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 careful 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 technology “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, such as 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.

Tips for choosing and using electric planers. Pros and cons of these devices

2. Power is no less important than speed. Moreover, here we can also talk about theoretical and practical power: not all the energy consumed from the outlet is transferred to the blade shaft. The actual output power is often indicated in the specifications, and do not be surprised if it is 2-2.5 times less than the rated power consumption. In general, the actual power should be at least 350 W so that the device does not have problems processing dense or uneven wood. The required power directly depends on the planing width of the electric planer.

9. An important parameter for electric planers that you want to use all day long is the degree to which they heat up during continuous operation. An ordinary manual unit is unlikely to plan for more than half an hour, after which it needs to cool down (). The maximum permissible temperature of the electric planer body is about 60 °C.

10. The sole of all electric planers, as a rule, is of high quality and smooth - after all, this is the first thing that the buyer pays attention to. However, you should know that in order to chamfer the corners of parts, one or more V-shaped grooves (with an angle of 90°) must be located on the sole of the electric planer, and in general, in order for the cut to be of the same thickness, the sole of the device must have grooves that interfere formation of an air cushion during operation.

If you don't see grooves on your device, don't worry. It is almost impossible to notice them with the eye, unless you feel them with your fingers.

11. Availability of knives and spare parts. Drive belts and blades will need to be replaced at least every two to three years, and perhaps more often. Therefore, we advise you to choose popular models so that you don’t have to run around and look for the part you need.

In general, among the manufacturers of household electric planers, Bosch, Black&Decker, Makita, Sparky and Skil stand out - their devices have long won a name for themselves in our market. Inexpensive options include Skil 1560-AB and Sparky P 282; more advanced models include Bosch GHO 26-82 and Makita KP0810.

And in order for the electric planer in your hands to become as effective and durable as possible, we will give...

Some tips for beginners

To use your first electric planer most effectively, you need to know a few simple subtleties. Now we will tell you about them.

We hope that these tips can help you in your work or clarify any points regarding the use of electric planers.

Conclusion

An electric planer is not the simplest device. Both in choice and in handling. Nevertheless, due to a number of its advantages, it is practically the only tool for household carpentry or carpentry work. If you don't want to buy processed boards at exorbitant prices, then buying a plane is the way to go.

Next, we will look at the leading manufacturers of electric planers and the specific models they provide. Hold on!

An electric plane is the most affordable woodworking tool that significantly increases labor efficiency at home, in construction and in small workshops. With its help, lumber is planed, chamfered, and a quarter is removed from the workpieces. Using this tool allows you to save on materials: purchase unplaned beams or boards, and then process them yourself until the required surface quality is achieved.

The performance of working with it and the quality of lumber processing will depend on how correctly the electric planer is selected according to its operational characteristics. When choosing a model, be sure to take into account the expected intensity of use.

The market is saturated with many models from manufacturers in different countries. In such conditions, the choice of an electric planer should be made consciously. The following features of the tool must be taken into account:

• price;
• technical specifications;
• ergonomics;
• additional functionality.

These criteria are combined in different ways in technical products. The user’s task is to choose the best product option for himself. Cost of electric planes fluctuates over a wide range: from several thousand for household tools to hundreds of thousands for professional products intended for intensive practical use.

The appearance of a power tool is not a serious criterion. Each person has their own preferences regarding the color and geometry of devices. But if the shape of the tool affects the ease of working with it, then this must be taken into account before buying a product you like in appearance. Well-known brands use separate colors to color their products, for example:

• Makita - blue;

• DeWalt – yellow;

• Bosch – blue and green;

• Hilti – red.

In addition to the brand affiliation, the Bosch company green color indicates that the electric planer is intended for the garden or home, and blue indicates the professional purpose of the tool.

Knowing the colors used by popular manufacturers is one of the clues you can use to distinguish counterfeit products from the original.

Technical indicators

Electric planers must be supplied with documentation. It contains all the data on the technical characteristics of the instrument model you are interested in. Also Availability of equipment passport indirectly indicates the reputability of the company producing the product. The most significant technical characteristics for the correct choice of power tools with the range of their possible or recommended values ​​are presented in the table below.

For battery models, an important parameter is the battery capacity and the output voltage (18 or 14.5 V). A cordless tool is convenient to use if there is no access to a 220 V power supply, and it is also safer from the point of view of the possibility of electric shock.

Cordless electric planer RYOBI CPL 180 MHG

It is on the considered technical characteristics of the electric planer that its basic functionality, as well as the ease of working with this tool, depend. The greater the power of the tool used, the faster you can process lumber with its help. The quality of planing lumber is determined by the speed at which the drum with knives rotates. Optimal speed determined by the properties of the wood being processed:

• 10 thousand revolutions per minute is a suitable speed for planing soft lumber;
• more than 12,000 rpm is the required drum rotation speed when processing hardwood workpieces.

It is worth considering how the speed of rotation of the knives changes under load compared to idle: for good quality models, this parameter remains stable.

Between both power and planing depth direct relationship, which is presented in the table below.

Also, the more powerful the equipment, the wider the drums can be installed on it. Optimal knife width considered 82 mm. They are easy to find on sale if replacement is needed. Blades can be:

• carbide (made of high-carbon alloys);
• made of high-speed steel.

The former are more durable and expensive, while the latter are less hard, but cheap and can be sharpened. High-speed steel knives are the most common.

If you want to process the surface of the workpiece with the highest quality possible, it is recommended to use spiral double-sided knives.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of an electric planer refers to the ease of its practical use. This criterion is mainly paid to by well-known manufacturers. Recommendations for taking into account the ergonomic characteristics of the selected devices are as follows.

1. It is better for work when the power tool is equipped with not one, but two handles, located at a convenient angle (for each its value is different, so it should be selected by comparison). The best option is when the handles have rubberized linings, performing anti-slip functions.
   
   
2. It’s good if you can blow off the shavings while planing and collect them in a bag.
   
   
3. There must be planing depth scale with a division value of 0.1 mm.
   
   
4. The optimal weight of the tool is 3-3.5 kg, so that your hands do not get tired while processing lumber.
5. The larger the sole area, the more stable the electric planer is during operation. The sole after alignment should create a single plane without distortions.
   
   
6. The body of the electric plane must be made of high quality plastic, characterized by gloss and the absence of fragile, thin structural elements.
7. For practical use, it is convenient when the drive belt is equipped with a cover that can be easily removed, allowing quick replacement if necessary.
   
   

The working tool you choose should be well balanced, with a convenient trigger button location (so that you can turn it on with one finger). If you need the help of another hand to turn on the device, then it is not recommended to purchase such models. When a manual electric planer weighs more than 4 kg, fatigue sets in more quickly, which can negatively impact your productivity.

There are no exact criteria regarding ergonomics: each user has his own individual preferences and physical characteristics. But if the working tool is equipped with two handles, then this allows you to evenly distribute the effort and load when processing lumber, and also increases the degree of safety of the work process.

Additional features of electric planes

To choose the best tool, you should also consider the additional features it has. They are provided by:

• the presence of a soft start system that reduces wear of parts, extending the period of their operation without repair;
• equipped with an electrodynamic brake, which reduces the drum stopping time from 4-5 s to 2-3;
• a system for monitoring and stabilizing the speed of rotation of the snare drum, which will protect the electric motor from overheating under load;
• presence of a second pipe;
• possibility of blocking from inadvertent activation, preventing accidental activation of the device;

• equipped with a lock that allows you to secure the tool on a workbench or table;

Electric plane RE-780/82 with a metal stand for stationary use

• ruler, side stop, corner stop.

Availability on the sole V-shaped grooves allows you to create beautiful bevels on workpieces. If you plan only to plan lumber, then this structural element will not be in demand. The position of the snare shifted to one side makes it easier to select the quarters.

All additional functionality increases the safety of working with the tool and the ease of handling it, as well as partially labor productivity.

Tips for choosing an electric planer for home and professional use

Conventionally, products can be divided into the following categories, differing in the intensity of use of power tools:

• household;
• professional;
• industrial use (premium class).

Electric planer Neu Balkenhobel Triton TPL180 Dreimesser

Tool for home characterized by:

• installed electric motor power up to 1000 W;
• inexpensive price (within 20,000 rubles);
• small weight (2.5-4 kg);
• idle speed – 12-13 thousand per minute;
• the optimal planing depth is 2-4 mm.

Household models allow you to precisely adjust the planing depth, but choosing all the necessary accessories for them is problematic. It is also quite difficult to process hardwood.

One or two knives are the best option for a household electric planer.

Household electric planer PATRIOT PL 750

Professional tool Designed for use in production or in woodworking workshops with maximum load. It is distinguished by the following criteria:

• increased power from 1000 W to 2200 W;
• a large number of additional functions (hence, devices);
• wide grip of the treated surface;
• high drum rotation speed;
• planing depth 4 mm or more;
• high quality of the result obtained (surface smoothness);
• high cost;
• large dimensions and weight compared to household models (4-9 kg);
• drum rotation speed without load – 15-19 thousand rpm.

The width of the drum of household and professional power tools should correspond to the most frequently processed parts:

• 82 mm – when working with window frames, chairs, racks, beams, boards of the appropriate width;
• 110÷170 mm – when processing the surface of tables, cabinets, wide boards, doors.

The use of a tool with a gripping area width of more than 110 mm is justified only when constantly working with large-sized lumber.

If you have to work only with dried lumber, on the surface of which minor irregularities need to be removed, then it is enough to purchase a tool with a planing depth of up to 2 mm. When it is necessary to process boards or timber with bark, you will need an electric plane with the ability to remove a layer of wood up to 1 cm thick.

As you can see, there are significant differences between the performance characteristics of professional and household electric planers. Knowing them, you can independently classify this power tool into categories.

Review of popular manufacturers and models

A qualitative product review is based on the following criteria:

• the relationship between the performance characteristics of the product and its cost;

An electric planer is a necessary tool in every craftsman’s kit. 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 of different species. Equipped with a cutting depth adjustment function. The aluminum alloy base has a center V-shaped groove for chamfering. Blades made of high-quality alloy, 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 disadvantages, 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.

The only drawback that can be noted is the 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, which expands the working 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.

This tool is very comfortable to work with: 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.

More articles and reviews of woodworking tools:

A power-driven carpentry tool used to level wood surfaces is called a power planer. This device facilitates the work of the master when performing planing work of various types of wood along, across and at an angle to the direction of the fibers. Before you buy an electric planer for your home or garden, it’s worth understanding its types, how it works, and what criteria you should use to choose this tool. Indeed, on the modern market there is a fairly large selection of electric planers of various brands and models.

Main features and types of electric planers

Unlike similar manual mechanical tools, which require the worker to apply quite a lot of force, an electric planer has many advantages. This tool:

• makes work easier, since work does not require excessive physical force;
• increases productivity due to the presence of an electric drive;
• increases the accuracy and cleanliness of surface alignment;
• has a number of additional functions that allow you to remove a neat, uniform chamfer or make a quarter cut, that is, removing solid wood of the required size along the edge, which is very difficult to achieve with a conventional mechanical plane.

Among the features of the electric planer is its highly specialized focus. With this tool you can only perform a certain type of work on one single material - wood. Therefore, the greatest need for it arises among people involved in wood processing and the manufacture of wooden products. And in the arsenal of an ordinary home craftsman you can rarely find it.

If you need an electric planer, you should understand that the productivity and quality of work performed by it will depend on the compliance of the technical characteristics of the device with the tasks for which this tool is purchased. You need to pay special attention to this when choosing an electric planer.

Today you can find several types of electric planers on sale, namely:

• manual with commutator motor

  or stationary - with asynchronous.

• network, operating on 220 volts

  or battery-powered, which do not require connection to a household electrical network (usually an 18-volt battery is used);

• professional or household, differing in power and other technical characteristics.

Design and principle of operation

The design of any electric planer is simple and straightforward, if you do not delve into the design of the electronic speed control system. Even externally, all hand-type tools are similar to each other, and consist of the following basic elements:

Some models of electric planers have a chip discharge pipe, to which a vacuum cleaner hose is connected, as well as removable parallel stops for adjusting the cutting width.

The operating principle of an electric planer is quite simple. Its working body is knives mounted on a drum. While moving along a wooden surface with the engine turned on, torque is transmitted through a belt reducer to the drum, and the knives cut off the top layer of wood. In this case, the thickness of the chips is set by the difference in height between the moving and stationary parts of the sole of the electric planer.

The planing depth is adjusted using a screw combined with the front handle of the tool. To obtain a high-quality, even surface, the electric planer must be moved at a uniform speed. Moreover, its power must be at least 600 - 900 W, and the rotation speed of the knife drum must be from 10 thousand rpm. The operating principle of the electric planer is presented in more detail in the following video.

Video: how to use a plane

How to choose the right electric planer: basic criteria

In order to choose the right electric planer from the wide variety of existing models, you must first decide on the mode of its use. If you need a tool to regularly perform woodworking work, you need to buy a professional electric planer. For occasional use at home, a household power tool will be sufficient.

The main characteristics and parameters that must be taken into account when choosing an electric planer include:

• engine power, which can range from 0.5 to 2.2 kW;
• planing width, determined by the length of the knives (models with knives 50, 75, 82, 100 and 110 mm are available).
• planing depth equal to 0.1 - 2 mm - for household tools and up to 4 mm in increments of 0.1 - for professional ones;
• rotation speed of the knife drum (in different types of electric planers it ranges from 10 to 18 thousand rpm);
• weight of the tool - household electric planers weigh 2.5 - 4 kg, and the weight of a professional one reaches 9 kg.

For use at home or in the country, for small volumes of work, you need to choose an electric planer with a motor power of up to 1 kW, a planing width of 82 - 110 mm, and a rotation speed of 10 - 12 thousand rpm. The longer the knives, the fewer passes the tool will need to make to process a wide board. This means that the quality of its surface will be better.

In addition to technical characteristics, when choosing an electric planer, you should pay attention to such important details as appearance and some design features. The ease of use of a power tool and the quality of its work can be significantly affected by:

1. Electric planer sole. It should be absolutely smooth, and have V-shaped longitudinal grooves (1 - 3 pieces) on the front, height-adjustable platform. After all, the air cushion formed during work does not allow you to remove chips of the same thickness. It would be good if there was a plastic stop at the back of the stationary half of the sole, which would serve as protection for the treated surface.
2. Handles, of which there must certainly be two, to make it more convenient to move a tool of considerable weight over the surface being processed. The main requirement for them is the presence of a convenient ergonomic shape, as well as the location of the starter and lock buttons so that you can easily reach them without letting go of the handles of the electric planer. It would be good if the tool handles had rubberized pads, which would provide a more secure grip and prevent your hand from slipping.
3. Blade adjustment screw. It is better to buy an electric planer with internal notches on the adjustment mechanism, which is combined with the front handle, so as not to accidentally reset the planing thickness setting. If you choose a tool with an external notch to adjust the chip thickness during operation, then you need the scale on the screw to start with negative values. After all, some planes remove chips even at zero setting.
4. Knife protection. A folding guard or automatically ejected foot protects more than just the worker's fingers. but also the treated surface from contact with knives.
5. Chip ejection. It must be provided in the design of the electric planer, because shavings clog the working surface. It is desirable that it be possible to remove chips in both directions on the sides of the tool, which is convenient for right-handed and left-handed people.
6. Tool kit. It is best to choose an electric planer that comes complete with necessary accessories such as parallel stops or a side stop with a depth gauge. This will expand the functionality of the device, allowing you to process narrow edges or make quarter cuts. Some models include equipment that allows you to fix the electric planer motionless in an inverted state, turning it into a mini planer. This is convenient when processing long workpieces.

   An equally important criterion is the price of electric planers. For home use, more budget models of medium power with a set of the most necessary functions are quite suitable.

   Which brands and models are best to choose?

   When choosing an electric planer, the brand and model of the tool are of great importance. Products from more well-known brands are in increased demand and popularity compared to cheap Chinese products. Despite the higher cost, branded power tools continue to be in demand due to their reliability and quality.

   Among the most well-known brands that are constantly in demand among consumers, both for home workshops and for professional use, the following brands can be named:

   • Bosch from the German manufacturer, the Robert Bosch GmbH group of companies, which has production all over the world;
   • Makita, owned by the Japanese corporation of the same name, which is famous for its high-quality professional power tools;
   • De Walt and Black & Dekker, produced by the same company Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. from the USA;
   • Hitachi from Japan;
   • Interskol from a Russian manufacturer;
   • Sparky, a brand from Germany, whose products are manufactured in German factories and in Bulgaria.

   When choosing an electric planer, you should pay attention to the country in which it was assembled. Products of original origin have the best quality, reliability and durability. Unfortunately, on the modern market you can find Chinese counterfeits of well-known brands not only of Western companies, but also of Russian origin. These models even have Russian names “Grad” or “Zubr”, which often confuses the buyer. You should immediately decide, so as not to run into a cheap fake, that it is better not to consider an electric planer costing up to 3 thousand rubles as an option for purchase.

   The most popular models include the following.

   Bosch GHO 15–82, with a planing width of 82 mm, which belongs to the category of professional tools, but is lightweight (2.5 kg) and is intended for finishing work. With this planer you can select a groove up to 9 mm, and with the help of the accessories included in the kit, transform the hand tool into a convenient planer. According to customer reviews, it is good for large volumes of work. But it is recommended to buy only an original German device or a European-assembled product.

   “I purchased a bosch gho 15-82 plane. The test of planing 102 m2 of boards was passed perfectly. In general, I worked without a smoke break for almost half a day non-stop.”

   Pavel Pavlovich

   http://forum.woodtools.ru/index.php?topic=39094.0

   Makita KP 0810 C, equipped with a soft start system. ensuring a clean start to the cut. This tool has high productivity, given the optimal ratio of time and roughing area. According to user reviews, the electric planer of this model does a good job of chamfering and removing quarters.

   An ideal plane for cutting quarters and planing narrow products. It removes chamfers very well with the help of a special stop, which I purchased separately. Assembly Japan.

   Sergey

   http://www.220-volt.ru/catalog-30830/0/0/

   Bosch GHO 40–82 C 0.601.59A.760 has a comfortable ergonomic design of high-quality assembly. The presence of electronics allows for a smooth start and a clean surface finish when planing hardwood boards. Not very suitable for processing timber and large volumes of work, due to the presence of only one blade on the drum, which will have to be changed frequently. But the machine is suitable for home use. Blades are changed quickly and easily. The tool is supplied with 10 interchangeable knives; together with the key required for replacement, they are attached directly to the body of the electric planer. According to customer reviews, this model is very convenient to use.

   Small, light, rarely clogged even when he was given full depth. The fact that there is one knife is even better - savings. The knives are incredibly easy to change and you don’t need to make any additional adjustments.

   257 BalBes

   I have a Bosch 40-82. Knives get dull pretty quickly. Otherwise, it is an exceptionally pleasant unit.

   Hippopotamus

   https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/115827/

   De WaltD 26500 K. This model is ideal for processing any wooden surface, including hardwood. Quartering and chamfering functions are available. When working, the tool makes little noise. With its help you can process boards and bars that are not too wide. The device has an electronic soft start system and can also be transformed into a machine.

   The impressions are positive, before the purchase I had only one doubt, there is a lot of information on the Internet about problems with the support heel, as it turned out, all this is a little untrue, there is nothing wrong with the heel, but it does not work according to the same principle as other planes. I was also pleased with the set of planer, a suitcase, a bag for collecting chips, a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a guide ruler, a depth limiter for cutting a quarter, a key for replacing knives - this set is additional. accessories will not hurt. The power of the plane is beyond the eyes, it calmly takes larch to a depth of 4 mm, there is no drop in speed as such (of course they decrease under load, but this is not noticeable) The plane does not overheat.

   https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/205239/

   Interskol R-102/1100EM- an inexpensive but functional and convenient electric plane with a wide sole (102 mm), designed for processing wide beams and boards with an uneven surface. It has the function of removing quarters up to 15 mm, and is suitable for large volumes of work. The model is interesting due to the presence of a soft start, adjustable rotation speed of the knife drum and a system for maintaining a certain number of revolutions under load. This tool is ideal for home and garden use, and has a lot of positive reviews from consumers.

   The Interskol R-102 plane, in my opinion, is the most optimal choice both from the line of planes from different manufacturers, and among planes from the Interskol company. If you are taking a tool for the home, then there is no point in overpaying almost double or even triple the cost for Makita or Bosch, Interskol R-102 will last you until you want to buy a new one. Unlike its Interskolov brothers, the R-102 is equipped with overheating protection, which means that it is almost impossible to burn, the smooth start of the device reduces the chances of injury and increases the service life of the engine. The 1200 W engine easily planes even complex rocks wood, and with a knife 102 mm wide it is very convenient to process ten-bar timber. It is a pity, of course, that the R-102 was not equipped with a stationary unit like its brothers, but for me this turned out to be a solvable problem, I built it myself!

   http://otzovik.com/review_409076.html

   Video: how the electric plane Interskol R-102/1100EM works

   Cordless tools

   Using a power tool, including a plane, requires connecting it to an electrical network. which requires a certain connection between the work site and the existing electrical wiring. Of course, if you are far from connection points, you can use extension cords, but this brings with it some inconveniences. The way out of this situation is battery-powered electric planers. Externally, they are no different from conventional similar devices, except for the presence of a battery and its connection point, which are located on the rear vertical stand, behind the handle. Most of these electric planers operate on 18-volt batteries, but there are models designed to use a 14.4-volt battery.

   Today, cordless planers are produced by almost all power tool manufacturers. This is due not only to their ease of use, which does not require connection to power distribution points, but also to a certain fashion for cordless tools. Battery-powered electric planers have similar characteristics, design and functionality to corded tools. Only their cost is significantly more expensive, therefore, in the absence of the need to carry out constant woodworking work far from sources of electricity, the purchase of such a plane is not economically feasible.

   Non-standard types of planes

   The emergence of non-standard electric planers is caused by the need to perform work that is not easy to do with a conventional tool, or it will take a lot of time. The non-standard nature of such devices is manifested in appearance, size and some design features. In the modern world power tool market you can find the following models of non-standard electric planers:

   • electric planes with increased planing width, for example, model

     Makita KP312S, which has a blade length of 312 mm and a powerful 2.2 kW motor, with the help of two rotating carbide knives it can process wide boards and timber with a high surface quality in one pass (models with a planing width of up to 350 mm are available);

   • Seam electric planers designed for chamfering up to 25 mm deep, which, unlike standard models, have a specially shaped sole with a deep

     V-neck, like the Wegoma FH71 or Virutex CE89E models;

   • planes for processing curved surfaces, having a semicircular rather than flat sole, which are capable of processing concave and convex surfaces with a radius of curvature of 450 mm (400 for convex) and more;
   • electric planers with a spiral-shaped knife, or a straight blade, fixed to the drum at a certain angle to the axis of its rotation, such a tool is designed for finishing and is capable of producing a perfectly smooth surface.

   All non-standard electric planes have a narrowly specialized purpose, and can only be an additional power tool to a standard plane.

   Safe work rules

   The working element of an electric planer is sharp knives mounted on a drum rotating at high speed. This unit poses the main danger to the person working with the tool. Therefore, you should follow simple rules for safe handling and work with an electric planer, namely:

   • work clothes should not have long, hanging sleeves;
   • Before starting work, you need to make sure that the tool is in good working order and that the knives are securely fastened to the drum; this should only be done when the power cable is disconnected from the network;
   • if necessary, clean and adjust the tool without plugging it in;
   • before starting work, check the surface to be treated for the presence of nails or screws;
   • When working, be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from chips;
   • the workpiece must be securely fixed on the work table using a vice, clamps and other devices;
   • It is allowed to use only those blades that are recommended by the tool manufacturer;
   • do not leave the electric plane connected to the network unattended;
   • store the instrument out of the reach of children.

   Following these simple rules will help protect you from painful injuries and injuries.

   Typical malfunctions and methods for their elimination

   Among the typical, particularly common malfunctions of electric planers, the following can be noted:

   • sparking of the electric motor, which can occur due to wear of the commutator brushes, poor contact in wire connections or mechanical wear (damage) of the shaft;
   • wear of the blades, which causes tool overload and can lead to engine failure;
   • wear or rupture of the belt transmitting torque from the engine shaft to the knife drum.

   It is better to entrust electric motor malfunctions to professionals who can diagnose the motor and determine the cause of the sparking. Replacing the commutator brushes alone may not do anything. Other typical faults can be fixed yourself.

   The knives of the electric planer are mounted on the drum in special grooves; to replace them you must:

   1. Disconnect the tool from the power supply.
   2. Set the planing depth regulator to “0”.
   3. Having manually turned the drum so that there is access to the three knife mounting bolts, use a wrench of the required size to loosen the nuts of the bolt connection.
   4. Remove the blade clamp from the groove;
   5. Disassemble the clamp, removing the worn blade from it;
   6. Insert the new blade into the clamp and reassemble in the reverse order;
   7. Repeat all procedures for the second blade.

   The process of changing knives is presented in more detail in the following video.

   Video: replacing knives on an electric planer

   After replacing the knives, adjust them. To do this you need:

   1. By placing a ruler or a corner with its edge perpendicular to the cutting line, resting against the back and front of the sole, we determine whether the tip of the knife touches the ruler. On both the right and left sides, the knife should be in equal contact with the control ruler. This will ensure uniform chip removal across the entire planing width.
   2. If both planes of the sole and the tip of the knife are not on the same line, you need to loosen the bolts.
   3. Using the hex key included with the tool, you need to set the desired height of the left and right sides of the knife, as shown in the video below.
   4. Having reached the desired level, tighten the bolts.

   Video: setting up knives

   The belt must be replaced in the following order:

   1. Disconnect the power cable from the electric planer.
   2. Remove the protective cover.
   3. Loosen the fastening screw on the pulley;
   4. Remove the belt and install a new one in its place.
   5. Reassemble the tool in reverse order.

   Video: comparative review of planes

   https://www.youtube.com/embed/CJ22bEAs9aE https://www.youtube.com/embed/6jdW17XHVB0

   Today on the building materials market you can find slats, boards and timber with varying degrees of processing, without bothering yourself with the purchase of special woodworking tools. But it is much more practical, given the price of processed and unprocessed lumber, to purchase an electric planer for home use. Such a tool will always find application on the farm, and with large volumes of work it will quickly justify the cost of its purchase.