Bosch PL1632 Review: Specs, Pros & Cons, Alternatives

The Bosch PL1632 is a powerful and versatile 6.5 Amp electric hand planer designed for professionals and avid DIYers who need to smoothly and efficiently plane wood doors, boards, and other workpieces. With its durable construction, consistent planing, and depth increments down to 1/16 inch, the Bosch PL1632 enables pros and hobbyists to achieve professional-grade results.

In this comprehensive Bosch PL1632 review, we will cover all the key features, specifications, pros and cons, pricing, and warranty information to help you determine if this planer is the right choice for your woodworking needs.

By the way here we have reviewed the Bosch 2632 in detail.

Key Features

Powerful 6.5 Amp Motor

The Bosch PL1632 is equipped with a robust 6.5 Amp motor that provides 16,500 RPM of no-load speed. This enables fast stock removal for quick work. The power allows you to make smooth passes across even the hardest woods with ease. The high RPMs also contribute to the planer’s ability to leave a polished, professional-grade finish.

Dual-Mount Guide Fence

A standout feature of this planer is the dual-mount guide fence, which can be mounted to either side of the planer. This is extremely useful because it allows righties and lefties to plane comfortably on either side of the workpiece. The guide fence ensures your passes remain straight and even throughout the length of the board you are planing.

Ambidextrous Lock-Off Release Button

Related to the dual-mount fence, the Bosch PL1632 also has an ambidextrous lock-off release button located on both sides of the planer body. This allows for convenient control whether you are planing right-handed or left-handed. The lock-off button helps prevent accidental start-ups.

Ratcheting Depth Knob

The ratcheting depth knob makes it easy to precisely set the cutting depth in increments from 0 to 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) within one revolution. The knob allows you to dial in the exact depth of cut you want, enabling precision planing.

Chip Ejection Switch

Another thoughtful design feature is the chip ejection switch, which allows you to select whether chips exhaust from the left or right side of the planer. This helps keep your work surface clear of wood chips and maintains a cleaner working area.

Spring-Loaded Stand

The spring-loaded stand is useful because it slightly elevates the planer, protecting the blade when not in use. It also provides a convenient resting spot for the tool when taking a brief work break.

Aluminum Shoes

The aluminum front and rear shoes are precision-machined together to ensure planing accuracy. The shoes glide smoothly across the workpiece for a consistently even finish.

Pros

Powerful Motor for Fast Stock Removal

The robust 6.5 Amp motor provides sufficient power for fast stock removal when you need to remove material quickly. It makes smoothing and polishing the wood easy.

Smooth Finish

Related to the 16,500 RPM no-load speed, the Bosch PL1632 leaves behind a polished, smooth finish on wooden workpieces. The high motor speed enables professional-grade results.

Innovative Fence for Straight Planing

The dual-mount fence ensures straight, even planing passes along the face of the workpiece. This prevents snipe and tapering effects for consistent full-length planing.

Precise Depth Increments

The ratcheting depth knob allows you to precisely set the cutting depth down to 1/16-inch increments. This enables fine-tuning of the amount of material removed in each pass.

Chip Ejection Control

The left or right chip ejection allows you to control the discharge direction, helping keep your work area cleaner during operation.

Lightweight but Durable

At 6.3 pounds, the Bosch PL1632 is relatively lightweight for a planer yet still feels sturdy. The aluminum body keeps the tool durable for years of use.

Cons

No Dust Collection

One downside of the Bosch PL1632 is that it does not have dust collection capability. You have to vacuum up chips yourself, which can allow fine dust to escape into the air.

Noisy

Like most power planers, the Bosch is quite loud when running. This is typical of high-RPM motors but warrants wearing hearing protection.

Large Size

While not egregiously heavy, the overall size and 6.3-pound weight reduces maneuverability compared to a compact palm planer. The larger body can make planing in tight spots challenging.

Pricing

As a professional-grade power tool, the Bosch PL1632 sits at the higher end of cost for hand planers. Pricing varies slightly between retailers:

• Amazon: $109
• Home Depot: $119
• Lowes: $129

You may also find refurbished models in the $80-$100 range on Amazon or eBay. This can represent significant savings if you are comfortable with a used tool.

For the capabilities and consistent performance, the Bosch PL1632 is reasonably priced for the value. The durable aluminum body ensures years of reliable service.

Warranty

The Bosch PL1632 comes with a:

• Limited 1-year warranty

While a 3-year warranty would provide more coverage, 1 year is typical for Bosch power tools. As long as you operate it correctly, the PL1632 should deliver years of planing service.

Ideal Uses

With its straight planing accuracy and adjustable depth increments, the Bosch PL1632 excels at certain woodworking tasks:

Smoothing Large Boards

The 3-1/4 inch planing width makes the PL1632 ideal for creating smooth, flat surfaces across wide boards.

Leveling Doors

The combination of the powerful motor and dual-mount fence is perfect for planing wood doors to fine-tune their shape or eliminate warping.

Truing Crooked Boards

The precise depth increments down to 1/16 inch allow gently removing material to straighten warped or twisted boards.

Wall Paneling

For installing tongue and groove wall paneling, the PL1632 allows perfectly sizing the groove edges for uniform fits.

Trimming Cabinets

Trim protruding cabinet door edges flush with case frames using the ratcheting depth knob for a custom fit.

Alternative Options

The Bosch PL1632 sits in a crowded planer field. Here are two alternatives worth considering:

Bosch PL2632.

Check: Why Bosch 2632 Is Better?

Makita 2012NB.

DeWalt DW680K.

Conclusion

For carpenters, contractors, or avid DIYers needing a powerful planer, the Bosch PL1632 is an excellent choice. It combines fast stock removal, straight planing, and fine depth adjustment in a durable aluminum body. The innovative dual-mount fence ensures accuracy when smoothing boards or leveling doors.

While the lack of dust collection and noisy operation are downsides, these are common trade-offs for a corded planer. Overall, the Bosch PL1632 delivers exceptional performance and enables professional-grade finished projects. For quality results across various wood planing applications, the Bosch PL1632 is a strong contender.