If you have spent any time in a workshop or chatting with seasoned makers, you know that the debate over how to flatten lumber is endless. It is the classic "Old School vs. New School" argument, or sometimes, just a question of budget and garage space.
When it comes to dimensioning lumber—taking a rough board and making it flat, smooth, and square (S4S)—you generally have two main paths: the heavy-duty Benchtop Thickness Planer or the portable Handheld Planer.
At WOODSTARTER, we know that every shop is different. Whether you are a weekend warrior building a coffee table or a contractor framing a house, choosing the right tool is critical. We’ve synthesized the collective wisdom of the woodworking community and combined it with our expertise to bring you this definitive guide.
The Heavy Hitter: Benchtop Thickness Planers
The Benchtop Planer (often called a "lunchbox planer" in the US due to its shape) is the workhorse of the modern garage shop. If your goal is to buy rough-sawn lumber from the mill and turn it into furniture-grade boards, this is the tool you are looking for.
The Workshop Consensus on Benchtop Models
The industry consensus is clear: if you value time, you need a benchtop unit. As many professionals note, "The number one benefit to a lunchbox planer over a hand plane is speed."
- Efficiency and Consistency: The primary job of a benchtop planer is to make the top face of a board parallel to the bottom face. It excels at repetition. If you need 20 board feet of White Oak milled to exactly 3/4" thick, a machine like our 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer is unbeatable. It saves you from hours of physical labor. As the old saying goes, "You can skip arm day at the gym" if you do it by hand—but if you want to finish the project before next year, get the machine.
- The Space & Noise Factor: Power comes with a price. These machines are loud—hearing protection is non-negotiable. They also generate a massive amount of shavings. Experienced users always advise: "The most important thing to know ahead of time is that it NEEDS a dust collector."
- The "Snipe" Issue: A common topic in woodworking circles is "snipe"—a slightly deeper cut at the very beginning or end of a board. While some discuss expensive helical head upgrades to fix this, proper technique and table setup on a standard 13-inch model can virtually eliminate snipe for a fraction of the cost.
Is it for you? If you are building cabinets, tables, or anything requiring precise, uniform thickness, the WoodStarter 13-Inch Planer is your best investment.
The Agile Contender: Electric Hand Planers
Here is where the conversation gets interesting. While traditionalists love their vintage manual planes for the quiet, tactile experience, the modern workshop often demands speed. For the DIYer who needs to resize a swollen door, level a deck joist, or smooth a rough slab quickly, the Electric Hand Planer is the king of versatility.
Why Go Electric Handheld?
1. Portability is Key
You cannot take a benchtop planer to a job site easily. You can, however, throw a Cordless Electric Hand Planer into your truck or tool bag. It allows you to bring the tool to the work, rather than bringing the wood to the tool.
2. Aggressive Material Removal
Unlike a manual hand plane which takes fine shavings, an electric hand planer is a hog. It removes material fast. It is perfect for:
- Trimming door edges that stick due to humidity.
- Leveling uneven floorboards or deck framing.
- Chamfering post edges for a clean, finished look.
3. Corded vs. Cordless
If you are working in a shop environment with reliable power, a Corded Electric Hand Planer offers unlimited runtime and consistent power. However, for outdoor projects or quick fixes around the house, the freedom of a cordless model is a game-changer.
The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Based on our experience and years of customer feedback, here is the breakdown:
| Choose the Benchtop Planer IF... | Choose the Electric Hand Planer IF... |
|---|---|
| You are building furniture (tables, bookshelves). | You are doing renovations, framing, or deck building. |
| You need to process rough lumber in bulk. | You need to level large slabs that won't fit in a machine. |
| Precision thickness is your goal. | Portability is your priority. |
| Best Pick: 13-Inch Thickness Planer | Best Pick: Cordless Hand Planer |
The "Hybrid" Approach
Many seasoned woodworkers eventually own both. They use the Benchtop Planer to mill their stock lumber to size, and they keep a Corded Electric Hand Planer on the shelf for quick adjustments and scribing.
Conclusion
The golden rule of woodworking is simple: "Buy the tool that fits the project." Don't let the lack of gear stop you from creating. Whether you are shaving down a sticking door or milling White Oak for a dining table, having a sharp, reliable planer is essential.
Ready to start making sawdust? Check out our full collection of Planers WOODSTARTER and level up your woodworking game today.
