Portable Planer Thicknesser Reviews: Which is the best?

Planer Thicknesser Reviews

The Erbauer planer thicknesser from ScrewFix is a popular option for consumers who are looking to buy a planer thicknesser for the home workshop. It has a number of good features but also a couple of caveats. First and foremost, it does an excellent job of planing and thicknessing a variety of different soft and hard woods (including Oak, Beech, Mahogany, American Black Walnut, and American Hard Maple just to name a few) producing very nice cuts often obviating the need for sanding, and giving more professional machines a run for their money. The machine itself is very solidly built and weighs very similar to other competitor planer thicknessers in its price category, making it heavy enough to be a sturdy machine while operating, but light enough to be moved around the workshop. Setting up the machine is a little fiddly and the operating manual is not as clear as it could be, however if you are the patient DIY-er type this should present very little trouble and you should have the machine up and running in 20 minutes or so. The Erbauer ERB052BTE planer thicknesser is reasonably well powered with a 1280W motor running on 230V, it can take up to 204mm wide workpieces removing up to 3mm on the planer and up to 2mm on the thicknesser with each pass through the machine. The maximum thickness of wood that can be passed through the thicknesser is 120mm, typical for this class of planer thicknesser.  One of the nice features of the ERB052BTE is that the cutting blades are easily replaceable and readily available, although if you are not too heavy a user of the machine the ones that come with it should last a couple of years at least.

A couple of points to note are that one needs to do a little bit of fiddling around when changing from planing mode to thicknessing mode, as the dust extraction port needs to be unhooked and reattached in a different location for each mode taking up a couple of minutes to do so each time. In addition, the dust extraction port is best used with a vacuum system particularly when in planing mode as the port projects upwards allowing sawdust to collect within it if the debris is not quickly aspirated away.

One particular dislike of the machine is that the fence is a little bit on the flimsy side but this is easily rectified with a little bit of DIY hacking by making one's own more sturdy fence (see towards the bottom of this page for a couple of suggestions on how to do this on these types of machines). In addition, there is no mechanism to move the fence across the blades as with more expensive machines therefore blades will tend to wear out faster closest to the fence and they will need resharpening or replacing earlier than would have otherwise been the case if the fence was movable.

More recently in 2017, the Erbauer ERB052BTE has suffered from what seems to be a quality-control issue where the motor housing appears to be quite fragile and with prolonged use of the planer thicknesser can result in cracking at the mounting points for the motor - so this is something currently to watch out for. Fortunately with ScrewFix’s two-year warranty and their excellent customer service, getting a faulty machine replaced is a cinch (just remember to hold on to your purchase correspondence and / or invoice).

Erbauer UK is a dormant company that is wholly-owned by ScrewFix (whose parent company, incidentally, is Kingfisher which also owns B&Q). In other words, Erbauer tools are made abroad for ScrewFix and then are imported and sold in the UK. This may raise eyebrows for some, however apart from the occasional quality-control issue, ScrewFix seems to pride itself on providing good own-brand tools to tradesmen and consumers alike, and so Erbauer tools tend to have a reputation for being good quality while at the same time being quite economical to purchase.

The Clarke benchtop planer thicknessers, CPT600, CPT800 and CPT1000 are almost identical machines save mostly for their dimensions. The CPT1000 is the widest of the three and is able to plane a wider board than the CPT800, which in turn can handle a wider board than the CPT600. As a result, Clarke planer thicknessers get slightly larger and heavier with their increasing specifications. Thicknessing height, on the other hand, is identical between the three Clarke machines (although the thicknesser can accept increasingly wider pieces of stock as you go up the range of Clarke planer thicknesser). One other notable difference between the Clarke machines is in the power of their electric motors, with the CPT1000 containing a more powerful motor than its two siblings allowing it to deal with the larger pieces of wood that it may be tasked with.

All the Clarke planer thicknessers produce a nice smooth finish. They are also compact power tools that take up very little space in the home workshop or garage where space is invariably in short supply. As with other portable planer thicknessers in this price range, they are also light enough to be moved around the workspace as needed, with the smallest of the Clarke machines, the CPT600, weighing in at only 22kg.

The fence on the upper jointer planer on the two smaller machines (CPT600 and CPT800) is probably the only disappointment with these Clarke planer thicknessers, with the fence being a bit on the flimsy side. Fortunately, on the largest of the Clarke machines, the CPT1000, the company has opted for a much sturdier fence which makes a substantial difference to the overall quality-feel and ease-of-use of the tool. As with almost all other planer thicknessers in this price category, the fence on all three Clarke planer thicknessers needs to be taken off to use the thicknessing part of the machine, which can become quite inconvenient if one has to regularly go back and forth between the planing and thicknessing functions of the power tool. In addition, as with all the other portable machines discussed here, the fence on the Clarke machines can not be moved laterally, so one has to watch out for excessive wear on the cutter closest to it since this area will naturally see the most work.

Overall, the Clarke planer thicknessers are good hobby-level machines that are designed for the DIY-er or non-woodworking tradesman, although a professional woodworker might get away with using them as long as they are not overworked. Taking into account their reasonable build quality and their prices, these machines end up being a good deal.

As for Clarke the company, Clarke International is a UK business marketing a wide range of tools and equipment to the British consumer. Although Clarke itself does not deal directly with consumer purchasing, it does get involved with the after-sales servicing and spare part needs of consumers. The sale of Clarke power products to the consumer is facilitated through a number of distributors. Clarke has been around since 1969 and although it started off as a manufacturer, it now sources its products from abroad. Quality is checked thoroughly though to uphold the Clarke brand's reputation, through both in-house scrutiny and via external organisations. In addition, consumers can also contact the company for any after-sales service support via a dedicated section of the company. Consequently, Clarke products are generally regarded as value for money and buyers of Clarke equipment are generally very satisfied with their purchases.

Like the Clarke machines discussed above, the Charnwood W588 is another of the 'generic' benchtop planer thicknessers, with many of the parts of the machine identical to other competitor products. The W588's construction strongly resembles that of the Draper 09543 and the Fox F22-564/250 planer thicknessers (reviewed below) with the obvious exception of colour and branding. Clearly, most of the parts for these machines are sourced from the same suppliers. The W588 is quite noisy, and the machine needs a little bit of fiddling to get things working accurately.  Unlike other 'generic' planer thicknessers, Charnwood has opted for a sturdier fence to improve the accuracy of the jointer. This fence can also be tilted up to 45 degrees from the vertical to allow the operator to make bevelled cuts.

Charnwood is a family-run business that has been around since the 1970s and focuses on providing woodworking machinery for both DIY-ers and professional users. They are located in Leicester and as you might expect from a small family-owned business, the company prides itself on offering quality products and after-sales technical support to customers. In addition, they are easily accessible if a replacement part is needed for the machine at a later date. Although in the past, Charnwood was more deeply involved in the actual manufacture of the equipment they sell, in more recent years, the company has switched to procuring products from the Far East to remain competitive. But fear not, the company has kept a watchful eye over the quality of the products that they sell to ensure that their reputation remains unblemished. So, although the W588 clearly has a lot of generic parts, one can rest assured that the machine has been sufficiently vetted to make sure that it is fit-for-purpose.

Draper is a well known brand amongst many-a-UK DIY-er, selling both hand tools and power tools to the general British consumer. In general, the Draper brand is a trusted brand, and most of the time their tools are of decent quality. In the case of the Draper Planer Thicknesser BPT200, Draper has cut a few corners, presumably to remain competitive within the budget planer thicknesser space. The machine is clearly sourced once again from many of the same suppliers that also supply components for the Fox F22-564/250 and the Charnwood W588 planer thicknessers, as the machines look almost identical especially from the outside (other than for their branding). As with the other machines, the majority of the Draper BPT200 is robustly built, however, like other machines, some of the parts, like the fence and the blade guard, are a bit on the flimsy side. As with other budget planer thicknessers, the Draper BPT200 is very loud, so ear plugs or ear defenders are required for any extended cutting. In addition, a vacuum system is a must if you don't want the wood clippings clogging up the machine and wearing out the rollers with each job. In general, a reasonable machine for the price, and OK for the irregular use of a DIY-er, but unlikely to stand up to the heavy use of a professional.

Titan Planer Thicknesser TTB579PLN

The Titan TTB579PLN is another planer thicknesser which fits into the 'generic planer thicknesser from the Far East' category. It has many of the same physical characteristics as well as technical specifications as similar machines from other brands, however, the Titan TTB579PLN can also often represent the best value for money in this category of planer thicknesser as its price tends to be lower than most others.

As with similar machines from other companies, the Titan TTB579PLN has its positives and negatives. On the positive side, the setup of the machine is relatively simple with an operating manual that is well-written and instructions that are easy to follow. This means that one can have a working machine up and running within 10 - 15 minutes following unpacking. The machine itself is well-built especially given its cost, and it can be used for extended periods without any problems. It has a powerful 1500W motor that runs off 230V/240V electricity which is more than enough for softwood planing but may struggle a bit with hardwoods. The Titan TTB579PLN planer thicknesser has a maximum planing width of 204mm and a maximum thicknessing height of 120mm, which is usually more than enough for most DIY use. It also has a maximum cut depth of 3mm on the planer and up to 2mm on the thickness planer, although cleaner results are usually achieved when smaller fractional amounts are removed, even if it means running workpieces through the Titan machine more then once.

On the more negative side, just like competitor budget planer thicknessers, some aspects of the Titan electric planer thicknesser are less optimal. One notable issue with the machine that is also found on other competitor generic machines is its poor planer fence, which is a weak stamped-metal affair, as well as being permanently fixed to one side of the cutting surface. This means that pressing too hard on the fence can cause it to distort slightly resulting in less than perfect cutting results, while at the same time, the cutting blades tend to wear out faster on the side closest to the fence which sees the most use. In addition to the low-quality fence, the locking screw on the machine that is responsible for setting the depth of cut on the planer does not always do a great job of holding the adjustable table in the set position. This sometimes results in a non-uniform depth of cut if one is not careful. The Titan TTB579PLN is a noisy machine but not more so than other planer thicknessers in its category. Changing between planing mode and thicknessing mode is somewhat tedious due to the need to unscrew the dust extractor and reattach it for use in the alternative mode (some users have changed the fastening nut to a wing nut to make this process a little bit more efficient). Another notable issue seen on these generic machines including the Titan TTB579PLN jointer planer is the almost mandatory need for a shop vacuum system. This is because the dust extractor adapter tends to rapidly clog up with sawdust when a vacuum system is not used. And like all other planer thicknessers, the Titan TTB579PLN generates a lot of waste chippings, so having a vacuum system ready to deal with the heavy quantity of sawdust is always a good idea anyway.

Overall, the Titan TTB579PLN is an excellent budget machine for DIY planing and thicknessing, usually because one is getting a good power tool at one of the best prices. Manufacturing fidelity is not always consistent though, so one has to be prepared to test and inspect the machine for flaws early on and be prepared to send it back, more than once if necessary, to get one that works sufficiently accurately for one's purposes. Fortunately, retailers like Amazon and Screwfix are usually very amenable to having the machine replaced if a flaw is found.

The Scheppach company is a medium-sized German company that has been around since 1927. For a long time, the company specialised in providing consumers with purely woodworking machinery, but in recent years, as the company has grown, it has diversified into other tools for both the amateur DIY enthusiast as well as trade professionals, and in the last couple of years has started to delve into selling equipment for the home garden market.

The DART (Fox) F22-564/250 planer thicknesser yet again falls into the generic East Asian model category that the majority of these budget planer thicknessers fit into. The DART F22-564/250 is particularly similar to the Charnwood W588 and the Draper BPT200 (reviewed above).  Like its competitors, the DART F22-564/250 is a reasonable machine for the DIY-er and possibly the trade professional who is willing to spend some time making some tweaks to the machine to improve its functioning. For instance, take Bill Warmisham, who had to spend some time adjusting the machine to fully eliminate snipe from the thicknesser when he first got it. Compared to most of its direct competitors, the DART F22-564/250 has a wider planing width capacity of 254mm. In addition, it comes with its own stand, so there is no need to clear a space on the workshop table if you don't want to. As with the Charnwood W588 the fence is of better quality than seen on some of its other competitors, and also tilts up to 45 degrees from the vertical for bevelled cuts if so desired.

The DART (formerly Fox) brand is an Italian one owned by Femi, which is an Italian company that specialises in providing power tools for both wood-working and metal-working do-it-yourselfers and as well as trade professionals.

If you work with wood in any capacity, then you have likely used a planer thicknesser before. There are a large number of acceptable models out there, but if you have yet to try the Erbauer EPT1500 model, then you might be missing out on a good value machine that also gives a smooth finish to your woodworking project. 

The Erbauer EPT 1500 is a mains electricity-powered machine that works reasonably quickly with a feed rate of 6 metres per minute and has a no-load motor speed of 9,000 RPM. The table is made from sturdy aluminium so is quite durable. The extrusion fence is also aluminium but is not well mounted, so you would probably do better to make your own. 

The power output of this model is 1500 Watts, which is pretty standard among models in this category. This machine is on the larger side and weighs around 40kg, which could make it a bit of a hassle to return if you come across any quality control issues, something that is not uncommon with Screwfix's 'own-brand' power tools. The size and weight of this machine should also be taken into account if you plan on moving it often, for example, to store it away when it’s not in use, as this will not be the easiest planer thicknesser to move. 

The maximum depth of cut for the top planer and the bottom thicknesser of the EPT1500 are 3mm for the former and 2mm for the latter, which is pretty typical of DIY consumer machines. The planing width is 254mm and is considered above average for machines made for non-professional use. However, one of the standout features of this machine is the capacity of the thicknesser part of the device which can accept workpieces up to 200mm of thickness. This is one of the largest numbers when it comes to consumer-level planer thicknessers, and it outdoes most of its immediate competitors. 

The EPT1500 also comes with a few accessories, among them push blocks that are used to help position and move the blocks of wood while they are being put through the machine. These are handy, and it makes the purchase better value, but the push blocks are not of the best quality. So, you might be better off getting push blocks that are sturdier and more durable if you plan on using the machine for many projects. 

Another issue with this electric planer thicknesser is actually not a problem with the machine itself, but rather with the instruction manual that comes with it. The images in the Erbauer EPT1500 documentation are not very clear and are not very helpful when assembling or operating the machine. The written instructions are not that good either, which can make it difficult for some owners, but most people will find that the use of common sense will likely be enough for them to get through the assembly and operation on their own. 

Overall, the EPT1500 is a mid-range planer thicknesser that offers an excellent finish for the price, making this model stand out for its value proposition. It also stands out for its thicknesser’s ability to handle a more substantial thickness than most of its competitors. And with the machine also including push blocks, a blade setting block, spanner, and 4 x hex keys, you get everything you need to be planing and thicknessing in short order.

About Erbauer power tools

Erbauer is a brand that is wholly owned by the Screwfix company which, as many of us know, is one of the main retail suppliers of tools throughout the UK and has several years of experience selling tools. Erbauer tools are typically manufactured in China, the EPT1500 is made there, and offer a reasonable price for durable equipment. Although Erbauer tools are known for their reasonable quality, like other budget tools, they can suffer from a few issues with quality control. This is no different for the EPT1500 planer thicknesser, with several buyers of the tool discovering problems with their machines upon purchasing them, and having had to take their version of the power tool back to Screwfix for a replacement. Fortunately, Screwfix is renowned for its no-quibble returns policy. 

 The Record Planer thicknesser PT260 falls into the 'portable' machine category even though it weighs a hefty 80kg. This is because it is a relatively small machine fitted with a leg stand and pedal-operated wheel kit that allows it to be rolled around the workspace relatively easily. The PT260 is a sturdy machine that is accurate and reliable, and unlike most other 'portable' planer thicknessers, the thicknessing bed is made of cast iron which is part of the reason why the machine is so heavy. However, some of the heftier weight also comes from a more powerful motor drawing 1.8kW of power allowing it to cut deeper into workpieces than its budget competitors. The PT260 thicknesser can also accept a thicker block of wood than the other planer thicknessers in its category making the machine yet more versatile. The less-than-clear operating instructions are probably the only let down with the PT260, but then again, the machine is designed for the expert user who probably would not pay much attention to the manual anyway. The PT260 is a robust machine backed up with a 5-year guarantee, illustrating the level of confidence the company has in its longevity. Unfortunately higher quality means a higher price tag and Record planer thicknessers like the PT260 are not cheap, coming in at more than double the price of the budget machines. However, on the plus side, at least it is not going to need replacing any time soon.

Record Power, the company behind the PT260, is a UK-based company with a reputation for high quality hand and power tools. It is focused primarily on the expert DIY-er and the trade professional. The company also owns the Startrite brand, which covers a line of power tools that is specifically designed for industry.  Like other competitor companies, Record procures tools manufactured in the Far East, but is also involved in some manufacturing in the UK. Unlike some of the companies in this sector, Record power does sell directly to the consumer from their website and their products are also available from a number of distributors.

Metabo Planer Thicknesser HC260C

The HC260C planer thicknesser from Metabo has been on the market for several years as the company was one of the first to introduce this category of planer thicknesser to the DIY and semi-professional consumer market. As a result of this extended history, much of the design of the HC260C has been tweaked over the years making it one of the better consumer planer thicknessers out there.

Design-wise, the Metabo HC260C is very similar to the Record PT260 planer thicknesser which we reviewed earlier. In fact, the Metabo HC260C uses many of the same parts as the Record PT260 and has a very similar design and build. The Metabo HC260C has one of the most powerful electric motors in this class of consumer planer thicknesser with a power rating of 2200W, allowing the HC260C to tackle even the toughest woods with ease. Like the Record PT260, the motor is an induction-type motor which means that it is much quieter than the budget consumer planer thicknessers. Also like the Record PT260, the Metabo HC260C is a heavy machine weighing in at 71kg, which means that it is not really designed to be carried around from place to place, although it does incorporate a couple of wheel casters that allow it to be rolled around the workshop without too much fuss.

The Metabo HC260C has the same maximum planing width of 260mm as the Record PT260, and a planing depth of up to 3 mm, but has a slightly larger maximum thicknessing height than the Record PT260 of 160 mm. Like the PT260 however, conversion between planer mode and the thicknessing mode is easily carried out without the need for any tools and takes very little time to accomplish. The fence on the Metabo HC260C is reasonably sturdy and like most of the machines in this category can be angled down to 45° for bevelling work.

Other notable features on the Metabo HC260C include a thicknessing table that is made of cast iron for added strength, and the presence of a safety switch that prevents the inadvertent restart of the machine after any unexpected interruption in power. The machine also comes with cutting blades that are double-edged so that when one side of a blade becomes worn out, it can be flipped around to make use of the opposite edge as well.

Overall, the Metabo HC260C is a good planer thicknesser but an expensive one, so only avid woodworking DIY-ers should consider buying one. It is very similar to the PT260 from Record Power so price comparisons between the two should be made before making any buying decision.

Metabo is a German company that has been around since the 1920s. They make and sell a range of power tools for both professionals and the consumer. Tools are manufactured and assembled in both China and Germany and then exported around the world to various subsidiaries and importers.

Further Information: Improving on the Budget Design

Since most of the portable planer thicknessers are in the budget category, and use many of the same structural components, it is not surprising that many of them suffer from the same inadequacies. But all is not lost if you don't have the cash to drop on a more expensive machine. If you are handy with a tool or two, then it might be best to have a go at tweaking the 'generic' type of benchtop planer thicknesser as Cosmas and Marius Hornberger have done in their videos below: