Every single woodworker – or at least those that are serious – is familiar with WEN, the power tool brand. It was founded way back in 1951 by Nick Anton, and has gradually developed a knack for answering the industry’s most complicated issues.
At present, they are one of the go-to companies for seasoned contractors all the way up to the everyday hobbyist. They offer a wide range of products, which include chainsaws, soldering guns, engravers, and of course, planers.
In this article, we’ll be focusing our attention on that last offering – planers. With so many options to choose from, our goal is to tell you why WEN is an ideal choice to make, while also helping you decide which among its models best fits your needs.
So if you’re an interested buyer, or just happen to really love working with wood, continue reading our WEN planer review. Who knows; you might learn something truly worthwhile.
WEN Planer Comparison Table
WEN planer | features | editor's rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
1. WEN 6550T Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer  | - Delivers approximate 18,000-cuts-per-minute at a 26-feet-per-minute feed rate - A solid granite table provides stability and evenness when cutting, and is resistant to daily wear-and-tear | 4.3/5.0 | |
2. WEN 6552T Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer  | - Produces a category-leading 25,000-cuts-per-minute to make leveling wood more efficient - Its tri-roller feeding system prevents snipe from occurring, helping to keep your body safe | 5.0/5.0 | |
3. WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer  | - The 6-AMP motor supplies an average of 34,000-cuts-per-minute for optimum cutting - Comes with a kickstand that eliminates the risk of tool-to-workpiece contact while you are resting | 4.0/5.0 | |
4. WEN 6534 Electric Hand Planer  | - Two chamfer grooves help create cuts of either thin and wide thicknesses - Its overall weight has been increased to 11.5-lbs for better resistant against tougher projects | 4.2/5.0 |
WEN Planer Reviews
It is impossible to speak about WEN without mentioning its 6550T Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer. Currently, which has built a strong reputation for being dependable, efficient, and most importantly, an incredible value-for-money purchase.
Armed with a robust 15-AMP motor, it has the ability to deliver over 17,000-cuts-per-minute at a 26-feet-per-minute feed rate. This means it can level wood at an incredibly efficient pace, much more than your standard planer. Its non-marring granite tabletop serves as a flat surface to support workpieces, while a heavy-duty base eliminates unnecessary shaking completely.
The only downside is that it’s a corded model with limited mobility when plugged in. The trick here, though, is to put it in a large area with lots of space to go around it. Nevertheless, despite this minor hiccup, the WEN 6550T Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer remains to be one of the best options available to buyers.
Pros
Cons
Users who require a heftier dose of cutting power should check out the next featured planer. The WEN 6552T Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer, which is a successor to the 6550 model, has been upgraded to deliver approximately 25,000-cuts-per-minute for every 26-feet-per-minute. This, coupled with a 3-blade design, will make quick work of even the hardest types of wood on the market.
Another innovation that we absolutely love is the WEN 6552T ‘s larger dust collection ports. Actually, users can select either a 2-inch, 2.5-inch, and 4-inch adaptor, depending on the size of their vacuum. This improvement, albeit simple, is a very practical solution to daily problems faced by woodworkers. Slicing through lumber often produces tons of residue, and this should cut your clean up time by almost half.
Even though the 6552T Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer exhibits many of WEN‘s trademark qualities, the suitability for larger projects still remains its primary selling point. Contractors, professional carpenters, and extreme hobbyists better take note because this could very well be the tool they need to take their work to the next level.
Pros
Cons
Are you always moving from one job area to another? Do you want a planer that’s portable, but also won’t sacrifice your work quality? If so, then maybe the WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer is a suitable option. This product kit includes the actual power tool, a dust bag, kickstand, parallel fence, and of course, complete with a 2-year warranty guarantee.
Despite weighing only 6.5-lbs, the WEN 6530 still manages to deliver up to 34,000-cuts-per-minute. Users can enjoy easy maneuverability when leveling wood without worrying about unnecessary stress on the arms, wrists, and hands. The 16 positive stops included also allow you to select your desired cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 1/8-inches.
Squaring boards, smoothing doors, and aligning workpieces have all been made easier, thanks to the WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer. Add in its supreme transportability and you instantly have a tool that can be literally taken anywhere and everywhere you want.
Pros
Cons
Our final contender for the title of best WEN planer also has a noteworthy reputation. Just like its predecessor, the 6534 Electric Hand Planer is extremely compact, too, coming in slightly heavier at 11.5-lbs. Nevertheless, manufacturers have enhanced its motor to 8-AMPs, cutting width to 4.38-inches, and improved overall endurance to shaking. The larger size also means it can now take on a wider variety of jobs.
The chamfer groove, which is primarily responsible for cutting corners and edges, has likewise been upgraded to produce either thin or wide reductions. Seeing as most projects would require both, having this ability will go a long way in providing you with flexibility.
Users who are serious about improving their craft must certainly consider the WEN 6534 Electric Hand Planer. Its benefits are invaluable, plus the 2-year warranty package included will also ensure that this tool – and your investment – is thoroughly protected. Add in its affordable price, and you easily have a thickness planer worth putting your money in.
Pros
Cons
Things To Consider When Buying a WEN Thickness Planner
Even though we’ve already identified the top options, only have the problem is solved. We’ll still need to recognize what factors are important to consumers before making an informed and highly educated decision. That is what we’ll be talking about in this upcoming section.
1. Size
Does your work require staying in a stationary location or moving from one area to another? Answering this question should lead you to buying either an electric hand or benchtop model. Each one has different sizes, strengths, and advantages that should match your work lifestyle. So before buying anything, be sure to contemplate on this first. Otherwise, you might not have enough space anymore.
2. Cutting Width
Aside from the dimensions, cutting capacity is another aspect worth thinking about. Each thickness planer has its own maximum width capability for workpieces. Smaller models only do up to 4-inches, while bulkier ones can cover as much as 10-inches or even more. It all really boils down to the types of projects you occasional take part in. Remember, the tool must match your needs. Otherwise, it becomes useless.
3. Price and Warranty
Both these properties are similar, and thus need to complement one another. For instance, it would be perfectly logical to purchase a higher priced model if it comes with a lengthier warranty period, complete with free parts replacement for a certain period, service benefits, and a money-back guarantee. In the end, the amount of money you initially shell out should come around in terms of the repair and replacement fees you save up on.
Of course, the thickness planer you buy must likewise fit under your budget. Don’t be blinded by the potential advantages, if it’s at the expense of debt. That’s not a good way to go because it just leads to more problems.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is WEN best known for?
The company WEN is known in and around the industry as a great value-for-money brand. This means the beginners, trainees, and professionals looking for a secondary thickness planer will benefit greatly from a tool of this caliber.
2. How much is the average price of a WEN thickness planer?
Allotting $350 for a benchtop model will go a long way in providing value. On the other hand, $60 is a reasonable budget to set aside for a quality electric hand planer. In the end, it’s not about how much you spend, but the value received in return.
Conclusion
WEN is a popular brand with a strong reputation for providing quality products. So anyone looking to purchase one of their offerings is in good hands. In the end, it’s all about fitting the needs to the model. That, in our opinion, is what the true meaning of best WEN thickness planer is.
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