Common Architecture Found in Smaller Planers

The most common 12”-13” planer models you may have encountered are benchtop planers.

These compact yet powerful machines are designed to reduce board thickness while fitting conveniently on a workbench. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional woodworker, understanding the architecture of these planers can help you choose the right model for your needs. Let’s explore some key features that define the architecture of benchtop planers.

The Headstock

The headstock is the heart of every benchtop planer. It houses the motor, cutterhead, feed rollers, gearbox, and, most importantly, the controls. In benchtop planers, the headstock is adjustable, allowing you to determine how much thickness you want to shave off, unlike larger planers where the table is moved. The headstock is supported by four guiding columns and two long elevating screw rods, with all key components and weight concentrated within it.

 

The Feed Tables

Typically foldable to enhance compactness, the feed tables extend to provide support and keep longer boards flat, minimizing snipe. However, these tables are not as sturdy since they are usually held in place by a few bolts to allow for foldability.

The Top Cover

All benchtop planers feature some form of cover or rods on top to protect the headstock from heavy objects (such as wood or tools) or weight from above. Some top covers include rollers that help return the board to the infeed side. This top structure also adds stability to the planer, particularly to the side panels.

The Crank Arm

Usually located on the top of one of the side panels, the crank arm is the component users interact with most when operating benchtop planers. It controls the height of the headstock, allowing users to adjust the cutting depth. Since woodworkers often pass a board through the planer multiple times (typically 3 to 5) they will need to turn and tweak the rotation of the crank arm several times to achieve the desired cutting depth.

The Motor

Benchtop planers typically feature a 15-amp motor, with horsepower ranging from 1 to 1.5 HP for softwoods, suitable for occasional hobbyist woodworking, and 2 HP for hardwoods and demanding, labor-intensive carpentry. These planers draw significant electricity, as the motor must be powerful enough to rotate the cutterhead at high speeds and drive the feed rollers.

Gauge and Depth Stop

Many benchtop planers today include a gauge resembling a ruler next to the intake slot. This gauge serves as a reference for users to adjust the height and achieve the desired board thickness using the hand crank. Measurements are usually in 1/16-inch increments, with some gauges showing 1/64-inch increments. An expert tip for using a benchtop planer without relying solely on the gauge is: a full crank changes the cutting depth by 1/16 inch, half a crank by 1/32 inch, and a quarter crank by 1/64 inch. Most planers also include a depth stop to prevent users from inserting boards thicker than the maximum cutting depth (usually ⅛ inch), ensuring woodworkers won’t exceed the machine’s limits.

Next blog will talk about how the dewalt 735 does not follow any of these feature yet it the one of the best benchtop planers in the market.

Check out also bobvila amazing article about the best benchtop planers that heavily inspired this blog: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-benchtop-planer/

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• 🪵 WEN 12.5-Inch Planer (Model PL1252)
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• 🔩 RIDGID R4331 Thickness Planer
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Whether you’re a professional woodworker or a dedicated hobbyist, upgrading your planer with a Sheartak spiral cutterhead is a smart investment in your craft.

Explore our full range and find the perfect fit for your machine at www.sheartak.com.