Considering the low price, the Ryobi planer has an impressive amount of power. The lack of extension tables could lead to more snipe than the other machines, but I didn’t find excessive snipe while planing an 8-in.-wide by 40-in.-long board. Add reasonably good dust collection (adjusts to blow chips out the back or hooks to a dust collector on the side) and the package becomes a great value for any shop. The planer leaves a good surface. I gave it the best-value award.
We tested 11 benchtop planers in a head-to-head review. For the full review, including more info about this model, read the article here.
Photo: Anissa Kapsales
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Veritas Precision Square
This precision square is incredibly versatile, from checking squareness to dialing in machine setups.
This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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