Rating of the best planer-thicknessing machines ‌2020‌ ‌year‌

It doesn't matter if you are making furniture or building a house, you need even and smooth boards - without them, you can neither put together a wardrobe nor equip a bathhouse. But not everyone will be able to plan the workpieces by hand, because this is a very dreary, difficult task, which, moreover, requires considerable accuracy and skill. The planer-thicknessing machine is designed to save the carpenter from this problem. Now we will tell you how to choose a planer-thicknessing machine and bring to your attention the Top 5 machines for woodworking from different manufacturers.

What is a planer-thicknessing machine and why is it needed

As you might guess from the name, the planer-thickness planer combines a planer and a thickness planer in one device. The first is for leveling workpieces: it makes humped and curved lumber straight - at least on one side - and allows you to get the right angles. The second is designed to calibrate jointer-aligned parts by thickness. These devices complement each other, but are not capable of replacing, therefore, when processing boards, the workpieces are first driven through the planer, and then through the thicknessing machine.

In the professional field, large carpentry workshops are usually equipped with planing and thicknessing machines for separately - this significantly increases productivity and reduces downtime and set-up times equipment. But in a home workshop, it is advisable to get yourself a device of the "two in one" system. This saves money and space, especially since performance in such conditions is not too fundamental.

What to look for when choosing a planer-thicknessing machine

• Engine power. This parameter shows how much electricity the machine consumes, and allows you to indirectly judge its performance. For domestic use, a power of 1.5-2 kilowatts is enough.
• Shaft rotation speed. It is measured by the number of revolutions per minute. For working with wood, a rotation speed of 5,000-10,000 revolutions is sufficient.
• Planing depth. As a rule, the machine can remove a layer of wood no more than 3 mm thick from the workpiece, although this is an indicator rather theoretical than practical: the wider the workpiece, the smaller the layer can be removed from it in one passage.
• The maximum dimensions of the workpiece. The thickness of the workpieces with which the planer-thicknessing machine usually ranges from 5 mm to 160 mm. The limiting width of the processed parts usually does not exceed 304, 318 or 330 mm.
• Auto feed speed. The electric motor in the planer-thicknessing machine not only turns the planer shaft, but also moves the workpiece itself, rotating the rollers. A high feed rate also means a high speed of part processing. This parameter can be equal to 4-9 meters per minute.
• Number of knives. The working tool of the machine is a knife shaft. There are two of them in the planer-thicknessing machine, but this does not change the essence. Usually, 2 to 4 knives are installed in them, but now devices with designs that include many small knives have entered the market.
• Knife type. Knives in planer-thicknessing machines can be disposable or sharpened. The first option is easier to handle: as soon as the knives become dull, they just need to be replaced with new ones. Sharpening knives, once they become dull, need to be straightened and calibrated so that they can do their job again. The first option, of course, is more convenient, but the second is much more economical.
• Roller material. The rolls that pull the part through the machine mechanism can be made of black rubber (an inexpensive but slip-prone option that can also be left on the workpieces traces), polyurethane (but this material no longer leaves traces, although it still slips) or steel (corrugated steel rollers do not slip, but can leave on the wood marks).
• Chip receiver. The chip catcher is an optional but nice addition to the machine. It helps to keep the workshop clean: just make sure the pipe diameter matches your dust extraction system.
• Appointment of the machine. Many people divide machines into household, semi-professional and professional. Home appliances are cheaper, but they are usually not designed for long, uninterrupted operation. But professional models are distinguished by high reliability and performance, although they are inferior in price to devices for the home.

Top 5 planing and thicknessing machines

1. Metabo HC 260 C WNB

The German company Metabo is known all over the world for its reliable and productive, but rather expensive tools. Is this unit worth the 83,500 rubles that they ask for? Definitely yes. The power output of this planer-thicknessing machine is 1.6 kilowatts at 2.2 kilowatts consumed. This is enough to work with workpieces measuring 160 mm by 260 mm at a feed speed of up to 5 meters per minute and a rotation speed of the knife shaft up to 6500 rpm. The maximum planing depth is 3 mm. From one operating mode to another, the tool can be switched easily and without any tool. An excellent choice for a small carpentry workshop.

Price:₽ 83 449

Metabo HC 260 C WNB

2. JET JPT-10B

This device is three times cheaper than the previous one - only about 30,500 rubles. The low price, however, does not prevent it from being a completely reliable and productive machine that will look great in the home workshop. The maximum planing depth for planing is 3 mm. A thickness gauge at a workpiece pulling speed of 6 meters per minute provides a planing depth of 2 mm. The power consumption of the device is 1500 watts, the rotational speed of the cutterblock is 9000 rpm. The thickness of the workpiece for the thicknesser can be from 5 mm to 120 mm. The set includes one set of knives already mounted on the shaft, a planer fence and a set of support legs for floor installation.

Price:₽ 30 600

JET JPT 10B

3. BELMASH SDR-2200

Powerful reliable planer-thicknessing machine from the Belarusian manufacturer. An efficient single-phase electric motor consumes 2.2 kilowatts of electricity. Its capabilities are sufficient to handle workpieces up to 270 mm wide with a maximum height of 120 mm. The maximum planing depth is 3 mm, traditional for devices of this class. The planer shaft rotates at 7,700 rpm. The automatic feeding speed is 6 meters per minute. The maximum angle of inclination of the parallel fence is 45 degrees. The price of the issue is 42,000 rubles, quite modest for such characteristics.

Price:₽ 41 800

BELMASH SDR 2200

4. ELITECH SFR 1525

The maximum planing depth for planing is 3 mm, and when working with a thicknessing tool - 2 mm. The dimensions of the working table - 964 x 263 mm - allow you to work with rather large workpieces. The maximum width of the workpiece for processing with a thicknessing tool is 254 mm, the maximum thickness is 120 mm, minimum - 5 mm (if the part is thinner, it will simply go into chips, wood is a material capricious). The speed of movement of the part with the planer rollers reaches 6 meters per minute, the rotational speed of the planer shaft is 9000 rpm. The engine consumes 1500 watts of power. The machine is installed on a complete assembly bed. With a price of less than 24,400 rubles - an excellent budget option for a home.

Price:₽ 24 363

ELITECH SFR 1525

5. BISON SRF-254-1600S

The most affordable planer / thickness planer in our selection. Its price does not exceed 22,500 rubles, but he is ready to close all the needs of a home master carpenter without difficulty - this is the merit of a domestic brand, for which you do not need to overpay. The automatic feeding speed of the workpieces is 6 meters per minute. The maximum planing depth for planing is 3 mm, and when working with a thicknessing tool - 2 mm. The width of the work piece should not exceed 254 mm and the thickness should not exceed 120 mm. The dimensions of the working table are 920 mm by 263 mm. The frequency of rotation of the planer shaft at idle is 9000 rpm. The electric motor consumes 1600 watts of power. Motor overload protection is provided.

Price:₽ 22 490

BISON SRF 254 1600С