recommend a power hand planer?

[slowride]

I am going to buy a power hand planer. I'm unsure what brand to get; I have Menards/Home Depot and Ace Hardware nearby. Do I go cheap here?

I have about 8 doors that don't close (previous owner painted them) that need to be planed down. I also have a few pieces of plywood being used as access hatches that don't fit correctly (again, painted). I'm not sure what I would be using it for beyond that, but I have a feeling there will be stuff. And I'm not opposed to paying more for quality (to a point, anyway).

I don't think I need cordless.

What would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[zkling]

I've borrowed the ~$100 dewalt one and it works fine. About the only use I've ever had for one was trimming doors. Otherwise it just gets fed through the jointer.

Good luck jointing the edge of a piece of plywood. I've had better luck with a good guide and a good circular saw blade.

 

[amguttin]

bosch

 

[Todd.Brock]

I have The harbor freight version and it works great for just what you described. The only part that I'm not happy with is if you're trimming a hollow core door the edges are a little bit fuzzy, but I think that is a product of the cardboard doors more so than the powerTool

Just a word of advice, once you start moving don't stop until the end of the piece. It digs in and leaves a groove. Found that out the hard way.

 

[rlitman]

My experience is that a tuned hand plane can get better results in almost the same amount of time. I have a cast iron jointer plane (a Dunlap version of a Stanley #7) that I picked up at a flea market for $15, that has done wonders on doors for me. My most recent use in a door installation required me trimming 1/4" from the width of the door (it was still easier than reframing). It took about 10 minutes, with no dust or mess to speak of when finished. With the door on the floor, I put two K body clamps on it to keep it standing upright. I put a small trash can between it and the wall, and started planing, pushing towards the can. As I reached the end of each stroke, the wood went in the can.

For a quick fix in the corner of a tight door, a low angle block plane always does the trick for me.

For rough work though (which does not include doors), I will admit that a power planer has its uses. I've seen contractors use them to level wall studs prior to sheetrocking for a flatter finish.

 

[FrankLee]

I have a Bosch, used off craigslist. I like it a lot, but disliked the original wimpy fence. I imagine that most brands have a similar fence. I remedied that with an auxiliary fence made from a piece of solid surface material.

 

[jhelrey]

Porter Cable one from Lowes- $65

 

[slowride]

Thanks guys!

Thanks for the heads up on the plywood. My buddy says he will do it with a spiral bit on his router (man does he love to route stuff!)

Menards has a Bosch on sale; might go that route. I've never had a HF power tool. Honestly, they scare me a bit. Lowes is a bit far from me, but I will check out that PC also.

I'm positive hand planes could do a better job, given the right user. I just don't think I am the right user (at least not yet).

I like that fence! Looks substantial.

 

[rlitman]

Yeah, that fence is sweet. And yes, a router on the ply is probably a better choice. Or a table saw.

 

[Todd.Brock]

HF works fine for somethings and not so well for others. I shaved down some doors and it sits idle. That said, it's surely not up to par with Bosch, etc. good luck!