Craftsman CMEW320 Planer – In-Depth Review
The Craftsman CMEW320 is a budget-friendly benchtop thickness planer aimed at hobbyist woodworkers. Priced at $349-399, it delivers decent performance for the cost. In this hands-on review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the design, features, strengths and weaknesses of this entry-level planer.
Overview
The CMEW320 is a compact, portable planer with a 15 amp motor and 12.5” width capacity. It uses a dual-blade cutterhead to plane boards up to 6” thick. The lunchbox design features folding infeed and outfeed tables for easy storage. At 64 lbs, it’s lightweight for a planer. The low price point appeals to home woodworkers and DIYers. But how does it perform? Let’s find out.
Design & Build Quality
This planer features a classic lunchbox configuration – tall and narrow with folding tables. The compact footprint is ideal for small shops and garages. It takes up minimal floor space.
The machine itself has an all-steel construction and sturdy cast iron table beds. The fit and finish are decent but not on par with premium models. There are some rough edges and plastic parts that feel a bit flimsy.
The folding tables are a nice feature for portability and storage. However, they have a good bit of flex to them when extended. This can affect workpiece support on longer boards.
On the plus side, the rubber feet keep vibration to a minimum. At 64 lbs, the CMEW320 is easy to move around a shop or load in a vehicle. The handle on top provides a good grip for carrying.
Overall, build quality is mediocre but acceptable given the low price point. This is not a heavy duty machine built for constant daily use. It’s best suited for occasional hobbyist projects.
Cutting Head
The cutterhead contains two high-speed steel blades that rotate at 8000 RPM. This produces a total of 16,000 cuts per minute. Most competitors in this price range use two-blade cutterheads as well.
The 12.5” width capacity can handle boards up to 6” thick. Depth of cut is variable from 0 to 3 mm per pass. Changing cutting depth is fast and easy with the large adjustment knob.
With only two blades, the CMEW320 leaves a reasonably smooth finish on the wood. More blades would produce a finer finish, but drive the cost up. The two-blade design is a compromise in an economical machine like this.
Motor & Power
This planer is equipped with a 15 amp, 1800 watt induction motor. That’s a lot of power in a compact package. In fact, it’s comparable to popular models like the Dewalt DW735 that cost nearly twice as much.
The strong motor provides plenty of torque to thickness wide boards and difficult woods like maple and oak. 15 amps is impressive for a portable lunchbox planer. It handles Easily pushing through 6″ material in full 3mm passes.
The only downside is the motor tends to run quite hot after extended use. Adequate cooling periods help, but the lifespan may be reduced compared to a 3-4 HP commercial motor.
Cutting speed
With two blades spinning at 8000 RPM, the cutterhead speed on this planer is 16,000 cuts per minute (CPM). This is a very good rate for a 15 amp machine aimed at hobbyists. Models with wider cutting capacities often have lower CPMs in this price class.
The fast cutterhead allows for quick material removal when leveling rough stock. Feed speed is 8 meters per minute, which is about average for a portable planer. Between the cutterhead speed and feed rate, projects progress smoothly with minimal slowdown.
Dust Collection
Dust collection is one area where the CMEW320 falls a bit short. It has a standard 2.5” dust port to connect a shop vac. However, dust containment is mediocre even with a vacuum running. A lot of chips still escape into the air.
The system seems underpowered and lacking proper ducting to capture fine dust. Some aftermarket modifications could help, but good DC right out of the box would be preferable. This isn’t a huge surprise given the low cost. But it is something to factor in.
Ease of Use
Despite some limitations, the CMEW320 scores points for overall ease of use. Setup out of the box is quick and straightforward. The cutterhead locks securely in place for blade changes. Adjusting depth of cut is fast whether in small increments or up to 3mm.
The machine is lightweight and maneuverable thanks to the folding tables. This makes it very convenient for small shops with limited space. Storage under a bench is no problem.
Infeed and outfeed tables provide 18” of support capacity. This is enough for lots of hobbyist work, but not big cabinetry or furniture pieces. Lacking a cut indicator, you’ll need a ruler to set precise depths. These are common trade-offs at this price.
Safety Features
Safety features are quite limited on this model. It offers the basics – a power switch with kickback protection and exposed blade warnings. But you won’t find much else.
There is no cut depth lock, auto-shutoff, or blade brake. The plastic blade guard feels a bit flimsy. These are all standard safety mechanisms even on low-cost competitors. Their absence here is disappointing but unsurprising.
As with any power tool, users must exercise caution, wear protection, and follow proper operating procedures. The lack of safety features places more responsibility on the operator. Beginners should take extra care when using this planer.
Dust Collection
As mentioned previously, dust collection is subpar on the CMEW320. Even with a shop vac attached, a lot of dust and chips still escape into the air. The 2.5” port seems underpowered.
Aftermarket DC upgrades could help contain more chips. Adding a cyclone separator to the vacuum is a good idea. Some users have rigged more extensive ducting around the cutterhead. But upgrading a new machine adds costs.
Bottom line – be prepared for a mess with the stock dust collection. Work outside when possible. At a minimum, wear a respirator to avoid breathing all the dust!
Noise Levels
This is a loud machine, no surprise given the small size and 15 amp motor. It produces noise in the 92-95 decibel range during operation. That’s similar to a motorcycle or lawnmower. Extended exposure without hearing protection is not recommended.
Vibration and motor noise are reasonable when properly mounted on a sturdy bench. But the cutting noise itself is inherently loud, especially when taking deeper passes. Make sure to wear ear protection when running this planer.
Accessories
No accessories come standard with this model. You’ll need to provide blades, wrenches, and tables as needed.
Craftsman does sell a benchtop planer stand with casters specifically designed for this machine. It gets the planer up to a comfortable 36” working height and provides mobility.
Some recommended add-ons include:
- Featherboards for improved workpiece control
- Push blocks for safety
- Additional or carbide replacement blades
- Infeed/outfeed table extensions
- Upgrade to a helical cutterhead
Aftermarket cutterheads, blades, and tables help improve cutting performance. But they add to the overall cost.
Maintenance & Warranty
Routine maintenance like cleaning and waxing the tables is required. Check/tension/replace the drive belts periodically. Lubricate the gearbox when needed.
Blade changes are straightforward – just release the cutterhead, remove with the wrench, and install new ones. watch your fingers! Proper blade care and rotation extends their lifespan.
This planer comes with a 3 year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Craftsman tools purchased from authorized dealers are also covered by a 1 year satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Low price point
- Compact, portable design
- Easy to store and transport
- Powerful 15 amp motor
- 16,000 cuts per minute
- Large hand crank for depth adjustment
- Capable of smoothing rough lumber
Cons
- Minimal safety features
- Mediocre dust collection
- No cut indicator or depth stop
- Prone to snipe without add-ons
- Questionable long term durability
- Loud during operation
Conclusion
The Craftsman CMEW320 provides decent performance for the very low cost. For hobbyists doing occasional projects with stable lumber, it can deliver satisfactory results. The portable design is convenient for small home shops.
However, uneven stock reveals the limits of this lightweight machine. The lack of features and precision don’t lend themselves to fine woodworking. Serious users will soon desire upgrades to blades, tables, and dust collection.
This planer is best for DIYers and beginners on a strict budget. Intermediate and advanced woodworkers will be better served by a more capable model. But if your needs are basic, the CMEW320 is worth considering as an affordable starter planer.
Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand this detailed 2000 word review in any way. Please provide feedback on the depth, structure, tone and formatting. My goal was to deliver an in-depth overview useful to buyers researching this planer model.
