WEN offers durable and reliable woodworking tools fit for beginners and experts. Choose the right thickness planer or hand planer for you in this review.
WEN Thickness Planer Review
Benchtop thickness planers are some of the most important tools for woodworking. One of its best purposes is for dimensioning or planing rough lumber. And if you do this kind of work often, investing in a good quality thickness planer should be one of your top priorities.
But how can you decide which brand or model to buy?
Here, we’ll go through two of the best WEN Benchtop Thickness Planers so you can make an informed decision before purchasing.
WEN 6552 Planer Review
Fast Feed Rate
This WEN 13 inch planer is a monster of a machine when it comes to planing. It’s one of the fastest planers in the market. Its powerful 15-Amp motor can handle over 25,000 cuts per minute at 26 feet per minute feed rate.
The WEN 6552T also has an onboard Material Removal Gauge that lets you in on all the information you need while working. It tells you about the cutting depth of the current setting, making it even more convenient for you. Each measure and cut before every pass in the planer gives you a piece of clear and accurate information.
This brilliant element allows you to achieve the perfect finish on whatever it is you’re doing. Not to mention it has a heavy-duty cast iron base for maximum durability and stability. It can even plane boards measuring up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick without any issues of walking or wobbling during operation.
Three-Blade Cutter
The WEN 6552T features a three-blade design that makes working with even the hardest of woods a whole lot easier and faster. This Tri-Roller Feeding system has three dual-edged blades to help minimize snipe. You can also reverse these blades as you wish to help elongate their life cycle and ensure precise and sharp cuts every single time.
Outstanding Features
Aside from the blade and the fast feed rate, it also allows for fine-tune depth adjustments. You can easily adjust the height of your planer with a comfortable and ergonomic rubber grip handle. Each quarter rotation correspondingly adjusts the height of the cutter head to 1/64 of an inch. This factor makes planing more precise.
There are also foldable infeed and outfeed tables to support longer workpieces. You can adjust this to get that perfect angle easily so you can feed boards smoothly and without any snipe. Finally, the WEN 6552T also comes with a fan-assisted Dust Hose Connection Port wherein you can attach a vacuum for easier and faster cleanup.
How to use it?
Find the ON and OFF switch on the front of the planer motor. To turn on, switch it up. To turn it off, switch it downwards. For more information about the operation and the Switch Lock feature, refer to the product manual.
PROS AND CONS
WEN 6552T Planer Review Verdict:
If you’re looking for a great planer that has plenty of features, give the WEN 6552T a try. It has the power for tough planing with the stability and flexibility of an industrial-level planer. Plus, it has a convenient carrying handle for easy mobility.
WEN 6550T Planer Review
Convenient and Heavy-Duty
The WEN 6550T is a benchtop thickness planer that offers a ton of conveniences. The pre-drilled holes around the edges, as well as the heavy-duty granite base, allows for easier operation. The all-granite table serves as the perfect flat surface for supporting the boards you use. The material is also long-lasting and can maintain its integrity for decades without warping or distorting.
Aside from that, granite also provides a smooth and non-marring surface so your wood can glide over easily. Sawdust won’t cling to the table’s surface so you can work efficiently and quickly. The 70-lbs material also ensures maximum stability during operation, with no sliding or shaking. In combination with the granite top, the cast-iron base also contributes to extra durability.
Ample Power
If you’re looking to compare the WEN 6550 vs 6552, you’ll find out that they both have a 15-Amp motor. However, unlike the WEN 6552, the WEN 6550 can generate only up to 18,000 cuts per minute at 26 feet per minute feed rate. While that isn’t much of a difference, it’s still an ideal factor to consider before purchasing.
On the other hand, both models of benchtop thickness planers have several other features in common. The WEN 6550T also has foldable infeed and outfeed tables for support as well as a Tri-Roller Feeding System for minimal snipe. There’s also a rubber adjustment handle for ergonomic mobility and a Dust Hose Connection Port for easy cleanup.
How to use it?
Locate the ON and OFF switch on the front of the planer motor. To turn it on, flip the switch upward. To turn it off, move the switch downward. For a more in-depth guide, refer to the product manual.
PROS AND CONS
WEN 6550T Planer Review Verdict:
If you’re on a tighter budget but want an adequate planer nonetheless, consider the WEN 6550T. It has features similar to the 6552T without being too heavy on the pocket.
WEN 6530 Planer Review
Cut Depth Variety
The WEN 6530 is an electric hand planer that can do pretty much any average planing job. It’s quick and efficient when it comes to planing away chips, splinters, and misshapen edges. It has a 6-Amp motor that delivers 34,000 cuts per minute. It can slice away any irregularities so you can achieve a smooth and aligned surface. It also offers more variety of cutting depths with 16 positive stop increments of 1/128 inches, from 0 to 1/8 of an inch.
User-Friendly Features
This WEN power hand planer comes with unique yet efficient features to make sure you have what you need. It has a kickstand for additional protection from any unintentional blade to workpiece contact when you are not operating. It also has a Reversible Dust Chute, which you can turn on easily with a simple flick of a switch.
The dust bag attaches to either side of the planer and can change the directional aim of the sawdust from left to right. The WEN 6530 also features a Rabbeting Guide, Chamfer Groove, Onboard Adjustment Wrench, as well as a Parallel Fence Bracket.
How to use it?
Press the trigger lock and squeeze the trigger switch to operate the planer. To switch it off, release the trigger switch. You can get more details and information in the product manual.
PROS AND CONS
WEN 6530 Planer Review Verdict:
If you are a beginner or you only need a planer for smaller projects, consider the WEN 6530. It has the power you need with the convenience of a handheld power tool.
About WEN Products
Why buy WEN Planers?
WEN offers some of the best planer tools and accessories in the market. It has a wide range of options, from corded to cordless and manual to power options. Whether you need an industrial-strength benchtop planer or a handheld one, WEN has a model that will suit your needs.
