WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer , Black

This planner is just what I needed to complete my workshop. It just does not get any simpler or accurate than this.I've been working with wood for about a year now, so this review comes from someones who is just starting, a planner was on my wishlist but since I have limited space to work, my equipment is stored in a room and every time I'm going to use it, I need to carry it outside. So for starters I need it to be as light as possible and also as compact as possible.I had some planner in mind, including the DeWalt DW734 which is about $120 more expensive and also half and inch less capacity. It may sound like a small difference in capacity, but trust me that that half inch is a huge deal.I cannot be happier with this purchase, the day I got it home, it took me literally 3 minutes to start planning. I am fairly good following instructions but like I said before, I am a woodworking newbie.The results from planning that board on the pictures is a completely smooth surface, practically I don't even need to sand it, although I will cause I want it even smoother but really I could just leave it like that.Also I can confirm that the unit will plane a 13 inch board cause that is the exact size of this board.About the quality of construction, this seems like a very sturdy machine, no rattling or anything of the sort. I also own another WEN machine, a 6524 oscillating belt sander and that unit has not given me any issues after a year from purchase. So I am not worried about that.The way you measure the amount of material to cut is a very intuitive design. you slide the beginning of your board in the machine, the board will push a small button on the machine and that will give you the amount to be removed. You could remove up to 1/8" in a single pass, although I find that taking less material doing more passes is preferable. For me, 1/16" is the perfect amount.On top of the machine there is a crank that you turn to lower and raise the cutter, this crank is very sensitive, a 1/4 turn is what I do after every pass.The dust collection system works well, it is not perfect, there will be chips in your workshop, but overall it is more than adequate. Maybe if I used a more powerful vacuum, that could do the trick. the machine comes with an adaptor that will fit most vacuum hoses.I tested the level of the trays on both sides of the machine and right out of the box they were super squared, no need to fiddle with that.Finally we need to talk about Snipe, that is one issue that did had me worried. Some internet users were stating that the snipe was noticeable while others said it was almost non existent. I am happy to announce that for me that is not noticeable. As you can see from the pictures, there may be a small amount of snipe since that is just the way these benchtop planner work, but for me it is barely noticeable sometimes only.Like I said, weight was one of the most important factors to determine which machine to get, and they don't get any lighter than this one, partly because this machine does not have the granite surface bellow the cutter where the wood slide, this one has a metal plate that it may get scratched more but the weight savings are well worth it.Overall very impressed and very satisfied with this purchase.

This is my third benchtop planer. 20 years ago, after I built my 24x32 two story shop, I purchased a Delta Planer - which soured me on Delta products! After a couple of months of use, the drive chain came loose, and got into the gear. It never was right after that. In a year, spent more time on repairs than planing. Took it to the dump. I then got a Makita, which was wonderful. Planed all the lumber for all the cabinets in my home (alder, madrone, ash, walnut) Many thousands of lineal passes. Lots of Sugar Pine, redwood, cedar, etc. I have Alaska-milled several large trees, and the Makita just was a trooper. After 18 years, it started crapping out, then bit the dust. Anyone who wants a planer for the long haul, the Makita cannot be beat. Now, all my cabinets are done, my kids don't need any more furniture, so don't need the quality tool. Got the Wen - for the price, looking at reviews, why not? So, have had it three months, and subjected it to hard use. It is a hell of a good buy. Everything came OK, but needed some set up. I saw complaints on the table and outfeed panels. You have to adjust the infeed and outfeed panel, which is easy - assuming one has any mechanical ability at all. The marble table was a little below the outfeed table, so I just removed it and shimmed it until it was perfect. My shims for about everything are the credit card type of hotel room keys. Thanks to Holiday Inn and others, I have a great supply (good for scraping glue, and other odd jobs). I have run quite a bit of lumber through it, including pine and Douglas-fir that has a lot of knots. Did just fine. But when I started making some jewelry boxes, discovered that it was not perfectly set up, and had almost a 1/32 of taper. The instructions were great, and I got the taper out the first shot - less than 20 minutes, including reading the instructions. If one needs to do this, use a full width board. Sure, the planer has nylon gears, but it will last me a long time - and what do you expect for $200? I don't need a long term planer, as I am 78, though I still fall timber (saw has a 32" bar), and Alaska mill much of my wood. The Wen is a excellent too for the price (my wife got me a Japanese hand- forged mortising chisel a few years ago, that cost the price of this tool - its all relative!

Update after 2 weeks:The knives don't hold up well. I went through about 30 bdft of poplar (a relatively soft wood as hard woods go) and was getting knicks in the blades. Turned them around and after about another 30 bdft, I was in the same boat again. I just ordered the Power Tech Blades that should fit it. We will see how that goes. The machines still great for the price though.Original Review:The price is right and the planer is definately up to expectations. I originally purchased the ridgid 13” with three blades. After a day the ridgid planer table caved in and the blades were knicked. I took it back and got my money back. I was concerned about the finish quality going down to two blades (vs. 3). This planer did not disappoint. It has tons of power, the finish is great and the table is solid granite instead of 20 gauge steel on a frame. It’s also about $140 cheaper.If you are a DIYer then buy this. If you are a professional, spend thousands.Realistic expectations:1. it’s going to be able to cut at least 1/32 on each pass - yes2. It’s going to leave a quality finish - I’d estimate it about a 180 grit finish.3. Snipe is minimal - yes4. Thickness gauge is not adjusted properly out of the box - yes. You need a digital caliper. Plane something till you get to a specific width ( I did 1/2”) and then once the digital caliper reads 1/2, I unscrewed the two screws and set the gauge at 1/2. Then double checked it by planing something to 5/8 and the caliper read dead on.5. Solid heavy base. Not made of cheap lightweight material. It is just as heavy as the risgid with a solid metal base. This thing is heavy and sturdy.The only thing I miss from the ridgid model is the cutting depth gauge that tells you how much material you are taking off