What Is a Benchtop Planer Used For? A Beginner's Guide

What a benchtop planer actually does

A benchtop planer feeds a board under a spinning cutterhead that removes thin layers of wood. Rollers pull the board through, and a depth setting controls how much comes off in each pass. The result is a board with a flat, smooth face that is the same thickness from end to end.

That is why many woodworkers call it a thickness planer. Its main job is to control thickness and to make the top face parallel to the bottom face. It is not mainly a tool for flattening a warped board, which surprises many beginners.

The benchtop style is built to sit on a workbench or stand. It is lighter and smaller than a floor-standing shop machine, which makes it a common first choice for garages, small workshops and hobby spaces.

Common jobs for a benchtop planer

Most people reach for a planer when they want to work with lumber in a more raw form. Buying rough boards and sizing them yourself gives you control over the final dimensions, and a planer is what makes that practical.

• Smoothing rough-sawn lumber so it is ready for sanding or finishing.
• Reducing boards to an exact thickness for a design, such as shelves, drawer sides or tabletops.
• Matching the thickness of several boards before gluing them into a panel.
• Cleaning up reclaimed or weathered wood after removing nails, screws and grit.
• Taking a thin layer off finished boards that are slightly too thick for a joint or opening.

What a planer cannot do

A planer does not fix a board that is bowed, cupped or twisted on its own. The feed rollers press the board flat as it passes through, then it springs back after it exits. You end up with a board that has a uniform thickness but the same curve it started with.

To get a truly flat face, woodworkers use a jointer first, which flattens one face and one edge. Then the planer makes the opposite face parallel to the first. Without a jointer, some people use a sled, which is a flat carrier board that supports the workpiece and lets the planer shave one face flat. Shims under the workpiece keep it from rocking.

A planer also does not cut boards to width or length. For that you need a saw, such as a table saw or a miter saw.

Benchtop planer vs thickness planer

These terms overlap, and that causes much of the confusion. A thickness planer is the general name for any planer that sets the thickness of a board. A benchtop planer is one size category of thickness planer. Larger stationary models exist for workshops that process a lot of lumber, but the way they work is the same.

The table below shows how the common names relate to each other.

Features that matter when you compare models

If you are shopping, the cutterhead is one of the biggest differences. Straight knife heads use long blades that can be flipped or replaced when dull. Helical or spiral heads use many small cutters set at an angle, which many woodworkers choose for a smoother cut on figured or tricky grain. Our page on the best benchtop planer with helical cutterhead compares models that use that design.

Other details to check on a spec sheet include the maximum board width, the maximum thickness the machine accepts, and how the depth setting works. Dust collection also matters, because planers throw a lot of shavings. For a broader side-by-side look at options, see our best benchtop planer comparison, which lays out the published specifications for each model.

Safety basics for beginners

A planer is loud and fast, and it throws chips. Treat it with the same care you would give any powered cutting tool.

Wear hearing protection and safety glasses every time you run it. Wear a dust mask too, since fine dust from planing is unhealthy to breathe. Keep loose sleeves, jewelry and long hair away from the machine.

Before you feed a board in, check it for nails, staples, screws and loose knots. Metal can damage the cutters and may eject fragments. Never reach into the machine while it is running, and always unplug it before changing blades, clearing a jam or doing maintenance.

Feed boards in the direction of the grain when you can, and take light passes instead of forcing a deep cut. Do not plane boards that are shorter than the machine's published minimum length, because short pieces can tip or kick back.

A simple way to start

If you are new to planing, a short routine helps you get consistent results.

• Inspect the board and remove any metal or debris.
• Set a shallow depth of cut, then lower the head slightly after each pass.
• Feed the board in smoothly and support long boards at both ends.
• Flip the board between passes if you want to take material evenly from both faces.
• Stop when the board reaches the target thickness and the surface looks clean.

Frequently asked questions

Is a benchtop planer good for beginners?

Yes. It is simple to set up and the controls are easy to learn. Beginners should start with softer, straight boards and light passes, and follow all safety steps.

Can I use a planer on finished or painted wood?

It is not a good idea. Paint, glue and finishes can dull the cutters, and hidden hardware can damage the machine. Remove coatings and check for metal first.

What is the difference between a planer and a jointer?

A jointer flattens one face and one edge of a board. A planer makes the opposite face parallel and sets the final thickness. Many projects use both.

Why do I see ridges or tearout after planing?

Dull cutters, a heavy cut or feeding against the grain are common causes. Try a lighter pass, turn the board around, or replace or rotate the knives.