A thickness planer is a handy tool that every hobbyist or even serious woodworkers has in their shop. You can pick up boards of any thickness and just run them through the machine to attain your specific dimensions. There are many products available on the market, but today we will review the Wen 6550 12.5 inch 15A Benchtop Thickness Planer. It’s one of the market leaders and can help you do a lot more than you want—and here is what you can do with it.
Features
In this Wen 6550 review, we will discover the features and advantages, and also find out if there are any drawbacks. So read on to know if this machine provides you with any real value for your money. The Wen 6550 comes with great features that further make the job easier and quicker. The following features make it stand out from the crowd and establish a reputation of its own.
Powerful motor
The planer is equipped with a powerful 15-amp motor which drives the cutter head and the feeders. It can slice wood at 18,000 cuts per minute while the feeders can pull it at 26’ per minute.
Dual blade
The magic of the SK-5 dual blades can be witnessed in the fine and smooth pieces of plank the machine produces with uncompromising uniform thickness. The fast-rotating blades can shave off from 0 to 3/32” with each spin and can handle boards of up to 12.5” width and 6” thickness. The directional blades can also be reversed to make them more durable.
Tri-roller feeding system
To ensure minimum swipe, Wen 6550 uses a tri-roller feeding system that firmly holds the wood and feeds it to the machine. The dual blades are placed in the middle of the in-feed and out-feed rollers and achieve clean and sharp cuts.
The Wen 6550 12.5 inch 15A Benchtop Thickness Planer
Foldable granite table
The machine comes with a foldable granite table which can be used to feed lumber at any angle. Granite is one of the sturdiest materials and offers a smooth surface for the wood to slide over without any restrictions.
The foldable ends can be opened and used when you are dealing with a long piece of wood. The granite surface also makes it easy to clean the platform.
Adjustment rubber-grip handle
You don’t need to break a sweat trying to adjust the thickness for your project. The rubber grip handle on top of the machine can be rotated easily to achieve the desired thickness. With each complete rotation, the height is adjusted by 1/16”. It is really precise and lets you get the specific thickness for your work.
Optimum stability
The engineering of the machine makes the Wen 6550 one of the most stable and safest planers to work with. The granite table provides a firm support to the wood and makes sure it is not damaged while getting shaved.
The cast-iron base of the machine gives a robust foundation. eliminating any chances of wobbling or sliding during operation. The mounting holes at the bottom of the foundation can be secured with screws to a base to make the machine more stable.
It is also of ideal weight at around 70 lbs., and does not shake or tremble while you are working on it.
Dust hose connection port
You can attach any dust extraction device or a vacuum cleaner to the dust port of the machine, which is also powered by a fan. It is convenient and keeps all your chips and sawdust in one place for easy cleaning.
Easy blade replacement
This Wen thickness planer is equipped with index pins and installation magnets which ensure that the blades are correctly fitted and properly aligned while they are being replaced.
Pros
- It is really easy to set up the machine. You just need to remove the package, attach the dust port and the handle, and wipe the different parts that will be used during operation
- The blades are also easy to replace. You can also reverse their direction for longer durability
- The Wen 6550 is very user friendly and it is a breeze to adjust the feeding tables and the rubber grip knob
- It works great for all types of wood be it maple, pine, oak, walnut, poplar or purple heart. You will have no trouble whichever wood you feed into it
- The machine is also portable and easy to transport. The foldable infeed and outfeed tables, along with side-mounted handles makes mobility easy. The handles are also hollowed out
- The dust port and the granite table make cleanliness effortless. Wood chips and saw dust do not stick to the table and can easily be wiped off. The dust port can be used to collect all the dust and dispose of it after you are done with the cutting
- It comes with 2-year warranty
Cons
- Being a thickness planer, it is not completely free from snipes
- Many customers have reported it to be loud while in operation. It is recommended to use hearing protection while using it
- It is quite a heavy machine when compared to other products
Verdict
The Wen 6550 12.5 inch 15A Benchtop Thickness Planer is one of the best products of this type that your money can buy. It provides complete value and has received favorable reviews and high ratings from satisfied customers. The machine performs superbly and also does not burn a hole in your pockets. It is something you can opt for without any apprehension for your home, or even professional projects.
