Planers

Thickness planers dimension rough lumber to a consistent, exact thickness — the step that turns raw or reclaimed boards into flat, uniform stock ready for glue-up and joinery. Whether you're surfacing your own milled lumber or dressing store-bought hardwood, a planer gives you smooth, parallel faces at the thickness your project calls for. Paired with a jointer, it's how flat, square stock gets made.

Choosing a Thickness Planer

Match cutting width and depth of cut to your typical boards, and weigh cutterhead type against the finish and maintenance you want.

• Cutting width: The widest board the planer will surface in one pass.
• Maximum thickness: The tallest stock the bed and head will accept.
• Cutterhead type: Straight knives cut clean and cost less; helical and spiral heads run quieter and handle figured grain with less tearout.

Benchtop vs. Stationary Planers

Benchtop planers are portable and budget-friendly; stationary planers take heavier cuts and run longer without strain.

• Benchtop: Compact and affordable for hobby and light shop use.
• Stationary: Heavier castings and stronger motors for high-volume surfacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a planer and a jointer?

A jointer flattens one face and squares an edge; a planer makes the opposite face parallel and brings the board to final thickness. Most shops use both.

Are helical cutterheads worth it?

For figured or difficult grain, yes — the shearing carbide inserts reduce tearout and noise, and you rotate inserts instead of resharpening knives.

Can a planer flatten a warped board?

Not on its own — a planer follows the existing face. Flatten one side on a jointer first, then plane the other side parallel.

Every planer ships free to the lower 48 and is backed by our price match guarantee. Call or text 331-272-5655 and we'll help you match cutting width, cutterhead, and power to the lumber you dimension most.