Electric wood planes are a relatively new tool that many woodworkers are considering adding to their workshop. They provide the convenience of power while retaining the fine finishing capabilities of traditional hand planes. But are they really worth the cost? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
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What are electric wood planes?
Electric wood planes, also called power hand planes or electric hand planes, are handheld power tools used for smoothing, leveling and finishing wood surfaces. They look similar to traditional hand planes but have an electric motor powering the cutter blade rather than relying solely on manual force. The cutter head speed can often be adjusted for more control.
Some key features of electric wood planes include:
- Electric motor provides consistent power for smooth planing
- Depth knob for adjusting cut depth
- Cutter head speed control
- Dust collection port to reduce cleanup
- Blades can be changed for different cutting tasks
They are a step up from manual hand planes in terms of ease of use and consistency but not as bulky or powerful as stationary thickness planers.
Benefits of electric wood planes
Here are some of the main benefits that electric wood planes offer over traditional hand planes:
Less physical effort
Using an electric plane takes significantly less effort compared to a manual plane. The consistent power of the motor does most of the hard work rather than relying solely on your muscles. This makes them ideal for people with less arm strength or stamina.
Faster stock removal
An electric plane can remove material much faster than manual planing. This makes them handy for tasks like flattening rough boards, fitting joints, chamfering edges, and other jobs where substantial stock needs to be removed quickly.
Consistent cuts
The electric motor powers the cutter head at a steady speed, resulting in very consistent shaving thickness and cutting action. This can help achieve a smoother surface than manual planing which relies more on technique.
Adjustable depth and speed
Many electric planes allow you to precisely set the cutting depth for very fine cuts. Variable speed control also lets you dial in the right speed for the task at hand and material you’re working with.
Less tiring for extended use
Using a manual plane for an extended period can really tire out your muscles. The power assist of an electric model reduces fatigue for longer planing tasks.
Easier planing of difficult grain
Electric planes tend to handle tricky grain patterns and difficult wood types better than traditional planes. The consistent power helps push through challenging areas.
Drawbacks and limitations
While electric planes do offer some significant advantages, they also come with a few limitations to be aware of:
Higher cost
Electric planes are more expensive than basic hand planes. Prices range from $100 to $500+ depending on features and power. The cost may not be justified if you only plane occasionally.
Learning curve
It can take some experience to learn techniques for getting the best performance from an electric plane. The power assist changes the experience compared to a manual tool.
Limited fine finishing ability
While electric planes can produce a fairly smooth surface, they generally don’t excel at producing a finish-ready surface like a finely tuned smoothing plane. Some tear out is more likely, requiring additional sanding.
Less precise control
Subtle adjustments and nuanced feeling of the cut are harder to discern compared to a hand plane. This can limit ability for fine tuning.
Corded limitation
Most electric planes need to be plugged in, limiting mobility around the workpiece. Battery-powered cordless models are available but cost more.
Noisy
The electric motor and cutter head produce noise levels higher than a manual plane. This may bother some users or require hearing protection.
Additional maintenance
Electric planes have more parts to maintain like motors, cords and switches. The blades also require sharpening or replacement over time.
Types of electric wood planes
Electric planes come in several specific types, each designed for different primary uses:
Benchtop jointers
Jointers feature a wider cutter head to evenly flatten and straighten the edges of boards. They help prepare jointed edges for gluing boards together into wider panels.
Portable surface planers
These are smaller electric planes designed for general surfacing tasks like flattening, smoothing and chamfering. Typically 6-12 inches wide.
Edge jointers
Narrow electric planes, around 3 inches wide, specialized for planing and jointing the edges of boards. Good for precision glue joints.
Mini detail planers
Very compact electric planes under 3 inches wide. Excellent for detailed planing in tight areas and small projects.
Cordless hand planes
Battery-powered versions provide freedom to plane without a cord attached. Run time is limited per charge.
Key factors to consider
When deciding if an electric plane is worth purchasing, keep these key factors in mind:
Types of projects
Consider whether you work on larger furniture pieces where an electric jointer would be useful for edge jointing. Or smaller items where a portable surface planer would have more versatility.
Power and size needs
Determine if you need heavier duty stock removal capacity or just finer surfacing. Larger planes over 6 inches wide can flatten surfaces faster.
Expected usage frequency
If you only occasionally plane smaller pieces, an electric option may not see enough use to justify the cost. Frequent use on bigger projects makes the benefits more worthwhile.
Workspace available
Electric planes take up more space than hand planes. Make sure you have room in your shop for the planer size and to safely operate it.
Noise and dust considerations
The extra noise and dust from electric planes may be an annoyance. Consider whether you can control these issues in your shop environment.
Cord limitations
Corded electric planes have limited mobility. If working away from outlets often, a cordless model would be worth the extra cost.
Cost
Smaller electric planes start around $100, but quality full-size jointers run $500 and up. Determine if the cost fits within your budget.
Recommendations
Here are some recommendations on choosing an electric wood plane based on your needs:
| User | Recommended Electric Plane |
|---|---|
| DIYer doing small projects | Compact portable surface planer, 6 inches wide or less |
| Hobbyist woodworker | Mid-size portable surface planer, around 9 inches wide |
| Furniture maker | Full-size benchtop jointer, 12 inches or wider |
| Detail and fine woodworking | Mini detail planer, under 3 inches wide |
| Working away from outlets frequently | Cordless portable surface planer |
Match the size and features to the types of planing work you expect to take on. Don’t overbuy on size or power if you don’t need it.
Top electric plane models
Here are some top recommended electric wood plane models to consider in different categories:
Benchtop jointers
- DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Planer
- Cutech 4018-CT Jointer
- Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer
Portable surface planers
- Bosch PL1632 6.5 Amp Planer
- Wen 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer
- Makita KP0810 7.5 Amp Planer
Mini detail planers
- Triton TPT125 3-1/4 Inch Planer
- Makita 3-1/4 HP Planer
- Bosch PL2632K Planer
Do your research to find models with the ideal size, power and features for your needs. Focus on quality for the best long term performance.
Safety tips
To safely operate an electric wood planer:
- Always read and follow the manufacturer safety instructions
- Wear proper protective gear like safety glasses and a respirator
- Check for damage before using the planer
- Make sure the workpiece is securely supported
- Feed the workpiece opposite the planer blade rotation direction
- Don’t remove too much material in one pass
- Keep hands safely away from the spinning cutter
- Unplug when doing any adjustments or maintenance
Conclusion
Electric wood planes provide effort and time savings over traditional hand planes for certain tasks, especially when substantial material removal is needed. They deliver power, precision and consistency when used properly.
Key factors to weigh are your project size, workshop space, noise/dust tolerance, cord limitations and budget. Handling a range of tasks on mid-sized and larger pieces makes an electric plane most worthwhile.
While not inexpensive, a quality electric plane like a benchtop jointer can be a worthwhile investment for the serious woodworking hobbyist or professional furniture maker. More casual users or those focusing on finer detailed work may be better served by sticking with a traditional hand plane.