size actually houses a powerful beast that makes easy task of freshly cut wet wood. For cleaning rough lumber surfaces that have been freshly milled, the Makita KP0810 will be a better choice as it takes just a couple of passes rather than 20 minutes with a scrub plane.”
Blackfridaykp0810 at BlogSpot wrote “Makita delivers precision, accuracy, capacity, and innovation to woodworkers… The KP0810 is engineered for professional construction framing, window and door installation, and fine woodworking. The KP0810 is just another example of Makita’s commitment to innovative technology and best-in-class engineering.”
Amazon reviewers give the Makita KP0810 4.8 out of 5 from 44 receivers. One 5-star customer writes “I received this planer in a very nice box well packed. Set the depth to 1/32″ then proceeded to plane a board about 5 ft. by 26″ wide to straighten the 1/4″ warp from one end to the other. Got the warp down to about 1/32″ then set the depth to the second mark from zero. I finished straightening the warp with smooth blending passes keeping the rear end down first to keep the safety latch down. This planer works too good. I am very impressed with everything it does. I did not use any of the guides supplied because I was using it like a sander… This thing rates 6. One of the best power tools I have ever purchased.”
The Step Up
If you are looking for more power and greater depth settings in your hand planer, then the step up is the Festool HL 850 E hand planer. With its 7-amp motor and sleek design, this hand planner is equipped with a single knife cutter head with a spiral head design to produce a quiet and “chatter free” experience. The cutting knifes are replaceable so you can replace them as needed to keep your cutting utensils strong, sharp, and working effectively.
With the Festool HL 850 there are multiple head options to create rustic and architectural effects in flooring and beams, when required. This planer also includes an unlimited rabbeting depth with flush clutter side design and retractable spring loader guard. The rotary handle allows you to adjust the precise depth settings to get the perfect finish for every job.
Top Hand Planer Comparison
| Position | Visual | Tool | Amperage | RPM | Warranty (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makita | 7.30 | 1,600 | 1 | |
| 2 | WEN | 6.00 | 34,000 | 2 | |
| 3 | Porter-Cable | 6.00 | 16,500 | 3 | |
| 4 | Dewalt | 7.00 | 15,000 | 3 | |
| 5 | Skil | 5.50 | 16,000 | 1 | |
| 6 | Bosch | 6.50 | 16,500 | 1 | |
| 7 | Black & Decker | 5.20 | 16,500 | 2 | |
| 8 | Chicago | 6.00 | 34,000 | Limited Lifetime | |
| 9 | Hitachi | 3.40 | 15,000 | 2 |
Care Use & Maintenance
Below we have compiled a short list of safety and maintenance tips to keep you safe when using your new hand planer, as well as providing you with information about keeping your hand planer running good as new for as long as possible.
How To Use A Manual Hand Planer
Safety Tips
Manual Hand Planers
- Always secure your work materials before begging to plan. Some options for securing your work are bench stops, or a bench hook.
- Always use sandpaper to break up sharp machined edges.
- Use your planner in a motion that goes away from your body.
- Wear a mask and eye protection to prevent from breathing in shavings or getting debris in your eyes.
- Be sure that no one is in close proximity to where your machine is spewing out debris and other work materials.
- Never leave your tool unattended when plugged into a power source.
- Be sure to read your tools manual before starting use.
Maintenance
- Always store your tool in a cool dry place.
- Never leave your planer outside for long period of time where it may become susceptible to weather damage.
- Clean your planer from debris after each use.
- Make any and all repairs with your tool in the off position and ensure that it is not plugged into a power source.
- Keep your blades sharp and aligned correctly for best results.
Best Manual Hand Planer
Wrapping It Up
Hand planers are compact and effective tools that can benefit a large number of individuals and professionals. They are inexpensive and offer a variety of functions making them an asset to woodworkers, carpenters and furniture makers. Hand planers are easy to use and can be enjoyed by amateurs who are looking to learn more about the aspects of wood working.