A woodworking planer, also known as a thickness planer, is a power tool used in woodworking to trim boards to a consistent thickness and ensure smooth, even surfaces. It works by feeding the wood through a set of rotating blades that shave off layers from the top surface, while the bottom rests on a flat, adjustable bed. This allows woodworkers to make rough lumber uniform in thickness and perfectly flat on both faces.
Planers are essential for preparing stock before joinery or finishing and are commonly used in furniture making, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects. Modern planers often include features like adjustable depth settings, dust collection ports, and precision infeed/outfeed tables to reduce snipe (unwanted deep cuts at the ends of boards).