Looking Beyond the CRAFTSMAN 12.25 In. Benchtop Thickness? 5 Alternatives Worth a Look

How these planers differ from Craftsman

WEN 12.5-Inch 15-Amp Benchtop Planer

The WEN PL1252 offers a slightly wider 12.5-inch cutting width compared to the Craftsman’s 12.25 inches. Both machines use a 15-amp motor and a two-blade cutterhead. The WEN weighs 64 pounds, making it slightly heavier than the Craftsman’s 61.1 pounds. Its footprint is more compact in length at 12.5 inches versus 23.5 inches. You gain a bit more capacity for board width. However, you do not get the three-year warranty that comes with the Craftsman. This model suits you if you need a smaller footprint and maximum width for standard benchtop tasks. It sacrifices the longer warranty coverage for a denser machine design.

WOODERS 13-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Planer

The WOODERS PL13-15AB provides a 13-inch cutting width, which is 0.75 inches wider than the Craftsman. Both tools feature 15-amp motors and two-blade cutterheads. The WOODER weighs 60 pounds, slightly lighter than the Craftsman’s 61.1 pounds. Its dimensions are 14.2 inches wide and 22.4 inches long. You get more capacity for wider boards and dense hardwoods. The trade-off is that this budget option does not include the three-year limited warranty found on the Craftsman. It is a practical choice if you frequently plane wider stock and prioritize cutting capacity over warranty protection. The lighter weight may also aid in moving the unit within your shop.

VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Planer with Stand

The VEVOR Thickness Planer matches the WOODERS with a 13-inch cutting width, offering more capacity than the Craftsman. It also uses a 15-amp motor and a two-blade cutterhead. This model includes a stand, which the Craftsman does not. The VEVOR weighs 67 pounds, making it the heaviest in this comparison. Its dimensions are 18.3 inches wide and 22.8 inches long. You gain stability and height adjustment from the included stand. However, you give up the three-year warranty provided with the Craftsman. This planer fits users who need a stable setup for rough lumber prep. It is ideal if you value the included stand and wider capacity over the warranty coverage of the Craftsman.

WOODERS 13-Inch Helical Benchtop Planer

The WOODERS WDS-PL13-15S features a 13-inch cutting width and a helical cutterhead, unlike the Craftsman’s two-knife head. Both use 15-amp motors. The helical head is designed for smoother surface finishes on hardwoods. This model weighs 62 pounds, similar to the Craftsman’s 61.1 pounds. Its dimensions are 14.2 inches wide and 22.4 inches long. You get professional-grade finish quality and slightly more width. The trade-off is the absence of the three-year warranty found on the Craftsman. This planer is best for users who prioritize surface finish quality over warranty length. It suits shops that plane hardwoods regularly and want to avoid tear-out associated with straight knife heads.

Bucktool 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Planer

The Bucktool PT330MTHK-3 offers a 13-inch cutting width and a three-blade cutterhead, differing from the Craftsman’s two-knife design. Both tools use 15-amp motors. The three-blade head may offer different cutting characteristics, though specific finish details are not listed. The Craftsman includes a three-year limited warranty, which the Bucktool does not mention. The Bucktool model number is PT330MTHK-3. You gain extra width and a different blade configuration. However, you lose the warranty protection provided by the Craftsman. This planer fits users who want a 13-inch capacity and a three-blade setup. It is a practical option if you do not require the specific warranty coverage or the spiral cutterhead found in other alternatives.

Quick picks

Our 6 picks

1 Best overall

CRAFTSMAN 12.25-Inch Two-Knife Benchtop Planer

Best for: Standard width boards up to 12.25 inches

Cutting Width

12.25 in.

Amperage

15 A

Cutterhead Speed

8,000 RPM

Dimensions

23.5 × 17.5 × 15.4 inches

Weight

61.1 pounds

View on Amazon: CRAFTSMAN 12.25-Inch Two-Knife Benchtop Planer Affiliate link

This Craftsman benchtop thickness planer features a 15-amp motor and a 12.25-inch cutting width. It uses a two-knife, solid steel cutterhead mounted on ball bearings for smooth operation. The unit includes a vacuum port for dust collection and comes with a three-year limited warranty. It suits users needing reliable power for hard and soft woods within its width capacity.

Pros

• 15-amp motor handles hard and soft woods
• 12.25-inch cutting width accommodates standard boards
• Two-knife solid steel cutterhead on ball bearings
• Includes vacuum port for dust collection

Cons

• 12.25-inch width is narrower than 13-inch competitors
• Two-knife cutterhead offers less smoothness than spiral helical heads
• Heavier at 61.1 pounds for benchtop portability

Good fit if

• You need a planer for boards up to 12.25 inches wide
• You prefer a two-knife system with reversible blades
• You want a unit with a three-year limited warranty

Skip if

• You regularly plane lumber wider than 12.25 inches
• You require a spiral helical cutterhead for ultra-smooth finishes
• You need a lighter unit for frequent benchtop relocation

Verdict: Craftsman 12.25 In. Benchtop Thickness Planer fits woodworkers who prioritize a three-year warranty and a robust 15-amp motor for standard-width boards. It is a solid choice for those who do not require the wider capacity or spiral cutterheads found in larger models.

2 Also great

WEN 12.5-Inch 15-Amp Benchtop Planer

Best for: Standard width benchtop planning tasks

Cutting Width

12.5 inches

Feed Speed

26 feet per minute

Amperage

15A

Max Stock Thickness

6 inches

Blade Count

two blades

Dimensions

12.5 × 12.5 × 18.3 inches

View on Amazon: WEN 12.5-Inch 15-Amp Benchtop Planer Affiliate link

The WEN PL1252 is a 15-amp benchtop thickness planer with a 12.5-inch cutting width. It planes boards up to 6 inches thick at a feed rate of 26 feet per minute. The unit includes two reversible SK5 blades and adjusts depth in 1/8-inch increments. This model suits users who need reliable performance for standard-width lumber without the bulk of larger industrial machines.

Pros

• 15-amp motor delivers 20,000 cuts per minute
• 12.5-inch cutting width handles wide boards
• Includes two reversible SK5 blades
• Adjustable depth from 0 to 1/8 inch per pass

Cons

• Only two blades result in more visible cutter marks than spiral heads
• Single-speed operation limits flexibility for different wood types
• 64-pound weight makes it less portable than lighter alternatives

Good fit if

• You need a planer for boards up to 12.5 inches wide
• You prefer the simplicity of a two-blade system
• You want a dedicated benchtop unit for a fixed workshop

Skip if

• You require a 13-inch or wider cutting capacity
• You need a spiral helical cutterhead for smoother finishes
• You want variable speed control for fine tuning

Verdict: WEN 12.5-Inch 2-Blade Benchtop Planer offers solid power for standard widths but lacks the finish quality of spiral heads. It fits workshops that prioritize capacity over ultra-smooth results.

3 Best budget

WOODERS 13-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Planer

Best for: Wide boards and dense hardwoods

Cutting Width

13 in

Amperage

15A

Max Stock Thickness

6.3 in

Blade Count

2 blades

Cutterhead Speed

10,000 RPM

Dimensions

22.4 × 14.2 × 17.9 inches

View on Amazon: WOODERS 13-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Planer Affiliate link

The WOODERS 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer uses a 15-amp, 2000W all-copper motor to drive its cutterhead at 10,000 RPM. It handles boards up to 13 inches wide and 6.3 inches thick. The dual-blade system helps reduce snipe. You get overload protection and a dust port for cleaner work. This setup suits those who need raw power for dense hardwoods without frequent bogging.

Pros

• 10,000 RPM cutterhead speed for fast material removal
• 13-inch cutting width for wider boards
• 2000W all-copper motor for dense hardwoods
• Dual-blade system reduces snipe

Cons

• 60-pound weight makes it hard to move
• Only includes 2 blades in the cutterhead
• No spiral helical cutterhead option available

Good fit if

• You need to plane boards wider than 12.5 inches
• You work with dense hardwoods like oak or walnut
• You want a high-speed cutterhead for efficiency

Skip if

• You prefer a spiral cutterhead for quieter operation
• You need a lighter tool for easy transport
• You only work with very narrow boards

Verdict: WOODERS 13-Inch 2-Blade Planer delivers high-speed power for wide boards. It fits users who prioritize cutting width and motor strength over quiet operation.

4 Also great

VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Planer with Stand

Best for: Wide boards and stable benchtop use

Cutting Width

13" (330 mm)

Feed Speed

236"/min (6 m/min)

Amperage

15 Amp

Max Stock Thickness

6.3" (160 mm)

Blade Count

2

Cutterhead Speed

8000 RPM

View on Amazon: VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Planer with Stand Affiliate link

The VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer offers a 15-amp motor running at 8000 RPM for efficient stock removal. Its 13-inch cutting width accommodates wider boards, while the 6.3-inch max thickness handles thick lumber. The unit includes a heavy-duty stand and foldable infeed/outfeed tables for stability. It is designed for DIYers needing a robust tool for repurposing old wood with a smooth finish.

Pros

• 13-inch cutting width for wider boards
• 8000 RPM cutterhead speed for fast planing
• Heavy-duty stand included for stability
• Foldable extension plates for compact storage

Cons

• Only two HSS blades included
• 67-pound weight makes it less portable
• Max depth of cut is 0.2 inches per pass

Good fit if

• You need to plane boards up to 13 inches wide
• You want a stable unit with an included stand
• You are repurposing weathered or worn lumber

Skip if

• You require a spiral helical cutterhead for quiet operation
• You need more than two blades for finer finishes
• You need a lighter unit for frequent transport

Verdict: VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer fits users who need a stable, wide-capacity machine for rough lumber prep. It suits those who value the included stand and foldable design over the finer finishes of spiral heads.

5 Best premium

WOODERS 13-Inch Helical Benchtop Planer

Best for: smooth hardwood planing

Cutting Width

13"

Cutterhead Type

Spiral helical

Amperage

15 A

Max Stock Thickness

6-1/4"

Cutterhead Speed

10,000 RPM

Dimensions

22.4 × 14.2 × 17.9 inches

View on Amazon: WOODERS 13-Inch Helical Benchtop Planer Affiliate link

This 15 Amp planer features a 13-inch cutting width and a spiral helical cutterhead. It runs at 10,000 RPM with tungsten carbide inserts. The machine handles materials up to 6-1/4 inches thick. You get a 1/8-inch max cut depth per pass. The aluminum cover aids cooling. It suits woodworkers seeking a smooth finish without tear-out.

Pros

• Spiral helical cutterhead with tungsten carbide inserts
• 10,000 RPM cutterhead speed for fine cuts
• 13-inch planing width capacity
• Micro-adjustable thickness controls
• Heavy-duty aluminum top cover

Cons

• Heavier build at 62 pounds
• No mention of dust collection port
• Benchtop footprint requires stable surface

Good fit if

• You want a glass-smooth surface finish
• You need to plane hardwoods continuously
• You require micro-adjustment precision

Skip if

• You need a 15-inch width capacity
• You prefer a lightweight portable tool
• You only work with softwoods

Verdict: WOODERS 13-Inch Helical Thickness Planer delivers professional-grade surface quality through its helical head. It fits shops prioritizing finish quality over maximum width.

6 Also great

Bucktool 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Planer

Best for: 13-inch width with 3-blade cutterhead

Cutting Width

13"

Feed Speed

24.6 FPM

Amperage

15A

Max Stock Thickness

6"

Blade Count

3

View on Amazon: Bucktool 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Planer Affiliate link

The Bucktool 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer features a 15A motor and a 3-blade cutterhead. It handles stock up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick. The feed speed is 24.6 FPM, with a max cut depth of 1/8 inch per pass. It includes a dust extraction connector and a carrying handle. This model suits woodworkers needing a mid-range capacity with a three-knife setup for smoother finishes.

Pros

• 13-inch cutting width for wider boards
• 3-blade cutterhead for consistent performance
• 15A motor with 24.6 FPM feed speed
• Includes dust extraction connector

Cons

• 2-year limited warranty is shorter than competitors
• Uses HSS blades instead of spiral helical
• Max cut depth limited to 1/8 inch per pass

Good fit if

• You need a 13-inch planing width
• You prefer a 3-blade cutterhead setup
• You want a carrying handle for portability

Skip if

• You require a spiral helical cutterhead
• You need a warranty longer than 2 years
• You plan to plane stock thicker than 6 inches

Verdict: Bucktool 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Planer fits users who want a 13-inch width and a 3-blade head. It is a practical option for those who do not need a spiral cutterhead or a longer warranty.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions

See also

• craftsman 12 25 in benchtop thickness alternatives
• craftsman cmxevbe17606 12 gal 6 0 alternatives