This Bench Planer Made Me Take Notice.
The shutters around my windows needed some work, looking all weathered and rough. But a hand planer was not going to “cut it” in refinishing them (bad puns are the best). Having checked out my friends WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer, I was completely sold.
The real question is, is this benchtop planer for you? Let’s break it down.
Is It Worth Your Money?
A benchtop planer should give you a quality finish without repetitive passes through the machine. The WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop
Thickness Planer did more than give me smooth work. This planer made the work simpler.
Now and then I’ve come across devices that made me frustrated because of the length of time wasted trimming down a board. This benchtop gave a smooth finish in half the time.
Detailed Breakdown & Review
Features
Having a sturdy cast iron base keeps everything in place when in operation. You’re not left feeling you must hang onto the device to keep it from walking on you.
The thickness of the wood is no hindrance: this planer removes from half-foot thick planes. Not every board needing refinished will be thin.
People that experience allergies will appreciate this planer’s dust port.
The short amount of time spent in doing the trim work is appreciated. At over 17,000 cuts a minute, you know the planning is going to be done quickly. That means you have time to work on other things…or more wood to plane.
Specs
- With each pass of the board, the depth adjustment knob establishes ensures planning removes up to 3/32 of wood.
- Two blade design guarantees hardwood handling.
- The wood of up to 12.5 inches in width is handled easily.
- The 23.5 x 24 x 19 inches size means this benchtop planer will fit comfortably in most workspaces.
- 15-amp motor ensures speed, with 17,000 cuts a minute.
- The planing gauge gives accurate readings showing the depth of wood removed with each pass.
Ease of Use & Reliability
The WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer makes removing and finishing wood efficiently and fast. This planer did not leave indents (snipe) at the ends of each board like some other, comparable tools. I found it to be minimal in comparison since this machine has feed tables that adjust for height.
Since this planer is built to handle large pieces of wood, I felt secure in using it. Sometimes a planer may make you feel apprehensive if it experiences any wobble. That feeling never occurred to me because I knew its weight and stable construction meant a solid station.
Pros
Cons
Cost
Other name brand benchtop planers can easily price out over $350.00. The WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer matches many of these in quality and finished product. Yet, the price is competitive…should say inexpensive at under $311.50. That is savings in your pocket.
Who is This For?
It doesn’t matter if you are a weekend woodworker or someone that enjoys DIY projects around the house. The WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer is designed to make planning any kind of wood an easy operation.
As someone that does more than just piddle (yes, that’s a word) with wood projects, I do considerable smoothing planks and old pallets. I don’t like messing around when I want to get something done.
If you’re dealing with allergies, wood dust can be a real annoyance. I always wear a mask and eyewear (as you should when working with power tools), but having a plane that keeps the dust to a minimum makes it more pleasant and way easier. This benchtop tool will make anyone struggling with dirt and dust glad they purchased it.
If you’re like me and like to be time efficient, you’ll LOVE this planer. I have nothing but good things to say about it. Projects can be lengthy and the last thing I want is to be bogged down with prepping wood for use. I didn’t notice that being a problem with the WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer.
Our Opinion
Not going to beat around the bush. The WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer has everything someone involved with woodworking would want. That isn’t boasting, it is based on trying out different tools, and finding this one the best: it’s easy to use and it stands out.
Another important thing is that the planning process goes smoothly and quickly with it. Even if you put the wood in slightly misaligned (as I’ve done in the past) you’ll be left with an even and straight finished plank. That can make a huge difference if you are feeding board after board through.
Amazon is where you will find the WEN 6550T 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer for easy shipping.
Other Options Worth Looking At
If you are someone that advanced skill level and are looking for more detail, the DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness Planer Package might be a good option. If your budget allows for shelling out a few extra bucks, this planer is a quality choice. The feed speed provides for two different speeds during operation, which can definitely come in handy.