Craftsman  17370 5 amp Corded 3-1/4'' Power Planer

it did the job

I bought this planer with low expectations, however, I was so wrong. I own only craftsmen tools but this is my new best friend. The only thing that would make it any better is a larger dust bag. After each pass on a door end I had to empty the bag. Not to worry, I just hooked my shop vac to the planner and wala problem solved.

I got the other planner at a garage sale 15 years ago. So it was already used. I built a two story house I do cabinet work for a hobby. And all I can say is that I enjoy all my power tools from Sears. I never have any problems with them or the service that I get.

I purchased this hand held power planer on 11/9/2010 even after reading some of the not so great reviews.  I needed to plane down some 8/4 purpleheart and hard maple for a project.  I used this and it worked great, I mean it surfaced the wood nicely and took ample material off with one pass, the settings range from from <1/32 to 3/32 and on each setting it performed well.  I would highly recomend this if you are in the marked for a quality yet inexpensive hand planer.  It comes with a set of replacement blades also.

I bought this Planer for a small project that never got done. All thanks to the filmsy belt used inside this planer. Never in my experience I had to return a product twice. I had to take it back to Sears becuase the belt kept breaking on me. All I wanted to do was plane the 4 interior doors with no more than one eighth of an inch of shaving off to do. Unfortunately Craftsman Planer wasn't up to the task. Even more frustrating is the availability of the belt, which, by the way costs $12 and never is in stock. Can't say for sure if this belt issue is something that is common among all hand planer brands or specific to Craftsman. Will try my trusted Ridgid and see if that one fares any better. In all fairness, no hassle returns at Sears is much appreciated.

I bought a hand planer for $20 to plane 6&quot; wide oak pillars. This would have taken days, if not weeks to complete, and not chipping the wood on the pillar with the hand planer would have been a real challenge. Faced with the task in front of me, I went to get this electric planer. I was skeptical at first that a machine so small and only $50 more than a hand planer would be effective. This hand planer exceeded my exectations and planed through all 4 sides of my two 6&quot; oak pillars. It's truly awesome. I know there are more expensive planers, but why pay more when this one does such a great job?

I bought a hand planer for $20 to plane 6" wide oak pillars. This would have taken days, if not weeks to complete, and not chipping the wood on the pillar with the hand planer would have been a real challenge. Faced with the task in front of me, I went to get this electric planer. I was skeptical at first that a machine so small and only $50 more than a hand planer would be effective. This hand planer exceeded my exectations and planed through all 4 sides of my two 6" oak pillars. It's truly awesome. I know there are more expensive planers, but why pay more when this one does such a great job?

I HAD TO PLANE 2/4s ALOT AND IT REALLY WORKED FAST.

This is a great tool and a must-have for any woodworker. The planer is lightweight and easy to use. The ability to direct the dust to either side of your work area is a great feature. The carbide blade cuts effortlessly and makes true even cuts.