The Best Double Sided Planers for Beginners

Double sided planers are a fantastic tool for any woodworking enthusiast, and they can be particularly advantageous for beginners. If you're just starting out in the world of woodworking, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available on the market. With that in mind, we've put together a list of the best double sided planers for beginners to help steer you in the right direction. In this article, we'll take a closer look at these planers, exploring their key features and benefits to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're working on a small DIY project or tackling a more ambitious woodworking endeavor, a double sided planer can be a valuable addition to your toolkit.

DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness Planer

The DEWALT DW735X is a popular choice among both hobbyists and professional woodworkers, and for good reason. This two-speed thickness planer is designed to deliver precision and power, making it an excellent option for beginners looking to achieve high-quality results. The DW735X features a powerful 15-amp motor that can handle a wide variety of hardwoods with ease, allowing you to tackle tough projects with confidence.

With its two-speed gearbox, this planer offers versatility, allowing you to choose between a slower, finer finish for delicate materials or a faster speed for quicker material removal. The extra-large thickness scale provides easy, accurate adjustments, while the material removal gauge allows you to monitor the amount of material being removed with each pass. Additionally, the DW735X comes equipped with a fan-assisted chip ejection system that helps maintain a clear workspace and prolongs the life of the planer.

One standout feature of the DEWALT DW735X is its three-knife cutter head, which delivers 30% longer knife life and makes changing blades a breeze. The disposable, reversible knives offer a razor-sharp edge for smooth, clean cuts, and their quick-change design requires no adjustments after installation. This planer also includes infeed and outfeed tables with extra-long extensions, providing ample support for longer workpieces and reducing snipe, ensuring consistent results every time.

In summary, the DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Thickness Planer is a top choice for beginners seeking a reliable, high-performance planer for their woodworking projects. With its powerful motor, two-speed gearbox, and convenient features, this planer offers the precision and control required for a wide range of applications.

JET JWP-208HH 20-Inch Helical Head Planer

The JET JWP-208HH 20-Inch Helical Head Planer is a heavy-duty option that's well-suited to beginners who demand precision and durability in their woodworking tools. This planer is equipped with a helical cutter head containing 92 indexable carbide inserts, ensuring a superior finish and extended cutting life. The helical design minimizes noise and vibration, resulting in a smoother operation and reduced tear-out, making it ideal for working with figured wood or highly figured grain patterns.

With its 5HP motor and a large 20-inch planing capacity, the JWP-208HH is capable of handling larger workpieces and heavy-duty projects with ease. The precision-located jackscrew arrangement allows easy knife changes and crucial accuracy, while the parallelogram design ensures consistent, even planing across the entire width of the material. The planer also features a digital readout for the table height, making adjustments quick and accurate.

The JET JWP-208HH comes equipped with a heavy-duty, welded steel base for stability and durability, providing a solid foundation for your woodworking endeavors. Additionally, the planer includes a cast-iron table with infeed and outfeed extensions, offering ample support for longer stock and reducing snipe for a flawless finish.

In conclusion, the JET JWP-208HH 20-Inch Helical Head Planer is an excellent choice for beginners seeking a robust, high-capacity planer with exceptional precision and cutting performance. With its unique helical cutter head, powerful motor, and thoughtful design features, this planer is more than capable of meeting the demands of both hobbyists and professional woodworkers.

Grizzly G0505 12-1/2-Inch Planer

The Grizzly G0505 12-1/2-Inch Planer is a compact yet capable option that's perfect for beginners seeking an affordable, entry-level planer without sacrificing performance. This planer comes equipped with a 2HP motor that provides ample power for handling various wood species, making it suitable for smaller projects and hobbyist use.

The G0505 features a single-phase, 110V motor, making it suitable for use in home workshops or smaller workspaces. The 12-1/2-inch width capacity offers versatility for planing a range of stock sizes, providing ample room for maneuverability without taking up excessive space. The planer also includes a precision-ground cast-iron table for stability and support, ensuring consistent results and minimizing snipe.

One standout feature of the Grizzly G0505 is its spiral cutter head with indexable carbide inserts, offering a superior finish and extended cutting life. The spiral design minimizes noise and vibration, resulting in smoother operation and reduced tear-out, particularly when working with highly figured or difficult grain patterns. The planer also features a height adjustment handwheel for quick and easy table adjustments, allowing for precise planing and hassle-free operation.

In summary, the Grizzly G0505 12-1/2-Inch Planer is an excellent entry-level option for beginners seeking a compact, affordable planer with enough power and precision to handle a variety of woodworking projects. With its compact size, powerful motor, and spiral cutter head, this planer offers a compelling combination of performance and value for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.

Powermatic 1791213 15HH 15-Inch Planer with Byrd Shelix Helical Cutterhead

The Powermatic 1791213 15HH 15-Inch Planer with Byrd Shelix Helical Cutterhead is a high-end option that offers unparalleled cutting performance and precision, making it a solid choice for beginners looking to invest in a premium planer for their woodworking ventures. This planer features a 3HP motor and a 15-inch capacity, providing ample power and room to handle a wide range of materials and project sizes with ease.

The 15HH is equipped with a Byrd Shelix helical cutter head, which boasts 74 four-sided inserts for a total of 296 indexable knives. This innovative design delivers a superior finish, reduced noise and vibration, and extended cutting life, making it an ideal choice for working with highly figured wood and demanding grain patterns. The helical cutter head also minimizes tear-out and snipe, ensuring exceptional results on every pass.

The planer features a four-post design with oversized columns for stability and support, minimizing table deflection and ensuring consistent, accurate planing across the entire width of the material. The bed rollers are adjustable and lockable, providing added control and stability during operation, while the cast-iron base and extension tables offer ample support for larger workpieces, reducing snipe and delivering a flawless finish.

In conclusion, the Powermatic 1791213 15HH 15-Inch Planer with Byrd Shelix Helical Cutterhead is an excellent investment for beginners seeking a top-of-the-line planer with unmatched cutting performance, precision, and durability. With its powerful motor, innovative helical cutter head, and robust design features, this planer is well-suited to meet the demands of serious hobbyists and professional woodworkers alike.

In the realm of woodworking, a double sided planer can be an invaluable tool for achieving precise, high-quality results. Whether you're a novice embarking on your first woodworking project or an experienced craftsman seeking to upgrade your equipment, the right planer can make all the difference in your finished work. In this article, we've explored some of the best double sided planers for beginners, highlighting their key features and benefits to help you make an informed decision.

From the robust performance of the DEWALT DW735X to the precision and durability of the JET JWP-208HH, each planer offers its own unique advantages for woodworkers of all skill levels. Whether you're looking for versatility, cutting performance, or value for money, there's a planer on the market that's perfectly suited to meet your needs.

Investing in a high-quality double sided planer is a smart choice for anyone serious about woodworking, and with the right tool at your disposal, you'll be well-equipped to tackle a wide range of projects with confidence and precision. So, whether you're planing rough lumber, creating custom moldings, or building fine furniture, a double sided planer is an essential addition to your woodworking arsenal.