Electric Planes

[frembrit]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if there are any real benefits from a cheap plane to a dearer one? I've borrowed a Performance Power brand (B&Q?) from my friend, which I think was about £30, and it is very very noisy. Would dearer ones be any quieter? Any help or sugestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Deluks]

Planers are noisy as hell. The difference in cost will be durability and finish. By all means get a cheap one if you are just doing rough work, finish of with a hand plane/sander.

I have a Bosch green model, 680w, which can be had for about £50. Does the job.
I also have a cordless 18v bosch blue, not quite as powerful as the mains one though, and pricey.

Most important thing with planers is to make sure the blades are replaced as soon as they lose their edge. oh, and keep both hands on it at all times!

 

[frembrit]

Thanks.
I have a few doors to fit, and since posting, I have been using a normal hand plane which I have found that I can use far easier and much quicker than the electric one. The electric plane needs a lot of effort just to hold the trigger button in!

 

[Hitachimad]

I have a cheapy one somewhere. I normally find my nice sharp hand plane does it nearly as fast, theres some sort of satisfaction you get from long curls of wood coming off

 

[Thermo]

ive got a couple of electric ones, virtually never use them. Far easier to get it close with a saw and then use a nice sharp hand plane. secrets to look after the blade and keep it sharp. i agree with you big H, very satisfying and less messy!

 

[big-all]

if you do get one make shure it has a dust bag or be prepaired to work outside in a wooden"snowstorm"

the secret of electric planing when doing the top and bottom is to score with a sharp knife on the styles [hinge and lock sides ] to stop the wood splintering as the planer reaches the end
also you need to support the planer as it leaves the end to stop it dipping
or working from both sides to the middle supporting in the centre to stop a hollow where the cuts overlap

 

[noseall]

the secret to a good electric plane is, keep it sharp, small and simple.

i've had a few.

the best i have is a small bosch (green), it is simple, extremely wieldy and the workpiece is easily visible below.

knowing the location of the cutting drum is very important when using these things, as it is easy to take a chunk (as b.a. said ) out of the very end of the workpiece.

big, wide, unwieldy planers, stay away from.

 

[RF Lighting]

I have had a little green bosch one for ages and it is absoloutly fine for the amount I use it. I am not a joiner, so it doesn't get as much use as some, but I've no complaints. Like everyone else has said, as with all tools, decent sharp blades are the most important thing.