Planing machines for DIY enthusiasts and semi-professionals - All about thicknessers, jointers and combination tools

Introduction

Anyone who processes wood themselves quickly realises that it is difficult to achieve precise results without the right machine. A planer is therefore part of the basic equipment in many workshops. It ensures that wood is smooth, even and dimensionally accurate - the basis for every successful project.

Three variants are particularly popular with DIY enthusiasts and semi-professionals: the surface planer, the thickness planer and the combination of thickness and surface planer. But which machine is suitable for what? And what should DIY users look out for when buying?

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about planers - from the basics and differences to practical tips for everyday use.

What does a planer do?

A planer uses rotating blades to remove small chips from the wood until the desired surface is achieved. In contrast to the classic hand planer, it does this work quickly, effortlessly and with high precision.

There are two main tasks that planers perform:

• Dressing - a surface becomes flat and square to the edges.
• Thickness planing - the wood is planed to a certain thickness.

Let's take a closer look at which machine is responsible for this.

The surface planer - the basis for straight surfaces

The surface planer is the first choice if you want to get rough sawn timber flat. It levels a surface so that it is absolutely flat. You can also use it to create edges at a 90° angle - important for gluing or precisely fitting constructions.

Advantages of a jointer:

• Perfect for smoothing uneven surfaces
• Ideal for exact 90° angles
• Indispensable for furniture construction in the DIY sector

Typical areas of application:

• Preparation of boards and planks
• Production of clean edges for gluing
• DIY projects such as shelves, tables or cabinets

A jointer is therefore the foundation for precise work. Only when the wood is straight is it worth using a thickness planer.

The thickness planer - setting the exact thickness

The thickness planer perfectly complements the jointer. While the planer provides the base surface, the thickness planer brings the workpiece to the desired thickness. The wood is guided through the machine by rollers and removed evenly.

Advantages of a thickness planer:

• Precise dimensional accuracy over the entire surface
• Uniform thickness for all workpieces
• Saves an enormous amount of time compared to hand planing

Application in practice:

• Production of boards with identical thickness
• Production of precisely fitting mouldings, panels or furniture parts
• Processing both soft and harder types of wood

A thickness planer is a real game changer, especially for ambitious DIY projects: furniture parts fit better, constructions are more stable and the result looks much more professional.

Thicknesser and jointer in one device - the combined solution

Many DIY enthusiasts and semi-professionals use a combination device: the thicknessing and levelling planer. These machines combine both functions in one compact housing.

Advantages:

• Space-saving - ideal for smaller workshops
• More cost-effective than two individual machines
• Versatile and flexible in use

Disadvantages:

• Switching between dressing and thicknessing takes some time
• Generally not quite as powerful as large individual devices

For most DIY applications, a combination device is completely sufficient. However, if you regularly process large quantities or particularly hard wood, you will be better off with two separate machines.

Important purchase criteria for DIY enthusiasts and semi-professionals

When buying a planer, you should not only pay attention to the price. The following points are crucial:

• Planing width - determines the maximum width of your workpieces.
• Depth of cut - the greater the depth of cut, the faster you work.
• Motor power - important if you also want to process hard wood.
• Extraction - clean working and less dust pollution in the workshop.
• Stability - heavy machines run more smoothly and deliver better results.
• Safety - Emergency stop switches and protective covers should be a matter of course.

A solid mid-range machine is sufficient for most DIY home improvement enthusiasts. Semi-professionals, on the other hand, should look for more powerful motors and durable components.

Practical tips for use

• Always plane first, then plane to thickness - this is the only way to make the workpiece really straight.
• Set a small cutting depth - several light passes are better than one cut that is too deep.
• Store workpieces in a dry place - damp wood can lead to inaccurate results.
• Sharpen or change knives regularly - blunt knives leave rough surfaces.
• Use suction - prevents chip chaos and ensures clean cutting surfaces.
• Pay attention to the direction of the wood grain - planing against the grain can cause tears.

With DIY projects in particular, the right technique ensures that the results look much more professional.

Safety when working with planers

• Wear safety goggles - to protect your eyes from shavings.
• Use hearing protection - especially when working long hours.
• Avoid loose clothing - it can get caught in the rollers.
• Only work with push sticks, never with bare hands close to the blade.
• Before each use, check that protective bonnets are fitted correctly and that the emergency stop works.

Safe handling not only extends the service life of the machine, but also increases the enjoyment of working with it.

Care and maintenance

• Remove chips and dust after each use.
• Resharpen knives regularly or replace them in good time.
• Clean the rollers so that the wood is transported evenly.
• Lubricate the machine if necessary - according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Check electrical parts such as cables and switches regularly for damage.

A well-maintained machine delivers better results and saves on expensive repairs.

Advanced applications for advanced users

• Preparing glued wood panels: Plane boards to a precise fit before gluing them.
• Create profiles: Special planing knives can be used to produce decorative edges.
• Refinishing old wood: Old furniture or found objects can be made to look like new with a thickness planer.
• Customised DIY projects: Whether rustic tables, shelves or customised garden furniture - exact measurements are always the basis.

Typical projects for DIY and semi-professionals

• Furniture construction: Tables, shelves, cabinets or seating furniture
• Interior fittings: wall panelling, panels, mouldings
• Garden projects: Garden furniture, fences, planters
• Restorations: Refurbishing old wooden boards or furniture parts
• Creative DIY projects: small decorative elements, wooden toys, gift ideas

Especially in the DIY sector, a planer makes the difference between "homemade" and "professionally manufactured".

Conclusion - Which planer is right for you?

Whether a surface planer, thickness planer or combination device - the choice depends on your requirements:

• For occasional DIY projects, a thickness planer and jointer is the perfect solution.
• If you have higher demands, it is better to use separate machines for even more precise results.

In any case, a planer will take your wood projects to the next level.

It turns rough, rough-sawn wood into a precise workpiece that is ideal for furniture, interior design or creative DIY projects.