Wen Benchtop Planer Review: How Is This One?

We have reviewed Wen 6552 before and it is time for another one. If you are new to the woodworking world the heavier and complex looking planers might scare you. Apparently, they might make your work harder for you. You need the smooth surface but want to pay less for it and also get the best results easily. But, many planers do not let you accomplish such tasks so easily. You might not like working in your garage so you want to work in your lawn where you get more sunlight. Because it just enhances your creative spirits.

But, the bulky, traditional planer just won’t let you do that. So, you need something more modern, easier and lighter to support your sense of freedom and creativity.

A benchtop planer is what you need as it helps you do your woodworking as easily as possible and also wherever possible. In fact, it does not need any assembling at all and is super easy to carry to a suitable place for your mood. The Wen 6550 Benchtop Planer is one such great planer that will make your work flawless and demand the least effort from you. So, this Wen Benchtop Planer review will help you find out if this is the planer you need in your life.

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Wen Benchtop Planer Review: Features

Here is what the Wen 6550 will have as features to aid your woodwork:

A powerful motor

A planer wound not be as efficient if you had to use your own strength and precision to get the job done. So, the 15 Ampere motor this planer features really take all the stress away from you. You do not have to prepare to work with a full stomach and a well-rested body, you can just let the planer do its job by placing your wood securely in it. Apparently, this motor can cause 18,000 cuts per minute at a feed rate of 26 feet per minute.

Speed

As you already know this planer can cut 18,000 cuts per minute at s 26 feet per minute rate. In fact, the faster a planer works, the smoother and better the produced service quality will be. The Wen 6552, the larger of the Wen models, has the same motor but a greater number of cuts per minute. But, the Wen 6550 still does a good enough job with its speed.

12.5 X 6 Capacity

This planer has a nice capacity of handling 12.5 inches wide and 6 inch thick woods. This is the smaller capacity between the two products of the same category. The Wen 6552 has a capacity of 13 inches. But, it’s best to take the planer with the capacity that fit your needs. You might not need the extra 5 units and it may even hamper the quality of the finished wood.

Two-Blade System

If you are looking for a basic planer that does not offer you all the extra benefits that come with more features then two-blades should not be a problem. Unlike its brother 6552 which has three blades on the cutter head, this planer features two blades. Two blades work just fine and even better than three blades depending on the design and quality. However, you might receive the same smooth result with the three blades a bit earlier than with the two blades. Except that, the finished quality is still admirable.

Adjustable Height

This is a feature that really comes in handy in making flawless pieces. In order for the planer to do its magic, you need to place the wood at the perfect height. That is not very easy to do in planers that do not come with any adjustability. But, the Wen 6550 has a rubber adjustment handle with which you can easily adjust the height by 1/16 of an inch in each rotation. So, expect the perfect measurement to give your woodwork the finish you specifically wanted.

Cast-Iron and Granite Build

While both Cast-Iron and Granit have their own benefits and flaws, both of them together mostly provides benefits. Cast-iron forms the base and thus offers a sturdy and stable base on which you won’t have to worry about vibrations or movement during work. But, cast iron is a bit less durable and also prone to bending. This problem is solved by the granite table. The granite table itself offers a smooth surface for the wood to be on and also an overhead protection for the cast-iron base. Plus, granite is much more durable and resistant to its environment.

Foldable Infeed and Outfeed Tables

As we already mentioned that this is a very portable planer. Moreover, as the designers know your priority, they have made the infeed and outfeed foldable so you can fold them and carry the planer easily anywhere you want.

Furthermore, the planer also has two handles which you can grab easily to move the planer.

Minimized Snipes: You definitely want to avoid snipes as much as possible and the 6550 lets you do exactly that. In fact, it uses a tri-feed roller which helps to reduce snipes.
Dust Port: You do not have to worry about cleaning tough dust as the 6550 makes it easy for you. It features a fan-assisted dust port which will take care of all the dust the planer creates.
Two-Year Warranty: What you can be sure of about this product are its durability and quality. Even the manufacturers are sure of it so they offer the two-year warranty quite confidently.

Wen Benchtop Planer review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

A sturdy and stable planer with a cast-iron base and granite table.
Adjustable height for accurate performance.
Foldable infeed and outfeed tables.
Very easy to transport with the handles featured.
A powerful motor with sufficient speed.
Smooth and accurate end products.
Tri-roller minimizes snipes.
Dust Port.
Affordable.
Easy operation.
Almost no assembly required.

Cons:

Not as fast as the Wen 6552 despite having the same motor power.
Does not feature the best quality blades.

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Wen Benchtop Planer Review: Frequently Asked Questions

Can the blades be replaced?

Answer: Yes, it can be. However, it is best to replace the blades with what Wen offers for this model. Because other blades or blades that have slight features that don’t fit this planer can make it less durable.

Is it quiet during operation?

Answer: Unfortunately, no. But, there is no planer that does what it does quietly.

The Wen 6550 comes at a more affordable price than most other planers and offers a performance and quality that you cannot complain of. However, it does not also have the features that might make it compete with the more expensive models. Therefore, depending on your level of skill and requirement, Wen 6550 is a budget-friendly and efficient planer for the features it offers. Our Wen Benchtop Planer Review should have given you a clear idea to decide if it meets your needs or if you want more. So, make the decision you need to make.