Combination planers are differentiated from normal planers by their flexible work table. The table can be moved into almost any position, which makes it suitable for a wide range of woodworking processes. With the addition of the right tools, the inclines, grooves, bevels and thickness of a workpiece can be processed with great precision.
A combination planer performs the important functions of a standard thicknesser. This part of the machine is used to trim wooden boards when a consistent thickness its required along the full length of a wooden workpiece. The thicknesser element of a combination planer consists of a cutter unit fitted with a selection of knives, a set of rollers used to feed the workpiece through the machine and an adjustable table. There are three main types of cutter used: spiral cutter, four-bladed cutters and rotating cutters.
MARTIN Combined surface and thickness planer in operation
The surface planer element of a combined planer machine includes a motor with a rotating cutter that turns at high speed. Standalone surface planers tend to be large and heavy, and they need to be placed on a flat and stable surface for effective use. However, a combination planer thicknesser includes an adjustable table to ensure stability is maintained throughout the planing process.