Rikon 13 Benchtop Planer With Helical Cutterhead Reviews

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While in that location are many tools that a woodshop needs, a planer is a dandy manner to actually accelerate your woodworking abilities. Information technology will let you to go from skilful to great and refine the projects that your brand.

I exercise non recommend buying one if yous don't already have the essential tools, but it is certainly a tool every DIYer and serious woodworker should consider.

I've made this "best of" guide here to bring all the best benchtop planers into one place and assistance y'all discern one from the other.  It does not include floor planers or hand planers.  Both of those are in different categories and unremarkably serve different purposes.

Note: my personal planer is a Wahuda (formerly Cutech), merely it is not listed here because they stopped aircraft them out to design improve packaging. I actually like it, and will update hither once they get shipments going once more.

Tabular array of Contents

• My Top Choices for the All-time Benchtop Planer
  • Budget
  • Porter Cable ii Knife Planer
  • Industry DIY Selection
  • Dewalt DW735X xiii″ Planer
  • Runner Up
  • WEN PL1326 13″ Screw Planer
• Who Needs a Benchtop Planer?
• What is this Guide?
• ane. Dewalt DW735X
  • Features
    • Details
    • What'south Practiced About it?
    • What's Not Then Good?
    • Summary
• 2. Rikon 25-130H
  • Features
    • Details
    • What'southward Good About it?
    • What's Not So Skilful?
    • Summary
• 3. Dewalt DW734
  • Features
    • Details
    • Difference Between DW734 and DW735X
    • What'south Good About it?
    • What's Non So Good?
    • Summary
• 4. Delta 22-555
  • Features
    • Details
    • What's Good About it?
    • What'due south Non And so Good?
    • Summary
• v. WEN PL1326
  • Features
    • Details
    • What'southward Good About it?
    • What's Not And then Practiced?
    • Summary
• 6. Porter-Cable PC305TP 12″ Benchtop Planer
  • Features
    • Details
    • What's Practiced Near it?
    • What'southward Not So Good?
    • Summary
• FAQ
  • What is a thickness planer?
  • Who makes the Best Planer?
  • Do I demand a screw cutterhead?

My Acme Choices for the Best Benchtop Planer

Hither is a quick overview for those wanting to find something quickly.

Who Needs a Benchtop Planer?

Hobbyists and new woodworkers who are really looking to step up their game.  Basically anyone who likes to build things on a regular basis (out of wood of course).  This can include:

• Hobbyists
• Weekend warriors
• Anyone working on the job site
  • A benchtop planer is great for this because it is still somewhat portable

Even if y'all brand a few projects a year then you might be inclined to go a planer strictly because it volition make things easier.

If you are more of a cabinet maker or are in the business concern of making cool stuff out of wood, then I recommend that you upgrade to a floor model planer.  It volition have more features and greater chapters and power.

Even some of those who do serious woodworking can get by with a benchtop model instead of a floor model, however, but they may be seriously interested in finding the Best benchtop planer as opposed to merely the cheapeset

What is this Guide?

This guide is to aid beginners and experts both detect the best benchtop planer.

All these planers will exercise a decent job planing hardwood, but each tool varies a little from the other. The higher priced units offer a few more thoughtful features.

For example, the Rikon comes with a spiral cutterhead, and the Dewalt DW735X has two speed settings for finetuning. I expect at each planer based on price, features, and consumer reviews.   Then I rank and list the pros and cons of each tool.

Cheque out the comparing guide and planer reviews below.

1. Dewalt DW735X

Features

• 3 Blade cutterhead
• 13″ Width
• 2 Feed speed settings – 96 or 179 Cuts per Inch
• xv Amp Motor
• Automatic carriage lock to reduce snipe
• Fan assisted chip exhaust

Details

This planer offers some great features at a price that is competitive with any other benchtop planer.  There are two feed speed settings.  This allows for a faster speed for strictly dimensioning rough lumber, and the slower speed gives y'all a finer end.  The more than cuts per inch allow it to do a better task.

Different the other planers, this one comes with an infeed and outfeed table.  This adds up to a total table surface that is 33 i/2 inches long.  This helps with snipe issues and general usability.

The dimensioning abilities are as follows:

• Max cut depth 1/8″
• Max width 12 one/2″
• Max depth half dozen″

Pocketknife changes with this planer are fairly straightforward.  It requires one tool, the blades are reversible, and indexing is elementary with pins that fit into the blade.  This ways that at that place are small raised pins that fit into holes in the bract.  That way the blade will ever be in the right position when you set information technology into the cutterhead.

Supposedly the blades last xxx% longer than traditional disposable blades.

Another proficient feature is that information technology has grit port than can either be directed onto the floor or hooked up to a vacuum.  It is fan assisted, meaning it will blow the wood chips out of the style.  Yous will probably want to have a vacuum no affair what, just this volition make sure that wood fries don't get stuck anywhere along the way.

The planer itself is 90 lbs.  This will allow you to utilise information technology as permanent shop fixture or have it to a chore site.  (It is xc lbs, and then that trip to the chore site might practise your back a piddling scrap)

What's Good Virtually it?

• It is a simple and like shooting fish in a barrel automobile to use.  The instructions are clear and the setup of the machine is intuitive.
• The exhaust port is easy to get to and clean.
• The blades are easy to alter.
• Information technology is heavy duty.  It is really equally close as you can get to a permanent shop planer while remaining portable.

What's Not So Good?

• Some users have reported that the unit is abnormally loud.  This is just in comparison with another planers available.
• The feeding rollers can skid a little merely this usually only happens in common cold temperatures.
• It is susceptible to clogs, such as when you plane a bad knot.  This requires some care.  Brand certain that there are ever fries coming out of the grit port.  Otherwise it is probably clogged upwards.  A vacuum may aid this trouble.

Summary

A good, solid planer for the coin.

two. Rikon 25-130H

• Helical manner cutterhead

Features

• 6 Row, Helical Style Cutterhead
• xiii″ Width
• 10,000 RPM Cutterhead Speed
• fifteen Amp Motor
• Infeed and Outfeed Tables
• Complete Steel Construction

Details

This planer offers a feature that you can't find in any of the others at this toll point: a helical manner cutterhead.  There are several advantages to this pattern.  Start of all, it produces a make clean and efficient cutting.

There are 26 steel blade inserts making upwardly half dozen rows on the cutterhead.  Each one of these inserts is a ii sided blade.  This means that yous tin can rotate a damaged bract to the other side, or replace it completely.

This planer comes with an infeed and outfeed tabular array, along with all steel construction.  The steel body creates rigidity and forcefulness, assuasive you to non worry about its stability.

The flat top allows you lot to return the lath over the summit of the machine if you are operating a two person team.  This is a bang-up design because they have thought well-nigh the efficiency and ease of utilize. Snipe is nonetheless a factor on this machine, as with many planers of this size.  Make certain to aeroplane the lath before cutting it to size.

The dimensioning abilities are as follows:

• Max cut depth 1/eight″
• Max width 13″
• Max depth 6″

This model does have a forest chip fan and dust port.  This will permit you hook upwardly a vacuum to your auto and keep your shop clean.

Rikon makes replacement blades for this model, along with a floor stand accessory.

This planer is 73 lbs.  That is about xx lbs lighter than the Dewalt DW735X

What'southward Good About it?

• The motorcar is congenital with quality materials and a smart design.  The learning curve is not also steep, so it should have a place in most wood shops.
• The cutterhead works well to efficiently remove stock.  The blade inserts can be replaced with ease.
• It is a good size and has decent chapters.  Information technology is well on par with whatsoever of the other planers in its category.

What's Not So Good?

• The blade inserts for this unit of measurement are somewhat expensive.  I user reported having to alter his blades quite ofttimes.   This should not discourage one from buying it, however, because all blades will need to be replaced as you use them.
• The snipe on your boards can exist relatively bad with this planer.  Make sure to continue it supported well and to not cut your boards to length until after you have planed them.

Summary

A very affordable helical style planer that does a decent task.

three. Dewalt DW734

Features

• 3 Blade cutterhead
• 12.five″ Width
• 96  Cuts per Inch @ 10 RPM
• fifteen Amp Motor
• 4 post carriage lock to reduce snipe

Details

This planer is a budget workhorse.  It is cheaper than the Rikon and its big brother, the Dewalt DW735X.  Only don't let that deceive yous.  It is even so a quality planer with some great features.

First of all, information technology has a powerful motor that should last for a long time.  Don't hesitate to invest in this machine if you lot are worried well-nigh its longevity.  At xv amps, it has plenty power to aeroplane a range of hardwoods.

The blades are indexable and reversible.  This means that you can easily rotate a blade around when information technology gets wore out.  The indexing pins help yous align information technology perfectly so the cuts are fifty-fifty across the cutterhead.

The infeed and outfeed table amounts to 33-1/ii″ of table support.  This is helpful to forestall or minimize snipe and help you get the boards in and through the planer.

The dimensioning abilities are equally follows:

• Max cutting depth i/8″
• Max width 12 one/2″
• Max depth 6″

Like the DW735X knife changes are easy.  Information technology requires only one tool.  The blades that Dewalt provides are besides supposed to last 30% longer than traditional dispensable blades.

Difference Between DW734 and DW735X

The DW734 does not have a flake assisted fan like the 735.  This ways that your vacuum will have to do near of the work, only that is not a deal breaker in my stance.  It still has a dust hood and dust collection port.

Too, the 735 has two feeding speeds. The slower infeed speed allows the planer to brand more cuts per inch, creating a finer finish.  This planer only has one speed at 96 cuts per inch.   This will likely be quality plenty for yous, but there volition be certain situations where that feature is benign to your piece of work.

This planer is 80 lbs.  This is almost in the same range as the other planers.  It is heavy, but it needs to take some weight to it to keep its stability.

What's Good About it?

• It is a strong and quality car.  The blueprint is intuitive and unproblematic.  At that place are no extra features that volition get in your mode of simply planing boards.
• The blades are easy to modify.  They are reversible, and then it requires less replacement parts.
• The measurements on the depth guide are clear and easy to run across.  You will exist well aware of what you are doing at all times.

What'due south Not So Expert?

• The feeding rollers demand to be cleaned every once and while, or information technology will showtime slipping.  Some users have reported having problems with this.  Generally, the rollers will struggle more when the temperature is low.  Go on this in listen when operating this machine.
• Some users have reported the blades wearing out quickly.  Again, this is kind of the nature of the beast.  Planing wood is difficult work and blades will only concluding then long.  That is why Dewalt has made it painless to replace the blades.
• The chips from the wood and sawdust tend to fly all over the place.  If you lot are in a shop environment, it is wise to accept a dust collection arrangement in place.  This could simply exist a shop vac on the flooring hooked up to the dust port.

Summary

A peachy budget planer.  Minimal features, only the ones it does accept are quality and should last a long time.

4. Delta 22-555

Features

• 2 Blade cutterhead
• 9400 RPM or 18,800 cuts per minute
• 13″ Width
• 58 lbs
• 15 Amp Motor
• Left or Right Dust Port

Details

This Delta planer is an effective machine for the hobby woodshop.  The price is lower than some of the more than high end benchtop planers available.  Information technology is congenital from a few unlike materials to control the price and weight.

The outer beat out, for example, is made from a type of plastic.  This is in contrast to the others similar the Rikon where it is solid metal.  That does not ruin the rigidity of the product, however, because information technology has a iv post construction that keeps the cutter caput solid and in place.  The measurements and quality of the fittings is not compromised by the plastic outer shell.

Like the other planers in this listing, it runs off of a fifteen amp motor.  The feed speed is reasonable for the ability of the motor.  It is powerful enough cut near any wood, you will merely need to adjust the cutting depth on some of the tougher hardwoods.  Information technology may only exist able to cut less than 1/sixteen of an inch at a time.

Snipe is an upshot just similar on the other planers (although a few users did not have whatsoever snipe issues).  You lot should take the normal steps to cutting downwardly on snipe, such equally making sure to adapt the infeed and outfeed tables, not cutting the board to length till later on it is planed, and even using sacrificial boards abreast the board you are planing.

The dimensioning abilities are every bit follows:

• Max cut depth 1/viii″
• Max width 13″
• Max depth 6″

This cutterhead merely has 2 blades.  They are reversible and piece of cake to change.  So you will get a good lifespan out of each bract since you can elementary switch it effectually.  The two blade cutterhead seems to perform just every bit well as some of the iii blade models.  One positive to this is that it is cheaper to supervene upon the blades, although they may or may not demand to exist replaced more than often.  These blades are indexed with holes so that alignment is straightforward and piece of cake.

The dust port on this auto can exist directed to the left or right side.  This is squeamish because it can be changed according to your shop layout.  It does not have a fan assisted dust port like the DW735X, simply a basic store vac should assist with sawdust control when you run the machine.

This planer is lighter than most at only 56 lbs.  As long as information technology is on a stable surface this could be a big benefit to you if you lot need to motion it around frequently.  For instance, y'all may demand to have it to a jobsite if you are a carpenter.  56 lbs is very manageable compared to the eighty-ninety lb range of the other models.

What'southward Good About it?

• It is lightweight and built with careful consideration of materials to reign in the price.  You may see this equally a bad thing, but they have non cutting dorsum in the crucial components.
• It is basic to use and adept for a part time woodworker.  Anyone who is planing boards day in and 24-hour interval out should not consider this planer unless it is all they can afford.
• The dust port tin can modify sides to conform your shop situation.
• The blades are easy to change.
• Users have reported it to be quite authentic, then your cuts should be satisfactory.

What's Not And then Skillful?

• Its cheaper construction can affect quality control and its longevity tin be questionable.  Anything built with a meaning amount of plastic instead of metallic runs the hazard of having more stuff break.
• It lacks some more advanced features like dual feed speed settings.  This is a compromise you make to take advantage of a better priced product.
• Some users take reported getting units that were not calibrated very well, and the four post construction had too much slack in its joints.  This resulted in poor planing, along with excentuated snipe issues.
• Judging from some user reports, it tin be striking or miss with this unit.  This is non surprising because it is geared more toward the budget minded side of things.

Summary

A cheaper pick that can usually provide similar results as the better models.

5. WEN PL1326

Features

• Spiral Cutterhead (26 Blades)
• thirteen″ Width
• 18,000 cuts per minute
• 15 Amp Motor
• Fan assisted dust port

Details

The Wen planer is almost in a class by itself because it is on the cheaper side of things, but it has very good user reviews.  Near of the people who purchase this planer (with realistic expectations) are very happy with their purchase.

It has some of the same features as other planers in its price range.  This includes a 15 amp motor that is powerful enough for most cuts as long as the depth is not as well much.  It also has a piece of cake depth management and a articulate gauge for y'all to come across where the cutterhead is set up.

The infeed and outfeed tables are fabricated from granite for strong and durable utilize.  This also helps with the stability of the machine.

The dimensioning abilities are as follows:

• Max cutting depth 3/32″
• Max width 12 ane/ii″
• Max depth 6″

The machine uses a "screw" cutterhead, meaning there are 26 square blades that are offset on the cutterhead. This is better than the straight blades, just I'thou not sure that it is a true spiral. It is yet a nice pattern, nonetheless.

Snipe is an issue but like any other planer, just it uses a three roller system to help minimize the outcome.

Like the DW735X, this machine has a fan assisted dust port.  This is a great feature to have at such a low toll point.  It separates this unit from the others in its price range.  Although information technology you lot will nevertheless need a shop vac or some kind of vacuum system, information technology is very helpful to remove sawdust and wood chips abroad from the cutterhead.  This allows information technology to more efficiently make cuts.

The beat of this unit of measurement appears to be plastic, but with its cast iron base and granite feed tables its rigidity should not be an issue.

This planer sits right in the heart in terms of weight at 79 lb.  This is a decent weight because you can still move it around but you will not have to worry virtually it moving around when planing boards.

What's Expert Virtually information technology?

• Good quality construction, with more idea put into each feature than normal at this price point.
• Side handles make this machine piece of cake to transport.
• Fan assisted dust port helps go rid of wood chips and sawdust.
• The blades are easy to change.
• Heavy duty infeed and outfeed tables.
• Roller organisation helps minimize snipe.

What'southward Not So Skilful?

• Quality control can exist consequence at this price point, only still very uncommon.  Only a few users have feel issues with this unit.
• Information technology lacks some of the improve features on college end units like dual feed speed command.

Summary

An impressive planer that can concord its ain confronting higher cease units.

six. Porter-Cablevision PC305TP 12″ Benchtop Planer

Features

• 2 Blade cutterhead
• 12″ Width
• xvi,000 cuts per minute
• 15 Amp Motor

Details

This planer is a great upkeep choice for those offset woodworkers or anyone who isn't going to need an amazing car for just a couple projects.

If yous are just needing a planer every once in a while for modest projects, I wouldn't hesitate to get the Porter Cablevision. I have always been a fan of their products considering they are usually simplistic and powerful.

This machine uses a ii bract cutterhead.  The blades aren't besides hard to modify, only I did see where the Powertec blades are actually cheaper for replacement blades.

Y'all should expect some snipe with this auto, merely take the necessary precautions to minimize this occurence.

The unit uses 4 pillars for raising upwardly and down – this is a proven system among these benchtop planers.

It is actually on the lighter side at simply 64 pounds.

What'due south Practiced Nigh information technology?

• Nice, clean construction with a powerful motor
• No frills or distractions, just plow information technology on and utilise it
• Easy blade changes along with cheap blades
• Squeamish infeed and outfeed tables

What's Not And so Good?

• Information technology lacks the better blade designs for college quality cuts
• No speed control

Summary

A cheaper planer for those needing an introduction to planing.

FAQ

What is a thickness planer?

A thickness planer is the merely a planer like the benchtop planers we reviewed above. They telephone call it a thickness planer exterior of the The states, but there is no deviation.

Who makes the All-time Planer?

Although at that place are several brands that are high quality, I by and large similar two the best. These are Dewalt and Wahuda. Wen is also a expert selection.

Do I need a spiral cutterhead?

No this is not necessary. These planers work out of the box with their straight blades. Upgrading to a spiral cutterhead has some advantages of course. These include:

• Easier blade changes – change one square instead of the entire length of the blade
• Faster cutting – the spiral pattern can allow increased feed speed
• Higher quality cutting – sometimes the cutting tin be improved from the apartment blades

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Source: https://industrydiy.com/tools/best-of/best-benchtop-planer/

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