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How to choose the right electric planer: which one is better. How to choose an electric planer - tips and tricks Professional planes

Regarding the electric planer, it cannot be said that it is one of the most used products in the private sector. But for those who systematically deal with wood or want to save significantly during construction or repairs by purchasing cheaper unprocessed lumber and finishing it with their own hands, it will truly become an indispensable assistant.

The main thing is to competently approach the choice of the optimal model. Let’s figure out what criteria you should use to choose a reliable and relatively inexpensive electric planer.

But focusing only on price is a deliberately losing decision. The cheapest models are not durable, and their scope of use is significantly limited. What should you pay attention to?

When choosing an electric planer based on this parameter, you should take into account a number of factors: the volume of lumber with which you are supposed to work daily, the density (and therefore hardness) of the wood, the degree of its primary processing. That is why the tool should be purchased at a specialized store. The manager, having clarified all the nuances, will help you choose the model most suitable for the conditions of further operation.

When making your own choice, you need to take into account that on the product body the manufacturer indicates the power (in W) consumed or the maximum possible. In practical terms, the other one is more interesting - efficient (electric, working - there are different designations). For a household class tool, it should not be below 600 and above 1,000 (these are mostly professional models). The value is easy to find in the product passport. Buying a cheaper (and less powerful) electric planer limits its scope of application. For example, difficulties will arise in processing hard rocks, knotty workpieces, and the like. And productivity will noticeably decrease.

Engine speed

This parameter is partly related to power. Higher drum rotation speed allows for the cleanest processing of wood. But, for example, if a knife hits a knot, then it is not a fact that a low-power tool will cope with it.

  • For electric planers of the “household” class, 11,000 (±1,000) rpm is sufficient. It is quite enough for processing most types of wood.
  • As a rule, this value is reflected in the passport for idle mode. It is advisable to clarify how it changes under load, that is, when working with lumber. From this point of view, the best electric planers are those that have electronic speed control. The result of using models that are simpler in design is uneven processing of the base, obvious unevenness, and so on.

Cutting edge width

And in this case, you need to take into account what kind of lumber you mainly have to deal with. If these are wide boards, then with two or three “passes” it is unlikely to achieve an ideal surface finish. The appearance of a scar (the junction of the strips) is inevitable, and it will take quite a long time to fine-tune the sample.

Recommendation - for a household electric planer, the optimal planing width is considered to be 82 mm. Another argument in favor of this choice is that it is much easier to find appropriate knives on sale, and their price is somewhat lower.

Electric planer cost

This is what interests the potential buyer most of all. What should we focus on? It is impossible to indicate an exact price, given the diversity of the model range and manufacturers. If we talk about the approximate cost, then for 4,500 ± 1,500 you can buy a quite good model. Household electric planes from well-known companies are sold for no less than 6,400. A professional tool, naturally, will cost even more.

Recommendation – it’s better not to look at cheaper models at all, no matter how attractive their price. Its decline is usually caused by the use of low-quality steel in production, simplification of technology, and so on. Such a plane, given the specifics of the tool’s use, will definitely not last long. The most typical malfunction is engine combustion even at a relatively light load. Here you can also add extremely low maintainability, rapid dulling of the cutting part, and stretching of belts. And these are not all “surprises”.

Additional functions

Handles

The ease of use depends on their shape, angle of inclination and design features. Consequently, with the right choice, labor productivity will increase, since the user will not feel some discomfort after a short time.

Tool sole design

It is clear that it should not have defects in the form of unevenness, cavities, and so on. The presence of specific grooves prevents the formation of the so-called “air cushion”, and this greatly facilitates the wood processing process. Such an electric planer moves evenly across the lumber, without additional force or jerking. If the sole has grooves with a V-profile, then this model of the tool can also be used for chamfering.

Presence/absence of a chip receiver

It is a bag that is attached to a drainage device. For those who use an electric planer outdoors (at a construction site, in the yard), this is not so important. But using this tool indoors requires constant cleaning of the workplace, since flying chips greatly complicate wood processing. The chip receiver eliminates this problem, since the waste is compactly “stored” in the attached container. It is enough just to empty it periodically (as it is full).

Features of the tuning scale

We are talking about regulating the depth of wood processing. All modern planes have such a scale. But there is a nuance. In addition to positive and negative values, it should also contain minus values. The practice of using this tool shows that even when set to “0”, some models continue to “drive” chips, which should not happen.

How is worker safety ensured?

Whether the working mechanism (drum with installed knives) is closed with a lid, whether there are retractable plates (and a stop) - all these points require separate clarification.

Recommendation - if the shutdown button is beyond the reach of your finger (for example, during an emergency stop you will have to change the position of your hand), it is better not to purchase such a plane. Not only is it unsafe, but when processing large volumes of wood you will need to take rest breaks quite often. The reason is the inconvenience of operating the tool.

Product complete set. What should you pay attention to?

  • Firstly, additional knives that differ from the main ones in their wavy profile. Working with them greatly facilitates rough processing of lumber.
  • Secondly, is there a lock? This device allows you to use the electric plane as a mini-machine, securing it to a flat and solid base (for example, a workbench).
  • Thirdly, the miter gauge. With it, choosing folds and quarters is much easier.
  • Fourthly, the side limiter. It will be useful for those who often have to process rather narrow workpieces (slats and the like).

Availability of spare parts

This means in your locality. Before purchasing an electric planer, you should definitely check this point with the seller. Those who neglect this subsequently face certain difficulties when repairing the instrument. And mainly due to the lack of what is necessary. Shopping through online stores is, in principle, a convenient thing. But time? After all, you will have to wait, and not just one day.

Recommendation - no matter how attractive the model is (in terms of capabilities, price), you should not discount the factor of its maintainability. Otherwise, at the most crucial moment (and this happens all the time), you may be left without a working tool.

It remains to add that, judging by the reviews of “home craftsmen”, the most reliable and proven in their work are planes sold under the brands “Makita”, “DeWalt”, “Bosch”, “Hilti”, “Black&Decker”, “Mafell”, “ Metabo", "Sparky", "Hitachi", "Skil". They have long and firmly conquered our market.

Tools from Russian manufacturers have earned no less good reviews, primarily the electric planers InterSkol, Energomash, and Fiolent. In terms of the quality of wood processing, they are not much inferior to their “titled” foreign analogues, and their lower cost compared to them is an undeniable plus. For example, many users give excellent feedback about the InterSkol household model of the R-82TS series. Although this is far from the only example of a high-quality plane.

The article focuses on the main aspects of choosing an electric tool. The characteristics, features, and equipment of the model you like should be clarified on the spot, down to the smallest detail, and only then make a final decision on the advisability of purchasing this electric planer.

The planer has been used in wood processing since ancient times, but became widespread in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. The plane was a wooden block, inside of which a metal blade was attached using a wedge. Then, instead of a deck, they began to use a metal frame. With the advent of electricity and the creation of the electric motor, hand planes faded into the background, and electric planes appeared in their place. In industry, stationary thicknessing and planing machines are used. For domestic and construction needs, mobile electric planers with varying power and depth of wood processing have been developed. Choosing the right device is a whole science.

Main features of the tool and its purpose

An electric planer is used to level the plane of a wooden surface and eliminate unevenness and roughness. This is achieved by planing - removing thin shavings from the outside. At the same time, the surface becomes smooth, “without a hitch.” A well-planed board becomes glossy and takes on a polished appearance. The natural texture of the wood is visible on the surface. Unlike sanding wood, in which only the top layer (up to 1 mm) is processed, when planing, a layer of up to 4 mm is removed. and more. Such processing can most accurately be called “scraping.”

Processing boards using an industrial thicknesser

Unlike a manual planer, an electric planer combines several basic functions - chamfering, quartering, rabbeting and others. In addition, with appropriate equipment, the tool is used as a jointer - a stationary planing apparatus mounted on a work table. An additional ruler and square allows you to level the workpiece and give it a rectangular shape.


Leveling a board on a jointer

Pros and cons of electric planes

Let us note the main advantages and disadvantages of this type of equipment.

Flaws:

  • Planers are not suitable for leveling floors (scraping);
  • Carelessness can lead to injury - the drum with knives rotates at very high speed;
  • It does not replace hand tools for processing corners and ends; they will have to be modified with an additional planer or folding planer.

Advantages:

  • High performance;
  • Does not require any physical effort;
  • Possibility of use as thicknessing or jointing equipment;
  • Qualitative quarter sample;
  • Financial savings - planed lumber is almost twice as expensive as unprocessed lumber.

The design of an electric planer and the principle of its operation

The power unit of the device is an electric motor connected to a rotating shaft by a belt drive. The asynchronous type motor operates from a mains voltage of 220 V and 6 A. The power can vary from 500 W. up to 2000 W. Number of revolutions - from 10 to 18 thousand/min. The rotation speed depends on the gear ratio of the teeth in the gearbox.


Main functional units of the electric planer

Controls

Almost every electric planer is equipped with two buttons - one button to turn on the engine and the second - a protective button against unintentional start. There are two handles on the body for convenient control of the movement of the device along the surface being treated.


Unintentional start protection button

Unlike a manual plane, in which chips are removed through a slot in the block, an electric tool is equipped with a convenient system for removing wood dust and sawdust. It is located, as a rule, on the casing on the right in the direction of travel and is a plastic pipe combined with the hose of a vacuum cleaner or dust collection bag.


The dust exhaust pipe is located on the plane body

The sole is the metal platform of the plane that slides over the workpiece. It is a flat and smooth plate consisting of two parts. The rear part (in the direction of travel) is fixedly fixed to the tool body. The front part is fixed using a planing depth adjuster. Thanks to this device, the user can set the thickness of the wood layer to be removed. For chamfering, triangular grooves are provided on the front part.


The front part of the sole regulates the depth of planing

The sole is made of aluminum alloy and can be cast or stamped. Casting is characterized by more accurate dimensions and strength. The level of raising or lowering the sole is controlled by a special mechanism. Most often it is combined with a front handle, the rotation of which adjusts the position of the platform.

Knives and knife drum

The working part of the electric planer, which directly processes the wood blank, is called the knife drum. It consists of a metal cylinder with two or three grooves for attaching removable knives. Most often, tools use 2 knives, but there are models with one or three knives (for example, the SPARKY P382 plane).


Fastening knives in the knife drum

The knives are secured using screw clamps. They are one-sided or two-sided. Single-sided knives can be sharpened yourself. The sizes of knives are divided into 5 types and are selected for the plane, depending on the size of the knife shaft. Standard knife sizes: 50, 75, 82, 100 and 110 mm. Replacement knives are sold in tool stores in sets of 2 pieces.


Set of replacement knives for MAKITA electric planer

As for the material from which knives are made, two main groups can be distinguished:

  • carbide knives;
  • knives made of high-speed steel.

Carbide ones are designed for long service life, and, as the name implies, are made from high-strength high-carbon alloys. The main disadvantage of such knives is their high price.

High-speed steel is less hard, but its big advantage is the ability to sharpen. For the most part, craftsmen who regularly use an electric planer tend to use this type of knives. In addition, the cost of such knives is low. And if there is no way to sharpen them, they simply buy new ones.


Carbide steel knives for electric planer

To make the picture complete, it remains to add that instead of knives, shaped cutters can be inserted into the drum, with the help of which the wooden surface is given various shapes - wavy, serrated, etc. To work with cutters, certain skills are required; the movement of the plane must occur strictly in one line. It is not easy to find such cutters on the open market - most often they are made to order from tool turners. Sharpening a shaped cutter yourself at home is quite problematic.

Technical characteristics: how to choose the right electric planer

The choice of tool depends on the purpose. If you intend to operate an electric planer on a household scale, from time to time, there is no point in purchasing “heavy artillery” - professional tools that have high power and, accordingly, considerable cost. This equipment is designed for daily use with maximum loads and, therefore, has a large mass and high energy consumption. There is no point in using it to process a board 3 cm thick. It’s like driving a battle tank to buy bread from the bakery located around the corner. When purchasing, you need to realistically evaluate the scale of work that will be assigned to the tool.


When choosing an electric planer, you need to take into account the amount of work

It is best to rely on the technical characteristics that are given in the product passport.

Documentation is included with the tool, and it is best if it is in Russian. Among other things, this is evidence that the supplier company is not a fly-by-night company, but operates in the Russian market in the long term.

So, let's move on to an overview of the main parameters.

Appearance is not the main selection parameter

By its appearance you can determine the degree of “professionalism” of the instrument. Many companies paint the plastic of the case in a certain color, emphasizing that it belongs to a certain category. For example, all tools from the German company Bosch are divided into green and blue. Green ones correspond to the level “for home use”, blue ones – “for professional use”. Some unscrupulous manufacturers (mostly of Asian origin) abuse this gradation and deliberately paint their products blue, trying to imitate a quality instrument.


Professional electric planer Bosch

Makita tools are traditionally blue. Hilti - red, Devalt - yellow, etc. Knowing the color, you can immediately distinguish a low-quality fake from the original.


Electric planer Devalt

The next distinguishing feature of a good tool is ergonomics or usability. This is not only an elegant design, but also ease of use, compactness, and the absence of sharp corners. Large manufacturers around the world pay great attention to this, small imitator companies produce motley products that are not distinguished by convenience and quality.


Electric planer Makita

The body bears the entire load during operation. The logical consequence of this should be the use of high-quality plastic for its manufacture. During construction, any tool sometimes falls on a concrete floor and is used in dusty conditions. A characteristic visual sign of high-quality plastic is gloss and the absence of thin, fragile parts. If a tool is sold in a case, this is a good sign; it is even better if it comes with spare parts (replacement knives, drills, graphite brushes, etc.) as well as an instruction manual in Russian.

Some online stores sell tools without technical documentation, citing the fact that the data is on their website. From the user's point of view, such a formulation of the question is not justified. It is not always possible to have a computer at hand to clarify this or that issue regarding the use of an electrical appliance.

Motor power

An important indicator of the “ability” of an electric planer is, of course, the engine power. The higher the power value, the greater the performance of the tool. Motors with a power consumption of 1.5–2.3 kW are installed on professional planes with blade widths starting from 100 mm. For a household level, a power of 500 to 1000 W is quite acceptable. When choosing a tool, you should take into account not only the amount of power, but also other parameters. For example, the predominance of soft wood species for processing implies one power, hard wood (oak, hornbeam, maple) - a completely different one. In construction, soft wood species (pine, spruce) mainly predominate. In the furniture industry, materials made from “heavy” wood species, which have high strength and decorative value, are more often used.

Planers with one blade differ favorably in terms of energy savings. The lightweight design of the knife shaft allows the use of lower power electric motors without compromising the performance of the tool.

Video: jointer from a conventional electric planer

Knife shaft rotation speed

The specificity of an electric planer is that the higher the rotation speed of the knives, the smoother and better the surface of the wooden workpiece is processed. Therefore, it is difficult to overestimate this indicator. The minimum acceptable speed is 10 thousand revolutions per minute. Rough processing involves 12 to 13 thousand rpm. A perfectly smooth surface is achieved at 15–18 thousand rpm. You should pay attention to the fact that in some devices, when the load increases, the shaft speed decreases - this will certainly affect the quality of processing. Therefore, some models are equipped with a speed maintenance system (for example, Makita KP 0810 C) - they plan at the same speed under large and small loads. Among other things, such a system protects the electric motor from overheating.

Planing depth is the maximum thickness of chips that a plane can remove in one pass. The higher this indicator, the faster and better the wood is processed. The planing depth is adjusted by moving the front (moving) part of the platform in relation to the rear (fixed) part. Standard offset range is 0 to 4 mm.


Planing depth regulator on the body of the electric planer

It is carried out by rotating the front handle around its axis. There is a graduated scale on the body, which allows you to adjust the required depth of immersion of the knives into the material. Adjustment step from 0.1 mm. up to 0.5 mm. In practice, with many planes, planing begins even in the zero position. This must be taken into account during work and adjustments made if the depth needs to be maintained accurately.

Planing width

The processing speed depends on the width of the knife. A 10 cm wide board can be leveled in one pass, provided that the cutting edge size is 100 or 110 mm. If it is less, for example 75 or 82 mm, it will have to be passed at least twice. Moreover, the quality will noticeably suffer. Therefore, when choosing from two tools with different planing widths, preference, as a rule, is given to the one with wider knives.


Planing width depends on the size of the knives and the knife drum

The size of the knives of professional planes can reach up to 350 mm; such devices are used only in production conditions. In households, the most common electric planers are those with blade sizes ranging from 82 to 110 mm.

Tool weight

The weight of the electric planer is of no small importance during operation. On the one hand, a heavy tool contributes to minimal physical activity on the part of the person. Under its own weight, the plane of the sole is pressed against the parts, inertia dampens small vibrations and vibrations. The user only needs to point the tool in the desired direction, and he does the rest himself. But if the weight of the plane is too large, it can become a burdensome factor during operation. For household tools, a weight of 3–4.5 kg is considered optimal. Professional models weigh several times more, but this is compensated by their greater resolution.

Additional structural elements

  1. Soft start system. A very useful function that will increase the cost of the electrical appliance, but will significantly extend the life of the plane. It consists in the fact that the engine accelerates smoothly, the shaft rotation speed increases within 3–5 seconds. Thanks to this, the wear of all electrical and mechanical parts is noticeably reduced. Soft start is especially useful for powerful models, in which a power surge causes a powerful blow to the gearbox and transmission belt.
  2. Electrodynamic brake. After planing is completed and the power is turned off, the drum can still rotate for a long time by inertia. This fatigues the operator and can damage the blades if the rotating tool is placed on a hard concrete floor. The presence of a braking function reduces the time it takes for the drum to completely stop (2-3 seconds). However, some models have a protective lever on the rear platform, which is activated the moment the tool is lifted from the surface of the wood.
  3. Speed ​​maintenance system (constant electronics). This function has already been mentioned above. Maintaining the speed of the working shaft at the same level will not only prevent overheating of the motor under increased loads, but will also reduce the risk of the knives jamming in viscous wood material. Unfortunately, such electronics significantly increase the cost of the instrument.
  4. Handle.
    The rubberized handle performs an anti-slip function. The main requirement for the handle of an electric planer is ease of use. When purchasing a tool, you should hold it in your hand and evaluate how comfortable it is to operate the handle. A good sign is the rubber gasket framing the body of the holder. It will protect your hand from slipping and prevent electric shock in the event of a breakdown in the power circuit.

  5. Double-sided ventilation pipe The output of the chip removal system ends in a pipe to which a vacuum cleaner or dust collection bag is connected. As a rule, it comes out on the right side, since it is designed for the fact that most people work with their right hand. However, there are models with pipes extending to the left or in both directions. This solution is ideal for left-handers and for conditions in which it is inconvenient to work only on the right. It is much more convenient when there is an additional possibility of connecting a vacuum cleaner hose. The diameter of the pipe is compatible with a standard hose and is 3.5 cm.

Which electric plane is better to choose for your home and garden?

There is no doubt that the choice of tool is determined by the volume and intensity of the proposed work, and the technical parameters of a particular model. However, the purchase can become a “pig in a poke” if you do not adhere to some general selection rules.

  1. You can completely trust only well-known and respected manufacturing companies. It is best to buy equipment in company stores, from official representatives of the manufacturer. The warranty for such products must be at least 2 years.
  2. At the time of purchase, check the functionality of the tool. There are cases of factory defects and packaging. All problems associated with this disappear if detected at the time of purchase.

There are many models of the corresponding class for home use. Among foreign manufacturers, we can note such well-known brands as Makita, Bosch, Devalt, Status. Domestic manufacturers are also reaching world quality standards. The companies Interskol, Energomash, Stavr and others are increasingly winning fans not only among amateurs, but also among professionals. Moreover, the price of “our” planes is often an order of magnitude lower.

Video: comparison of electric planers Interskol and Devalt

During technology lessons in a modern school, each of us had to deal with an ordinary hand plane. We used this simple tool to process all kinds of wooden products and surfaces. But when it comes to professional work, an ordinary plane from school will no longer be enough, here we need a more serious unit - an electric plane. Before choosing an electric planer, you need to understand the variety of models and characteristics. With the help of a modern electric planer you can perform several types of work:

  • cutting edges;
  • fit;
  • wood surface treatment, etc.

An electric planer is an excellent tool and a real assistant to any joiner or carpenter! Choosing an electric planer is a serious task, because the tool is purchased for a long time.

Which electric planer is better cannot always be understood from the parameters and description. The industry produces several types of electric planers:

  • manual;
  • stationary.

Of course, all planes can also be divided into mechanical and electrical, but this division will not be discussed in this article.

Stationary models are a machine that allows you to process various wood materials of different shapes. At the heart of the stationary machine is a table with height adjustment and rotating cutting blades. Using such a tool, you can easily produce different numbers of completely identical parts.

The main disadvantages of any stationary electric planer include:

  • the high complexity of the process of replacing cutting knives (any replacement of a knife will take a very long time);
  • the need to constantly monitor the position of the knives rotating at high speed (contact with the knives is very dangerous).

A hand-held electric planer is much safer, since its working blades are located at the bottom of the sole, so it is much more difficult to cut yourself on these knives. The basic principle of operation of a manual electric planer is the same as that of a stationary one, only when working on a stationary machine you need to move the wood material being processed, and when working with a manual electric planer it is moved.

Electric planers also differ in the number of working blades. Models are available with two working blades, as well as with 3 or even 4. In construction stores you can purchase an electric planer with built-in electronic control of the drum speed. The cost of such a tool is quite high, but professionals will appreciate this useful feature. We will consider how to choose one or another electric planer below.

How does an electric plane work? + (Video)

Any electric planer has a rather complex device. The plane body is equipped with two handles - in front and behind the tool. A knife shaft with knives attached to it rotates inside the plane. The shaft is fixed to the base plate. The more knives on the plane and the rotation speed of the drum, the better the surface treatment of the workpiece will be performed. Most often, no more than two knives are built into the plane. Wood chips are thrown out through a nozzle - a special tube located on the right or behind the tool. In expensive models, it is possible to adjust the direction of chip ejection at your discretion. Other components may also be located on the tool body, for example:

  • a regulator that allows you to change the depth of planing;
  • bag for dust and shavings;
  • various control buttons for turning on and operating mode.

Tool characteristics

Choosing an electric planer according to technical characteristics correctly is not at all easy. Let's look at the main characteristics that you should pay attention to when purchasing:

  1. Engine power. To use a plane at home, a tool with a 600-1000 W motor will be sufficient.
  2. Shaft rotation speed. For everyday household work, a jigsaw with a shaft speed of about 10,000 rpm is sufficient. If there is a need for high-quality processing of materials and surfaces in large volumes, it is better to purchase the best professional tool with a higher drum rotation speed.
  3. Maximum processing width. This parameter allows you to select a tool depending on the width of the material being processed. If you don’t need a width of more than 80-110 mm, then you shouldn’t look at expensive models.
  4. Planing depth. For home work, a depth of up to 2.5 mm is enough; professional models allow you to choose up to 4 mm of material.
  5. Weight. This parameter affects how quickly you get tired of holding the plane in your hand. It is certainly easier to work with a tool weighing 2 kg than with a model weighing 4 kg.
  6. Price. This parameter depends on the manufacturer; the more famous it is, the higher the price!

An electric planer is selected based on the specific conditions of its operation; which one will work best in a particular case is selected individually.

The difference between household planes and professional ones

Planers can be divided into 2 types - household and professional. Mid-price household models are perfect for doing work at home. These planes do an excellent job, but can only be used for a short time. Household planes have a light weight - up to 3 kg and a low shaft rotation speed - up to 10,000 rpm, the power of such tools is about 800 W. Professional tools are much more expensive and heavier. The weight of some models reaches 9 kg, and the power is significantly higher than 1200 W. Household electric planers have a planing depth of 0-2.5 mm, and professional ones - up to 4 mm. An adjustment step of 2.5-3 mm is sufficient for both amateurs and professionals. Planers for professional use have a function for adjusting the number of revolutions. This electronic system allows you to work at maximum productivity regardless of the type of wood. Household electric planers can be bought for 3,500-8,000 rubles. A professional tool will cost much more, but its quality will be much higher, it is better to choose it.

Which electric planer is suitable for working in the country? + (Video)

Simple and cheap models are suitable for home or garden work. You can choose the type of plane to use in your dacha based on your personal needs, because if you have to work for many months, you can purchase an expensive professional tool and enjoy its work! The main thing to remember is that if there is a need to work with an electric planer in the country, then you should make sure that the model has a long cord, otherwise difficulties will arise in the work. It should be remembered that to increase labor productivity, free movement is necessary!

Review of companies + (Video)

It is almost impossible to consider all produced models in one review, since there will be about a hundred even well-known models, but some of them should be considered separately. The leaders of professional equipment are: MAKITA, BOSCH, SKIL and DEWALT; they produce the best electric planers. HITACHI and MAFELL make expensive but high-quality products.

When purchasing electric planes from well-known brands, you should pay attention to the country of assembly. The Chinese assembly is not yet of high quality. Therefore, sometimes it is better to overpay and choose an original electric plane.

When choosing a household tool, you can choose the brands BOSCH, SKIL, Interskol, Energomash. Before buying a cheap Chinese model, look at reviews from real users. Often, models cheaper than 2-3 thousand rubles are distinguished by extremely low quality components, as a result of which the buttons of such models break, the blades quickly become dull, the drive belt stretches, etc.

What to look for when choosing + (Video)

The plane body must consist of at least two parts: the main one, which protects the electric motor, and the cover, which covers the drive belt. The body is connected to a chip removal pipe and a handle. If the cover above the drive is removed from the tool, then the quality of the body is quite good. The plane should fit well in your hand and there should be no discomfort. The power button for the plane must be accessible for pressing with the finger of the hand in which you are holding the tool. This is not only more convenient, but also more secure.

An electric plane is a technically complex tool that poses a danger to unskilled hands. The better and more functional the model, the higher its cost. It is worth purchasing a tool if you are starting to build your own home. Buying untreated boards and planing them yourself will be much cheaper. For a professional, the advantages of an electric tool are known; there is no mistake in choosing the manufacturer.

Tool selection criteria

The purpose of the tool is to create a smooth, leveled plane. To achieve the desired result, an electric planer must meet the following requirements:

  • rotation speed of cutters;
  • planing depth per pass;
  • width of the treated surface;
  • motor power.

The faster the knife drum rotates, the cleaner the surface. The rotation speed of the knives must be at least 10,000 rpm, and not fall depending on the load. The higher the rotation speed, the higher the surface finish. Professional electric planers from Bosch and other well-known manufacturers have electronic power control with a constant speed.

The ancestor of modern electric planes were manual wooden ones, which are still alive today. They still do wonders in the hands of cabinetmakers today, and according to the work they perform they are called zenzubel, end zenzubel, tongue-and-groove, tongue-and-groove, and additional.

The effective power indicator is 2-2.5 times less than the nominal one. Planing requires at least 350 W. As the length of the knives increases, the resistance of the material increases. When choosing a tool, it is wise to buy a more powerful model. Gentle working conditions will increase the service life of the electric planer.

The planing width in one pass depends on the length of the cutters installed in the drum. Standard knives have sizes of 50,75,82,102,110 mm. Typically, a tool with a blade width of 82,102, 110 mm is purchased. The blades are removable, inexpensive, the most budget ones are 82 mm. It is optimal to purchase electric planes with a planing width of 110 mm.

In order for the entire workpiece to be processed equally, first you need to press harder on the front handle, and finally on the back. You can take the workpiece in length with a margin, and after processing, cut off the edges from the ends.

How thick a layer of wood can be removed in one pass depends on how high the cutters protrude above the level of the cast base. The greater the depth of immersion, the greater the power of a manual electric planer is required. Household tools are rarely set to a depth of more than 3 mm due to the danger of clogging the chip removal pipe. The smaller the cross-section of this hole, the shallower the depth the device is designed for.

The quality of knives and belts in the drive is considered to be significant indicators of operational efficiency. The presence of a dust collector will simplify cleaning at the end of work. The sole of the plane should be flat, but have recesses for chamfering, and have grooves invisible to the eye, but felt by the fingers for air removal.

Before you finally choose an electric plane, you need to clarify the possibility of purchasing consumables - knives and tool belts of your favorite brand in your region.

Which electric plane is best for an amateur?

For occasional use, it is optimal to choose an amateur series plane. This tool differs in cost. During operation, it is necessary to control the heating of the engine, not allowing the temperature on the housing to exceed 60 0 . The quality of an electric planer, like other tools, largely depends on the manufacturer. Bosch amateur tools are much more reliable than those made in China. But even here there is a difference - a device released on a Chinese site under license and under the control of the brand owner or assembled in workshops with a label sticker.

When choosing an amateur manual electric planer at a budget cost, you need to know:

  • high-quality household tools are produced by Skil, Ryobi, Bosch in green;
  • manufactured in China, but under the name of well-known European and Russian brands, in Russian production facilities;
  • made in China without indicating the country of origin, with unclear documentation and crooked stickers.

Even the third option is suitable for one-time use, especially since the price of such products is noticeably lower. If treated with care, even the most inexpensive model will serve its purpose.

Power tools in inexperienced hands are dangerous and can cause injury. When choosing a plane, you need to choose a model with the most closed cutter surfaces. Any repairs and cleaning of pipes must be carried out with blocking from accidental starting.

Many companies produce more expensive electric planers for professionals. They are available to people with average incomes. Industrial machines are expensive and purchasing them is economically beneficial only when working in particularly difficult conditions. They are installed if a professional plane cannot withstand the load.

For amateur use, the length of the blades is limited to 110 mm; the 150 mm electric plane is produced only in an industrial configuration.

To summarize what has been said, a gradation common among specialists will help in choosing a tool:

  1. Industrial class equipment is produced under the brands Dussa, Protool, Hilti, Milwaukee.
  2. A professional plane can be purchased from Bosch, AEG, Makita, Metabo, Hitachi, Kress, DeWalt.
  3. Semi-professional electric planes Sparky.

It cannot be said about an amateur instrument that it is bad. Companies Interskol, Zubr, Bort and others produce high-quality products, production is developing, and they can easily compete with well-known brands.

However, the adopted classification also explains the pricing policy in the woodworking tool sector and will help determine which electric plane is best to choose.

Examples of electric planer models

Despite the fact that the Bosch PHO 20-82 hobbyist electric planers, green, are produced at a production site in China, they are of good quality. The planes are balanced. The planing depth adjustment is precise, high-speed rotation makes the surface being processed clean. Models are available with planing widths of 82, 102 and 110 mm. Their price depends on the width of the knives, power and configuration. Models weighing 2.2 kg, power 680 W, with a strip width of 82 cm cost a little more than 3 thousand rubles. Bosch planers are usually equipped with one blade, but the drum rotates at a speed of 19,500 revolutions. The devices have connections for connecting a vacuum cleaner and a container for chips.

The manufacturer of electric planes, Makita, is no less famous among professionals and amateurs. Manufacturers keep the price of tools high, rightly believing that they are leaders in the development of new tools. They are constantly working to improve security. Thus, the Makita 1902 model has a knife length of 82 mm. With a power of 550 W and a weight of 2.5 kg, the device operates at a speed of 16,000 rpm. performs finishing processing of the blade, since the chip thickness is 1 mm. Despite the fact that the tool is declared as an amateur one, it is used by professionals. Knives and belts for planes of this brand can be bought in any remote corner of the country.

Interskol products compete with models of famous brands. In 2009, the company bought a renowned production of woodworking tools in Italy. The company took over the constructors and designers and a full-fledged tool production plant. Therefore, the Interskol R 110 1100M electric plane is created with the latest technology, with a cast aluminum sole. This is the first model with a knife length of 110 mm, based on the P 102 1100EM model.

The weight of the tool is 4.5 kg. It can process surfaces at a speed of 1600 rpm, up to a depth of 3 mm. With a power consumption of 1.1 kW, it cleans 110 mm of surface, has an adapter for a vacuum cleaner, and a pipe for removing chips. In terms of equipment, the tool is not inferior to professional tools; it costs much less, just over 5 thousand rubles.

Electric 102 1100EM is in demand among specialists. The tool is used when producing shaped blanks. Despite the modest speed, only 11,000 rpm, electronic control contributes to obtaining high-quality results. The machine weighs 3.8 kg, makes a cut of 2.5 mm and a bevel of 15 mm. The cost of the instrument is about 4 thousand.

The electric planer Zubr ZR 1300 110 is indispensable in a carpentry workshop. The power of the tool allows you to cut chips with a thickness of 3.5 mm. The high-speed knife at a speed of 16,000 cuts flush even the knots found in the canvas. The electronic system maintains a constant speed under load. The tool processes wood of any density. The rip fence allows you to select the quarter. The depth regulator is combined with the front handle. There is a lock against accidental launch. The plane weighs 7.5 kg. The manufacturer's warranty on the plane is given for 5 years.

The inexpensive electric planer Bort BFB-850-T will become a master’s assistant during the initial cleaning of building material. The cast sole with grooves for removing frescoes lies tightly on the surface of the material being processed. For manual planing there is a second handle. The sole is covered with a protective boot during downtime. Using the bed, you can turn the plane into a woodworking machine. Processing width per pass – 82 mm. Chip thickness up to 3 mm. The rotation speed of the knife drum is 16500 rpm. Planer weight 3 kg, price 3350 rubles.

Video review of popular models of electric planes

Nowadays, carpenters have every opportunity to create masterpieces - amazing objects made of wood. The main thing is not to make a mistake with the selection of equipment. If we take, for example, the main tool with which many of the tasks facing carpenters are solved - an electric planer: how to choose a suitable model that has all the necessary functionality, but at the same time for a very reasonable price? To decide which electric planer to choose specifically for your needs, you need to get a general idea of ​​the structure and existing types of this tool.

Operating principle and device

Preparing lumber for work is an important stage of work for joiners and carpenters. You won't be able to handle it without an electric planer. The instrument has been known to craftsmen for decades. In the 20th century, developers improved the device, adding the ability to operate from an electrical network.

The very first electric plane was released in 1958. A miracle of technology for amateur and professional craftsmen was presented by Makita. The operating principle of the classic hand tool has remained unchanged, while the ease of use has increased significantly.

An electric planer is needed to level wooden surfaces. It allows you to eliminate defects and irregularities remaining after the initial processing. The device achieves this by carefully removing chips from the outside of the wood. As a result, the board on which the tool has passed (under the sensitive control of the carpenter) becomes perfectly smooth. You can run your hand over it without fear of getting a splinter.

In general, the design of hand planes is approximately the same, and the configuration of each depends on the specific manufacturer

The structure of a simple plane is familiar to many. This is a wooden or metal block with a sharp metal blade fixed in its center. In an electric planer, this principle is preserved, but technically executed differently. Tool includes:

  • electric motor (thanks to which the device starts);
  • a drum with knives - carbide or made of high-hardening steel (they do the main job);
  • handle with power button;
  • belt drive (directs revolutions from the motor to the drum);
  • depth regulator (it determines how much wood the electric planer will cut in one go);
  • sole (lower working surface of the tool).

The design of the electric planer is constantly being improved. The developers are trying to make the technology even more convenient. Recently, manufacturers have begun to equip tools - in addition to the “main” one - with an additional second handle. It is intended for the worker's left hand. Thanks to it, the master can better control the progress of the process, and the distribution of forces occurs more evenly.

Another element of the device that appeared relatively recently is a pipe located on the side of the electric planer. Its task is to divert dust and shavings flying from the tree. The technology allows you to attach a garbage collection bag to the pipe. Thanks to this, the workshop will remain clean after completion of work, and the worker will not have to waste time tidying up. By the way, in addition to the garbage disposal, a hose from a construction vacuum cleaner can also be easily attached to the nozzle.

Also, for convenience and safety of operation, electric planers are equipped with an accidental activation lock. Until this button is pressed, the ability to turn on the electric planer remains blocked. This means that the tool can be easily transported in the workshop, without even unplugging it from the network.

Main types

Electric planers are divided into:

  • equipment for professionals who perform large volumes of woodworking;
  • and for household tools for hobbyists who rarely use them.

Professional electric planers allow you to achieve a greater cutting depth of wood. They have enviable power and have a more durable cast sole (whereas “amateur” equipment usually has a stamped sole).

Planes are also divided into stationary and manual.

An electric planer with a stationary installation is designed for those who perform similar work on a large scale every day. The principle of operation of the tool is that the worker does not move the plane along the part, but the part along the plane. In essence, it turns out to be a kind of mini-machine.

Stationary planer models are great for performing large volumes of precision work.

Another development for “special cases” is a seam plane, which can remove a full chamfer, and not just smooth the corners of a wooden piece. The chamfer depth will be up to 25 millimeters. The operating principle of such a plane is based on the presence of a deep V-shaped cutout in its sole.

Also in specialized stores you can find planes designed for processing curved wood surfaces. However, you should not expect a miracle from such devices: alas, they are not subject to any radius of curvature of convex surfaces, but only one that is at least 400 millimeters (in the case of concave ones, the figure is 450 millimeters).

What parameters to choose?

It is important to consider the power and depth of wood processing. These parameters are specified in the documentation supplied with the device. However, it will usually be difficult for a non-specialist to understand it. Therefore, in order not to “drown” in numbers and complex diagrams, it is important in advance - even before going to a hardware store - to understand the basic parameters that are important to consider when choosing.

The first is the planing depth. Thanks to this figure, you can understand what thickness of wood the device removes in one pass over the board. Household electric planers can remove up to 2 millimeters at a time

The cutting depth on portable planes is adjusted by a screw on the top side of the body

The capabilities of professional electric planers are higher - they can cut twice as much per approach, up to 4 millimeters of unnecessary material.

Electric planers allow you to adjust the depth of processing. And here the capabilities of equipment “for home” and “for professionals” are also significantly different. The adjustment step usually starts from 0.1 millimeters and can be up to 0.5 millimeters.

The second determining indicator is the planing width. It indicates the width of the “path” laid by the device. Particular attention should be paid to this criterion by those who are going to:

  • process wide boards and timber;
  • is going to do the work in large volumes (of course, you can process the board by laying two parallel paths, but then it will take twice as long).

You shouldn’t forget about the weight of the plane either. This is an important point that will manifest itself in the work. The instruments weigh from 2.5 to 9 kilograms. People who are not in the best physical shape are not recommended to purchase heavy equipment. It would be wiser to opt for a device weighing 6 kilograms or less. This same parameter should be taken as a basis for those who have to spend a lot of time with a plane in their hand.

For a large number of buyers, the determining factor is still the price. And here a lot depends on the brand of the device: the more famous it is, the more expensive the plane.

Brand

It is believed that the best electric planers are produced in Germany and Japan.
Among the most famous brands of electric planers are the following:

  • Japanese Makita (the company that produced the very first plane in history);
  • German Bosch;
  • Latvian Rebir;
  • Dutch Skil;
  • Japanese Hitachi;
  • Russian "Interskol".

When purchasing an electric planer, you must take into account not only the brand, but also the country where the tool was assembled.

Experts advise to be careful with Chinese-assembled goods and, if possible, pay more, but buy an original plane that will definitely not break.

Power

One of the main characteristics of any electric planer is its power. The performance of the tool depends on it. Power affects the depth and width of planing. In order for a plane to remove more wood in one go, it must have more power. In addition, it determines how capable the electric planer is of processing particularly hard wood (for example, oak or maple).

The power of professional models traditionally ranges from 1500 to 2200 W. Whereas for household ones, from 500 to 900 W are enough for work.

Price

The range of prices for electric planers starts from 2 thousand and ends at 130 thousand rubles. The most inexpensive equipment is designed for home and garden work. Tools for professionals - such as the powerful Makita KP312S - are many times more expensive. This model in various stores costs from 110 to 132 thousand rubles.

Purpose

Both professional equipment and household electric planes are designed to carry out the same set of works. They can do:

  • plan and level the wood;
  • carry out rough processing;
  • cut a chamfer;
  • bevel the edges of the part;
  • sample a quarter;
  • create grooves in workpieces;
  • adjust lumber to a given size;
  • make protrusions on wooden parts (you can use them to connect, for example, ribs and beams)

Electric planers for home and garden have their own special requirements. They should be light in weight, have precise adjustment of the cutting depth and a comfortable handle. With their help, you can tidy up unfinished wood (for example, level boards for a fence), but you should not expect that amateur devices will cope with such a task on an “industrial scale”. In addition, the owner of such a device may have problems purchasing accessories for the plane in the store (owners of professional planes are not familiar with such difficulties).

To perform profile work on wood, you will have to purchase additional accessories for a hand plane, such as a stop, limiter and/or guides, if they are not included in the package.

Other options

Among other parameters that a master should pay attention to when purchasing an electric planer is the rotation speed of the drum. Using this indicator, you can understand whether the device is able to cope with the assigned tasks. Thus, a low rotation speed may indicate that this model is aimed at rough processing of hard wood. A feature of low speeds can also be called a distinct feeling of vibration of the tool during operation.

Electric planers also differ in the method of generating electricity. They can be of two types:

  • powered from the network;
  • battery electric planers.

More recently, equipment buyers have given preference to devices that operate using a wire connected to the network. After all, the battery “brothers” did not have sufficient power and reliability. Now the situation has changed: the developers managed to create devices that, in terms of their characteristics, are practically not inferior to “wired” ones.

In many cases, cordless planers do not come with a battery or charger included. Before purchasing such a tool, be sure to check with the seller about the availability of “original” components for sale

All well-known manufacturers of electric planers already produce their own lines of battery-powered models. This technique allows you to perform work at a distance from access points to the electrical network, as well as in conditions of high humidity.

Of course, the buyer will have to pay extra for additional features: portable electric planers are more expensive. Does it make sense to overpay for the sake of “mobility”? Probably not worth it. If a person plans to work exclusively in his workshop, where there is always access to the power grid, it is better to choose a network option - it has already been proven over the years and is not so expensive.

Another important criterion when choosing an electric planer is its handle. It must be ergonomic. It is necessary to have a rubberized lining or other anti-slip coating, which ensures complete safety of work.

The number of electric planer blades must also be taken into account. Tool models can be single-edged (such planes are the most popular); two-blade and four-blade. The buyer’s choice in favor of devices with one blade has several explanations:

  • One knife receives less resistance during operation.
  • It has better shaft balancing.
  • Such a system is cheaper (after all, in the event of a breakage by a sharp part - for example, a nail - one blade is damaged and requires replacement, and not two or four).
  • Repairing devices turns out to be much easier and faster.

By the way, the shape of the knives may also differ. They can be straight, spiral or double-sided. Each of them has its own advantages and is suitable for specific types of work.
Some buyers specify everything down to the smallest detail. And they are right, because every indicator is important. For example, it is worth checking whether the model you are interested in has:

  • soft start (this function helps protect the device from wear and tear and also increases operational safety);
  • electrodynamic brake (it is necessary to quickly turn off the electric planer without damaging the device’s knives);
  • constant electronics (the option is present on expensive models for professionals, it is necessary in order to avoid engine braking when the load increases).
  • mirror located pipes (this is important for left-handed people, allowing you to attach a garbage collection device so that it does not interfere with work).

How to choose an inexpensive one

In order to “kill two birds with one stone” - to purchase a high-quality electric planer and at the same time save money, it is important to listen to the opinion of experts. Professionals note: it is not necessary to chase a resonant brand. You can opt for less well-known brands, including Russian ones. Often they are not inferior in their capabilities to their venerable “brothers”.

Electric planers “Interskol”, “Zubr”, “Caliber”, “Spets” and “Baikal” receive good user reviews. All of the listed models cope with traditional woodworking performed by home craftsmen.

It is not necessary to chase a large set of functions. Recently, manufacturers have been adding new capabilities to technology. And this is automatically reflected in the price. When making a choice in favor of one or another electric planer, you need to think: is it worth overpaying for functions that may never be needed?

To understand whether the tool will be convenient to use, the buyer must pick it up - shake it and hold it for a while

Those who still want to have equipment under a well-known brand can be advised to purchase an electric planer from a serious manufacturer (Bosch or Makita), but of an amateur class. Their prices are kept at a democratic level. At the same time, the functionality of the tool and the service life of the plane will be very attractive.

Before purchasing a tool, it would also be useful to read reviews from users of various models of electric planers.

Electric planer Zubr ZR-750 is an irreplaceable aid in construction. I bought this plane for building a house. Processed boards, carriages, logs and much more wood. I liked the fact that a thick layer of special non-slip rubber is applied to the surface of the plastic and the direction hand does not slip. The electric planer itself is relatively heavy, weighing 3.3 kilograms, which is great. When planing boards, you don’t need to put pressure on it, it presses itself with its weight, and all I have to do is direct the electric planer to the right place. Planing width 82 mm, 2 knives, I think this is enough for such a powerful 750 Watt plane. This plane can remove a maximum layer of wood up to 2 mm. If you smoothly press the start button, the electric planer also smoothly accelerates. Changing knives is easy using a special key. The cord is long enough with a Euro plug.

http://otzovik.com/review_368482.html

Electric planer Bosch PHO 2000 - Nothing extra, just a plane ADVANTAGES: High-quality item, lightweight, comfortable to hold DISADVANTAGES: Poor equipment, the safety heel is in the way. I purchased this plane a year ago, since it was necessary to plan a large volume of untreated boards for the construction of a change house. This year I have probably already processed 4 cubic meters of wood. It works properly, the knife has not become dull yet, nothing has gone wrong. Poor equipment, no limiter, no spare blade, no dust collector. There is also no mount for placing it sideways or upside down. So you have to “collective farm” if you need to use it for trimming boards. In general, the kit only contains a plane and a wrench for adjustment.

serezhka87

https://otzovik.com/review_6630724.html

Electric hand plane Interskol R-110/1100M - Reliable tool for wooden work ADVANTAGES: reliability; affordable price; pipe for removing chips; planing depth; knife width (110 mm, but of course it won’t take a 110 mm board - you need to take a little less); device for attaching to a workbench included; spare knives

Kosmonaut Misha

https://otzovik.com/review_4657683.html

Woodworking is always creativity. To make the process not just productive, but also enjoyable, it is important not to make a mistake when buying an electric planer. It is necessary to take into account all the parameters, check with the seller the characteristics and the smallest details, and sometimes first try the equipment in operation. And then the result will definitely please you: the work process itself and its results - furniture created with your own hands, a new fence or gazebo placed near the house, trim on the windows of a country house.