Planer/Thicknessers

About

These combination machines flatten one face of a board and then plane it to a consistent thickness. They feature sturdy tables, powerful motors and accurate thickness gauges. Planer/thicknessers are essential for preparing rough lumber for fine woodworking. What is a planer/thicknesser and how does it work? A planer/thicknesser is a dual-function machine that allows you to: Plane one face of a board flat using the jointer/planer table Then run it through the thicknessing bed to make the opposite face parallel and uniformly thick It’s an essential machine for turning rough-sawn timber into square, dimensioned boards for furniture, cabinetry, or joinery. What’s the difference between a thicknesser and a jointer/planer? A jointer or planer table flattens one face and squares an edge, while a thicknesser makes the opposite face parallel and smooth. Many machines combine both functions in one unit—a planer/thicknesser —which saves space and money while providing full stock preparation capability. What should I consider when choosing a planer/thicknesser? Key considerations include cutting width (commonly 254 mm to 310 mm), maximum depth of cut , feed rate , and motor power (often 2,000–2200W+). Look for sturdy cast aluminum or steel tables , easy switching between planing and thicknessing modes , reliable dust extraction ports , and adjustable infeed/outfeed tables to reduce snipe.