By: Jacob Stoecken 
Note: If you prefer watching a video instead of reading, you can watch my very similar video review of this planer.
If you’ve ever tried working with rough or big-box-store lumber, you know how inconsistent boards can be. They’re rarely flat, smooth, or the exact thickness you want. That’s where a thickness planer comes in. Recently, I got the chance to try out the Woodstarter 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, also known as the TP10K.
Woodstarter sent me this planer for free to review, but this post (like my video) isn’t sponsored. They didn’t see it before publishing, and everything here is 100% my own opinion. With that out of the way, let’s dive in.
Unboxing & First Impressions
The planer arrived well-packaged with plenty of styrofoam for protection. Setup was easy since I only had to attach the depth adjustment knob on top and the optional dust port on the back. It even comes with the Allen wrench you need for adjustments and a user manual that’s actually helpful.
Right out of the box, the planer feels sturdy. It’s not overly heavy, but it has some solid weight to it. Handles on the sides make it easier to carry from storage to your bench or work area. Since I don’t have a dedicated planer stand, I temporarily screwed it down to my workbench to keep it stable during use.
Specs & Features
Here are the key details you’ll want to know:
- Cutting width: Up to 13 inches (wide enough for most boards you’ll pick up at the lumber yard or home center)
- Cutting thickness: From ¼ inch up to 6 inches
- Cutterhead speed: 10,000 RPM
- Blades: Two high-speed steel (HSS) knives
- Feed rate: 21 feet per minute
- Dust collection: A port that can be pointed to either side of the planer to connect a shop vac or dust collector
- Extras: Overload protection to prevent motor damage, infeed and outfeed rollers for smoother board handling (my favorite feature)
Adjusting the Cutting Depth
One of the best features is the depth adjustment knob. It turns smoothly, and a built-in gauge shows your current thickness in both inches and millimeters.
Each half turn lowers or raises the cutterhead by 1/32 of an inch, while a full rotation changes it by 1/16. This makes it easy to take light passes, which is exactly what you want as a beginner. Taking off too much at once can bog down the motor and risk tear-out, especially on knotty boards.
First Test: Planing a Scrap 2x4
To break in the planer, I grabbed the same scrap 2x4 I used in my benchtop jointer review. One face had already been jointed, so I ran the opposite face through the planer.
The first pass instantly removed the rough surface. After a few more light passes, the board came out completely flat and smooth. Even though this was just construction lumber with a knot in it, the results were impressive. The planer chewed up the knot a bit, which is not unexpected for softwood studs, but the overall finish was solid.
Dust Collection
One thing you’ll learn quickly: planers make a lot of chips. After my first run without dust collection, there were piles of shavings all over the bench and floor.
Hooking up my shop vac made a huge difference. While some chips still snuck out underneath, the majority went straight into the vacuum. If you plan to use this tool frequently, I recommend adding a dust separator between your planer and vacuum to save your filters from clogging. This is one of those “do as I say, not as I do” things based on my research, as I have yet to buy one myself. I’ll get it, eventually.
Additional Features Worth Noting
- Infeed and outfeed rollers: These help boards glide through more smoothly, which is especially useful if you’re working with shorter stock. For boards longer than 3 feet, you’ll want extra support from a table or roller stand.
- Overload protection: If you accidentally set the depth too deep and the motor starts to strain, the planer will shut itself off to prevent damage. This is a beginner-friendly safeguard.
- Design: Okay, this doesn’t affect performance, but I like the color scheme. The navy blue and beige give it a clean, neutral look that fits my workshop style.
Who This Planer Is For
The Woodstarter 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer isn’t trying to be the biggest, most industrial machine out there. Instead, it hits a sweet spot for hobbyists, beginners, and intermediate woodworkers who want to step up their lumber prep.
If you’ve been buying pre-surfaced boards from the big-box store, owning a planer opens up new possibilities. You can buy rough-sawn lumber at lower prices, mill it exactly how you want, and achieve flat, parallel faces for better joinery.
It’s not flawless. The adjustment knob has a tiny bit of play (but maybe I just need to tighten it more), and you’ll still deal with some dust if your vacuum isn’t up to the task. But overall, the performance, ease of use, and value make it a great option for a home workshop.
Final Thoughts
As someone getting back into woodworking after a long break, I found the Woodstarter TP10K thickness planer to be approachable, effective, and beginner-friendly. It handled softwood boards easily, gave me smooth, flat surfaces, and didn’t overwhelm me with complicated setup or adjustments.
For my needs, which are building furniture and projects around the house rather than running a production shop, it’s the perfect balance of affordability and capability.
If you’re just starting out or looking to expand your woodworking toolkit, this planer is worth a serious look. You can check it out directly here.
