CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer Review 2024

Today, we delve into the riveting realm of woodworking tools, focusing specifically on the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer, an essential piece of machinery that stands tall in the forest of woodworking tools. CRAFTSMAN, an iconic American brand with a century-old heritage, is known for its quality and durable tools that seamlessly combine functionality and affordability. The Benchtop Planer epitomizes this ethos with its robust features, promising precision, and efficiency to both beginners and seasoned woodworkers alike.

Personal Experience

I remember the day I got it like it was yesterday. It was heavier than I anticipated, indicating its sturdy build quality, which is so crucial for a tool that’s designed to handle heavy loads. The steel construction provides a sense of longevity, an assurance that it’s built to last.

Starting it up for the first time, I was impressed by the power of the 15-amp motor. It’s more than capable of handling different types of woods that I commonly use, from soft pines to harder woods like oak. The speed of the cutter head, reaches up to 8,000 RPM, meaning it’s capable of handling up to 32,000 cuts per minute. Made it seem like the woods were butter and the planer, a hot knife.

The accuracy of the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is another thing I love about it. With a rotating handle to control cutter elevation, I was able to make precise, smooth adjustments down to the millimeter. This feature is a lifesaver, especially when I’m working on projects that require high precision.

One of the great conveniences of this planer is the dust port. It can be easily connected to my shop vacuum, which makes chip and dust management a breeze. After a long day of planning, I’m often surprised by how clean my workspace remains.

Over time, I’ve found the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer to be incredibly reliable and consistent. The two-knife, quick-change, solid steel cutter head has held up remarkably well, delivering uniform, smooth cuts regardless of the load. The four-column carriage lock is a blessing, minimizing snipe and material damage.

My experience with the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer has been nothing short of remarkable. It’s an invaluable addition to my woodworking toolkit and a tool that I reach out for every single time, knowing it will deliver the results I seek. Its blend of power, precision, and durability indeed makes it an all-around woodworking companion.

The Virtue of Versatility

A standout feature of the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is its versatility. It’s capable of a maximum cut depth of 1/8 inch and accommodates a width of up to 12-1/2 inches, providing the user with a broad scope for various woodworking projects. The planer features a two-knife, quick-change, solid steel cutter head, making blade changes swift and effortless. This is complemented by a four-column carriage lock, which significantly reduces the movement that causes material damage or snipe, ensuring your projects turn out flawless every time.

Precision and Efficiency

Another notable feature of this benchtop planer is its precision. The planer’s cutter elevation is controlled by a rotating handle, which allows for precise, smooth adjustments down to the millimeter. This precision is enhanced by the planer’s granite table, which ensures a flat surface for precise leveling and reduces friction for smoother feeding of the wood.

Moreover, the planer’s infeed and outfeed tables can be adjusted, facilitating the handling of longer workpieces and reducing snipe. Also, it includes a scale and pointer that indicate the depth of cut, ensuring accurate and precise woodworking every time.

Pros and Cons

Benefits:

1. Powerful Performance: The 15-amp motor with a cutter speed of up to 8,000 RPM is powerful enough to handle different types of wood, delivering smooth, even cuts.
2. Versatility: With a maximum cut depth of 1/8 inch and a width capacity of 12-1/2 inches, the planer is suitable for a variety of woodworking projects.
3. Precision: Features like a rotating handle for cutter elevation, a scale and pointer for depth of cut, and an extra-large thickness scale offer high precision in woodworking.
4. Durability: The robust construction, solid steel cutter head, and sturdy steel base ensure that the planer is built to last.
5. User-friendly Design: Features like a safety lock-off button, a dust port compatible with a shop vacuum, and adjustable infeed and outfeed tables offer convenience and safety.

Drawbacks:

1. Weight: Weighing around 70 pounds, the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is not the most portable option. Moving it around can be challenging, especially for those who often change their workspace.
2. Noise: Like most woodworking machines, this benchtop planer can be quite noisy during operation, which might not be suitable for those working in noise-sensitive environments.
3. Two-knife Cutter Head: While the two-knife system does an efficient job, some other models in the market come with a three-knife cutter head, which offers a better finish and requires less frequent blade changes.
4. Lack of Digital Readouts: Unlike some advanced models, this planer does not have digital readouts for depth or thickness, which might be preferred by some users for higher precision and ease of use.

Designed for Convenience and Safety

In terms of design and ergonomics, the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer does not disappoint. Its dust port can be connected to a shop vacuum to efficiently manage wood chips and dust, ensuring a cleaner and safer workspace. The planer is also designed with a material removal gauge and extra-large thickness scale that delivers precise cuts with every pass.

Safety is paramount in any tool, and the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer upholds this with its safety lock-off button that prevents accidental start-ups, thereby ensuring user safety.

Lasting Durability

With its solid construction and durable components, the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is built to withstand extensive usage over time. Its sturdy steel base ensures a solid and stable workspace, and the heavy-duty steel knives promise longevity and consistent performance.

An All-Around Woodworking Companion

In conclusion, the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is a perfect blend of power, precision, and durability, making it an excellent investment for both hobbyists and professional woodworkers. Whether you are preparing wood for a DIY project or crafting bespoke furniture pieces, this craftsman planner offers you a perfect balance between cost and features. Its dedication to delivering precision in every cut, ease of use, and consistent performance make it a valuable addition to any woodworker’s toolkit.

The CRAFTSMAN Plainer, therefore, is not just a tool, but a trusted woodworking companion, offering an experience that’s as satisfying as the beautifully planed wood it produces.

FAQs

1. What type of wood can the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer handle?
   The CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is equipped with a 15-amp motor, which is powerful enough to handle a variety of woods, from softwoods like pine to hardwoods like oak and walnut.
2. How do I change the blades on the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer?
   The CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer comes with a two-knife, quick-change, solid steel cutter head that simplifies blade changes. You can refer to the user manual for detailed instructions on how to change the blades.
3. Does the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer come with a dust collection system?
   The planer comes with a dust port that can be connected to a shop vacuum for efficient chip and dust management. However, the vacuum itself is not included and needs to be purchased separately.
4. What is the maximum cut depth of the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer?
   The planer is capable of a maximum cut depth of 1/8 inch.
5. How does the four-column carriage lock work?
   The four-column carriage lock significantly reduces the movement that causes snipe or material damage, thus ensuring more precise and flawless woodworking.
6. How heavy is the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer?
   The planer weighs around 70 pounds. It’s not the most portable option, and moving it might be challenging if you often need to change your workspace.
7. Can I use the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer for commercial purposes?
   While the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer is robust and durable, its suitability for commercial use depends on the specific demands of the job. It is a high-performing machine for small to medium projects, but for large-scale commercial tasks, a heavier-duty planer might be required.

Join the conversation by sharing your personal experiences and thoughts about the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer in the comments section below. Your insights have the power to guide fellow woodworking enthusiasts who are exploring this benchtop planer as a potential addition to their tools. By contributing your perspective, you’re playing a vital role in helping others make informed decisions. Let’s foster a community of knowledge sharing—your input is highly valued!