What a Planer Thicknesser Does (And Why They’re Essential)

A planer thicknesser is an indispensable machine in any woodworking shop. This versatile tool plays a crucial role in ensuring that wooden boards are smooth, flat and of uniform thickness. These characteristics are essential for creating high-quality wooden products, whether furniture, cabinetry or intricate decorative joinery.

Whether you have a smaller hobbyist workshop or an industrial setup, getting the right machinery in place to produce finished pieces you can be proud of is essential. There have been numerous discussions on what tools you should invest in, but these are our thoughts on why a planer thicknesser should be one of your first major purchases.

Uses of a Planer Thicknesser

A planer thicknesser is versatile for many different applications, meaning it can help with several vital jobs in a workshop.

Surface preparation

One primary use of a planer thicknesser is to prepare the surfaces of wooden boards. Woodworkers can use one of these handy tools to ensure that their materials are smooth, flat and ready for further processing. This is particularly important for achieving high-quality finishes in final products.

Precision resizing

A planer thicknesser allows you to resize wood to exact dimensions, enabling you to easily create parallel faces for smoother assembly. This is particularly important when creating joints, where pinpoint accuracy is needed to ensure a perfect fit. This can make all the difference between turning out a good piece of work and a perfect product.

Why Planer Thicknessers are Essential

There are several benefits to adding these tools to your collection.

Consistency and precision

One key reason planer thicknessers are essential for any workshop is their consistency and precision. Their ability to produce uniformly thick and smooth boards ensures that pieces in larger projects fit together perfectly, enhancing the overall quality of the final product.

Efficiency and time-saving

Using a planer thicknesser significantly speeds up the process of preparing wood for projects. Manual planing and sanding can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. With a planer thicknesser, these tasks are completed quickly and accurately, allowing woodworkers to focus on other aspects of their projects.

Versatility

Planer thicknessers are versatile machines that can handle a wide range of wood types and sizes. This makes them suitable for various projects, from small craft items to large furniture pieces. Their ability to work with different materials and dimensions makes them invaluable in any woodworking shop.

Cost-effective

Investing in a planer thicknesser can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. By reclaiming and repurposing wood, woodworkers reduce the need to purchase new materials. Additionally, the machine's efficiency and precision, provided that it’s kept properly serviced and maintained, minimise the risk of errors and material wastage.

Whether you are a professional woodworker or a hobbyist, incorporating a planer thicknesser into your workshop will enhance the quality of your work and streamline your processes. Its ability to prepare, precisely measure and smooth wooden boards makes it an indispensable asset, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of craftsmanship.