The power planers that are currently in the market have been designed to plane and do a lot of things a jointer can do. You might be in a dilemma of choosing between the two options and wondering which one is the best for your needs. You can start by reading electric planer reviews to have a clear understanding of the functions. There are some new planers in the market which will allow you to change the direction of the dust blowing and the chip.
Woodworking With Planers
A good woodworker should know all the different planer uses and look beyond the shop when shopping for new power tools. You might need to work on outside projects and mobility is required. You don’t need to run back and forth whenever you need a piece of equipment.
Cutter Heads
When it comes to cutterheads, one of the things you should look at is size. The shape of the chamfering notches will also be an important consideration because the planer could have different heads. The majority of power planers will use a spinning cutterhead which is similar to that found in a jointer. In some cases, you may need a spiral cutterhead. The cutterhead will cut towards a jointer but a planer will be the exact opposite.
Putting the Planer to Work
There are some planers that have the function of turning on their backs while converting the unit into a jointer. If you’ve been working with a jointer before, you will feel right at home even if it is your first time operating a planer. The major difference has to be orientation. With a planer, one would think it’s a jointer upside down. It might take some time adjusting, but the principle and mechanisms are almost the same.
If you’re hogging chunks of material, the planer will have to be tilted towards the deep side.
The Kind of Work You Can Do With the Tools
For these tools, you can do anything that you would with a non-powered hand plane. Some of the work you can do will include:
Working with doors: You can get the perfect 90-degree angle when using planers. You have the option of going for an adjustable fence or using freehand. A power planer will come in handy if you’re looking to level jambs with problematic doors.
Outdoor Projects: Outdoor projects can be a little bit tricky when it comes to tool selection. There will be no faster solution for chamfering decks compared to when using planers. There are those that will have multiple notches in different sizes.
What You Need to Look For
Comfort is a key consideration when working with planers. A good number of the products in the market will have knobs for the handle. If you’re looking for the right equipment, it is important to strike a balance between price and power. You don’t want to sacrifice one for the other. If you will be using the tools a lot, consider going for a heavier machine with advanced capabilities.
