How to choose an electric plane: choose an electric plane. How to choose an electric planer - tips and recommendations. Additional functions, complete set of electric planer

An electric plane is an indispensable tool for construction work ah, associated with the use of unplaned boards. On the one hand, such boards are much cheaper, but 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. It is indispensable for carpentry work. To choose the best electric planer, you need to know its operating principle and technical specifications:

Many electric planers can also be used as hand tool, and if it is fixed, in the form of a joiner's machine. In this position he can:

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

If you also use additional attachments, cutting tool, then the functions of a conventional 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 electric planer.

How does an electric planer work?

Planer base on electric drive- a drum that rotates thanks to a powerful motor at a speed of 10,000 rpm. The power is at different instruments can range from 600 to 1000 watts. Knives are attached to the drum. The drum is driven by a motor and a drive belt. This belt is located under the side cover, allowing it to be removed and changed. Another casing is located above the motor. Thanks to the design of the electric planer, the speed when turned on increases gradually, and then is maintained thanks to the electronics. All this serves to prevent motor overvoltage.

In front and behind the drum there are knives for the 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 stationary and passes over the initially 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 of which the sole is made. This is carbide and tungsten, hard hardened steel.

The thickness of the chips and the cutting depth of the board are adjusted using a handle or, in some cases, a button with divisions. The thicker the chips removed, the slower the plane will move. Select quarter required thickness when processing boards, a side limiter allows. In this case, a folding casing is attached above the drum: it is located on the side if the plane is operating in normal mode, and rises up if you need to select a quarter. To do this, use the sampling depth control.

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 instruments. The higher the power of the tool, the more efficiently it will cope with wood. durum varieties.

Drum rotation speed(mills) also varies: for individual devices (Black&Decker) it starts 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. Based on speed, planes are divided into sprinters (they plan faster 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 that is removed at a time. This cutting depth. The higher this parameter, the faster the tool will work and you will achieve the required thickness of the board. For professional instruments, 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.

Most instruments planing width- 80-100 mm. But some lightweight tools can have a planing width that is not at all large - 50 mm.

By weight It has been noticed that planes from 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 plane - on average 4.8, and Rebir, SUIT or MRZ - about 6 -7 kg. At the same time, the weight of the Makita electric planer may vary depending on the model: the Makita N1923B weighs 2.9 kg, the Makita 1806B weighs 8.8, and the stationary Makita 2012NB weighs all 27 kg.

Types and brands of electric planers

More powerful electric planers and those with a greater depth of maximum cut are classified as professional. For household purposes, with infrequent use, electric planers will 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 sole, which makes it more durable. Professional planes include Metabo, DeWalt, Bosch, Sturm, Hitachi, Makita, amateur planes include Black&Decker, Blaukraft, Kalibr, Interskol, Enkor, Energomash, Zubr, Vityaz, Proton and others.

There are also electric planes manual and stationary. The latest hand-held electric planers can be installed motionless and used as stationary ones.

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 whether the tool is equipped with all kinds of devices. The sole should be smooth; its size determines how stable the plane will be during operation.

For ease of use, it is advisable to choose an electric planer equipped with two handles: the front one is used to guide the tool, and the back one is pushed. Using the front handle, you can adjust the depth of chip removal, setting the required 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 plane removes thin shavings. Therefore, it is better to choose a plane whose scale starts below zero.

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

For folding, planes are equipped with a side stop and a ruler. With an angle stop, it becomes possible to plan the surface at an angle of 45 degrees. The sole of the planes is equipped with a V-shaped groove or even three in order to remove chamfers.

Many tools come with replacement drums and mounts for using the electric plane as a jointer, machine, or knife sharpener.

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

Thanks to electronic sensors, it is possible to maintain stable operation of the tool - a constant number of revolutions while working with material, their regulation at idle and soft start. For safety, it is important to have both a lock against accidental activation of the tool and a protective cover that protects the hand from contact with sharp knives. There are guards that rise automatically as soon as the plane touches the wood, using a side lever or when you press the front handle. In models Bosch, Black&Decker, Metabo, a special stop leg is automatically thrown out, which lifts the sole from behind.

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

The quality of timber on the domestic market leaves much to be desired. Poorly dried and insufficiently processed wood is constantly encountered, both in construction and carpentry grades. A self-respecting craftsman - and it doesn’t matter whether he is a professional carpenter or an owner building a house for himself - simply cannot leave such a beam or board “as is”. Firstly, this does not fit well with normal production culture, and, secondly, it weakens the design and affects its performance characteristics for the worse.

The hand plane is one of the oldest carpentry tools, but its design has not changed much today. It still helps with delicate woodwork, especially if there is only a small amount of it. But what if the amount of timber to be processed is measured in cubes? In this case, you cannot do without a good electric planer. On sale you can find a huge variety of such tools - both mains and battery-powered. In order to make an informed choice, it is advisable to answer a few simple questions before purchasing:

1. Intensity of use of the plane. 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 stand required to keep the plane stationary on the workbench?
3. The width of the workpieces that most often have to be processed. The plane knives must correspond to this size; if they are narrower, you will have to make several passes.
4. Will I need to select the quarters and chamfer them?
5. Is it necessary to connect a vacuum cleaner?
6. Should the tool operate in the absence of power? If so, you will need a cordless planer.

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

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

The best electric planers with a planing width of 82 mm

This category is the most popular on the market. For most carpentry and a fairly large part of carpentry work, an 82 mm knife is sufficient, while such a tool is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to handle.

4 Interskol R-82/710

Most Popular
Country: Russia
Average price: 3,850 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

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

According to reviews from owners, the main advantages of the tool are reliability, ease of maintenance and ease of use in a stationary version. Most users are pleasantly surprised by the performance of the planer, considering its budget price. The ill-conceived design of adjusting the knives causes criticism. However, this does not pose a significant problem for an experienced craftsman, and is fully compensated by the good service life and high maintainability of the tool.

3 DeWalt DW 680

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

The American company DeWalt is famous for its ability to squeeze maximum capabilities out of less-than-optimal tool components. 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 rpm - this is more than enough for processing wood of medium hardness. Despite assurances from many “competent” sources that this electric planer can easily cope with hard types of wood, there is one very important nuance. The plane can indeed process them, but the engine is under high load and prolonged planing (or folding) at speed can damage it.

Advantages:

• high blade rotation speed at low engine power;
• planing depth 2.5 millimeters;
• carbide knives have a high working life;
• attractive price.

Flaws:

• does not have electronic speed control.

2 Bosch GHO 18 V-LI

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

The Bosch GHO 18 V-LI electric planer can hardly be classified as an extra-professional tool, but it has the makings of a good device for a home carpentry workshop. The blade rotation speed of 14,000 rpm allows it to process soft and medium grades of wood, but in some cases you can resort (in short passes) to planing hard wood. wood materials. The planing depth is adjustable from a nominal zero to 1.6 millimeters with a width of the processed part of 82 millimeters. Rotary knives, made of carbide, provide high-precision surface processing and can serve for a long time.

Advantages:

• presence of start blocking;
• possibility of choosing the side of ejection of wood chips;
• possibility of smooth adjustment of the depth of the removed layer;
• high-precision rotary carbide knives;

Flaws:

• inconvenient when processing large surfaces;
• high cost.

Many people ask a very reasonable question: how to recognize a tool on the market that is ideal for the consumer’s purposes. When choosing a plane, 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 plane 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. A strip of chip removal from a workpiece (or part) in one pass. If the priority is working with small wood elements, 82 millimeters of cutting width will be sufficient. Accordingly, the larger the parts being processed, the wider the cutting strip should be (this is more convenient).

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

Cutting depth adjustment step. Not such an important criterion for rough planing, and critically important for carpenters who are interested in artistic cutting or manufacturing critical parts that require high precision processing. The adjustment step can be 0.1 and, less often, 0.25 millimeters.

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

1 Makita KP 0800

Best blade rotation speed (17000 rpm)
Country: Japan
Average price: 7579 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Perhaps the most best option plane for the home workshop. Like all Makita products, the KP0800 is reliable and has good build quality. The compact device houses a 620-watt motor that allows the steel blades to rotate at up to 17,000 rpm. High rotation speeds ensure fast and very accurate planing, folding and groove cutting operations. The electric planer is focused on standard tree species, which are widespread 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 the base of the body - it is easy to guide the plane along the surface being processed;
• high-quality housing made of shockproof plastic;
• durable steel knives that maintain their operational capabilities for a long time;
• optimal processing parameters;
• high peak blade speed.

Flaws:

• not found.

The best electric planers with a planing width of 110 mm

The increased planing width, of course, expands the possibilities of using the plane - with 110 mm knives you can not only make furniture, doors and window frames, but also begin construction wooden house or baths. However, at the same time, the engine power increases, and, therefore, the weight of the device and its price. This category contains 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 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

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

Users praise the power of the tool, the ability to change sawdust ejection to the right or left, and the rip fence attachment. Many planer owners have already built several wooden houses with its help, replacing only knives, the quality of which, however, leaves much to be desired. In short, the tool works out its already low cost by 200%.

3 Rebir IE-5708C

Longest engine life
Country: Latvia
Average price: 9,230 rub.
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 W. The tool comes with spare carbon brushes, which, if necessary, you can change yourself. There is a soft start function and a power button lock from accidental start.

The only thing that owners of this plane don’t like is its heavy weight. But this is a natural consequence of wide blades and a high-power engine. In addition, the design of the model provides for stationary installation, when the weight of the plane ceases to matter. According to user reviews, this tool is unrivaled in reliability and serves well for years and decades.

2 Makita 1002BA

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

This is a special model of electric planer for working with curved surfaces. It allows you to process workpieces with a radius of curvature of up to 30 cm. At the same time, the power of 1050 W allows you to successfully cope even with hard rocks wood, 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 reviews from owners, the ergonomics of the plane are excellent. It is easy to work with, despite its considerable weight - 5.5 kg. Its only drawback is its narrow specialization, because it cannot plan straight surfaces. But the manufacturer made sure that the user does not have problems with consumables and their adjustment: the knives are standard straight 110 mm, the delivery set includes a device for adjusting them 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

Best value for money
Country: Russia
Average price: 4,560 rub.
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, and develops high rotation speeds due to the presence of a 1100 W motor.

One of the main criteria for the quality of any tool (unspoken) is maintainability and ease of maintenance - and these are perhaps the greatest strengths of the Interskol R-110/1100M. A set of knives made of high-speed steel retains cutting ability for a very long time, but after wear of the cutting part it can be successfully resharpened. The electric planer package also includes a straightening kit, a diagram for installing knives on the device, and a spare belt. But, according to users, it is extremely rare to resort to installing it - the resource of the standard belt drive is so long.

Advantages:

• really high quality instrument;
• regrindable knives made of high-speed steel;
• the width of the knives is 110 millimeters;
• designed for rough and precision work on wood;
• 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 many truly reliable tools of this size, and we present the best examples.

4 Makita 1806B

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

Another representative of the Makita company, combining the functions of a planer and a jointer. The powerful 1200-watt motor delivers consistently high blade speeds that can handle both hardwood and glued wood pieces. The planing depth is manually adjusted in the range from 0.1 to 2.0 millimeters by turning the support handle. The wide sole with a blade 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 getting into the work surface. Main disadvantage The model lies in its massiveness. A fully equipped electric planer weighs 8.9 kilograms, which often makes it very difficult to use, especially if there is no permanent mounting option.

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• massive structure without the possibility of permanent fastening;
• lack of smooth engine start.

3 Mafell ZH 320 Ec

Maximum planing width
Country: Germany
Average price: RUB 297,550.
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 meticulous and meticulous about the quality of the equipment they produce, 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 knives to rotate at speeds of up to 8500 rpm. Not the highest indicators, but the effectiveness is proven directly in practice. The width of chip removal in one pass is 320 millimeters - this is a lot, considering that carpenters (as noted above) rarely resort to processing parts and workpieces of this size. The main advantage is the lightweight cast body, the disadvantage is the very high cost.

Advantages:

• high performance capabilities (CUprex engine);
• the chip removal channel is purged with an air flow;
• presence of smooth motor start and spindle stop;
• wide cutting part (320 millimeters).

Flaws:

• high (sometimes even for professional workshops) price.

2 Makita KP312S

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

Confirming the status of one of the best manufacturers tool, Makita presents to our attention another contender for the title of the best electric planer for large professional carpentry workshops. The functionality of this monster is truly great - a plane and a jointer in one, it is capable of processing wooden surfaces width up to 312 millimeters. 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 rotation speeds. However, problems emerged where they were not expected: most of the potential of a 19-kilogram plane very often remains unclaimed, since carpenters very rarely resort to processing materials over 200 millimeters wide.

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• some functionality is eliminated due to the lack of need for use;
• very massive.

1 Rebir IE5708MS

The best option for carpentry work
Country: Latvia
Average price: RUB 13,999.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The blade width of the older model from the series of electric planers from the Latvian manufacturer Rebir is 155 mm, while the maximum planing angle is 45 degrees. Considering 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 that comes with the plane allows you to install it permanently, which increases productivity several times, especially when processing long timber.

Traditionally for this manufacturer, the tool is equipped with a starting current limiting system. Also supplied with the plane is a parallel fence, spare brushes and a device for sharpening knives. Buyers praise the quality and speed of planing, comfortable grip and practical bed. Disadvantages include heavy weight and short cord.

The best cordless electric planers

Very often the construction of a house and utility rooms start 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 reliability and ease of operation.

3 Milwaukee M18 BP-402C

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

The American company Milwaukee is the only tool manufacturer in the USA that produces exclusively professional equipment. Therefore, this high-performance electric planer has a much longer service life than its competitors, which explains its high price. The specially designed four-pole motor is designed for increased reliability, and REDLITHIUM-ION™ batteries last twice as long as most alternatives. They work stably even at temperatures environment-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 hard alloy knives. They are much stronger and more durable than regular ones. The planing depth is adjustable from 0 to 2 mm using twenty intermediate positions. Users also like the folding foot on the base for secure tool parking and the light weight (2.7kg).

2 Hitachi P14DSL-RJ

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

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

Buyers are satisfied with the good price-quality ratio of the tool, ergonomic design, and also praise the original technical solution– the front handle is combined with a planing depth regulator. The set includes a convenient case, additional carbon brushes and a waste collection bag. The disadvantage is the inability to attach a vacuum cleaner.

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

Best package
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 21,280.
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, precision adjustment of the working part and a full range of functionality. It is equipped with a rip fence and a template for adjusting the knives. The kit also includes a curved adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner and a fabric dust bag.

Two batteries of 4Ah each enable the technician 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 MetaLoc system's particularly durable and well-designed case, which allows tools packed in this way to be stacked, saving space in the workshop. The disadvantage of the plane - its rather high cost - is fully justified by its versatility and excellent characteristics.

People who work with wood know that to get quick results it is better to use an electric tool. In this publication we will tell you about an electric plane and which one is best to choose for efficient work.

Carrying out construction, repairs, finishing 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 matter is not at all as simple as it may seem due to inexperience, requiring considerable physical effort and good dexterity. And a real breakthrough in this matter was the emergence of a wide range of electric tools that greatly simplify the performance of many labor-intensive carpentry or carpentry operations.

One of the most popular operations, and at the same time the most difficult, is planing wood, that is, evenly removing the surface layer of the material. Previously, this was done with hand planes of various modifications, which required quite a lot of physical fitness of the worker. Yes, and well-developed experience - without this it is extremely difficult to achieve any quality 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 craftsman, with a little practice, is quite capable of coping with many tasks.

This tool has relatively recently become publicly available, and the range of models presented in stores these days is very wide. Therefore, a logical question arises: which electric plane is best to purchase so that it meets the expectations of the potential owner. Let's look into this problem.

Functions of an electric planer. General structure of the tool

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

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

Long before the advent of hand-held electrified tools, wood planing was simplified by the introduction of stationary equipment. Planers, 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 purchase equipment of this type, even compact ones. Despite all the positive qualities, such equipment requires a certain place for permanent placement, has a fairly impressive cost, and without experience working with it, it is very unsafe to operate.

Purchasing even a small woodworking machine will be justified if you have really large-scale work ahead, or if you do this business constantly

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

While the mechanism for removing chips is similar (a rotating cylindrical drum with knives mounted on it), a hand plane also has a fundamental difference from 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 site of assembly work. And besides, it still significantly reduces the likelihood of serious injuries - the worker’s hands are not in close proximity to the rotating drum.

However, many models of electric planes are equipped with the ability to install them in a stationary position, and some are even equipped with the corresponding standard devices - special frames.

This is the same electric plane, but only in the usual “manual” position (on the left) and transferred to the position of a mini-plane machine

Basic design of an electric planer

Let's look at the basic structure of a typical electric plane.

The entire structure is assembled in a plastic case (item 1). The device experiences very strong dynamic and vibration loads, so the strength of the housing and fastenings must be at an appropriate level. All moving parts and assemblies on top are necessarily covered with protective covers (item 2).

At the bottom there is a metal base - sole. It always consists of two sections. In the back there is a longer fixed sole (item 3). In front is a shorter section (position 4), the position of which is adjustable in height. It is the excess of the front adjustable part of the sole over the fixed rear part that sets the cutting depth of the plane in one pass. And to insert the required height there is a special device (pos. 5), most often - screw type, with a handwheel and a printed depth scale.

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

Rotation to the snare drum is transmitted from an electric drive (item 8), usually through a belt drive.

On the rear handle of the electric plane (pos. 9) there is a start button (pos. 10) and a safety button. To ensure the required pressure 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 processing depth.

Main elements and components - in more detail

It was, so to speak, general scheme. Now it makes sense to take a closer look at some of the parts and components of the electric plane.

• Electric motor. As a rule, it is an ordinary collector, asynchronous type, operating directly from the mains alternating current 220 V 50 Hz. The drive power can range from 500 to 2500 W, depending on the class of the tool. Some modern models provide electronic adjustment, including maintaining constant engine speed under load, which ensures higher quality wood processing, especially hardwood. And the sheer number of revolutions in various electric planers, depending on the class of the tool, can range from 10 to 18 thousand revolutions per minute.
• Transmission system rotation on the snare drum - belt. True, there are differences here too. The pulleys and belt can be toothed or flat. The gear ratio does not change, that is, a gear shift system is not provided.

Systems for transmitting 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 protective casing. It is much more convenient when the casing is a separate removable part. That is, to check or replace the belt or prevent the assembly, it will be enough to remove only it, without resorting to partial or complete disassembly of the entire housing.

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

The knife fastening system may vary - for some manufacturers it has a special “individuality”. But in most models found, it consists of several clamping bolts that reliably wedge and fix the block with the knife in the slot of the drum.

One of the principles used for fastening knives in a drum. But he's not the only one

The length of the drum with knives determines the width of the planer processing strip in one pass. Most common width – 82 mm, allowing for most operations. But models of other standards are also available for sale - 50, 60, 75, 100 and 110 mm. A professional-grade tool can have a wider processing band, even reaching 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. Thus, there are models in which the blade is located at an angle to the longitudinal axis. This, according to the developers’ idea, achieves higher levels of cleanliness of wood surface treatment.

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

• Knives electric planer may also vary.

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

True, in order to sharpen such a blade and then install the drum without disturbing the balance and ensuring the same output of the cutting edge, some experience is required.

- For quite high-quality execution For the vast majority of operations at a non-professional level, knives made of carbide steel are sufficient. This o – narrow plates with single-sided or double-sided factory sharpening.

You cannot sharpen such knives yourself. 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 among most users. No problems with precise alignment and balancing - changing blades takes just a few minutes.

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

• Sole electric planer.

Most often it is made of aluminum alloy. Usually these are polished cast parts. Cheap models of planes may 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 this for?

Firstly, when working with a plane, you need to press the tool against the workpiece as tightly as possible. And a drum crashing at high speed involuntarily provokes the formation of an “air cushion”, and this can cause the plane to “float” along the board. To eliminate the possibility of creating such an area of ​​​​high pressure, exit channels are provided for air - these are the same grooves.

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

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

• 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 rear part. To make the principle clearer, take a look at the illustration below.

The mechanism itself is simple. This is usually a screw design - by rotating the flywheel, the movable platform moves progressively up or down. There is a scale on or near the handle that helps you accurately set the desired processing depth.

The scale gradation can be different, and if special accuracy is required, then it is better to purchase 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 the inch measurement system.

Of course, there is no big problem in this. But still, you must agree that constantly, when marking or directly during work, mentally converting millimeters into fractions of an inch and vice versa is not very convenient. Therefore, it is probably worth paying attention to this aspect 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 planes

• Planer controls.

There are no frills here. There is a start button on the rear handle of the plane. Unlike many other power tools, it does not provide variable speed control or any other settings - only “on” or “off”.

To eliminate the possibility of accidental unauthorized starting the electric plane, which may cause serious injury, a safety switch must be provided. Until it is recessed, it is impossible to press the start key.

• Sawdust removal or collection system.

To prevent sawdust from accumulating in the work area during operation and interfering with processing, a system for their removal is provided. It is an internal channel ending with a pipe on the outside. Previously, most models were designed for right-handed operation, and sawdust was also ejected to the right.

Nowadays, most planers are already equipped with a system in which the 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 characteristics of the operations being performed, you can control the direction of retraction.

By the way, there are models in which the outlet channel runs almost the entire length of the instrument, and the pipe is located at the back. Quite convenient, since this position gives best review work area.

When processing workpieces, you can, of course, simply dump the chips to the side, to the floor. But if the work is carried out in a residential area, this will lead to rapid littering - sawdust will be carried on foot throughout all the rooms. And in the workshop or in the yard, you don’t really want to create even a temporary mess.

Therefore, the connections in most plane models are designed to connect a vacuum cleaner hose (most often with a diameter of 35 mm). Many electric planes, in addition, are equipped with special removablestorage bags, which will have 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 suitable model, it is necessary to determine the scope of its future use. There is a certain “folk” gradation of planes according to their power indicators and functionality - into household, semi-professional and professional class devices. But, let us emphasize, in many ways 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 to get acquainted with the characteristics, be sure to study the product passport. And it is better that it is in Russian. If a passport is not attached to the plane at all, this is immediately a reason to think about the advisability of purchasing 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 for household-class appliances, a power of 500 to 1000 W is sufficient. This assessment is based on the fact that during construction or repair work In most melting cases, fairly soft wood is used - most often pine. But if suddenly it is planned to manufacture some pieces of furniture fromsolidhardwood(oak, ash, beech, etc.), then you may encounter the fact that there will be insufficient power to process even the smallest part. The knives will begin to “get stuck” in the wood or “jump” on it, the drive will begin to overheat, and the surface will become lumpy.

Professional planes, designed for processing any species and for long-term work throughout the day, usually have a drive power of 1500 to 2500 watts or more.

When choosing a tool based on 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 the largest oak part with a low-power plane

Many modern electric planers are equipped with a useful option for smooth power ramping. This allows you to avoid sharp peak loads on the power supply, makes work when approaching material smoother, without jerks and kickbacks.

The specificity of electric planers is that the quality of wood processing directly depends on the rotation 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 preparing parts of building structures where a perfectly smooth surface is not required, planes with a rotation speed of 12–13 thousand rpm are suitable. Well, for the manufacture, for example, of furniture, which traditionally requires precise fit and perfectly flat surfaces, it is advisable to have an electric plane with a blade drum speed of 15–18 thousand rpm. Often, after such processing, using well-sharpened knives, the surfaces will not even require further grinding and polishing.

And finally, the system of electronically maintaining a stable speed under load, which was already mentioned above, will make wood processing better. In addition, this option reduces the likelihood of the motor overheating during prolonged operation.

Wood processing strip width and cutting depth

It is selected depending on which workpieces are mainly planned to be processed with an electric planer. About standard sizes already 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 your plans include considerable volumes of processing unplaned boards, it would be more reasonable to consider a plane with a drum width of 100 or 110 mm - this will reduce the number of passes, increase productivity, and the tool itself will not wear out so quickly.

An electric plane can have either a very narrow processing band or a very wide one. It is clear that the choice is made taking into account the upcoming tasks. A width of 82 mm is considered “universal”.

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

The depth of planing has already been discussed above. Of course, it directly depends on the power of the tool. For planes intended for everyday household use, there is no point in chasing a large figure - a depth of 2–3 mm is sufficient.

Case quality

The external data of the tool cannot be the determining criteria for selection. However, sometimes the design of the case can say a lot.

For example, dull plastic with uneven color and streaks is a clear sign that the quality of the product is low. Under traditionally high vibration loads, and even more so when the tool is accidentally dropped, it is possible that cracks may appear or even entire fragments of the body will break off. The presence of small parts is also not welcome - everything should be “concise” and durable.

Some manufacturers adhere to their own rules for giving instruments a particular color. So, for example, in model line Green and blue planes are presented. Green ones are suitable for home use, while blue ones are suitable for professional use. But we emphasize that this applies only to individual companies and is not considered a rule. Otherwise, some unscrupulous manufacturers are trying to “play” on this by giving their products an appropriate coloring, which has nothing to do with the quality or class of the instrument.

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

Planer weight and ease of use

This is a very important criterion choosing an electric planer. And who, if not the future owner, needs to evaluate the instrument when purchasing?

The weight of the plane usually ranges from 3 to 5 kilograms. On the one hand, good massiveness will ensure better clamping of the tool to the surface being processed, reduce vibration effects, and improve the quality of planing. But if you consider how many different movements you will have to perform with the instrument 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 plane in your hand, evaluate the location of the center of gravity, and the comfort of the handles. You should pay attention to the length and shape of the rear handle and its correspondence to the size of your palm, to the location of the start key and safety button - so that the work does not cause any difficulties. This feature, by the way, judging by user reviews, often becomes the reason for criticism of certain models.

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

Additional functions, complete set of electric planer

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

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

• Anyone who worked with electric planes at the dawn of their widespread sale knows how tedious it can be to wait for the drum to stop completely. The processing operation is completed, the power key is released, and still for another 15÷20 seconds the drum rotates due to its massiveness. And it was impossible to put the tool aside at this time - the knives cling to the surface of the workbench or floor, damaging her and become stupid themselves. In most modern models, this former drawback is taken into account. Thus, some electric planers are equipped with an automatically activated drum brake - this allows you to achieve a complete stop in a second or two.

There is a simpler solution - a special spring-loaded stop at the back of the fixed sole. When processing the material, that is, when moving the plane pressed to the board, this stop will hide in its nest. But as soon as you lift the sole, it will jump out. And the plane can now be safely placed on a 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 plane 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.
• The delivery set, as a rule, includes a key necessary for changing knives. Often, if the plane is equipped with sharpening knives, a special template is applied to accurately sharpen both blades at the same time. There may be another template that serves to correctly position the knives in the drum. The procedure for working with them is described in detail in the operating instructions for the tool.

• It is very convenient if the plane itself with all the necessary spare parts and accessories is placed in a durable plastic case or in a special bag-cover. This will simplify the storage of the tool, its transportation to the work site, 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 high-quality “amateur” models from the most famous brands have long been quite affordable. This means that it hardly makes sense for anyone to purchase products famous brands. It's like a lottery - you might get lucky and the plane will work correctly for a very long time. But more often than not, such experiments end quite quickly, and find the “culprits”, that is, get at least some semblance of service - almost impossible.

Traditionally, original tools from Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Hilti, Black&Decker, Mafell, Sparky, Skil, Hitachi, Metabo are examples of quality and durability. Among the domestic brands, we can safely highlight Energomash, Interskol and the Simferopol-based Fiolent, which recently became Russian.

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

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

A short overview of popular models of electric planes

Electric planers for occasional household use

• "Interskol R -82/650".

A reliable and inexpensive tool for everyday household work.

Main characteristics of the plane:

— Drive power – 650 W.

— Drum rotation speed – 16 thousand rpm.

— Smooth start and stabilization speeds are not provided.

— Processing width – 82 mm.

— Cutting depth – from 0 to 2mm.

— Sampling quarters up to 9 mm deep.

— Weight — 2.7 kg.

— Included is a guide ruler (parallel stop).

- Approximate cost - 2800 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

— Good build quality.

— Light weight with quite decent performance characteristics.

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

— Well-developed service network.

Flaws:

— The power cord is somewhat short.

— Incapable of long-term operation, heats up quickly. But in terms of capabilities and price, it does not claim to be a “professional”.

Prices for electric planer Interskol R-82/650

Electric plane Interskol R-82/650

• "Black Decker KW 712 ».

A well-known American company presents its model, albeit made in China.

— Drive power – 650 W.

— Smooth start and speed maintenance - not provided.

— Processing width – 82 mm.

— Cutting depth – from 0 to 2 mm, with adjustment with in increments of 0.2 mm.

— Sampling quarters up to 8 mm deep.

— Groove for selecting chamfers.

— Weight — 4.9 kg.

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

- Approximate cost - 4450 rubles. fully equipped, 3150 rub. – at the minimum.

Advantages of the model:

- Not a bad build.

- Quite reasonable price.

— Processing accuracy.

Disadvantages identified by users:

— The outlet channel and pipe quickly and tightly become clogged with chips.

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

Quite heavy for its class.

— Limited time 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 planes in this class. The brand is American, the assembly lines are in the Czech Republic.

Main characteristics of the model:

— Drive power – 600 W.

.

— Smooth start- No.

- Widthprocessing – 82 mm.

— Cutting depth – from 0 to 2.5 mm, smooth adjustment in steps of 0.1mm.

— Sampling quarters up to 12 mm deep.

- Three grooves for selecting chamfers.

— Double-sided carbide knives.

— Weight — 3.2 kg.

— The set includes a parallel stop, a storage bag for chips, and an adapter for a vacuum cleaner. Permanent installation is not provided.

— Approximate cost: 8,500 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

— High build quality.

— Failure-free operation, even during long cycles, with seemingly not the most outstanding drive power.

— Excellent processing quality.

— The versatility of knives - almost everything on sale is suitable.

— Soft flexible power cable.

— Excellent balance, convenient buttons.

Disadvantages reported by consumers:

— One-sided removal of sawdust.

— The too “delicate” front handle for setting the depth of cut does not have a lock - you can accidentally reset the initial settings during operation.

— The price is high compared to other models of this class, but it is justified by the quality and durability of the plane.

— No case provided.

Electric planes of semi-professional class, as a universal tool in the home workshop

• "Fiolent R 3-82".

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

Main characteristics of the model:

— Drive power – 1100 W.

— Snare drum rotation speed – 15 thousand rpm.

— Smoothstartand speed control system- No.

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

— Quarter sampling up to 13 mm deep.

— One groove for selecting chamfers.

— Double-sided carbide knives.

— Weight – 3.5 kg.

— Stationary installation is provided, but the frame is not included.

- Approximate cost - 5900 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

- Extended sole for best quality processing.

— High power, allowing to process hard wood.

Disadvantages of the model:

— Very often – poor build quality. Special complaints are about the non-parallelism of the soles, as a result of which the difference in the thickness of the sample at 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 the vacuum cleaner.

— The cutting depth adjustment step is too large – 0.5 mm.

— Although the possibility of removing a quarter and stationary installation of the plane is provided, neither a rip fence nor a bed is included in the kit. But finding them separately can be problematic.

— During operation, dust and small sawdust are immediately drawn under the electric drive casing.

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

• "Makita KP 0810 ».

A high-quality, reliable, middle-class tool. Will help to cope with a large volume of woodworking work.

Main characteristics of the model:

— Drive power – 850 W.

.

— Smooth startand speed control system- No.

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

— Sampling quarters up to 25 mm deep.

— Three grooves for selecting chamfersdifferent sizes.

— High-quality knives made of high-speed steel.

— Weight — 3.3 kg.

— Stationary installation is not provided.

— Approximate cost: 12,900 rubles.

Advantages of the model:

— A very comfortable, responsive, balanced instrument in the hand. Work does not cause fatigue.

— Large depth of cut, accuracy of its setting.

— Large depth of selectable quarter.

- Excellent build quality.

— Possibility of switching the side of sawdust removal.

The indicated disadvantages:

— Poor transmission belt protection.

— Quite a complex system for installing knives, requiring certain skills (but they are quickly acquired)

— When working with damp wood, the outlet pipe becomes clogged.

— The price seems high for this class,

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.

Main characteristics of the electric planer:

— Drive power – 1100 W.

— Snare drum rotation speed – 16 thousand rpm.

— There is a soft start system and electronic control of the drum speed load.

— Processing strip width – 110 mm, pass depth –up to 3.5 mm,adjustment in steps of 0.1mm.

— Sampling quarters up to 15 mm deep.

— Three grooves for selecting chamfersdifferent sizes.

— Carbide double-sided knives.

— Weight – 5 kg.

— Stationary installation is not provided.

— The kit includes vertical and horizontal stops, a bag for collecting sawdust, and a spare drive belt.

- Approximate cost - 5600 rubles.

Noted advantages of the model:

— Wide processing band with large cutting depth, coupled with considerable drive power.

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

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

The indicated disadvantages:

— There are errors in the assembly. A fairly common defect is a misalignment of the sole, which must be corrected on your own.

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

— A narrow channel for removing sawdust - can become clogged during work.

— At small cutting depths (up to 1 mm), there may be discrepancies between the actual penetration and the scale readings. More than 1 mm – everything is fine.

In principle, a very decent middle-class electric plane, especially considering its very attractive price and well-organized network service.

We will not consider powerful professional planes 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 planes will suit them to the maximum extent.

Prices for popular electric planes

We’ll end this publication with a video in which experts share their secrets. the right choice electric planer.

The plane is such an authoritative and indispensable tool in carpentry that it is the only one in the world that has its own museum. It is located in the city of Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Territory. On its stands are historical rarities and real works of art. Technological progress has changed ideas about the capabilities of this tool. The best electric planers are of higher quality and faster, which cannot be said about unsuccessful models. The result of their work is damaged nerves and a lot of sawdust.

When choosing an electric planer, do not forget that even it does not last forever. Sooner or later you will have to change it, which means buying spare parts. Some of them are universal. But not all. Will purchasing them be a problem? Selection parameters for the TOP-15:

• Scope of application;
• Power;
• Blade width;
• Sole dimensions;
• Thickness of chips removed;
• Drum rotation speed;
• Type of knives;
• Design;
• Planer weight;
• Cord length;
• Additional accessories;
• Safety.

The range of prices and capabilities of woodworking tools for planing is very wide. Before choosing, you need to answer a few questions: How often will you need to use the tool? What types of work will they perform? What is the volume and load?

The best inexpensive electric planers

When choosing a tool, the brand fades into the background. Experienced carpenters will carefully and meticulously check the accuracy of the electric planer, its ergonomics, and build quality. Of course, inexpensive models are not needed for industrial production, and more often for individual, home purposes. Everyone wants to buy a good tool and not spend too much. A list of eight inexpensive but high-quality electric planers will help you make the right choice.

The main characteristic of the Makita KP0800 electric planer is its excellent balancing. The model also has a powerful motor, a carbide rotary knife with double-sided mini blades. The control buttons are conveniently located on the handle. Soft rubber inserts reduce vibration during operation.

The drum rotation speed is 17 thousand revolutions per minute. This guarantees high-quality processing of wood and materials. The model will successfully cope with hard and soft wood, fibreboard, chipboard, OSB, plywood. There is an original V-shaped groove on the sole of the plane. With its help, chamfering is excellent.

Advantages:

• Universal commutator motor;
• Graphite brushes SV-411;
• Fastening the equipment with three M6 screws;
• Processing depth step 0.1mm;
• Enlarged chip ejection hole;
• Double insulation.

Flaws:

• Not found.

A vacuum cleaner is connected to the chip removal pipe of the electric planer. Owners of Makita KP0800 suggest that this can be done using Makita adapters 451329-1 and 416368-8.

The power of the Zubr ZR-950-82 electric planer is truly brutal - 950W. Working knives are made of high-speed steel and have double-sided sharpening. Infinitely variable planing depth adjustment and a rip fence make it possible to perform particularly meticulous operations.

Zubr is capable of leveling surfaces, making grooves, and chamfering. Under shock loads there is no fear of engine damage. A belt drive between it and the drum will ensure reliable operation.

Advantages:

• Sampling stop;
• Quarter sampling depth 15 mm;
• Built-in sawdust removal system;
• Spare knives included;
• Switch lock.

Flaws:

• Noisy.

Like most inexpensive models, the Zubr ZR-950-82 throws sawdust to the right. Despite all the advantages of an electric planer, left-handed people did not like it.

The lightweight and compact Hammer RNK600 electric planer is not inferior in capabilities to massive models. The power of 600W is enough for reliable processing of wood, plywood, and building materials. 17 thousand revolutions per minute ensure compliance with the desired cutting depth and a smooth surface.

The planing depth is continuously adjustable. You can make cuts up to two millimeters thick. There is a groove on the front platform for chamfering. The ergonomic design of the electric planer helps even inexperienced carpenters quickly become masters.

Advantages:

• 2 double-sided knives on the drum;
• Dust bag included;
• Key for changing knives on the body;
• Parallel stop included;
• Possibility of connection to a vacuum cleaner.

Flaws:

• No quarter sampling.

Buyers noticed a nice additional service. If the Hammer RNK600 knives become dull during operation, you can simply turn them over. The key for this operation is located in a special compartment on the case.

The TOP of the best electric planers includes the universal model Metabo HO 26-82. An excellent German tool is capable of high-quality surface treatment, selecting a quarter, and chamfering. The front handle of the electric planer is connected to a mechanism for adjusting the planing thickness. If necessary, by gently pressing, you can increase the processing depth to 2.6 millimeters.

Manufacturers made sure that during operation the chips did not clog the outlet hole. For this purpose, the adapter is designed in a special way, at an angle. The kit includes a dust bag. It helps when there is no vacuum cleaner nearby. Easily emptied and put back in place.

Advantages:

• Cassette knife replacement system;
• V-shaped groove on the sole;
• Non-slip Softgrip on the handle;
• Air cooling system;
• Possibility of connecting a universal vacuum cleaner;
• 4 meter power cord.

Flaws:

• Not found.

Users liked the special spring bracket at the bottom of the electric planer. It helps to gently “park” the Metabo HO 26-82.

The thorough hard worker Interskol R-110/1100M may not be able to handle the filigree work with decorative finishing. But it will process wide surfaces faster. With a power of 1100W, it covers a width of 110 millimeters. And not 82, like more compact models. 16 thousand revolutions per minute is enough to drive through hard wood like clockwork.

It is clear that soft ones, as well as any other ones, will not be a problem. building materials. To process complex and bulky specimens, a stationary mount is provided for Interskol R-110/1100M.

Advantages:

• Precise adjustment of the cutting depth using the front handle;
• Soft start;
• Device for straightening knives;
• Blade alignment template;
• Adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Flaws:

• There is no warranty for components.

Reviews mention that when working on the bed, the pipe often becomes clogged with sawdust. You have to stop work to clean it.

Most budget option among good electric planers. At a relatively low price, the Black+Decker KW712 has decent technical characteristics. The drum rotation speed reaches 17 thousand revolutions per minute. Power consumption 650W. There is a groove for chamfering and a quarter cut.

Carbide double-sided knives will remove the excess layer from the workpiece in a matter of minutes. The blade width is 82mm, the cutting depth is up to two millimeters. Working with such a tool is comfortable and safe. The leather drive belt will protect you from possible troubles.

Advantages:

• Quarter sampling up to 8 mm;
• Planing angle up to 45°;
• Spare set of knives;
• Overload protection;
• Removable shaft for replacing knives;
• Cable length 3 m.

Flaws:

• The depth adjustment knob does not lock.

Users also noticed that large chips clog the outlet pipe.

The rated power consumption of the electric planer is 1500W. Excellent for processing hard wood. Can be used as planer, treats large surfaces. He is quite capable of fine work: chamfering, rebating. Thus, the planing depth can reach up to 3.5 mm.

A smooth engine start allows you to gradually move from low to maximum speed. This significantly reduces recoil and makes the tool safe. Reviews about the Diold RE-1500-01 electric planer are mostly positive. It can work in any weather conditions. Manufacturers guarantee that it will not fail at -15° and +35° C.

Advantages:

• Commutator motor type;
• Processing width 110mm;
• Motor overload protection;
• Locking the power button;
• Possibility of permanent mounting;
• Radio interference protection;
• Double insulated for safe operation.

Flaws:

• Not found.

You can connect the vacuum cleaner both on the left and on the right side. This is especially convenient when processing large surfaces.

A powerful, reliable electric planer that has won the approval of home craftsmen and professionals. It perfectly balances speed and performance. The knives are smoothly adjustable. This allows for accurate selection of quarters and clean processing of chamfers. The sampling depth reaches, if necessary, 7mm.

A cast metal sheet turns the plane into a joiner's machine. It is comfortable to work with even in small enclosed spaces. A cord 3 meters long can be reached to the farthest outlet. Versatility and power are the main characteristics of the Bort BFB-1300-T. At the same time, it is relatively inexpensive.

Advantages:

• 16 thousand rpm;
• Three grooves for chamfering;
• Switch lock button;
• Parallel stop;
• Sawdust bag;
• Carbon brushes.

Flaws:

• Small size bag for collecting chips.

The best electric planers for home use

How to choose an electric planer for your home and not regret the choice? In the annotations and instructions you can only learn about the advantages of the model. Descriptions do not always match the qualities of a particular instrument. Therefore, when purchasing, you should always do a visual inspection. The purpose of the plane is to level it, which means that the surfaces must be perfectly flat and parallel. Unfortunately, even famous models have errors. But there are four best electric planers that are ideal for working at home.

Professionals approve of the tools of the American company DeWalt. This model is not useful for industrial use, but at home it will become a reliable, long-lasting assistant. All components of the electric planer meet high quality standards.

The relatively small motor power is sufficient for planing and folding medium-hard rocks. This is facilitated by a record number of drum revolutions. You can also work with hard wood. But then you need to observe time intervals to control the load.

Advantages:

• Quarter sampling up to 12 mm;
• 3 grooves for chamfering;
• Easy adjustment of planing depth;
• Comfortable handle with control elements;
• Highly efficient dust removal system;
• Ergonomics.

Flaws:

• Not found.

Among electric planers in its price segment, this model is the most affordable.

The “professional” in the name gives a clear idea of ​​the model’s capabilities. It’s worth gaining a little experience working with an electric drill, and even at home you can make building materials of ideal quality. The planing depth is easily adjustable. When gently pressed, up to 2.6 mm of the workpiece depth is removed. The chips are thrown out on both sides, which makes work especially comfortable.

Manufacturers have provided another special function. A home craftsman can resharpen the blades himself. It is not necessary to take the tool to a workshop for maintenance.

Advantages:

• Power 710W;
• Rotation speed 18000 rpm;
• Carbide double-sided knives;
• Planing depth regulator in 0.1 mm increments;
• Overload protection;
• Cable length 4.2 m.

Flaws:

Home craftsmen praise the tool for its almost imperceptible vibration and low noise level.

The electric planer is so powerful that it can easily plan even hard wood. Carbide double-sided knives are ideal for processing fiberboard, chipboard, plywood, and any other materials. The standard planing width of 82mm is suitable for home carpentry. A quarter cutting depth of 25 mm is sufficient for domestic carpentry purposes.

The comfortable handles have a rubberized coating. Thanks to it, the plane lies comfortably in your hands, is easy to control, and makes work enjoyable and productive.

Advantages:

• Drum with increased diameter 64 mm;
• Sole length 320 mm;
• Nozzle holder 4 mm;
• Left- and right-handed chip ejector;
• Deflector and folding dust container;
• Rubberized handles.

Flaws:

• It is inconvenient to press the safety button.

The weight of the powerful “baby” is a little more than three kilograms. This makes the job even easier. But you have to get used to this “plus”.

This model is capable of long-term work, maximum effort and large volumes. Its peculiarity is the planing width of 15.5 centimeters. Not every professional electric planer has such characteristics. Rebir IE-5708M planes materials at an angle of up to 45° to supporting surface. This is helped by a special stop ruler.

The front support has a groove for chamfering. 15 thousand drum revolutions per minute with high motor power make the surfaces perfectly smooth. When super-hard knives do become dull, you can sharpen them yourself. There is a special device for this.

Advantages:

• Power 2250 W;
• Planing depth 3.5 mm;
• Quarter sampling up to 17 mm;
• Sole material: cast aluminum;
• 2 spare carbon brushes;
• Adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Flaws:

• Sometimes it gets clogged with shavings.

The Rebir IE-5708M electric planer can be safely “parked”. Therefore, many jobs are much more convenient to perform.

The best professional electric planers

Professional means more powerful. But not only in terms of performance and capabilities, but also in terms of electricity consumption. Therefore, professional models of electric planers are most often purchased by representatives of small and medium-sized businesses. An expensive instrument should be the “breadwinner”. The best electric planers have excellent functionality and excellent quality. These include the following models.

The considerable size and impressive weight of the Makita KP312S do not prevent it from being highly productive and easy to use. A powerful 2200W motor spins the drum at a speed of 12 thousand revolutions per minute. A sharp rotary knife removes 15 centimeters of the width of the product in one pass. It can be submerged by 3.5 mm. If specified width 312 mm, then the cut thickness will be 1.5 mm. The planing depth can be adjusted directly during the process.

The smart electronic filling of the plane will qualitatively balance all operations. It is especially valuable that the tireless assistant is able to work non-stop and produce significant quantities of processed material. Electronic motor braking stops the knife instantly. This not only increases safety, but saves working time.

Advantages:

• Easy replacement of cutting parts;
• Effective dust removal system;
• Guide roller;
• Ergonomic handles;
• Uniquely durable body;
• Cable length 10 meters.

Flaws:

• Weight 19 kg.

Double insulation is made in compliance with European standards. The Makita KP312S electric planer can be connected even to ungrounded outlets.

Mafell specializes in the production of small series electrical carpentry equipment. Each product, including the Mafell MHU82 T-MAX set planer, is manufactured with the latest technology. At first glance, the model does not have much power, only 800W. Standard planing width 82 mm, depth 3 mm, 12000 drum revolutions.

But it has its own highlights. Thus, Mafell MHU82 T-MAX set has a universal motor and a built-in pipe for removing chips. This makes the plane especially convenient for folding doors, shaping parts and cutting out quarters. After processing the wood and materials, the surface becomes smooth, like a mirror. There is a possibility of permanent fastening.

Advantages:

• Quarter sampling depth 22 mm;
• Sole material: cast aluminum;
• Pendulum protective casing;
• Switch lock button;
• Convenient adapter for a vacuum cleaner;
• Weight 3.4 kg.

Flaws:

• The speed is not regulated;
• There is no soft start or overload protection.

Minor shortcomings of the model are compensated for by a price that is half that of its analogues.

If serious carpentry or joinery work is to be done, the professional electric planer Festool PL 205 E is suitable like no other. 2000 W of power helps to cope with wood of any hardness and non-standard materials. With such a plane you can tackle any object.

In addition to processing large surfaces, the model specializes in smoothing cut edges on beams. Thanks to the wedge-shaped groove in the sole, it makes bevels of the upper parts of the rafters. The operation is specific because it usually occurs in an open area. With the Festool PL 205 E electric planer, your work will be successful.

Advantages:

• Planing width 205 mm;
• Two double-sided trimetal planing cutters;
• Speed idle speed 13500;
• Soft start;
• Overload protection;
• Maintaining speed under load.

Flaws:

• High price.

Guaranteed German quality costs a lot. But such tools serve for a long time and reliably.

Which electric planer is better to buy?

Buying tools is always a responsible matter. Especially when it comes to electric models. Their performance is superior to manual ones, but safety requirements must be special. The power and other technical characteristics of a future purchase must be correlated with the work to be performed. Therefore, even in the recommended list you need to find your suitable model; some recommendations will help with this:

• The Makita KP0800 electric planer is ideal for even hard wood;
• For its advantages, the Black+Decker KW712 model has a very budget price;
• Diold RE-1500-01 will work reliably in any weather conditions;
• Rebir IE-5708M processes 15.5 centimeters of surface in one motion;
• All products after BOSCH GHO 26-82 D Professional look like factory ones;
• Mafell MHU82 T-MAX set is guaranteed German quality for professional work;
• The Makita KP312S will be safe even when connected to ungrounded outlets.

Buying the best electric planers is quite affordable. It's not always about high cost. Sometimes ample opportunities expensive models are simply not needed. There are also quite budget tools with excellent characteristics.

Electric planer - the right tool in the treasury of every master. This is a tool for processing wood according to specified parameters.

There are several basic selection nuances that you need to know about:

1. Power. Pay attention to the useful power - it should be at least 350 W. Choose with a reserve so that the plane works at half capacity, and not to wear out.
2. Rotational speed. If you work with hard wood, the drum rotation speed should be at least 12 thousand revolutions; for soft varieties, 10 thousand is enough.
3. Planing width. There is a selection of knives of different lengths on sale: from 50 to 110 mm. The most popular models are 82 mm.

Important! If the board ends up being wider than the plane, 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 value 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 for 10 minutes without fatigue in your hands.
• Additional options . Adjustment of chip depth, chip receiver, rubberized handle, type of sole - these are secondary qualities, but still important.

There are two types of electric planers:

• Amateur. Their power rarely exceeds 600 W.
• Professional. More powerful and bulky.

Rating of the best models of amateur electric planers

Electric planer Fiolent R3-82 (Russia)

The model is suitable for processing all types of wood. It has convenient controls and ergonomic design. Carbide blades, removable cover for easy brush replacement, V-groove base for chamfering. For planing at an angle, you can purchase a special angle ruler. In general, the device has proven itself well, an 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, speed - 15,000 per minute. Double insulated wire, good build quality.

Among the disadvantages, users note that the sole is skewed and is not suitable for long-term work without rest.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 4

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 4

Overall score: 4.5

Electric planer Hitachi P20SA2 (Japan)

Convenient and productive electric planer. It is designed very ergonomically, you can use it with either hand. Suitable for lumber different breeds. Equipped with a cutting depth adjustment function. The aluminum alloy base has a center V-shaped groove for chamfering. The blades are made of high-quality alloy and are equipped with a device for adjusting the position of the blades.

You can attach a dust bag. This model weighs only 3 kilograms. Speed: 14,000 per minute. The standard processing width is 82 mm. Engine power - 0.72 kW. Processing depth - 3 millimeters.

Disadvantages include low power for such a unit and a short cord.

Power - 4

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Overall score: 4.75

Electric planer Sparky P 382 (Bulgaria)

A convenient and lightweight electric planer with a slightly offset engine and an unusual exterior. Well balanced, suitable for different types of lumber. 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. The motor power is 750 W, which is not always enough to operate three knives. A comfortable handle coated with elastane, there is a connection for connecting a dust collector. Built-in dust removal system and chip ejection direction regulator. Frequency - 18000 rpm. Processing width - 82 mm. Processing depth - 3 mm.

Among the minuses, we can note the sometimes occurring misalignment of the rear sole, insufficient power for the full operation of 3 knives.

Power - 4

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 4

Overall score: 4.5

Electric planer Makita N 1923B (Japan)

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

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

Among the shortcomings, one can note only 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 finishing. Equipped with a powerful 550W motor and WoodRazor blade system for easy planing. The sole is optimized for chamfering. A special compartment contains a hex key that can be used to replace knives. There is a knife shaft balancing system and chip depth control. The tool is securely fixed to a special attachment.

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

No particular shortcomings 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 various species, including hard and knotty ones. The width of the knives is 110 mm, they allow you to process timber to a depth of up to 4 mm in one pass. There are functions for regulating the direction of chip ejection, a base with three recesses for chamfering.

You can use a straight edge and plan materials at an angle of up to 45 degrees. The plane is easily installed in a stationary position. There is a soft start function. There is an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner. The set includes 2 spare brushes and a unit for sharpening knives. The model weighs 6.6 kg. Number of revolutions - 15000 per minute. Engine power - 2.15 kW.

One of the disadvantages is the heavy weight. Users also complain that after some production was moved to China, the build quality has decreased.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 4

Reliability - 4

Overall score: 4.5

Electric planer Interskol R-110/2000M (China)

For a long time, these electric planers were produced in Russia, but then production was moved to China to the Status Power Tools plant. A budget but functional model that copes well even with hard wood.

Ergonomic body, rubberized handle fits well and securely in the hand. There is a soft start function, the sole is made of hard alloy, there are recesses for chamfering. The rebate depth is 16 mm. The knives are double-sided, made of durable alloy. The model is equipped with a powerful 2 kW motor. Processing width - 110 mm, depth - 4 mm. Number of revolutions - 15000 per minute. The unit weighs 7.3 kg.

Among the disadvantages, 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

Overall score: 4.5

Electric planer DeWalt D26501K (USA)

A powerful and impressive electric planer with a lot of additional functions. Great power allows you to work with hard wood. It is equipped with carbide double-sided knives, an adapter for a vacuum cleaner, an ejector and a sawdust deflector parallel to the guide.

The depth regulator is located on the front handle. By the way, the handle is rubberized and does not slip out of your hands. Disc braking system, maintaining the number of revolutions, high-quality sole with three grooves for chamfering. There is a soft start system. Number of revolutions - 11500, power 1.15 kW, cutting depth - 4 mm. The plane weighs 4 kg.

One of the disadvantages is the insufficient number of service centers.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Electric planer Makita KP 312 S (Japan)

More suitable for production work, convenient and reliable to use. The tool is perfectly balanced and provides high quality planing. Supplied with parallel guide. There is a soft start function, overload protection, and a dust removal system. The handles of the plane are rubberized and do not slip out of your hand.

The blades are made of steel, easy to sharpen, the width of the knife is 312 mm. A big advantage is the 10 m power cord, extending work area. Unit power 2.2 kW. Number of revolutions - 12000 per minute. Chip thickness - 3.5 mm. The product weighs 19 kilograms and is easily mounted on a stand.

The disadvantages include a lot of weight, but this is compensated by productivity.

Power - 5

Ergonomics - 5

Ease of use - 5

Reliability - 5

Total score: 5

Electric planer Mafell ZH 205 EC (Germany)

A powerful tool for professional needs, capable of planing 20 cm timber. The cast construction has less weight (12.5 kg). It is possible to connect a vacuum cleaner and adjust the direction of ejection of chips. There is a soft start, rotation speed support, and overload protection. Double-sided knives made of high-quality steel, sole with recesses for chamfering.

It is very convenient to work with this tool: ergonomic body and high-quality rubberized handle, minimal vibration. The engine power is 2.3 kW, the number of revolutions is reduced, but it is quite sufficient - 8500 per minute. Processing width - 205 mm. Planing depth - 4 mm.

No particular shortcomings were identified, except perhaps 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 wood processing is your way of earning money, it is better not to save money and buy a more powerful electric planer. For an ordinary user, a standard amateur model with advanced functionality is quite enough.

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