I must admit that the WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer is the kind of tool that makes me wonder how I’ve managed this far without trying one out. For one reason or another, I’ve never really thought about picking up an electric hand planer. I’ve always gone for the manual option, which after giving this thing a go, seems primitive, to say the least. This planer is a simple yet effective tool, designed to tackle one of the more laborious jobs in carpentry.
Boasting a pretty hefty 34,000 cuts per minute and weighing in at a slender 8lbs, this thing makes it seriously easy to smooth even the roughest of surfaces. Up for grabs at a price that seems almost too good to be true, it’s an affordable (and perhaps essential) addition to any toolbox.
Even if it’s not the kind of thing you’ll be using on a regular basis, you’ll be glad you’ve got it when you need it. Seriously – if you’ve ever spent several hours pushing a planer by hand. In this WEN 6530 review, you’ll know an instant what the WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer is all about.
Features of WEN 6530
You wouldn’t expect a lot of tools for this kind of money, but this is a manufacturer that’s known for consistently delivering the goods. The official size and weight specifications of the planer are as follows:
- Item Weight – 8 pounds
- Product Dimensions – 12 x 7 x 7 inches
This makes WEN 6530 3-1/4-Inch 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer a compact and convenient tool to use, which nonetheless boasts impressive power and performance. It’s also supplied with an extensive warranty, which makes that ultra-low price tag even more impressive.
Things Included with the Product:
- Reversible Dust Bag
- Rabetting Guide
- Chamfer Groove
- 6-Amp Motor
- 16 Positive Stops
- Two HSS Reversible Blades
- Retractable Kickstand
- Parallel Fence Bracket
- 6-Foot Power Cord
- Blade Adjustment Wrench
- Two-Year Warranty Assurance
Suffice to say, and it’s all shaping up to be a pretty impressive package for such a low price. Moving on to the main features and selling points of the planer, WEN talks up the following as its primary points of appeal:
34,000 Cuts Per Minute
The WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer features a double-sided blade that spins at an impressive 17,000 RPM, giving it the power and performance to get the job done better than any manual planer ever could.
Variety of Cutting Depths
Choose from a total of 16 different cutting depths, which go all the way from 0 right up to 1/8 of an inch. This makes it a seriously versatile tool for an endless variety of applications.
Extensive Warranty
For total peace of mind, each Wen 6530 comes complete with a full two-year warranty from the manufacturer. Any problems or breakdowns during this time and they’ll take care of everything on your behalf.
Kickstand for Added Protection
A simple yet ingenious addition prevents the blade from coming into contact with the surface when the planer is not in use.
Reversible Dust Chute
The dust chute can be adjusted to point in various directions, so you can control the flow of sawdust as you work. The dust bag can be attached to either side of the tool.
Rabbeting Guide
Make rabbets up to 7/10 inches in size with the included rabbeting guide.
My Experience with WEN 6530
Like I said right at the beginning, this is the kind of tool you wonder how you ever got by without. It may be designed for one very specific application, but it’s the kind of back-breaking application you’d prefer to avoid if possible.
The amount of effort this thing reduces when tackling almost any wooden workpiece you can think of is extraordinary. Easy to use, comfortable to hold, and perfectly weighted, you can work with the electric planer all day with zero trouble.
The adjustable depth system makes it great for precise planning, and the included rabbeting guide is particularly impressive. Though it’s the power delivered by that six-amp motor that’s perhaps most impressive. Considering its current selling price, the WEN 6530 3-1/4-Inch Electric Hand Planer represents outstanding value for money.
Things do get a little noisy when you put it to the test, but this is a small price to pay for such a low price to pay if you see where I’m coming from!
Pros
- Superb power and performance
- Remarkable versatility and accuracy
- Exceptionally easy to use
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold
- Extensive manufacturer’s warranty
- Superb value for money
Cons
- Can be a little noisy
Final Thoughts
You’d have to dig pretty deep to find anything genuinely negative to say about the WEN 6530 Planer. For this kind of money, you really can’t expect a mind-boggling array of unique features and functionalities.
In fact, just as long as a tool gets the job done for a price like this, you’re onto a winner. In the case of this planer, that exactly what you’re looking for.
High-performance engineering and simplicity in design, taking care of one of the less inspiring carpentry jobs you’d rather not waste time on. Give the WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer a shot just once, and you’ll never look back any other options.
If you would like to get the reviews of other popular power and hand tools, kindly visit our reviews page.
Leave a Reply