Woodworking fans, we’ve got a treat for you! We’ve been testing out the Craftsman benchtop planer, and it’s been a game-changer in our shop. This handy tool has made our projects so much easier.
We love how smoothly it planes both hard and soft woods. The 15 amp motor packs a punch, and the two-knife cutter head gives us super smooth results.
We’ve used it on everything from rough-cut lumber to reclaimed pallet wood with great success.
The planer is pretty easy to set up and use. We like the thickness gauge and adjustment knob for getting precise cuts.
It’s also not too heavy, which makes it easy to move around our shop.
One small issue we noticed is that the packaging can sometimes arrive a bit damaged. But the planer itself has always been fine inside.
Discover the Powerful CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops
We’ve been using this CRAFTSMAN planer, and it’s a real workhorse. The 15 amp motor packs a punch, making quick work of both hard and soft woods. It’s great for smoothing out rough lumber or getting boards to just the right thickness.
The planer’s speed is impressive. With 16,000 cuts per minute, it leaves a nice, smooth finish.
We like the two-knife cutter head – it’s made of solid steel and easy to change when needed.
A cool feature is the vacuum port. It helps keep our workspace cleaner, which we always appreciate.
The planer is a bit heavy at around 62 pounds, but that means it’s stable when in use.
We’ve found it works well for most home workshop tasks. It’s not perfect – it can be a bit noisy. But for the price, it’s a solid choice for DIYers and hobbyists looking to up their woodworking game.
Unlock the Potential of Hard and Soft Wood Removal
We love how this planer tackles both hard and soft woods with ease. The powerful 15 amp motor really gets the job done.
We found it handles thick boards smoothly, leaving a nice finish. The two reversible knives are sharp and last a long time. When they get dull, they’re quick to swap out.
One thing we really like is how it keeps our workspace clean. The vacuum port sucks up most of the dust and shavings.
It’s not perfect, but way better than having wood chips everywhere.
The planer is pretty heavy at over 60 pounds. But that weight helps keep it stable while working.
We think it’s a great tool for DIY projects or small workshops. It’s made our woodworking much easier and more fun.
Poly-V Cutterhead Drive for Maximum Stock Removal
We love how this planer can really power through tough jobs. The Poly-V Cutterhead drive is a game-changer. It lets us remove a lot of stock quickly and smoothly.
We’ve found it works great on both hard and soft woods. The drive system seems very durable too. We’ve put it through some heavy use and it keeps on going strong.
The cuts are clean and even across the board. It’s nice not having to make multiple passes for thicker stock removal. This feature makes our projects go much faster.
Achieve a Smooth Operation Every Time
We found the Craftsman planer a joy to use. Its two-knife cutter head glides through wood like butter. The ball bearings make for super smooth running.
We love how it handles both hard and soft woods with ease. The 15 amp motor packs plenty of power for most jobs.
The reversible knives are a nice touch. They last longer and save money. We also like the dust port. It keeps our workspace cleaner.
One small gripe is the machine can be a bit noisy. But that’s par for the course with planers.
Durability and Precision with Double Edged, Reversible Knives
We love how this planer’s knives are built to last. The high carbon steel blades are double-edged and reversible. This means we can flip them over when one side gets dull, doubling their lifespan.
We’ve found the knives stay sharp for a long time, even when planing harder woods.
The solid steel cutter head holds the knives firmly in place. This helps make super smooth cuts with little vibration.
We’ve noticed the planed boards come out really even and flat. The quick-change system makes it easy to swap out the knives when needed.
One small downside is that there are only two knives. Some pricier planers have three or four. But for most home projects, we think two is plenty. The 16,000 cuts per minute still give a nice finish.
Keep Your Workspace Clean with the Built-In Vacuum Port
We love how the Craftsman planer helps keep our workshop tidy. The vacuum port is a game-changer for dust collection.
We simply hook up our shop vac, and it sucks away most of the wood shavings and dust as we work. This means less cleanup time after projects.
The port works well with standard vacuum hoses. We noticed it catches about 80% of the debris, which is pretty good.
Some fine dust still escapes, so we wear a mask just in case.
Having a cleaner workspace makes us feel more productive. We spend less time sweeping and more time actually planing wood. It’s nice not to kick up clouds of sawdust with every step too.
Pros and Cons
We’ve been using this CRAFTSMAN benchtop planer for a while now, and it’s been a game-changer for our woodworking projects. Let’s break down what we love and what could be better.
Pros
- Powerful motor: The 15 Amp motor tackles both hard and soft wood with ease.
- Smooth operation: We’re impressed by how smoothly it runs, thanks to the ball-bearing mounted cutter head.
- Precise adjustments: The knob for fine-tuning thickness is a real time-saver.
- Reversible knives: The high carbon steel knives can be flipped, extending their life.
- Dust management: The vacuum port helps keep our workspace cleaner.
Cons
- Size limitations: It struggles with very short or narrow pieces, which can be frustrating.
- Noise level: It’s pretty loud, so ear protection is a must.
- Weight: While lighter than some models, it’s still heavy to move around.
- Packaging issues: Some units arrive with damaged packaging, though the planer itself is usually fine.
We’ve found this CRAFTSMAN planer to be a solid choice for home workshops. It’s great for tasks like smoothing out reclaimed pallet wood or trimming down rough-cut lumber. The ability to make precise thickness adjustments is super helpful.
On the downside, we wish it could handle smaller pieces better. The noise level is also something to consider if you’re working in a shared space.
Despite these minor drawbacks, we think this planer offers good value for its price point. It’s been reliable for our projects and has definitely upped our woodworking game.
What Are Customers Saying? Dive Into Customer Reviews
We’ve seen lots of happy woodworkers using this planer. Many folks love how it makes old wood look new again. Pallet wood gets a fresh start, and rough-cut lumber turns smooth. The planer is easy to set up and use, even for beginners. People say it saves them hours of sanding time.
The thickness gauge and adjustment knob get praise for being precise. Some users mention they can plane wood to within 1/32 inch accuracy. That’s pretty impressive!
Not all feedback is perfect, though. A few customers got planers with damaged packaging. One person wished it could handle shorter pieces of wood.
Overall, woodworkers seem thrilled with the results. They’re getting smooth, beautiful finishes on hardwoods like red oak. For home workshops and DIY projects, this planer seems to be a hit.
Conclusion
We’ve put this planer through its paces, and it’s safe to say we’re impressed. The CRAFTSMAN benchtop planer is a solid choice for home woodworkers. It handles tough jobs well, from recycled pallets to hardwoods. We love how it transforms rough-cut lumber into smooth, even boards. The precise adjustments and thickness gauge are handy features. While it’s not perfect – some units arrive with package damage – it’s still a great tool for most projects. If you’re looking to up your woodworking game without breaking the bank, this planer is worth considering. It’s been a welcome addition to our workshop, making our projects easier and more professional-looking.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve been using the CRAFTSMAN planer for a while now, and we’re happy to share our insights. It’s a great tool for DIY enthusiasts and hobbyist woodworkers. Let’s dive into some common questions about this handy machine.
What features does the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 Planer offer?
The CRAFTSMAN planer packs a punch with its 15 Amp motor. It spins at 8,000 RPM, giving 16,000 cuts per minute. This power helps smooth out both hard and soft woods. We love the two-knife cutter head made of solid steel. It’s quick to change and built to last. The planer also has a dust port, which keeps our workspace cleaner.
How does the performance of the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 compare to other planers on the market?
We find this planer stands up well to its peers. Its 15 Amp motor is strong for a benchtop model. It planes boards up to 6 inches thick and 13 inches wide. The cut quality is smooth, and it handles hardwoods like oak without much fuss. While it may not match industrial-grade planers, it’s a solid choice for home workshops.
What are the pros and cons of the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 according to user reviews?
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Good for small to medium projects
- Smooth finish on various wood types
- Helpful for recycling pallet wood
Cons:
- Some users report packaging issues
- May struggle with very short or narrow boards
- Dust collection could be better
Can the blades on the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 Planer be easily replaced?
Yes, blade replacement is pretty straightforward. The planer uses reversible, high-carbon steel knives. When one side dulls, we can flip them over. This doubles their life before we need new ones. The quick-change system makes swapping blades a breeze.
What should I look for when considering a benchtop planer like the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320?
When shopping for a benchtop planer, we suggest checking these points:
- Motor power (this one’s 15 Amp is good)
- Cutting width and depth capacity
- Blade quality and ease of replacement
- Dust collection options
- Portability (this model is about 62 pounds)
- Noise level during operation
- Warranty (CRAFTSMAN offers 3 years)
How do I maintain my CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 Planer for optimal performance?
To keep our planer running smoothly, we:
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Clean it after each use
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Check and tighten any loose bolts
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Keep the blades sharp and replace when needed
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Lubricate moving parts as per the manual
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Store it in a dry place to prevent rust
