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An excellent tool for joinery work such as fitting doors, windows and solid timber shelving. Electric planers are fitted with two blades set at 180 degrees to each other on a rotating drum. They run at a high speed, which makes cleaner cuts, leaving very little sanding to be done.

The blades are narrow strips of hardened steel, unlike hand planes, there is no point in sharpening them because they are quite cheap to replace.

When shopping for an electric planer, try the different brands and models for feel. Perhaps more than any other power tool, the planer must have to right balance for you.

Fortunately the blade depth is adjustable, so having chosen a machine that suits you, it is possible to practise with it without the blades actually touching the timber. When you are ready to make your first cut, turn the blade down just enough to make contact, and practise on a timber off-cut.