I Really Like This Ryobi Cordless Planer and It’s Almost 50% Off Right Now
I often find myself using cheaper, recycled, or rough-hewn boards for my woodworking projects to save money. But that also means I spend more time sanding and smoothing to get a quality finish. Using a planer to shape the boards and smooth the surface speeds up the process, but if you work at home, you may have noticed that planers can be expensive. This Ryobi 18-Volt Cordless Planer with 3 ¼-Inch Collet is a good tool for home use. It’s on sale for $67.75, which is 48% off the regular price.
What is a plane used for?
A plane is most often thought of as a tool for fitting a door to a jamb, but a cordless plane can be used for a variety of other purposes.
If you are using rough boards, you can use a planer to smooth them out and cut down on sanding time. If you have uneven edges, you can smooth them out with a planer. I often use my planer to smooth out high spots on reclaimed boards and sharp corners on exposed edges. If you are finishing a basement ceiling, you can use a cordless planer to smooth out the valleys in the joists so that you can install perfectly level drywall on the ceiling.
To get a precise fit for corner shelves, a planer will help you cut the shelf material accurately, especially if your walls are not at a precise 90 degree angle. You trace the outline of the wall you want to cut the shelves for, then plane the boards to the exact angle of the corner you want to install. I live in an older home and use a planer on the back of the molding to ensure a precise fit.
Why is this a good plane?
The Ryobi 18V planer with a 3 ¼” (7.5 cm) blade can cut up to 1/16” (3.6 mm) of material in one pass, and its width allows it to cut up to 3 ¼” (7.5 cm) of material in one pass. This tool comes with a chip bag and a stand that keeps the blade away from areas of the workpiece that you don’t want to cut. The Ryobi cordless planer allows you to switch the chip ejection side so you can direct the chips away from you depending on the angle and direction of the cut. This greatly improves the usability of the tool and gives you more control over the cutting process.
Ryobi makes over 200 tools that are compatible with its 18-volt batteries. Their batteries can power everything from a lawn mower to a circular saw, making their cordless lineup versatile for DIY projects. If you choose to purchase a battery and charger for this tool, it will work with all other Ryobi 18-volt tools in the lineup. And if you already have a Ryobi battery pack, you can add this finishing tool to it without having to swap out batteries. For DIYers, having a versatile battery platform allows you to do more with fewer batteries, cutting out the most expensive part of your cordless tool kit investment.