I Found the BEST Budget Planer for Woodworking!
Finding a good benchtop planer at an affordable price can be a real challenge. After reading reviews and researching, I chose to review this Craftsman Planer as my budget pick. Amazon and other affiliate links are used in this description and they help support this channel.
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Tools in This Video
Craftsman Planer - amzn.to/3zOnGPD
DeWALT DW735X Planer - amzn.to/3t4pT5P
If you want the top-of-the-line benchtop planer with all the bells and whistles, check out the Oliver. I recently got it in the shop and it is very good!
Oliver Bench-Top Planer - amzn.to/3DBIISB
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0:00 Best Budget Planer
0:35 What is a Planer For?
1:08 Craftsman Planer Build Quality
4:25 First Power Up
5:04 How to Plane Wood
5:54 How to Stop Snipe on a Planer
6:47 Best Tool Deals
7:29 Planing Softwood
8:59 Plaining Maple
9:22 Planing Walnut
9:45 Planing Epoxy Resin
10:02 Remove Twist in Boards with a Planer
10:45 Planer or Jointer First?
11:08 Best Beginner Benchtop Planer
11:55 What Tool Should I Review Next?
12:20 Thank you, Members and Patreon Supporters!
▼EXPAND FOR TOOL LINKS and INFO▼ 🎥 Watch Next - Best Track Saw For Any Budget - kzhead.info/sun/ibNvj7iboaScn5s/bejne.html 🛠 Tools: Craftsman Planer - amzn.to/3zOnGPD DeWALT DW735X Planer - amzn.to/3t4pT5P Oliver Bench-Top Planer - amzn.to/3DBIISB 3M Ear Protection - amzn.to/3EmRG86 (If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I may receive a commission) Some other useful links: Our New Christian T-Shirt Company - faithvalleytees.com Daily Tool Deals: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe to the 731 email Newsletter: mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter Check out our easy-to-follow woodworking plans: www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks
Putting your hand in a planer is called Hand Burger....lol
I went with the slight more expensive harbor freight Bauer planer. The fact that craftsman got bought out and is no longer an american built company has turned me off to all things craftsman these days. Reviews on all of their products nowadays are usually pretty low.
@@The_Conqueeftador You realize that Bauer is not American made either, right?
@@The_Conqueeftador They are all basically made in china so really what is the difference..just buy what you can afford..for me and a bench top I would only go with the D735 just to get that extra 1/2 inch capacity..otherwise a 15 inch or bigger floor model from laguna, jet or powermatic...maybe a grizzly but I find the extra cost of the others gives better quality and options..
Thank you for the video!I don't understand why these planes are so noisy!I have the DW27300 and it is not noisy at all.I am looking to buy the dw735xbut for some reasons it costs three time the price in Europe.Thanks again
I purchased this planer in November 2020, and I'll give everyone reading this an honest review. Shortly after purchasing, the raising/lowering knob broke. I reached out to craftsman and they did send me a new one, free of charge, but it took a month to get to me. It is a 12" planer, not a 12.5" unless something has changed fairly recently. I used it daily for the longest time, mainly feeding it treated lumber for building planter boxes. It did a good job aside from the snipe, but that's to be expected with a lower end planer ( you can adjust the tables but will never completely eliminate the snipe). The dust port does clog up on a regular basis. I used it for alot of stuff from the fence pickets to hardwoods. If you're going to use it for a cutting board, leave an extra 2 1/2" on each end that can be cut off ( snipe). Fast forward to June 2022 and something came flying out of it when feeding a piece of maple through it. I raised the head and saw that a large chuck of the infeed roller had broken off. I then moved it to a spot in the shop that had better lighting and examined it, just to discover that there was also a chunk of the outfeed roller missing. I decided to keep using it ( very briefly) and a piece of lumber came flying back towards me. I decided to call it a day and went inside the house to see about ordering replacement rollers. Well, I found the rollers and it was a good bit of sticker shock. The price for both rollers came out to being within $40 of what I paid for the machine brand new. I had to have a planer, so I purchased a new Ridgid. The bottom line is this planer has some issues, but you can put it through absolute hell for a couple of years. With that being said, this thing was $299 when I bought it, and I see that it is now $399. If you can, spend an extra $100, get the Ridgid r4331. It is a 13" planer and it has three knives as opposed to two. Keep in mind that if you are a pro member at the orange store, they periodically give you a 10% off coupon. If you have to stay around $300, the craftsman is identical to the planer that harbor freight sells ( I purchased their knives for the craftsman). If you take a look at the wen planer, it looks like it could also be the same machine, and it is a hair under $300. I hope this unasked for review helps someone.
Thanks brotha
I have the wen 12.5 planer it's a pile of junk, the raise/lower handle will spin while planing a board. It'll vibrate so much that the handle goes in the raising direction, so then it's worthless. Your thickness is all messed up from this, the machine itself has this metal tab that sticks down just enough to scratch every single board that goes thru the planer. I completely quit using it, it's a pile of junk, and to answer the other guy it has 3 blades not 2. But it's still junk, don't buy a wen planer
I appreciate your input. We would like to add a planer to our shop, but we would not give one nearly the workout you did. However I do want it to be safe and reliable. ( understanding that safe use is the responsibility of the user😸) A reminder to Military that both major box lumber stores, plus lots of smaller name hardware stores give a 10% discount every day.
Yep. Very down to earth and helpful input, brother. Thanks.
@@robbiewilliamson357 I am just now realizing that people have commented on this thread. I don't know why I'm just now getting a notification. I should probably edit it now to point out what a pile of crap the Ridgid turned out to be, a long with their ridiculous warranty turn around time. I have moved on to the DeWalt 735 now.
Looking to get into wood working I bought this machine and then found this video and it makes me feel good... Let the learning experience begin.
I’m so happy for you and how far you’ve come with these videos. I’ve been watching you for some time now and your channel has grown immensely! Keep up the awesome work! Let’s see more builds though. People like myself depend on them… I’m a self taught woodworker. It’s so hard trying to find plans for projects and sometimes it helps having something to lean on.
Hola!🖐You seem to get better and better at these review videos! I believe that this is why you are so trusted with your input. Your honesty and trustworthiness exudes in your videos. Thank you for making these videos, please keep it up. Wishing you continued growth and success. Take care and have a good one, Adios! 👊
Thank you for all of these videos, i'm slowly getting woodworking and your tool guides have been great!
I bought this Craftsman Planer back in August. I have used it alot and love it. It took a little to get the beds flat on it but have had no problems with it.
Thanks Matt for the reveiw and use guide. Coming from a construction background a lot of the finish techniques are new to me. After health forced a career change and pay cut I'm trying to side gig income supplement by bootstrapping. Tips and tricks like adjusting the infeed you showed are awesome and hard to figure out on my own. Keep modeling the walk. "Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary use words".
Thanks, that was great and as always "Thanks for all your time and effort".
I've had that for about a year and am pretty happy. Thanks for the tip about snipe -- I have my trays perfectly flat with the bed, but it sounds like raising the ends could help, I'll try that! Now waiting until I can justify a jointer.
I have this planer for about a year and a half and works great!!
Thank you so much for the review and education on how to use a planer!
I've been using this for about 5 years and it gets the job done. I don't plan to upgrade unless it breaks down. I never waxed the beds so I appreciate that tip. Using a sacrificial piece is my go to method for snipe prevention. Great review.
Liking this series a lot!! This seems like a decent planer! Thanks for the review! would love to see a review of best budget mini-lathe!
Thank you I’m a beginner woodworker on a budget these videos are very helpful
I have the skill saw you reviewed for almost 2 years now. I also have this planar for almost a year. I've tortured it making cutting boards, etc with the likes of purple heart, maple, padauk and it's still holding up. The only way I got the snipe under control is sacrificial boards. I also built a sled that I use blue tape and hot glue for the sacrificial lumber when I plane twisted or shorter boards.
Love the “Up” bit!!!
I like this video. I may not buy the Craftsman, but the planer tips you included was priceless!
I have a LOVE those 3M bluetooth ear protection! Audiobooks the whole time! I wear them while snow-blowing too!
Bought it about 2 yrs ago and its been great for me.
I'm just starting out, so thank you for this series of videos.
Your snipe hunting took me all the way back to my days as a Boy Scout. Thank you. A pleasant memory.
I got the skil table saw and it’s been great- thx!
I have always loved my Cutech planer and suggest it to anyone looking for a great planer at a great price. I have the 40800H and having owned a dewalt 734.. the difference is obvious as it can get. Nonetheless this was a great informative video for those starting out. Kudos sir.
Ive had the same craftsman planer now for about 3 years. It works fairly well and is reliable. I picked it up from Lowes for under $200
I have that one. ITs pretty good. easy to assemble!! It bogs down if you try to take too big a bite. I made a little roller for mine so it just rolls under my table. Mine snipes like crazy, but if you put in a long piece of melamine as a new bottom is way better!
I loved the UP reference! Don't mind me walking around my shop now doing that every time I run the planer.
Thumbs up for the Up reference. Well done
Thank you for your review I just purchased this planner 2 hours ago I cannot wait to get home from work and make something.
Mr. Outlaw. Thank you so much for this video. I purchased that exact planer last year. I absolutely love it. Your review has cemented my opinion. Thanks for all you do. God bless you and yours. 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the review I may be interested in a planer someday. A friend has a Worx and he likes it!
Great review! I'm going to try your suggestion of raising the infeed table an 1/8" to eliminate my snipe issue.
I have this same planer. Works good for me.
Thank you for the video! I’d be interested in a budget jointer.
would be interested in hearing about budget router tables. Thanks for all your content, I enjoy it and have learned a bunch.
Oh my gosh I am watching this at my desk at work and I laughed pretty loudly when you were snipe hunting!!!
Would love to see budget router/table combo! Keep up the good work. Much appreciated! 👍
Kobalt. 130 for router/table right now
@@Fishing-gs9ku I only see it for $150
I have this planner been really happy with it’s performance
Bought skil fixed plunge router year ago best router I’ve ever owned use it daily make cabinets for living
I love the Up joke well done.
Good review Matt! This planer and it’s price point is more inline with what I need. Every machine has its limitations so people should be cognizant of that. Using treated lumber might require a more stable cutter. If you are cutting treated material or hardwoods like walnut. You might have to go with the Helical head version! Carbide likes the heat unlike hardened steel. For the budget Woodworking person this is a great option! It’s a far cheaper than a PowerMatic or Grizzly!
Watched this video knowing that there was one available on Market Place and read other reviews about the Craftsman Planer... Guy had been gifted this planer and he had never opened it... They are currently $399 at Lowes and Amazon plus tax... He sold me this brand new in the box Craftsman for $250! Saved about $185... Thanks so much for this video!
I just bought this exact one!!....I love it!!!...399$......well worth it!!
Would love to see your next video showcase the best budget mitre saw, for sure.
another great review! you need to do jointer next to go with my new planer!
I can’t wait to have a planer but for now I’m still just using my table saw for everything. Keeps cost down, sort of. A good video as I have been eyeing this planer due to its price. Thank you VERY much. Now I have to choose, planer or miter saw 😭
I wasn't in a hurry to buy mine so I studied marketplace and Craigslist.. I got the Dewalt DW735 (same as yours) brand new in the box for $300. It was part of a scratch and dent pallet, a forklift had cut the side of the box and into the Styrofoam. If you don't mind searching, you can come across some great deals!
Another great review Matt. I would love to see a budget/entry level router combo review. I’ve been quite curious about the Skil RT1322 (especially after the Skil table saw performing so well). Despite there being a few reviews of it on YT each one I watched made me wonder how your review would go on it. 😂 I’d love to see if it or some other entry level option would be worth investing in, as that’s an extra $100 or so in savings vs a Dewalt combo or similar option, savings that could be subsequently used to invest in some better quality router bits to get started with. Thanks for all you do and keep up the great work!
Thanks! I wanted to show a bit more substantial appreciation. It's not much, but I wanted to thank you for the inspiration and work you do.
Wow Jim! Thank you. I really appreciate that!
Man, been away for a while, and boy your video quality has come a long way! Thanks and God bless.
I appreciate that!
Well done! As to a next topic, I'd choose a 2ish HP router kit with variable speed and both plunge and fixed base. I own six ...yes, SIX routers. A 30yo Porter Cable 690 (1.5hp fixed base), a Grizzly 1hp trim, a Makita 18v trim, two Bosch 1617's and a Craftsman 2hp. I believe the Craftsman to be a rebranded Skil...but can't (won't) say for sure. The Bosch routers spend their time upside down in tables, the Craftsman is my handheld workhorse, the Makita is my favorite for light chamfer/round over work. Both the Griz and P-C are old n tired, but still perform. The reason I would choose a decent router kit set (both fixed and plunge bases) is the total versatility and utility of the tool. Heck, the fixed base could live in your router table forever and you just swap the motor back and forth. If I was starting over...knowing what I know now...I'd chose the Skil for my first workhorse router, and then a Makita or Bosch for my trim router.
These videos help so much thank you
I started with this very planer 5 years ago. I still have it and use it regularly. It has its limitations but it has never let me down and produces a good cut. Snipe is minimal like with all planers it is how you use it. Great option for the first time buyer.
Revew a Mitre saw
I saw Be Still on your shirt and subbed. I already knew before I read the bottom. I need that shirt.
Love your website and the videos. I'm just getting into finally getting myself some nice tools now that I have a garage to start woodworking in so this is awesome.
Thank you
Thank you for your video.
I have the Bauer planer from Harbor Freight and it looks identical to this one. I also have the Dewalt 735 for fine tuning my boards
A budget friendly jointer, a budget friendly CNC. I think you can make a awesome video on different jointery methods for making furniture
I've got an old 2009 porter cable planer that's just like this craftsman with the 2 blades and the build of it. It works even if it's slow but I also only paid $80 on FB marketplace 🤷♀️
I have that exact Craftsman planer. I love mine. Paid just over 300 a year or so ago.
I would love to see you Do a review on compact routers.
Love your channel and these beginner tools, would love to hear your thoughts on beginner miter saw
Very helpful. Thank you.
I love your videos. I was curious what you do with the tools you buy to do tool reviews? Keep up the great work, your videos have really helped me progress in woodworking and in life in general. Thank you everything.
Thanks 👍 A lot of them I give away locally
@@731Woodworks That's awesome of you to do that and thank you for answering!
This planer is on my radar, I’m also looking at the Bauer from Harbor freight. This review was very helpful💯🤙🏼🤙🏼
Love these videos, For the next one, how about a jointer??
Something tells me that wasn’t your first snipe hunt. 😜 A jointer would be my next suggestion. Great video Matt!
Would love to see a budget miter saw!
Great review.
I need a jointer!!!
IIRC this is the same as the Harbor Freight and Wen planers of the same size. A couple other OEMs are selling it too, though I don't recall which. I do think craftsman is the right call though because warranty work will be a lot simpler through them I imagine.
I love my Craftsman tools.
I already have the DeWalt 735 planer. I do eventually want to upgrade the head to a helical one.
The "snipe" part had me cracking up!
@731woodworks Thank you for the great content! Definitely my favorite KZhead channel. May God continue to bless you my friend.
Wow, thank you!
Merci beaucoup pour la vidéo 📹
Hi 731...I want to first thank you for your awesome videos. I would like to see a budget jointer and a budget CNC machine.
Great video, lots useful information 👍
Glad it was helpful!
For the next video I would like to hear about budget jointers followed by band saws.
Awesome review Mighty Matt.
Thanks!
Another great video, thanks! About to start a binge run of your channel ;-)
I always proceed with caution on budget tools. They are a budget tool for a reason. This goes back to your Harbor Freight love or hate video. As someone who grew up in the 60s on Craftsmen tools, they were the backbone of our home and auto tool sets. Craftsmen’s name just doesn’t hold the same place in the reliability standards it once did. As always, an illuminating video.
You had me bent over in pain with the Up reference. This is the planer that i have been eyeballing as of late as well as the Wen. Hope all is well Matt. I hate that i have missed the lives as of late, life has been so busy. I am going to try and catch tonights episode. 😁
Thanks! 👊🏻
Thanks Matt. I’d love to see a budget review of Track/Plunge saws. A wonderful channel for those of us just getting into woodworking as a hobby. Thank you.
Matt... I think you need to try the WEN planner.... it is FANTASTIC. Take a look at some of its features. Keep up the good work!
I got the WEN planer with the granite plate to make sure the bed STAYS flat and doesn't dent
Jointer!
I don't know man, for not much more Wen has a spiral cutter planer. I just got it. Great unit
Nice thickness planer
wow, sana all😃👍👏
I have a old DELTA planer, But I been looking for a new planer to go in my new wood workshop had this one in mind
Great idea 💡👍🤠🙂
This is very close the the Bauer at harbor freight and you can get it for the same price if not less. I have the Bauer and it works great.
Another great video. Bandsaw next?
I would like to see a bandsaw. Also I hate for that planner to clutter up your shop. Let me know if we can work something out.
I would love to see either a budget t track system or a bandsaw
Thanks for the review I actually was considering the craftsman when I looking for a planer. I did opt for the Dewalt because I found a good sale on when I purchased it. How about a good beginner miter saw for the next one. I use a harbor freight general, but I’m sure there may be better budget options o. The market
Just a heads up. The blades for the Harbor Freight Bauer planer are the same as those in the Craftsman for a lot less money. They also fit the old Delta and Porter Cable 12.5 planers. I believe they may all come out of the same factory? For me the best tool in the shop is the drum sander. I too hate to sand LOL! With a sled and double stick tape I'm able to plane safely down to .090" or so. So many videos are just fluff ads. I'm glad to see you talk about the limitations of the tools too!
How about the Bandsaw? Great videos. Thank you!
@8:20 I appreciate that joke. Great job.