The quality of timber on the domestic market leaves much to be desired. Poorly dried and insufficiently well-treated wood is constantly encountered, both of the construction and joinery classes. A self-respecting craftsman - and it does not matter whether it is a professional carpenter or an owner who builds a house for himself personally - simply cannot leave such a beam or board “as is”. Firstly, it does not fit well with a normal production culture, and, secondly, it weakens the structure and affects its performance for the worse.

The hand planer is one of the oldest carpentry tools, but at the present time its design has hardly changed. It still helps to cope with fine woodwork, especially if there is not much of it. But what if the amount of wood to be processed is measured in cubes? In this case, a good electric planer is indispensable. On sale you can find a huge variety of such tools - both mains and battery. In order to make an informed choice, it is advisable to answer a few simple questions before buying:

1. The intensity of the use of the planer. For daily intensive work, it is better to prefer a professional model, if planing is required only occasionally, a good amateur tool will do.
2. Is a bed required to permanently mount the planer on a workbench?
3. The width of the workpieces that most often have to be processed. Planer knives must match this size, if they are narrower, you will have to make several passes.
4. Will it be necessary to select quarters and chamfer?
5. Is it necessary to connect a vacuum cleaner?
6. Should the tool be operated when there is no power supply? If yes, then you will need a battery planer.

We have prepared for you an overview of the most popular models of electric planers with different cutting widths and types of power supply. The distribution of places in the ranking was made on the basis of the following criteria:

• feedback from users, official representatives of semi-professional and professional carpentry workshops;
• opinions of experts and authoritative sources (portals and printed publications);
• comparison of operational abilities, durability parameters, reliability, degree of accuracy of processing;
• ratio of characteristics of price and quality.

The best electric planers with a planing width of 82 mm

This category is the largest on the market. For most carpentry and a fairly large part of carpentry work, an 82 mm knife is enough, while such a tool is inexpensive, light in weight and easy to handle.

4 Interskol R-82/710

The most popular
Country Russia
Average price: 3 850 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

This electric planer is the absolute record holder in sales in Russia. And this is easy to explain: at a more than reasonable price, it has the optimal set of parameters for the home craftsman: the most common size of knives is 82 mm, the power of 710 W is quite sufficient for planing even hardwood and the quarter selection function. In addition, it can be installed permanently, which is especially convenient for processing large volumes of boards or timber.

According to the reviews of the owners, the main advantages of the tool are reliability, unpretentiousness in maintenance and ease of use in a stationary version. Most users are pleasantly surprised by the performance of the planer, given its budget price. Complaints are caused by the ill-conceived design of the knife adjustment. However, this does not represent a significant problem for an experienced craftsman, and is fully compensated by a good resource and high maintainability of the tool.

3 DeWalt DW 680

High RPM with low engine power
Country: USA
Average price: 8,206 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The American company DeWalt is famous for being able to squeeze the maximum out of not the most optimal components for the tool. The same can be observed in the DW 680 electric planer model. A rather modest 600-watt motor allows the knives to rotate at a speed of 15,000 revolutions per minute - this is more than enough for processing medium-hard wood species. Despite assurances from many "competent" sources that this electric planer can easily cope with hardwoods, there is one very important nuance. The planer can indeed process them, but the engine is under high load and long planing (or folding) at speed can damage it.

Advantages:

• high frequency of rotation of knives at low engine power;
• planing depth 2.5 mm;
• carbide knives have a high working resource;
• attractive cost.

Flaws:

• does not have electronic speed control.

2 Bosch GHO 18V-LI

High reliability parameters
Country: Germany
Average price: 22,050 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The Bosch GHO 18 V-LI electric planer model can hardly be classified as an extra-professional tool, but it has the makings of a solid device for a home carpentry workshop. The blade speed of 14,000 rpm allows it to process soft and medium woods, but in some cases it is possible to resort (in short passes) to planing hard wood materials. Planing depth is adjustable from nominal zero to 1.6 millimeters with a workpiece width of 82 millimeters. Knives are rotary, hard-alloy, provide high-precision processing of surfaces and are capable to serve throughout long term of time.

Advantages:

• the presence of a start blocking;
• the possibility of choosing the side of the ejection of wood chips;
• the possibility of smooth adjustment of the depth of the layer to be removed;
• high-precision rotary hard-alloy knives;

Flaws:

• inconvenient when processing large surfaces;
• high price.

Many people ask a quite reasonable question: how to recognize in the market a tool that is ideally suited to the goals of the consumer. When choosing a planer, we recommend paying attention to the following criteria:

Engine power. This is the most basic parameter, on which the degree of applicability of the tool will depend. For home and home use, a planer with a power of 600-1000 W is suitable; for mid-level workshops - from 1100 to 1500 W; for large carpentry workshops and companies - from 2000 W and above.

Cutting width. Chip removal strip from the workpiece (or part) in one pass. If working with small wood elements is a priority, 82 millimeters of cutting width will be enough. Accordingly, the larger the workpiece, the wider the cutting strip should be (this is more convenient).

Planing depth. A parameter that depends entirely on engine power. For powerful motors, it can reach 4 millimeters, while for weak motors, the optimal value ranges between 0 and 2.5 millimeters.

Depth of cut step. Not so important criterion for rough planing, and critically important for carpenters who are fond of artistic cutting or the manufacture of critical parts that require high precision processing. The adjustment step can be 0.1 and, less often, 0.25 millimeters.

System of soft start-up of the engine and support of turns. They are found in electric planers of well-known brands or in models of the upper price segment.

1 Makita KP 0800

The best speed of rotation of knives (17000 rpm)
Country: Japan
Average price: 7579 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Perhaps the best option for a planer for a home workshop. Like all Makita products, the KP0800 is reliable and has good build quality. The small-sized device contains a 620-watt motor that allows steel knives to rotate at a speed of up to 17,000 rpm. High rotational speeds ensure fast and very accurate planing, folding and grooving operations. The electric planer is focused on standard wood species, which are widely used in construction, decoration and carpentry as such. Users consider the main advantage of the device to be balance and ergonomics, which fully justify the asking price.

Advantages:

• comfortable plastic handle and body base - it is easy to guide the planer over the surface to be treated;
• high-quality case made of shockproof plastic;
• durable steel blades for a long service life;
• optimal processing parameters;
• high peak blade speed.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The best electric planers with a planing width of 110 mm

The increased planing width, of course, expands the possibilities of using a planer - with 110 mm knives it is already possible not only to make furniture, doors and window frames, but also to start building a wooden house or a bathhouse. However, at the same time, the engine power is growing, and, therefore, the weight of the device and its price. In this category - only the most reliable and productive models, which can rightfully be called a universal tool.

4 ZUBR ZR-1300-110

Excellent equipment
Country: China
Average price: 6 260 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

This electric planer with a power of 1300 W is the oldest model in the series. And therefore it is equipped to the maximum: there is an electronic system for maintaining a constant speed under load, and soft start, and engine overload protection. In addition, the tool can be used as a desktop machine, for which a special device is provided in the kit. With this electric planer, you can choose a quarter up to 15 mm deep or chamfer.

Users praise the power of the tool, the ability to rearrange the ejection of sawdust to the right or left, and the equipment for the parallel stop. Many planer owners have already built several wooden houses with it, replacing only knives, the quality of which, however, leaves much to be desired. In a word, the tool fulfills its already small cost by 200%.

3 Rebir IE-5708C

The largest engine resource
Country: Latvia
Average price: 9 230 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The design of this model, which is produced in Latvia, was developed 20 years ago. At the same time, many electric planers produced in those years are still in service and delight their owners with the quality of planing, ease of use and increased power - 2000 watts. The tool comes with spare carbon brushes, which, if necessary, can be changed independently. There is a soft start function and a power button lock from accidental start.

The only thing that the owners of this planer do not like is its heavy weight. But this is a natural consequence of wide knives and a powerful engine. In addition, the design of the model provides for a stationary installation, when the mass of the planer ceases to matter. According to user reviews, this tool has no equal in terms of reliability, and has been serving regularly for years and decades.

2 Makita 1002BA

Best Specialization
Country: Japan
Average price: 22,340 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

This is a special model of an electric planer for working with curved surfaces. It allows you to process workpieces with a radius of curvature up to 30 cm. At the same time, the power of 1050 W allows you to successfully cope even with hardwoods, and special balancing contributes to low user fatigue. The tool allows you to chamfer and select a quarter, which is especially valuable in the case of non-standard curved parts.

According to the owners, the ergonomics of the planer are on top. It is easy to work with them, despite the considerable weight - 5.5 kg. Its only drawback is its narrow specialization, because they cannot cut straight surfaces. On the other hand, the manufacturer made sure that the user does not have problems with consumables and their adjustment: knives are standard straight 110 mm, the delivery set includes a device for their adjustment and a special stand for sharpening. The list of advantages is completed by an extended power cord - 5 m, and the ability to connect to a vacuum cleaner.

1 Interskol R-110/1100M

The best ratio of price and quality
Country Russia
Average price: 4,560 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

An electric planer from a domestic manufacturer, made according to all the canons of an economical and at the same time excellent carpentry tool. It is replete with cast parts, has a long base, develops high rotation speeds due to the presence of a 1100 W motor.

One of the main criteria for the quality of any tool (tacitly) is maintainability and ease of maintenance - and these are, perhaps, the strongest points of Interskol R-110/1100M. A set of knives made of high-speed steel retains its cutting ability for a very long time, however, after wear of the cutting part, it can be successfully re-sharpened. The complete set of the electric planer also includes a dressing kit, a diagram for installing knives on the device, as well as a spare belt. But, according to users, it is extremely rare to resort to installing it - the resource of a standard belt drive is so great.

Advantages:

• really high quality tool;
• regrindable high speed steel blades;
• the width of the knives is 110 millimeters;
• designed for rough and fine woodworking;
• additional belt included;
• attractive price.

Flaws:

• not identified.

The best electric planers with a planing width of more than 150 mm

This group includes real giants among electric planers, designed for large workpieces, intensive work and professional use. There are not so many truly reliable tools of this size, and we present the best examples of it.

4 Makita 1806B

Excellent power to precision ratio
Country: Japan
Average price: 23,650 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Another representative of Makita, combining the functions of a planer and jointer. A powerful 1200 watt motor provides consistently high speed blades that can cut both hardwoods and glued wood parts. The planing depth can be adjusted manually in the range from 0.1 to 2.0 millimeters by turning the support handle. A wide sole with a knife spread of 170 millimeters allows you to successfully perform the functions of a jointer. In addition, the tool is equipped with a dust collector that keeps small particles from falling onto the work surface. The main drawback of the model is massiveness. The weight of a fully equipped electric planer is 8.9 kilograms, which is often very difficult to use, especially if there is no possibility of a permanent attachment.

Advantages:

• easily processes solid wood species;
• the width of the processing part is 170 millimeters;
• the ability to adjust the depth of planing;
• the presence of a dust collector;
• high quality of the resulting surface.

Flaws:

• massive structure without the possibility of stationary fixing;
• lack of soft start of the engine.

3 Mafell ZH 320 Ec

Maximum planing width
Country: Germany
Average price: 297,550 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Another "giant" of carpentry is embodied in the German electric planer Mafell ZH 320 Ec. Like other German companies, Mafell is very reverent and meticulous about the quality of the equipment produced, which is fully reflected in the design and functionality of this planer model. It is equipped with a 2.7 kW motor that allows the blades to rotate at up to 8500 rpm. Not the highest figures, but the effectiveness is proven directly in practice. The chip removal width in one pass is 320 millimeters - this is a lot, given that joiners (as noted above) rarely resort to processing parts and workpieces of this size. The main plus is a lightweight cast body, a minus is a very high cost.

Advantages:

• high performance (CUprex engine);
• the chip removal channel is blown by an air stream;
• the presence of a soft start of the engine and stop of the spindle;
• wide cutting part (320 millimeters).

Flaws:

• high (sometimes even for professional workshops) price.

2 Makita KP312S

Most functional
Country: Japan
Average price: 113,030 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Confirming its status as one of the best tool manufacturers, Makita brings to our attention another contender for the title of the best electric planer for large professional carpentry shops. The functionality of this monster is truly great - a planer and jointer rolled into one, it is able to process wooden surfaces up to 312 millimeters wide. By the way, there is more than enough power for such maneuvers - the tool is equipped with a 2.2-kilowatt engine and provides consistently high speeds. However, problems have emerged where they were not expected: much of the potential of a 19-kilogram planer very often remains unclaimed, since carpenters very rarely resort to processing materials with a width of more than 200 millimeters.

Advantages:

• high surface accuracy after processing;
• wide cutting (planing) part;
• powerful engine;
• adjustable depth of planing (from 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters).

Flaws:

• part of the functionality disappears due to the lack of need for use;
• very massive.

1 Rebir IE5708MS

Ideal for carpentry
Country: Latvia
Average price: 13,999 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The width of the knives of the older model from the series of electric planers of the Latvian manufacturer Rebir is 155 mm, while the maximum planing angle is 45 degrees. Given that one of the most common sizes of timber in construction is 150x150 mm, Rebir IE5708MS is the best option for a carpenter when building a wooden house. The frame included with the planer allows you to install it permanently, which increases the productivity of work several times, especially when processing long timber.

Traditionally for this manufacturer, the tool is equipped with an inrush current limiting system. The planer also comes with a parallel stop, spare brushes and a knife sharpener. Buyers praise the quality and speed of planing, comfortable grip and practical bed. Among the disadvantages are a lot of weight and a short cord.

The best cordless electric planers

Very often, the construction of a house and utility rooms begins when the power grid has not yet been connected to the site. A cordless planer is the best choice in this situation. And, of course, the quality of the battery plays an important role in the reliability and convenience of work.

3 Milwaukee M18BP-402C

The most reliable battery
Country: USA
Average price: 48,500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The American company Milwaukee is the only tool manufacturer in the United States that produces exclusively professional equipment. Therefore, this high-performance electric planer has a much higher resource than competitors, which explains its high price. The custom-designed 4-pole motor is more reliable, and the REDLITHIUM-ION™ batteries last twice as long as most brands. They work stably even at an ambient temperature of -20 °C.

Unlike amateur tools, the working parts of which are made of high-speed steel, the Milwaukee electric planer is equipped with 82 mm carbide blades. They are much stronger and more durable than usual. Planing depth is adjustable from 0 to 2 mm with twenty intermediate positions. Users also like the kickstand on the base for safe tool parking and the light weight (2.7kg).

2 Hitachi P14DSL-RJ

Excellent ergonomics
Country: Japan
Average price: 15,197 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The compact and lightweight cordless planer is equipped with the most common blade size of 82 mm and has a maximum planing depth of 2 mm. The tool comes with two Li-ion batteries with a capacity of 5 Ah and a charger. Therefore, this electric planer is perfect for planing when there is no power supply, or for rafters at heights where the absence of a power cord is a prerequisite for comfortable and safe work.

Buyers are satisfied with the good value for money tool, ergonomic design, and also praise the original technical solution - the front handle is combined with a planing depth regulator. Comes with a handy case, extra carbon brushes and a trash bag. The disadvantage is the inability to attach a vacuum cleaner.

1 Metabo HO 18 LTX 20-82 4.0Ah x2 MetaLoc

The best equipment
Country: Japan
Average price: 21,280 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The Metabo HO 18 LTX 20-82 electric planer, like the entire line of woodworking tools from this Japanese company, has three main advantages: well-thought-out ergonomics, precise adjustment of the working part and a full range of functionality. It is equipped with a parallel stop and a template for setting the knives. The kit also includes a curved adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner and a fabric dust bag.

Two batteries of 4Ah each allow the master to work without interruption to charge the battery. In addition, they are universal - suitable for any Metabo tool with the appropriate electrical parameters. Customers also praise the particularly robust and well-designed case of the MetaLoc system, which allows stacking tools packed in this way, saving space in the workshop. The lack of a planer - a rather high cost - is fully justified by its versatility and excellent performance.

People who work with wood know that it is better to use a power tool to get a quick result. In this publication, we will talk about an electric planer, which one is better to choose for efficient work.

Carrying out construction, repair, decoration and many everyday household tasks in an apartment, and even more so in a private house, is almost always associated with wood processing. And this business is not at all as simple as it might seem from inexperience, requiring considerable physical effort and good skill. And a real breakthrough in this matter was the emergence of a wide range of electric tools that greatly simplify the implementation of many labor-intensive joinery or carpentry operations.

One of the most demanded operations, and at the same time the most difficult, is the planing of wood, that is, the even removal of the surface layer of the material. Previously, this was done with hand planers of various modifications, requiring a very considerable physical fitness of the worker. Yes, and well-established experience - without this it is extremely difficult to achieve any qualitative result, since it was necessary to accurately measure the application of vertical force, the direction and speed of the horizontal movement of the tool. With an electric planer, the task is simplified, and even a novice home master, with a little practice, is quite capable of coping with many tasks.

This tool has recently moved into the category of publicly available, and the range of models presented in stores today is very wide. Therefore, a logical question arises: which electric planer is better to buy so that it meets the expectations of a potential owner. Let's look into this problem.

Functions of an electric planer. The general device of the tool

So, a planer is a hand tool designed for planing wood. Planing means uniform removal of the surface layer of the material, up to 4 mm deep, carried out using sharply sharpened knives.

Removing thin chips makes wooden surfaces even, smooth, emphasizes the natural texture of wood, and allows fine-tuning of parts when assembling a particular structure.

Long before the advent of hand-held electrified tools, gouging wood was simplified by the introduction of stationary equipment. Jointing and especially thicknessing machines allow you to process lumber quickly and efficiently, with a high degree of accuracy. But not everyone is in a hurry to acquire equipment of this type, even if compact. With all the positive qualities, such equipment requires a certain place for stationary placement, has a rather impressive cost, and without experience in working on it, it is very unsafe to operate.

The purchase of even a small woodworking machine will be justified if you have really large-scale work to do, or if you do this business all the time

But the presence of a compact manual electric planer in the home "arsenal" will never be superfluous. This is a fairly functional tool, often allowing not only planing, but also chamfering or even choosing quarters along the side ends of the boards. Such a purchase will also be justified by the fact that it will be possible for one's own needs to purchase unplaned lumber, which is almost half the price of processed lumber. And the final “finishing” should be carried out already on the ground, and only in the required volumes.

With the similarity of the chip removal mechanism (a rotating cylindrical drum with knives mounted on it), a manual planer also has a fundamental difference from a stationary machine. It lies in the fact that during processing the tool moves along the workpiece, and not vice versa, as on a jointer. This makes it possible to perform many operations directly at the assembly site. And besides, it still significantly reduces the likelihood of serious injury - the worker's hands are not in close proximity to the rotating drum.

However, many models of electric planers are equipped with the ability to install them in a stationary position, and some are even equipped with the appropriate standard fixtures - special beds.

This is the same electric planer, but only in the usual "manual" position (left) and transferred to the position of a mini planer

The basic device of an electric planer

Consider the basic device of a typical electric planer.

The whole structure is assembled in a plastic case (pos.1). The device experiences very strong dynamic and vibration loads, so the strength of the case and fasteners must be at the appropriate level. All moving parts and assemblies from above are necessarily covered with protective covers (pos. 2).

Below is a metal base - sole. It always consists of two sections. In the back there is a longer fixed sole (pos. 3). Ahead is a shorter section (pos. 4), the position of which is adjustable in height. It is the excess of the front adjustable part of the sole over the fixed back that sets the depth of the planer cut in one pass. And to insert the desired height, there is a special device (pos. 5), most often - screw type, with a flywheel and a printed depth scale.

In the "window" between the front and back of the sole there is a working metal drum (pos. 6), in which knives (pos. 7) are installed. When the drum rotates and the tool moves along the workpiece, the knives cut off the top layer of wood of a specified thickness.

The rotation on the working drum is transmitted from the electric drive (pos. 8), as a rule, through a belt drive.

On the rear handle of the electric planer (pos. 9) there is a start key (pos. 10) and a safety button. To ensure the required clamping of the tool to the workpiece being processed, a front handle (pos. 11) is also provided. However, quite often it is structurally combined with the flywheel of the mechanism for setting the depth of processing.

Main elements and nodes - in more detail

It was, so to speak, the general scheme. And now it makes sense to take a closer look at some of the details and components of the electric planer.

• Electric motor. As a rule - the usual collector, asynchronous typeoperating directly from mains AC 220 V 50Hz. The drive power can range from 500 to 2500 W, depending on the class of the tool. In some modern models, electronic adjustment is provided, including maintaining a constant engine speed under load, which ensures a higher quality of wood processing, especially hardwood. And the very number of revolutions in various electric planers, depending on the class of the tool, can be from 10 to 18 thousand revolutions per minute.
• transmission system rotation on the working drum - belt. True, there are differences here. Pulleys and belt can be toothed or flat. The gear ratio does not change, that is, a gearshift system is not provided.

Systems for transferring rotation from the engine to the working drum of an electric planer. Belts can be flat or toothed

Of course, this gearbox assembly must be covered with a protective cover. It is much more convenient when the casing is a separate removable part. That is, to check or replace the belt or prevent the knot, it will be enough to remove only it, without resorting to partial or complete disassembly of the entire body.

The working drum is a massive metal cylinder with special slots for installing knives. Number of knives - from one to four, depending on the planer model.

The knife attachment system may have differences - for some manufacturers it has a special “individuality”. But in most of the models encountered, it consists of several clamping bolts that securely wedging and fixing the block with a knife in the slot of the drum.

One of the applied principles of fastening knives in the drum. But he is not the only one

The length of the drum with knives predetermines the width of the planing strip in one pass. Most common width - 82 mm, allowing for most operations. But models of other standards are also on sale - 50, 60, 75, 100 and 110 mm. A professional-grade tool can also have a wider processing band, reaching even up to 300 mm.

Most often, the knives are installed parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. But there are exceptions here too. So, there are models in which the blade is located at an angle to the longitudinal axis. This achieves, as conceived by the developers, higher rates of cleanliness of wood surface treatment.

In some professional models, there are even curvilinear knives curved along a spiral line. But this is already - from the category of "exotic".

• Knives electric planer can also vary.

- Professionals usually use high-quality high-speed steel knives (as a rule, the abbreviation HSS is present on the packaging of such products). They lend themselves to sharpening, and with the appropriate skill, their sharpness can literally be brought to a state comparable to a razor.

True, it takes some experience to sharpen such blades and then install the drum without disturbing the balance and providing the same cutting edge output.

- For quite high-quality performance of the overwhelming number of operations at a non-professional level, there are enough knives made of carbide steel. This o - narrow plates with one-sided or two-sided factory sharpening.

It is impossible to sharpen such knives on your own. Yes, this is not required. If the blade has lost the necessary sharpness, then it is simply turned over to the other side (if it is double-sided) or replaced with a new one. The cost of such kits is low, so this approach is very popular with most users. No problems with precise alignment and balancing - changing blades takes a matter of minutes.

Many models provide the ability to use both types of knives. But there are also planers designed only for a certain type - this should be borne in mind when choosing.

• Sole electric planer.

Most often it is made of aluminum alloy. Usually these are polished cast parts. Cheap planer models can also have stamped soles, which do not differ in quality and accuracy of geometry (and this is very important!)

The front, height-adjustable part of the sole must have a longitudinal groove (one or more) - a V-shaped groove along the entire length. What is it for?

Firstly, when working with a planer, the tool must be pressed as tightly as possible to the workpiece. And the drum crashing at high speed involuntarily provokes the formation of an “air cushion”, and from this the planer can “float” along the board. To exclude the possibility of creating such an area of ​​\u200b\u200bhigh pressure, exit channels are provided for air - these are the furrows.

Secondly, these grooves make it possible to accurately chamfer in just one movement.

So if suddenly, when choosing a planer, you come across a model that does not have such a groove (alas, there are also such “beauties”) - it’s better not to even consider it seriously.

• The mechanism for adjusting the position of the front sole.

It is this mechanism that sets the depth of wood processing - the excess of the front adjustable part of the sole over the fixed back. To make the principle clearer, take a look at the illustration below.

The mechanism itself is simple. Usually this is a screw design - by rotating the flywheel, the movable platform moves progressively up or down. A scale is applied on or near the handle to help you accurately insert the desired depth of processing.

The gradation of the scale can be different, and if you need special accuracy, then it is better to purchase such a model, where the division price is about a tenth of a millimeter. By the way, there are “foreign” samples on sale, in which the scale is made in an inch measurement system.

There is no big problem with this, of course. But still, you must agree that constantly when marking up or directly in the course of work, converting millimeters into fractions of an inch in your mind and vice versa is not very convenient. Therefore, probably, this aspect should be paid attention to when choosing an electric planer.

And the range of processing depth settings can be up to 2 ÷ 3 mm for middle-class models up to 4 and even more - for powerful professional planers

• Plane controls.

Here - no frills. The start button is located on the rear handle of the planer. Unlike many other power tools, it does not provide smooth speed control or any other settings - only “on” or “off”.

To eliminate the possibility of accidental unauthorized starting an electric planer, which could result in serious injury, a safety button must be provided. While it is not recessed, it is impossible to press the start key.

• System for removal or collection of sawdust.

So that during operation, sawdust does not accumulate in the working area and does not interfere with processing, a system for their removal is provided. It is an internal channel ending on the outside with a branch pipe. Previously, most models were designed to work with the right hand, and sawdust was also thrown to the right.

Now, most planers are already equipped with a system in which nozzles are located on both sides, and the direction of ejection can be set either by installing a plug or by switching the internal damper. It is very convenient for left-handers, and in general for those cases when, simply by the features of the operations performed, you can control the direction of the tap.

By the way, there are models in which the outlet channel runs almost the entire length of the tool, and the nozzle is located at the back. Quite convenient, since this position gives a better overview of the work area.

When machining workpieces, you can, of course, simply discard the chips side, floor. But if the work is carried out in a residential area, then this will lead to rapid littering - sawdust will be carried on its feet throughout all the premises. And in the workshop or in the yard, you don’t really want to make even a temporary mess.

Therefore, the nozzles in most planer models are designed to connect a vacuum cleaner hose (most often, a diameter of 35 mm). Many electric planers, in addition, are equipped with special removablestorage bags which will need to be emptied periodically during operation.

What to look for when choosing an electric planer?

We got acquainted with the device - now it makes sense to consider the main criteria for choosing an electric planer.

It is clear that before choosing a suitable model, it is necessary to determine the scope of its future use. There is a certain "folk" gradation of planers according to their power indicators and functionality - for household, semi-professional and professional class devices. But, we emphasize, in many respects this division is conditional, and is practically not enshrined "legislatively" in any way. Therefore, it is better to make a choice by correlating the parameters of the purchased tool with the range of upcoming tasks.

And in order to get acquainted with the characteristics, the product passport must be studied. And it is better that it be in Russian. If the passport is not attached to the planer at all, this is immediately a reason to think about the advisability of acquiring such an “illegitimate” tool.

Drive power and drum speed

The most important parameter that allows you to evaluate the capabilities of an electric planer is the power of the electric drive.

It is generally accepted that power from 500 to 1000 watts is sufficient for household appliances. This assessment is based on the fact that in the course of construction or repair work, in the majority of cases, rather soft wood is used - most often pine. But if suddenly it is planned to manufacture some piece of furnituresolidhardwood(oak, ash, beech, etc.), then you may encounter the fact that there will be a lack of power to process even the largest detail. Knives will "get stuck" in the wood or "jump" on it, the drive will start to overheat, and the surface will turn out to be bumpy.

Professional planers designed for all types of woods and for long work during the day, usually have a drive power of 1500 to 2500 or more watts.

When choosing a tool for power, it is necessary to take into account not only the volume and frequency of the upcoming work, but also the types of wood that are planned to be processed. For example, it will be very problematic to process even not the largest oak part with a low-power planer.

Many modern electric planers are equipped with a useful option for a smooth increase in power. This allows you to avoid sudden peak loads on the power supply network, makes the work when entering the material smoother, without jerks and reverse shocks.

The specificity of electric planers is that the quality of wood processing directly depends on the speed of the drum with knives. The higher it is, the cleaner and smoother the planed surface is.

Rotation speeds of less than 10 thousand revolutions per minute can not even be considered - no quality can be expected here. For the preparation of parts of building structures, where a perfectly smooth surface is not required, planers with a rotation speed of 12 ÷ 13 thousand rpm are suitable. Well, for the manufacture of, for example, pieces of furniture, which traditionally require precise fitting and perfectly flat surfaces, it is desirable to have an electric planer with a knife drum rotation speed of 15÷18 thousand rpm. Often, after such processing, using well-honed knives, the surfaces do not even require subsequent grinding and polishing.

And, finally, the system of electronic maintenance of a stable number of revolutions under load, which was already mentioned above, will make the wood processing better. In addition, this option allows you to reduce the likelihood of overheating of the electric motor during prolonged operation.

Woodworking strip width and cutting depth

It is selected depending on which workpieces are mainly planned to be processed with an electric planer. About the standard sizes have already been mentioned above.

The most popular models have a “passage” of 82 mm, which allows you to successfully carry out most of the most popular operations on the farm. But if the plans include considerable amounts of processing of non-planed boards, it would be wiser to consider a planer with a drum width of 100 or 110 mm - this will reduce the number of passes, increase work productivity, and the tool itself will wear out not so quickly.

An electric planer can have both a very narrow processing band and a pronounced wide one. It is clear that the choice is made taking into account the upcoming tasks. And "universal" is considered a width of 82 mm

By the way, the width of processing does not at all indicate the quality or the “class of professionalism” of a particular model. Experienced craftsmen often have several electric planes in their "arsenal" - it's just that everyone has their own range of tasks.

The depth of cut has already been discussed above. Of course, it directly depends on the power of the tool. For planers intended for everyday economic use, there is no point in chasing a large indicator - a depth of 2 ÷ 3 mm is enough.

Case quality

External tool data cannot be defining selection criteria. However, sometimes the performance of the body can say a lot.

For example, dull plastic with a non-uniform color, with stains - this is a clear sign that the quality of the product is low. With traditionally high vibration loads, and even more so - with an accidental fall of the tool, the appearance of cracks or even chipping of entire fragments of the body is not excluded. The presence of small details is also not welcome - everything should be “laconic” and durable.

Some manufacturers have their own rules for giving instruments a particular color. So, for example, green and blue planers are presented in the model line. For home use, green ones are suitable, and blue ones are classified as professional. But this, we emphasize, applies only to individual companies, and is not considered a rule. And then some unscrupulous manufacturers are trying to "play" on this, giving their products an appropriate color, which has nothing to do with either the quality or the class of the instrument.

Some brands are characterized by a single color of all their products. So, for example, all DeWalt equipment has a yellow color. "Hilti" - red, "Makita" - blue. That is, if, say, you are offered a blue supposedly "DeWalt", which is supposedly professional - this is a 100% cheap fake.

The weight of the planer and its ease of use

This is a very important criterion. choice of electric planer. And who, if not the future owner, needs to evaluate the instrument upon purchase?

The mass of the planer usually lies in the range from 3 to 5 kilograms. On the one hand, good massiveness will provide better clamping of the tool to the surface to be treated, reduce vibration effects, and improve the quality of planing. But when you consider how many different movements you have to perform with the tool in your hands, the choice becomes not so obvious.

It is clear that powerful professional models always have considerable weight, but this is justified by their operational capabilities, for example, the depth of cut and the width of wood processing.

In a word, you need to find a "golden mean" just for yourself. That is, weigh the planer in your hand, evaluate the location of the center of gravity, the convenience of the handles. You should pay attention to the length and shape of the rear handle and its compliance with the size of your palm, the location of the start key and the safety button - so that the work does not cause any difficulties. This feature, by the way, judging by user reviews, often causes criticism of certain models.

The design of the instrument is, of course, secondary. But still, it is more pleasant to work with a planer that does not have sharp protrusions of the body, which has smooth shapes, along with, of course, high performance. Leading manufacturers think about this too, so it makes sense to take into account the "cuteness" of the device when choosing.

Additional functions, completeness of the electric planer

• One of the functions of an electric planer has already been mentioned - this is the ability to remove a neat chamfer, the same along the entire length of the processed board. One can only add that many models have several grooves of different depths. That is, it becomes possible to choose the configuration of the chamfer being removed.

• Many planer models allow you to sample a quarter - an open groove along the edge of the board. This implies the presence of a special removable guide bar and depth gauge. If such a function is necessary, then you should pay attention to the maximum quarter depth indicated in the list of characteristics.

• Anyone who has worked with electric planers in the early days of commercial use knows how tiring it can be to wait for the drum to come to a complete stop. The processing operation is completed, the power button is released, and still the drum rotates for another 15÷20 seconds due to its massiveness. And it was impossible to put the tool aside at that time - knives cling to the surface of a workbench or floor, spoil her and blunt themselves. In most modern models, this former shortcoming is taken into account. So, some electric planers are equipped with an automatically operating drum brake - it allows you to achieve a complete stop in a second or two.

There is also a simpler solution - a special spring-loaded stop at the back of the fixed sole. When processing the material, that is, when moving the planer pressed against the board, this stop will hide in its nest. But as soon as you lift the sole, it will pop out. And the planer can already be safely placed on the table or on the floor - the knives of the drum rotating by inertia simply will not reach the surface.

Very simple and very convenient - such a spring-loaded stop allows you to put the planer on the table even before the drum rotating by inertia has completely stopped

• As mentioned above, the kit may include a special bag for collecting sawdust, and an adapter for connecting to a vacuum cleaner.
• In the delivery set, as a rule, there is a key necessary for changing knives. Often, if the planer is equipped with sharpening knives, a special template is applied to the exact angle of sharpening both blades at the same time. There may be another template that serves to correctly set the position of the knives in the drum. The procedure for working with them is described in detail in the instruction manual for the tool.

• It is very convenient if the planer itself with all the necessary spare parts is placed in a durable plastic case or in a special bag-case. This will simplify the storage of the tool, its transportation to the place of work, and ensure the safety of all components of the kit.
• The range of high-quality power tools is very wide, and the prices for very solid "amateur" models of the most famous brands have long been included in the category of quite affordable ones. This is said to the fact that it hardly makes sense to purchase products of unknown brands. It's like a lottery - you can get lucky, and the planer will work correctly for a very long time. But more often such experiments end rather quickly, and to find "guilty", that is, to get at least some semblance after-sales service- almost impossible.

Traditionally, examples of quality and durability are original tools from Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Hilti, Black & Decker, Mafell, Sparky, Skil, Hitachi, Metabo. Of the domestic brands, one can safely single out Energomash, Interskol and the Simferopol Fiolent, which became Russian not so long ago.

When choosing an electric planer, you should ask which specific brands are easiest to service in the region of purchase, if there are official representative offices and warranty workshops. Be sure to specify the availability of sale and availability of interchangeable elements - knives. It is reasonable to clarify about the drive belt - it happens that it also has to be replaced.

And, of course, in no case should high-quality equipment of this type be purchased at “flea markets” or at retail outlets where, for some reason known only to them, sellers cannot make an official mark in the passport about the sale of the tool, that is, beginning of the warranty period.

A small overview of popular models of electric planers

Electric planers for occasional household use

• "Interskol R -82/650".

Reliable and inexpensive tool for daily chores.

The main characteristics of the planer:

- Drive power - 650 watts.

- Drum rotation frequency - 16 thousand rpm.

— Soft start and stabilization rotations are not included.

- Processing width - 82 mm.

- Depth of cut - from 0 to 2mm.

- Quarter sampling up to 9 mm deep.

- Weight - 2.7 kg.

- Included - guide ruler (parallel stop).

- Approximate cost - 2800 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

- Good build quality.

- Light weight with quite decent performance.

- Exact correspondence of the scale readings with the actual depth of processing.

— Well-developed service network.

Flaws:

- The power cord is somewhat short.

- Unable to work for a long time, heats up quickly. But in terms of capabilities and price, he does not claim to be a “professional”.

Prices for an electric planer Interskol R-82/650

Electric planer Interskol R-82/650

• Black Decker KW 712 ».

A well-known American company presents its model, however, of Chinese assembly.

- Drive power - 650 watts.

- Smooth start and maintain the speed - not provided.

- Processing width - 82 mm.

– Depth of cut – from 0 to 2 mm, with adjustment from step 0.2 mm.

— Quarter sampling up to 8 mm deep.

— Groove for selecting chamfers.

- Weight - 4.9 kg.

— Included, depending on the version - guide fence (parallel stop), storage bag for chips, adapter for a vacuum cleaner, case.

- Approximate cost - 4450 rubles. fully equipped, 3150 rubles. - in the minimum.

Advantages of the model:

- Nice build.

- Reasonably priced.

- Precision processing.

User-reported deficiencies:

- The outlet channel and the nozzle are quickly and tightly clogged with chips.

- The cooling system of the rotation transfer unit to the drum is poorly thought out. Narrow gaps do not allow residual heat transfer, which sometimes ended in rapid overheating of the pulleys and stretching of the belt.

Pretty heavy for its class.

- Limited time of work - no more than 15 minutes. with a mandatory pause of the same duration.

- The power cord is too stiff, especially when working in the cold.

• « DeWALTDW 680 ».

One of the best, perhaps, electric planers of this class. The brand is American, the assembly lines are in the Czech Republic.

The main characteristics of the model:

— Drive power - 600 watts.

.

- Smooth start- No.

- Widthprocessing - 82 mm.

- Depth of cut - from 0 to 2.5 mm, smooth adjustment in steps of 0.1mm.

— Sample of a quarter up to 12 mm deep.

- Three grooves for selecting chamfers.

- Double-sided carbide blades.

- Weight - 3.2 kg.

- Includes parallel fence, storage bag for chips, adapter for a vacuum cleaner. Stationary installation is not provided.

- Approximate cost - 8500 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

- High build quality.

- Non-failure operation, even with long cycles, with, it would seem, not the most outstanding drive power.

- Excellent processing quality.

- Universality of knives - almost all available for sale are suitable.

- Soft flexible power cable.

— Excellent balance, comfortable buttons.

Disadvantages reported by consumers:

— One-sided removal of sawdust.

- Too "gentle" front handle for setting the depth of cut does not have a lock - you can accidentally knock down the original settings during operation.

- High price compared to other models of this class, but it is justified by the quality and durability of the planer.

- No case provided.

Semi-professional electric planers as a universal tool in the home workshop

• "Fiolent R 3 - 82".

A powerful middle-class tool, designed for fairly large-scale operations.

The main characteristics of the model:

— Drive power - 1100 W.

— The frequency of rotation of the working drum is 15 thousand rpm.

- Smoothstartand speed control system- No.

- Widthprocessing - 82 mm, depth – up to 3 mm, adjustable in 0.5 mm increments.

- Quarter sampling up to 13 mm deep.

- One groove for choosing chamfers.

- Double-sided carbide blades.

- Weight - 3.5 kg.

— Stationary installation is provided, but the bed is not included in the package.

- Approximate cost - 5900 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

- Long outsole for better handling.

- High power, allowing to process hardwoods.

Disadvantages of the model:

- Very often - poor build quality. Particular complaints are about the non-parallelism of the soles, as a result of which the difference in the thickness of the sample along the edges of the processing strip sometimes reaches 0.5 mm.

- A very inconvenient sawdust removal system, one-sided and requiring a special adapter (which is not included) to connect to a vacuum cleaner.

- Too large a step for setting the depth of cut - 0.5 mm.

- Although the possibility of sampling a quarter and stationary installation of a planer is provided, there is no parallel stop or bed in the kit. And finding them separately can be problematic.

- Dust and small sawdust during operation are immediately drawn under the casing of the electric drive.

Alas, the almost unanimous verdict of users is expensive, inconvenient and unreliable.

• Makita KP 0810 ».

High quality, reliable middle class tool. It will help to cope with a large amount of woodworking work.

The main characteristics of the model:

— Drive power - 850 watts.

.

- Smooth startand speed control system- No.

— Widthprocessing strips - 82 mm, passage depth -up to 4 mmadjustment in steps of 0.1mm.

— Quarter sampling up to 25 mm deep.

- Three grooves for choosing chamfersdifferent sizes.

- High-quality blades made of high-speed steel.

- Weight - 3.3 kg.

- Stationary installation is not provided.

- Approximate cost - 12900 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

— Very convenient, torquey, balanced tool in the hand. Work does not cause fatigue.

- Large depth of cut, the accuracy of its exposure.

- Large depth of the selected quarter.

- Excellent build quality.

— Possibility of switching of the party of removal of sawdust.

Mentioned disadvantages:

- Poor transmission belt protection.

- Quite a complex knife installation system that requires certain skills (but they quickly develop)

- When working with raw wood, the outlet pipe is clogged.

- The price for this class looks high,

Prices for electric planer Makita KP 0810

Electric planer Makita KP 0810

• ZUBR ZR -1100-110.

A joint product of Russian developers and Chinese assemblers. Quite a popular model in its class.

The main characteristics of the electric planer:

— Drive power - 1100 W.

— The frequency of rotation of the working drum is 16 thousand rpm.

- There is a soft start system and electronic control of the number of revolutions of the drum under load.

— The width of the processing strip is 110 mm, the depth of the passage isup to 3.5 mm,adjustment in steps of 0.1mm.

— Quarter sampling up to 15 mm deep.

- Three grooves for choosing chamfersdifferent sizes.

— Carbide double-sided knives.

- Weight - 5 kg.

- Stationary installation - not provided.

- Included - vertical and horizontal stops, a bag for collecting sawdust, a spare drive belt.

- Approximate cost - 5600 rubles.

The noted advantages of the model:

- A wide strip of processing with a large depth of cut, multiplied by a considerable drive power.

— Adjustment of the sawdust ejection side, good adaptation for connecting the vacuum cleaner sleeve, the presence of a collection bag.

— Quite an affordable price for a device with such functionality.

Mentioned disadvantages:

- There are errors in the assembly. A fairly common defect is the warp of the sole, which has to be eliminated on its own.

- Inconvenient location of the power cord - constantly clings to the workpiece being processed.

- Narrow channel for removal of sawdust - can be clogged during operation.

- At small depths of cut (up to 1 mm), there may be discrepancies between the actual penetration and the scale indicators. More than 1 mm - everything is fine.

In principle, a very worthy mid-range electric planer, especially considering its very attractive price and well-organized network. after-sales service.

We will not consider powerful professional planers for large-scale construction work in this article. It is still designed for novice users who, without experience, will find it very difficult to manage such a tool. And experienced specialists themselves are already well versed in which planers will suit them to the maximum extent.

Prices for popular electric planers

We will conclude the publication with a video in which experts share the secrets of choosing the right electric planer.

An electric planer is an indispensable tool for construction work related to the use of non-planed boards. On the one hand, such boards are much cheaper, and on the other hand, they require additional processing. And it is an electric planer that will cope with such a task both quickly and efficiently. For carpentry, it is indispensable. To choose the best electric planer, you need to know its principle of operation and technical characteristics:

Many electric planers can be used both as a hand tool and, if fixed, in the form of a carpentry machine. In this position, he can:

• plan boards;
• adjust them to size
• bevel the edge on them;
• choose a groove (quarter).

If you also use additional nozzles, a cutting tool, then the functions of an ordinary electric planer will pleasantly surprise their owners! If you know the technical characteristics and capabilities of the tool, then you will make the right choice of an electric planer.

How does an electric planer work?

The basis of an electric planer is a drum that rotates thanks to a powerful motor at a speed of 10,000 rpm. Power at the same time on different tools can range from 600 to 1000 watts. Knives are fixed on the drum. The drum is driven by a motor and a drive belt. This belt is located under the side cover, which allows it to be removed and changed. Another casing is located above the motor. Thanks to the design of the electric planer, the speed increases gradually when turned on, and then it is maintained thanks to the electronics. All this serves to prevent overvoltage of the motor.

In front and behind the drum are knives for an electric planer - the so-called sole. It consists of two parts, the first of which is adjustable and processes the wood, and the second remains motionless and passes over the previously processed wood, smoothing its surface.

The speed of carpentry work depends on their quality and ability to remain sharp for a long time. Therefore, when choosing an electric planer, pay attention to the metal that makes up the sole. It is carbide and tungsten, hard hardened steel.

The thickness of the chips and the depth of cut of the board is adjusted using a handle or, in some cases, a button with divisions. The thicker the chips being removed, the slower the planer will move. The side limiter allows you to choose a quarter of the required thickness when processing the board. In this case, a folding casing is attached above the drum: it is located on the side if the planer is operating in normal mode, and rises up if you need to select a quarter. For this, the sample depth control is used.

Specifications

Electric planers are different by power. On average, these are parameters such as 450-600 W for amateur models and 850-1100 W for professional tools. The higher the power of the tool, the more effectively it will cope with hardwood.

Drum rotation speed(milling cutters) also differs: for individual devices (Black & Decker) it is from 10,000 revolutions, for such as the makita and Interskol electric planer, the speed reaches 16,000 revolutions per minute, for Bosh tools - 19,000. Planers are divided into sprinters according to speed (they plan more quickly and superficial) and stayers (slower and deeper).

When choosing an electric planer, they also pay attention to such a parameter as the maximum possible layer, which is removed at a time. This cutting depth. The higher this parameter, the faster the tool will work and you will achieve the required board thickness. For professional tools, this value is an order of magnitude higher - it reaches 3-4 mm. For amateur electric planers, this value ranges from 0.6 to 2.5 mm.

For most instruments planing width- 80-100 mm. But individual light tools can have a planing width that is not at all large - 50 mm.

By weight it has been noticed that the planes of foreign manufacturers are lighter than those made in the Baltic countries and the former CIS. If the former have an average weight of about 2.6 kg, then tools such as Fiolent and Baikal can weigh 2.9 and 3.7 kg, respectively, the Interskol electric planer - an average of 4.8, and Rebir, SUIT or MPZ - about 6 -7 kg. At the same time, the weight of the Makita electric planer may vary depending on the model: the Makita N1923B has a weight of 2.9 kg, the Makita 1806B has 8.8, and the stationary Makita 2012NB has all 27 kg.

Types and brands of electric planers

More powerful electric planers and with a large depth of maximum cut are classified as professional. For domestic purposes, with infrequent use, electric planers will also do just fine amateur. Household and professional electric planers also differ in that the former have a stamped sole, while the latter have a cast one, which makes it more durable. Professional planers include Metabo, DeWalt, Bosch, Sturm, Hitachi, Makita, amateur ones - Black & Decker, Blaukraft, Caliber, Interskol, Enkor, Energomash, Bison, Vityaz, Proton and others.

Also distinguish electric planers manual and stationary. The latest manual electric planers can be fixed and used as stationary.

Complete set of electric planers

In addition to technical characteristics, when choosing an electric planer, it is important to take into account ergonomics, ease of use, and a complete set of tools with all kinds of devices. At the same time, the sole should be smooth; how stable the planer will be in the process of work depends on its size.

For ease of use, it is advisable to choose an electric planer equipped with two handles: the tool is directed at the front, and pushed at the back. Using the front knob, adjust the depth of chip removal, setting the desired step. This is the so-called depth gauge. It is desirable that one step is equal to 0.1 mm and the scale does not start from zero. It is known from practice that even in this position, the planer removes thin chips. Therefore, it is better to choose a planer, the scale of which starts below zero.

Planers equipped with a spiral blade plan wood more efficiently and smoothly.

For folding, planers are equipped with a side limiter and a ruler. In the presence of an angular stop, it becomes possible to plan the surface at an angle of 45 degrees. The sole of the planers is equipped with a V-groove or even three in order to chamfer.

The set of many tools includes interchangeable drums and mounts in order to use an electric planer as a planer and a machine tool, a knife sharpener.

To ensure that the chips do not scatter in all directions, the planers are equipped with a socket for chips. A vacuum cleaner can be connected to some models for this purpose. Some models are equipped with a system for double-sided ejection of chip waste.

Thanks to electronic sensors, it is possible to maintain stable operation of the tool - a constant number of revolutions in the process of working with the material, their regulation at idle and soft start. For safety, it is important to have both a lock from accidentally turning on the tool, and a protective cover that protects the hand from contact with sharp knives. There are covers that rise automatically as soon as the planer touches the tree, using the side lever or while pressing the front handle. In models Bosch, Black & Decker, Metabo, a special stop leg is automatically ejected, which raises the sole at the back.

When choosing an electric planer, consider all the parameters, hold it in your hands, take an interest in the principle of operation, safety measures during operation and the warranty period. The video below will tell you in detail how to choose an electric planer.

An electric planer is the most affordable woodworking tool, greatly increasing the efficiency of work at home, in construction and in small workshops. With its help, the lumber is planed, chamfered from them, a quarter is selected from the blanks. The use of this tool allows you to save on materials: purchase unplaned beams or boards, and then process them yourself until the required surface quality is achieved.

The productivity of working with it and the quality of lumber processing will depend on how correctly the electric planer is selected according to its operational characteristics. When choosing a model, the expected intensity of use must also be taken into account.

The market is saturated with many models from manufacturers from different countries. In such conditions, the choice of an electric planer should be made consciously. The following features of the tool should be taken into account:

• price;
• specifications;
• ergonomics;
• additional functionality.

These criteria are combined in technical products in different ways. The task of the user is to choose the best product option for himself. The cost of electric planers varies over a wide range: from several thousand for household tools to hundreds of thousands for professional products intended for intensive practical use.

The appearance of the power tool is not a serious criterion. Each person has their own preferences regarding the color and geometry of devices. But if the shape of the tool affects the convenience of working with it, then this must be taken into account before buying a product that you like externally. Well-known brands use separate colors to color products, for example:

• Makita - blue;

• DeWalt - yellow

• Bosch - blue and green;

• Hilti is red.

In addition to branded accessories, Bosch's green color indicates that the electric planer is intended for a summer residence or at home, and blue indicates a professional use of the tool.

Knowing the colors used by popular manufacturers is one of the signs you can use to distinguish fake products from the original.

Technical indicators

Documentation must be included with electric planers. It contains all the data on the technical characteristics of the instrument model of interest. Also availability of equipment passport indirectly indicates the solidity of the company that manufactures products. The most significant technical characteristics for the correct choice of a power tool with a range of their possible or recommended values ​​are presented in the table below.

For battery models, an important parameter is the battery capacity and the output voltage (18 or 14.5 V). A cordless tool is convenient to use if there is no access to a 220 V power supply, and it is also safer in terms of the possibility of electric shock.

Cordless Electric Planer RYOBI CPL 180 MHG

It is from the considered technical characteristics of the electric planer that its main functionality depends, as well as the convenience of working with this tool. The greater the power of the tool used, the faster you can process lumber with it. The quality of planing lumber is determined by the speed at which the drum with knives rotates. Optimal speed determined by the properties of the treated wood:

• 10,000 rpm is a suitable speed for planing soft lumber;
• more than 12,000 rpm is the required drum speed when processing hardwood blanks.

It is worth considering how the speed of rotation of the knives changes under load compared to idling: for good quality models, this parameter remains stable.

Between and power and planing depth direct relationship, which is presented in the table below.

Also, the more powerful the equipment, the wider the drums can be mounted on it. Optimal blade width considered 82 mm. They are easy to find on sale if replacement is needed. Blades can be:

• hard-alloy (from high-carbon alloys);
• from high speed steel.

The former are more durable and expensive, while the latter are less hard, but cheap and can be sharpened. High speed steel knives are the most common.

If you want to process the surface of the workpiece with the highest quality, it is recommended to use spiral double-sided knives.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of an electric planer is understood as the convenience of its practical use. This criterion is mainly paid attention only to well-known manufacturers. Recommendations for taking into account the ergonomic characteristics of the selected devices are as follows.

1. It is better for work when the power tool is equipped with not one, but two handles located at a convenient angle (for each, its value is different, so it should be selected by comparison). The best option is when there are rubberized pads performing anti-slip functions.
   
   
2. It is good if you can blow off the chips when planing and collect them in a bag.
   
   
3. Must be planing depth scale with a scale division of 0.1 mm.
   
   
4. The optimal weight of the tool is 3-3.5 kg so that the hands do not get tired during the processing of lumber.
5. The larger the sole area, the more stable the electric planer during operation. The sole after exposure should create a single plane without distortions.
   
   
6. The body of the electric planer must be made of quality plastic, characterized by gloss, as well as the absence of fragile, thin structural elements.
7. For practical use, it is convenient when the drive belt is equipped with a cover that can be easily removed, allowing quick replacement if necessary.
   
   

The working tool you choose should be well balanced, with a convenient location for the start button (so that you can turn it on with one finger). If you need the help of another hand to turn on the device, then it is not recommended to purchase such models. When a manual electric planer weighs more than 4 kg, fatigue sets in faster, which can adversely affect work productivity.

With regard to ergonomics, there are no exact criteria: each user has their own individual preferences and physical characteristics. But if the working tool is equipped with two handles, then this allows you to evenly distribute efforts and loads when processing lumber, and also increases the degree of safety of the labor process.

Additional features of electric planers

To choose the best tool, you should also take into account the additional features it has. They are provided by:

• the presence of a soft start system that reduces wear on parts, extending the period of their operation without repair;
• equipped with an electrodynamic brake, due to which the drum stopping time is reduced from 4-5 s to 2-3 s;
• a system for monitoring and stabilizing the speed of rotation of the working drum, which will protect the electric motor from overheating under load;
• the presence of a second branch pipe;
• the possibility of blocking from involuntary switching on, preventing accidental switching on of the device;

• equipment with a latch that allows you to fix the tool on a workbench or table;

Electroplaner RE-780/82 with a metal stand for stationary use

• ruler, side limiter, corner stop.

Presence on the sole V-shaped grooves allows you to create beautiful bevels on workpieces. If only planing of lumber is planned, then this structural element will not be in demand. The location of the snare drum shifted to one side makes it easier to select quarters.

All additional functionalities increase the safety of working with the tool and the convenience of handling it, as well as, in part, labor productivity.

Tips for choosing an electric planer for home and professional activities

Conventionally, products can be divided into the following categories, which differ in the intensity of use of power tools:

• household;
• professional;
• industrial use (premium class).

Electroplaner Neu Balkenhobel Triton TPL180 Dreimesser

Home tool characterized by:

• installed electric motor power up to 1000 W;
• inexpensive price (within 20,000 rubles);
• small weight (2.5-4 kg);
• idle speed - 12-13 thousand per minute;
• optimal depth of planing 2-4 mm.

Household models allow you to fine-tune the depth of planing, but it is problematic to choose all the necessary accessories for them. It is also quite difficult to process hardwood.

One or two knives is the best option for a household electric planer.

Household electric planer PATRIOT PL 750

professional tool designed for use in production or in woodworking workshops with a maximum load. It is distinguished by the following criteria:

• increased power from 1000 W to 2200 W;
• a large number of additional functions (hence, devices);
• wide grip of the treated surface;
• high drum rotation speed;
• planing depth of 4 mm or more;
• high quality of the result (surface smoothness);
• high cost;
• large in comparison with household models dimensions and weight (4-9 kg);
• drum rotation speed without load - 15-19 thousand rpm.

The width of the drum of household and professional power tools should correspond to the most frequently processed parts:

• 82 mm - when working with window frames, chairs, racks, beams, boards of appropriate width;
• 110÷170 mm - when processing the surface of tables, cabinets, wide boards, doors.

The use of a tool with a grip width of more than 110 mm is justified only for continuous work with large lumber.

If you have to work only with dried lumber, on the surface of which it is necessary to remove minor irregularities, it is enough to purchase a tool with a planing depth of up to 2 mm. When it is necessary to process boards or timber with bark, you will need an electric planer with the possibility of sampling a layer of wood up to 1 cm thick.

As you can see, there are significant differences between the performance characteristics of professional and household electric planers. Knowing them, you can independently classify this power tool into categories.

Overview of popular manufacturers and models

A qualitative product review is based on the following criteria:

• the relationship between the performance characteristics of the product and its cost;

An electric planer is a necessary tool in the piggy bank of every master. This is a tool for processing wood according to given parameters.

There are several main nuances of choice that you need to know about:

1. Power. Pay attention to the useful power - it should be at least 350 watts. Pick up with a margin so that the planer works at half strength, and not wear and tear.
2. Rotation frequency. If you work with hardwoods, the drum speed should be at least 12 thousand revolutions, for soft varieties 10 thousand is enough.
3. Planing width. On sale is a choice of knives of different lengths: from 50 to 110 mm. The most popular models are 82 mm.

Important! If the board ends up being wider than the planer, you will have to process it several times. It will be impossible to achieve a perfect cut.

Secondary Criteria:

• Chip thickness(the greater the thickness, the more powerful the tool is needed). For manual models, the maximum figure is 4 mm.
• Weight. The optimal weight for a manual electric planer is 3-4 kilograms. The model can be considered suitable if you work 10 minutes without fatigue in your hands.
• Additional options. Chip depth adjustment, chip receiver, rubberized handle, sole type - these are secondary qualities, but still important.

There are two types of electric planers:

• amateur. Their power rarely exceeds 600 watts.
• Professional. More powerful and bulky.

Rating of the best models of amateur electric planers

Electroplaner Fiolent R3-82 (Russia)

The model is suitable for processing all types of wood. Has convenient management and ergonomic design. Carbide blades, removable cover for easy brush replacement, V-groove sole for chamfering. For planing at an angle, you can purchase a special angle ruler. In general, the device has proven itself well, inexpensive, but high-quality budget option.

The Fiolent R3-82 electric planer weighs 3.5 kilograms and fits comfortably in the hand. Processing width - 82 mm, depth - 3 mm. Equipped with a powerful 1.05 kW motor, 15,000 rpm. Double wire insulation, good build quality.

Among the shortcomings, users note the misalignment of the sole, which is not suitable for long-term work without rest.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 4

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 4

Total score: 4.5

Electroplaner Hitachi P20SA2 (Japan)

Convenient and productive electric planer. It is designed very ergonomically, it is possible to work with any hand. Suitable for lumber of different species. Equipped with a cutting depth adjustment function. The aluminum alloy sole has a center V-groove for chamfering. Blades made of high-quality alloy, equipped with a device for adjusting the position of the blades.

You can attach a dust bag. This model weighs only 3 kilograms. Speed ​​- 14000 per minute. The processing width is standard - 82 mm. Engine power - 0.72 kW. Depth of processing - 3 millimeters.

Among the shortcomings, one can note the low power for such a unit, a short cord.

Power - 4

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 4.75

Electric planer Sparky P 382 (Bulgaria)

Comfortable and lightweight electric planer with a slightly shifted engine and an unusual exterior. Well balanced, suitable for lumber of different species. Weighs 3.1 kilograms. The sole is made of aluminum alloy, there are 3 V-shaped grooves for chamfering.

The model is equipped with 3 effective knives. Motor power 750 W, this is not always enough to operate three knives. Comfortable handle with elastane coating, there is a branch pipe for connecting a dust collector. Built-in dust removal system, chip removal direction regulator. Frequency - 18000 rpm. Processing width - 82 mm. Depth of processing - 3 mm.

Of the minuses, one can note the sometimes occurring distortion of the rear sole, insufficient power for the full operation of 3 knives.

Power - 4

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 4

Total score: 4.5

Electroplaner Makita N 1923B (Japan)

Reliable and convenient electric planer, which can be easily fixed on the workbench. A sole with a large triangular groove is essential for chamfering. The handle is rubberized, the tool is well balanced - it is pleasant to hold it in your hand. The knife is hard-alloy rotary. Planer power 550 W, number of revolutions - 16000.

There is a special pipe to which the vacuum cleaner is connected. It is equipped with a function of smooth adjustment of the planing depth (3 mm). Works well with all types of wood. Processing width 82 mm. The model weighs 2.5 kilograms.

Of the shortcomings, one can note only the high price. Compared to other amateur models, Makita is expensive.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Electric planer Bosch PHO 1500 (Germany)

This tool provides high-quality surface treatment. Equipped with a powerful 550W motor and WoodRazor blade system for easy planing. The outsole is optimized for chamfering. A special compartment houses a hex wrench that can be used to replace knives. There is a knife shaft balancing system, chip depth control. The tool is securely fixed on a special nozzle.

Width of the processed surface - 82 mm. Number of revolutions - 19500. Depth - 2 mm. This electric planer weighs only 2.5 kilograms, easily and securely lies in the hand. You can attach a dust bag. The handle is adapted to any hand.

No particular deficiencies were noted.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Rating of models of professional electric planers

Electric planer Rebir IE-5708C (Latvia)

A brand with many years of experience. Suitable for processing wood of different species, including hard and knotty. The width of the knives is 110 mm, they allow processing timber to a depth of up to 4 mm in one pass. There are functions for controlling the direction of chip ejection, a sole with three grooves for chamfering.

You can use a straightedge and cut materials at an angle of up to 45 degrees. The planer is easily installed in a stationary position. There is a soft start function. There is an adapter for attaching a vacuum cleaner. Comes with 2 spare brushes and a knife sharpener. The model weighs 6.6 kg. The number of revolutions is 15000 per minute. Engine power - 2.15 kW.

Among the shortcomings can be noted a lot of weight. Also, users complain that after the transfer of some production to China, the build quality has decreased.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 4

Reliability - 4

Total score: 4.5

Electroplaner Interskol R-110/2000M (China)

For a long time, these electric planers were produced in Russia, but then production was transferred to China at the Status Power Tools plant. Budget, but functional model that does an excellent job even with hardwoods.

Ergonomic body, rubberized handle firmly and securely lies in the hand. There is a soft start function, the sole is made of hard alloy, there are grooves for chamfering. The fold depth is 16 mm. Knives are bilateral, from a strong alloy. The model is equipped with a powerful 2 kW motor. Processing width - 110 mm, depth - 4 mm. The number of revolutions is 15000 per minute. The unit weighs 7.3 kg.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the heavy weight and sometimes poor-quality assembly of the case.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 4

Reliability - 4

Total score: 4.5

Electroplaner DeWalt D26501K (USA)

Powerful and impressive electric planer with a lot of additional features. High power allows you to work with hard wood. Complete with carbide reversible blades, adapter for vacuum cleaner, ejector and deflector for sawdust, parallel guide.

The depth adjuster is located on the front handle. By the way, the handle is rubberized and does not slip out of the hands. Disc brake system, rev maintenance, high-quality sole with three chamfering grooves. There is a soft start system. The number of revolutions is 11500, the power is 1.15 kW, the cutting depth is 4 mm. The planer weighs 4 kg.

Among the shortcomings, an insufficient number of service centers can be noted.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Electroplaner Makita KP 312 S (Japan)

It is more suitable for production work, it is convenient and reliable in operation. The tool is perfectly balanced and provides high quality planing. Complete with parallel guide. There is a soft start function, overload protection, dust removal system. The handles of the planer are rubberized, do not slip out of the hand

Blades are made of steel, easy to sharpen, knife width 312 mm. A big advantage is the 10 m power cord, which expands the working area. The power of the unit is 2.2 kW. The number of revolutions is 12000 per minute. Chip thickness - 3.5 mm. The product weighs 19 kilograms, it is easily mounted to the stand.

Of the shortcomings, a lot of weight can be noted, but this is offset by productivity.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Electroplaner Mafell ZH 205 EC (Germany)

Powerful tool for professional needs, capable of planing 20 cm timber. Cast construction is lighter (12.5 kg). It is possible to connect a vacuum cleaner and adjust the direction of the chip ejection. There is a soft start, rotation speed support, overload protection. Double-sided knives made of high-quality steel, sole with grooves for chamfering.

It is very convenient to work on this tool: ergonomic body and high-quality rubberized handle, minimal vibration. Engine power is 2.3 kW, the number of revolutions is reduced, but it is quite enough - 8500 per minute. Processing width - 205 mm. Depth of planing - 4 mm.

There were no particular shortcomings, except for the price.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Conclusion: not everyone needs professional models of electric planers. If woodworking is your way of earning money, it’s better not to save money and buy a more powerful electric planer. For an ordinary user, a full-time amateur model with extended functionality is quite enough.

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