The UK's bestWood Planers2022 Review

How to Choose The Best Wood Planer

Carpenters have been using hand planes for hundreds of years to smooth out rough-sawn timber and create specific finishes with a sharp blade and a fair amount of muscle power. The materials, cutting irons, and techniques haven’t changed all that much, so it comes down to build quality and attention to detail when you’re looking for the best wood planer.

Wood planers and bench planers are synonymous and are effectively smoothing planes, working with the grain and with a downward-facing bevel edge. There are different types of wood or bench planers, characterized by a name or number that corresponds to its length. For example, a shorter 9″ plane is a number 4 and a longer 14″ plane is a number 5, typically called a “Jack” plane.

There is also the block plane which is used to work against the grain. This is smaller than a wood planer or bench planer and the bevel edge faces upwards.

Construction Material

The best wood planer has a cast iron body, for strength and weight. The heavier the wood plane, the smoother the action. It might take more effort, but the results will speak for themselves.

High carbon steel cutting irons are essential parts of the planing process, and most need sharpening somewhat to get them cutting properly.

The choice between hardwood handles, cherry wood in the case of the Stanley SweetHeart range, or ABS plastic in some of its rivals, is a personal choice and down to the user to decide.

Types of Plane

The jack as in the Irwin Record Jack Plane is what it sounds like, a “jack of all trades” wood plane. This is the best wood plane when you need to cut with or across the grain or carry out just about any smoothing task that a hand plane does so well.

A smoothing plane like Draper’s D206 Hobbyist Plane is the last one you’ll use on a woodworking project. Usually designed with a low angle, it works to finish off the job with a silky appearance that surpasses sandpaper.

Rebate planes like the Faithfull No.10 are used when you need the cutting iron to stretch across the width of the sole. It’s used to cut a rabbet or clean up wood for joinery.

Wood Planer FAQs

How do you use a wood plane?

In the right hands, the best wood plane is a versatile and effective tool. Set the depth of the cutting iron with the adjustment screw, remembering that the more iron that shows, the more material you’ll remove. Take hold of the hand planer firmly and push it smoothly across the timber, keeping in line with the grain if you can.

How do I adjust a wood plane?

Not all hand planes are the same, but generally, the cutting iron is held in place by a lever. Once this is secure, you can make fine adjustments with the large brass wheel facing towards you. Turning this wheel will make the wood planer extend or retract inside the hand plane body.

How can I sharpen a wood planer blade?

The best handheld wood planer blade is a sharp one. It should come sharpened from the factory but will need honing. The best angle for cutting is usually 30°, and can be achieved with a decent set of sharpening stones. Start with a coarse grit, and work towards a smoother grit stone until the angle is correct.