The Vevor 12-1⁄2” Thickness Planer Review

The Vevor M1B-LS-3302 is a 12-1/2″ 15 amp 110v thickness planer. This review will cover the key features, pros and cons, assembly, and performance of this thickness planer.

Overall, the Vevor thickness planer is a quality machine well-suited for small shop woodworking. It has useful features like anti-kickback teeth, adjustable tables, and a removable dust chute. The planer produces smooth, even cuts across various wood types. Assembly is straightforward with included instructions and hardware.

While it lacks a couple features like a depth stop and carriage lock, these aren’t dealbreakers. With proper use, this planer reliably thicknesses boards with precision. For hobbyists or small shops on a budget, the Vevor 12-1/2” planer is a great option to consider.

Specs and Features

  • Motor: 15 amp, 17000 RPM
  • Cutterhead speed: 8500 RPM
  • Max cutting width: 12-1/2″
  • Max cutting thickness: 1/8″
  • Cutting depth per pass: 1/256″
  • Number of cutter knives: 26 two-sided HSS knives
  • Feed speed: 26 FPM
  • Table size: 12-3/4″ x 17-3/4″
  • Dust port diameter: 2-1/4″

Key Features

  • Sturdy cast iron construction
  • Three-knife cutter head
  • Precision ground and balanced steel knives
  • Infeed and outfeed rubber rollers
  • Adjustable infeed and outfeed tables
  • Removable dust chute or dust collector port
  • Anti-kickback teeth
  • Easy-to-read depth scale

What This Planer is Missing

The Vevor planer lacks a couple features found on some other benchtop thickness planers:

  • Depth stop – There is no depth stop gauge to assist with setting the initial cutting depth. You have to manually measure the board thickness and set the cutting depth accordingly.
  • Carriage lock – There is no way to lock the cutterhead carriage in place. This isn’t necessarily required, but some find it useful, especially for heavy usage.

While these features would be nice to have, their absence isn’t a major inconvenience. The planer functions fine without them.

What I Like About This Planer

Sturdy Base and Reflective Interior

The planer sits on a heavy-duty steel base, giving it stability and reducing vibration. The interior base plate has a mirrored surface, which lets you easily see the cutterhead and rollers while running. This aids monitoring and maintenance.

Anti-Kickback Teeth

The infeed side has anti-kickback teeth that collapse when feeding stock, but prevent kickback if the board tries to reverse. This is an important safety feature lacking on some other planers.

Removable Dust Collection Chute

A standard open dust chute comes installed, but a 2-1/4” dust collector chute is included. This lets you connect to a dust collection system for cleaner operation and easier cleanup.

Precision Adjustment Features

  • Tables: Infeed and outfeed tables are adjustable for aligning with the cutterhead.
  • Cutterhead: The cutterhead adjustment knobs let you set proper parallelism with the tables.
  • Blade gauge: A blade setting gauge is included for accurately setting the knives during changes.
  • Depth scale: The depth scale is easy to read and precise down to 1/256”.

How This Planer Performs

Initial Cuts

To set the initial cutting depth, I measure the board thickness and set the planer cutting depth to 1 mm less. This first pass establishes a reference surface.

For the second cut, I adjust the depth about 1/4 turn of the handle, removing about 1/32″. I continue with small depth increments between each pass.

Quality of Cut

The planer leaves boards smooth and consistent in thickness across their width and length. Cuts are even regardless of board feed position.

Hardwoods may require smaller depth adjustments than softwoods between passes. The motor sound gives feedback on proper load – adjust if it bogs down.

A little snipe is inevitable on the first and last few inches. I cut this off after planing.

Dust Collection

With the dust chute installed, chips simply fall to the floor for easy cleanup. For better dust extraction, the collector port can be connected to a shop vac.

Assembling the Vevor Thickness Planer

Assembly is straightforward using the included hardware and tools. Here are the main steps:

  1. Flip planer upside down on foam to install rubber feet
  2. Assemble the base
  3. Set planer into mobile base (optional)
  4. Bolt planer securely onto base
  5. Change dust chute if desired

That’s about it – this planer comes nearly ready to use out-of-the-box. The extra hardware and tools provided are convenient for any maintenance needs down the road.

Who This Planer is Best Suited For

The Vevor 12-1/2” thickness planer is an ideal choice for:

  • Woodworking hobbyists – Has the key features needed by hobbyist woodworkers for dimensioning lumber.
  • Small shops – Powerful enough for a professional shop, but compact size takes up minimal space.
  • Budget-conscious buyers – Provides quality and functionality at a wallet-friendly price point.

This planer excels for dimensioning lumber up to 12” wide for projects like furniture, cabinetry, woodworking crafts, and more. The capacity suits most needs for hobbyists and small shops.

Recommended Uses and Tips

Uses

  • Dimensioning lumber to consistent thickness
  • Smoothing and truing up rough sawn boards
  • Reducing cupped or warped boards
  • Trimming glued up panels
  • Fine-tuning thickness of parts needing precision

Tips

  • Allow an extra 5” length to remove snipe
  • Listen to motor sound to gauge proper cutting load
  • Make shallower cuts in hardwoods
  • Check knife condition if cut quality declines
  • Apply paste wax to tables occasionally for slick stock feeding
  • Clear dust from inside machine periodically

Pros and Cons of This Planer

Pros

  • Sturdy cast iron construction
  • DC port for dust collection
  • Knives are double-sided for 2X life
  • Precision ground steel knives
  • Anti-kickback teeth improve safety
  • Easy blade change with gauge
  • Quiet operation
  • Compact size takes little floor space

Cons

  • No carriage locking mechanism
  • Lacks a depth stop feature
  • May require mobile base for maneuverability

Pricing and Warranty

The Vevor 12-1/2” thickness planer typically costs $200-250 online.

It comes with a 1 year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Replacement parts are available from Vevor if needed after the warranty period.

For the price, this planer delivers reliable performance and has all the key features needed for dimensioning lumber in a small shop. The warranty provides peace of mind on the investment.

Final Verdict

For my needs as a hobbyist woodworker, the Vevor 12-1/2” thickness planer has proven itself as a quality machine. It features important elements like anti-kickback teeth, adjustable tables, and a removable dust port.

Out of the box, the planer required minimal assembly using the included hardware and instructions. The cutterhead leaves a smooth, consistent surface on boards of various wood species so far.

While it lacks a couple nice-to-have features, the functionality and precision are not compromised. I’m able to successfully thickness dimension lumber for my projects.

Given the affordable price point and 1 year warranty, I consider this thickness planer a great value purchase. For any hobbyist or small shop owner looking for a new planer, the Vevor 12-1/2″ model is definitely one I recommend considering.