Thinking of buying a manual hand planer? Here is a carefully selected list that you can trust. Before buying any of them, it will be nice to read customer reviews on each brand.
Our Recommended Choices for the Best Manual Hand Planer
1. Bench Plane No. 5 – Iron Jack Plane – Fully Adjustable Wood Hand Planer, 14-Inches Long with 2-Inch Cutter, Includes 2 blades
It comes with one replacement blade, ensuring that after the blade that comes with it becomes dull, you just need to change the blade yourself. The planer is 14 inches long and 2 inches wide. The bottom of the steel body is smooth, giving you a glossy finish when it glides over a rough surface.
It can take on even the hardest of wood with the brass blades that give it a longer life when compared to other models. The handle is wooden, and the design makes it comfortable to hold.
Specifications
- Package dimensions: 14.45 x 5.98 x 2.72 inches
- Item weight: 5.76 pounds
- Manufacturer: Caliastro LLC
- Material: Steel
- Customer reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Wide enough for large surfaces
- Comfortable wooden handle
Cons
- It might take considerable effort to get work done (not meant for beginners)
2. AmazonBasics No.4 Smoothing Bench Hand Plane – 2-Inch Blade
It is made of a cast iron material and the blade is made of a steel alloy that is 2 inches wide. The sharpness of the blade is something you will be proud of, requiring little effort to make quality cuts, thus achieving your desired outcome faster.
The handle is wooden but it is impact-resistant, giving it a less strenuous feel while you are working with it. Whether you are an amateur or an expert, a smoothing bench hand planer is what you need.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 10 x 5.5 x 2.6 inches
- Item weight: 3.82 pounds
- Manufacturer: AmazonBasics
- Material: Cast iron
- Customer reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Durable blade for a long lasting use
- Handle does not stress your hands
- Can be used for a variety of projects
Cons
- Working on hardwood may require extra effort
3. 3PCS Carpentry Tools, Adjustable 9″ SpokeShave with Flat Base and Metal Blade,4″Mini Wood Hand Planer and 12″Combination Square T Metal Ruler
The planer is made of durable steel material and the blades are super sharp. It is stated that it should be kept away from children as it can cause serious injuries. It is suitable for working on smaller projects and it can be used in areas where bigger planers cannot reach.
The blades can easily be sharpened and are also easy to handle for work.
The spokeshave is made of high-quality steel, just like the planer. It can be used in addition to the planer to shape, cut, and adjust your wood. The combination square can be used to get the level or gauge of what you are working on.
If you want a tool that offers a great value for the money, choose this model as you get three different tools with just a single purchase.
Specifications
- Package dimensions: 14 x 5 x 2 inches
- Item weight: 1.15 pounds
- Manufacturer: HHYOOSOO
- Special features: 3 Pieces carpentry tools
- Color: 3
Pros
- Made from a durable material
- Easy to use
- Offers great value for money
Cons
- May not be the perfect choice for large projects
4. Micro Mini Brass Hand Plane Set Wood Finish Planer Hobby Craft
Considering the construction, they are meant to be used by serious and busy carpenters. They can be used for a variety of woodwork like crafting, scraping, and even cleanup. Because of their size, they are also ideal for working in tight areas.
You can use both hands for larger projects but it can be operated with one hand when in a confined space. You can henceforth relax whenever you need to do a little bit of smoothing and trimming. Even though they do not come with replacement blades, the blades can be sharpened with the aid of a grinder.
Specifications
- Package dimensions: 8.7 x 4.6 x 0.5 Inches
- Item weight: 12.8 ounces
- Manufacturer: Netsc19
- Material: solid brass and hardwood
Pros
- Easy to use
- Offer good value for money
- Can be sharpened easily when the blade dulls
Cons
- Replacement blades are not included
5. AmazonBasics No.4 Bench Hand Plane – 2-Inch Blade
Another reason you should buy this planer is that when you notice the results are not forthcoming, you can adjust the gear for a more precise smoothing. The handle is an impact-resistant plastic material with an uneven grip for better maneuverability when working.
The blades are 2 inches in length and they can cover wide surfaces, speeding up your projects. It is a must-have for both amateurs as well as professionals.
It is easy to use, less strenuous to handle, and guarantees a glossy, smooth finish.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 9.8 x 4.8 x 2.5 x inches
- Item weight: 2.66 pounds
- Manufacturer: Amazon Basics
- Warranty: 1 year
- Material: Cast iron
- Customer reviews: 4 out of 5 stars
Pros
- It is easy to use
- Durable construction
- Backed by a 1 year warranty
Cons
- Working on hardwood may require extra effort
6. Grizzly Industrial H7568 – 22″ Smoothing Plane with Serrated Sole
The rosewood handle is durable with contour grips, which makes it easy to handle. In case you need to achieve more precision while working, you can control this factor using the provided iron adjustments.
The base of the planer is made of durable cast iron. Gliding resistance is nullified by the ground serrated sole.
Even if it is heavy, it does the job right — that is what matters.
Once you buy it, unbox and clean off any traces of grease you see. Set the blades and examine all other features that you have read.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 6 x 22.4 x 3.5 inches
- Item weight: 10.2 pounds
- Manufacturer: Grizzly
- Customer reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Offers good value for money
- Easy to use even for beginners
- Designed to feel comfortable to hold
Cons
- The sole is pretty flat meaning it can only be used for finishing
- A little bit heavy to handle
Maintenance of Manual Hand Planer
Apart from using the manual hand planer the right way, there are few other things you can do to ensure this carpentry tool is kept in the best condition and thus last longer than expected.
Safety
When they are not in use, the best position to keep them is on their side. Since the blade is always projecting at least a few millimeters, it is best to keep it away from other metals.
Rust
Rust is a factor that affects metals. If you are not careful, your manual hand planer too can run into this same problem. To prevent this, be sure to regularly oil it. You should also oil it before storing it away for long periods.
Oiling
When you have used it in working long hours, it will be wise of you to oil it and store it. Regular oiling of your planer will keep it free from any risk of corrosion, and possible rust. This way you ensure its maximum usage.
General Maintenance Tips
Replace any damaged parts without delay. It may also be wise to sharpen this tool at regular intervals, maybe monthly. The blade can be sharpened using a grinding machine or by hand using a knife sharpener.
You might also make it a habit to clean it regularly. After each day’s job, pick up a cloth and wipe any debris off the body parts. Pay attention to tight corners like the frog and the throat areas. As a general principle, it should never be stored without being cleaned thoroughly
It should be stored in a safe place. Some have made their cabinets it’s home. You will decide where to store your tool. However, it must be a place free from dust and dirt.
Types of Manual Hand Planers (or Planes)
How many types of hand planers have you seen or used in the past? You may be surprised to find out that there are more than 10 different types of manual hand planers. Here are some of them!
Block planes: They are mostly lightweight and are meant to be used with one hand for trimming and making a fine finishing. The blades are usually set with the cutting bevel upwards.
Smoothing planes: These are the shortest in length and as the name suggests, they are specialized in transforming boards from rough to smooth.
Jack planes: These are ‘jack of all trades’ planers. They are the most versatile because they can be used for both flattening of boards as well as smoothing.
Fore planes: Measuring around 460mm in length, these short planers are mostly used for flattening tasks. This plane rides over troughs and takes shavings from rough parts only.
Jointer planes: These sets are the longest of all planes and they are used to straighten the sides of boards. Their long soles allow them to glide over peaks and toughs, leveling or smoothing peaks till a smooth board is achieved.
Shoulder planes: These have blades that extend the full width of the plane. With each glide, the full-width blade cuts peaks, achieving smoothness faster.
Some others include bull nose planes, rabbet planes, plough planes, router planes, and japanese planes.
Final Verdict
Technology has advanced a great deal and there is still more innovation for the world to see. But no matter how many automatic tools are produced, none can precisely remove layers of wood like a hand planer.
As you have seen, they require less effort to use and the results are excellent. Take advantage of this review and buy a quality product that will serve you for a long time.