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Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. A good handheld power planer is a versatile tool that allows you to clean up rough wood, create rabbets, or ease a sticking door. One is an essential part of every toolbox, whether you're a weekend do-it-yourselfer or a professional tradesperson. Manufacturers offer a wide range of solutions, from general-purpose tools like those we've recommended to function-specific models. The following shopping guide can help you refine your choice and pick exactly the right power planer for your needs.
All handheld power planers follow a similar format. An electric motor drives a cylindrical cutter block, which contains between one and three fast-rotating blades two is most common. The base — or sole — is divided in two.
The front part moves up and down, which defines the depth of cut taken. A large knob for this adjustment also doubles as a front handle on most models. Sole: The sole can be chromed steel, aluminum, or, in a few cases, magnesium alloy. Aluminum is popular because it can be made quite thick, so it is flat and stable without adding excess weight.
The downside is that aluminum is easier to scratch or dent, though this would have to be quite severe to impact performance. Body: The upper portion is frequently though not always made of molded plastic.
On low-cost electric planers, the material can be thin, which makes for a lightweight tool but affects durability. You could reason that a cheap handheld planer is all you need for occasional DIY jobs — and to an extent that's true — but a quality tool almost invariably feels nicer to use and usually leads to better results. Corded: The output on most corded models varies between 6 amps and 7. Unfortunately, that's not often the case.
Six feet is common, but some can be shorter. Some manufacturers quote initial voltage as 20, though the actual operating voltage is 18, so effectively there's no difference.
A volt cordless planer is fine for light-duty work, but it could stall under load. In general, we would recommend the more powerful models. Cordless tools should contain brushless motors, which make much more efficient use of battery power than the brush type found in most corded models. Ampere hour rating: The other important factor with batteries is the ampere hour Ah rating.
The higher the figure, the longer the tool will maintain peak performance. It's something you want to maximize where possible, though there is a cost penalty. Cutter block speed: A cutter block speed is also provided, likely to be in excess of 12, rpm. Given that most electric planes have two blades, the actual cuts per minute is double that figure. As a general rule, more cuts mean faster material removal and a smoother finish when taking light cuts, though it also depends on overall machine build quality.
Maximum planing width: The maximum planing width can be important because you'll get the smoothest results if you can plane in one movement, without overlaps. A very popular capacity is 3. Today, it also sells cleaning devices like vacuums and even home appliances like toasters and slow cookers.
The company was first started in by the retailer Sears. Craftsman changed ownership back in when a deal with a fairly complicated structure was closed. Like other companies on this list, Craftsman offers a significant portfolio of corded, battery- and gas-powered tools and outdoor equipment.
The company also offers a variety of hand tools and accessories including its Versa System — a system for organizing tools within a workshop.
That said, hobbyists and even some professionals might find its tools attractive. Craftsman products on Amazon. Ridgid , unlike the other companies in this list, is primarily a manufacturer of tools for the plumbing and HVAC industries. Having been started in in Ohio, the best-known tools in its portfolio are its red pipe wrenches.
All that said, Ridgid also offers a limited selection of power tools and so is worth mentioning here. The company makes the most widely used tools like drills, impact drivers, and saws. Many of those are produced by Techtronic Industries — the owner of Milwaukee and Ryobi. Getting a Ridgid tool might not be the best idea if you need a wide variety of tools with interchangeable batteries.
If you are only looking for the most basic power tools, the brand is a solid option, though. Ridgid products on Amazon. Similar to Craftsman, Kobalt is a brand that was started by a retailer. In fact, the company still continues to own the Kobalt brand.
The products themselves are manufactured by a variety of different companies. Its sets of tools are a staple in many households and workshops. On the spectrum of home-use to professional, Kobalt tools lie somewhere in the middle. They are cheap enough to be attractive to homeowners. They are also good enough to have a fan base among hobbyist woodworkers.
Kobalt products on Amazon. Known for their quality engineering, power tools made by Japanese brands are highly popular all over the world as well. While Hitachi might be better known overall, among professionals, Makita is definitely one of the best-known brands.
While it first started with a planer, it soon expanded into tools like drills. Now it offers all of the tools you might need at a construction site or in a workshop ranging from impact drivers and hammers through angle grinders , sanders and routers all the way to reciprocating and circular saws.
It also has a good selection of yard equipment and pneumatic tools in its portfolio. Even though the tools are now manufactured all over the world rather than just in Japan, they remain to be of very high quality. Combined with their wide selection of not only tools but also other jobsite equipment like fans and radios, I can only recommend going with the Makita cordless platform. In particular, you should be looking at their 18V tools.
Makita products on Amazon. Until recently, it also manufactured power tools but it sold off that division to the investment fund KKR back in Since then, the company has been in the process of rebranding to Metabo HPT. The company offers all of the tools you would expect from a reputable manufacturer. It particularly excels in making angle grinders, cut-off saws, and other heavier-duty cutting equipment.
That said, it also offers a good selection of more commonly used tools like impact drivers and drills. Their tools are on the higher-end of the price spectrum and other brands like DeWalt and Makita offer better selection overall. Metabo HPT products on Amazon.
Just like Milwaukee, the power tools and outdoor equipment divisions of the brand are owned by Techtronic Industries. Unlike Milwaukee, though, Ryobi is mainly used by homeowners and hobbyists.
All that said, it is still a very good brand of power tools and unless you spend five days a week on a dusty construction site or similar, it should be high on your list of brands to consider. You will have a wide range of both corded and cordless tools to choose from, including impact drivers and circular saws.
Do interchangeable heads deliver the same performance as stand-alone tools? There's no reason why they shouldn't, but there's a proviso. We would expect an interchangeable tool set to be as good as individual tools from the same manufacturer. That's not the same as saying a budget model — whether stand-alone or one with swappable heads — is as good as a professional-grade tool.
What's the difference between a reciprocating saw, a tiger saw and a sawzall? None really. They're all names used by different manufacturers for the same type of saw. It's a very handy tool. You can cut a variety of materials just by changing the blade.
As with any cordless tools, true capabilities are closely related to the power available. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own.
Read more. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Bottom Line. Best of the Best. Check Price. Best for Experts Bottom Line. Best Bang for the Buck. Feature-packed Bottom Line. Best for Small Homes Bottom Line. Simple Yet Solid Bottom Line. Streamlined Set Bottom Line. Click here for testing insights. Models Considered. Consumers Consulted. Hours Researched. Updated November Written by Bob Beacham. Table of Contents Buying guide for best power tool sets Why buy a power tool set?
Choosing your power tool set What should be included in your power tool set? A note about tool specification How much do good power tool sets cost? Tips FAQ. Buying guide for best power tool sets There are many excellent cordless power tool sets on the market, designed to meet the needs of everyone from keen amateur to full-time pro. There may be tools in the set that you've never used before.
If possible, practice with them on a piece of scrap. Get used to them before committing to the real job. Some tool sets include consumables, like drill bits and saw blades. This is a nice addition, especially if you're giving a power tool set as a gift. Everything the recipient needs to get started is there in the kit. Whatever work you're doing with your power tools, get into the habit of always wearing goggles or safety glasses. Battery technology changes rapidly.
They may not be compatible, even if they look the same. Warranties could be seen as an indicator of how much confidence a manufacturer has in its tools. One year is a minimum. Some offer three or more. Other Products We Considered. The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value.
We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks.
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