Bauer 63445 12.5-Inch Portable Thickness Planer vs Craftsman CMEW320 15-Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer
| Bauer 63445 12.5-Inch Portable Thickness Planer | Craftsman CMEW320 15-Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer | |
|---|---|---|
| From | $350 | — |
| Tier | Weekend Warrior | Weekend Warrior |
| Motor HP | — | — |
| Cut Height | — | — |
| Cut Width | — | — |
| Table | — | — |
| Weight | 64.7 lbs | 62 lbs |
| Dust Port | — | 4" |
| Voltage | 120V | 110V |
Bauer 63445 12.5-Inch Portable Thickness Planer
The Bauer is the lowest-cost way into a benchtop planer, sold only at Harbor Freight, and owners get solid results on a wide range of hardwoods and softwoods when they take light passes. Owners regularly report years of steady use out of it. It's an entry-level machine that depends on careful setup, so anyone planning aggressive full-width hardwood work should step up a tier.
Buy at Harbor Freight $350Craftsman CMEW320 15-Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer
This Craftsman is a casual and beginner planer that shows up often on sale pricing. The 15-amp motor and cast-aluminum base give steady stock removal for a benchtop, and the quick-change reversible knives keep maintenance simple. It rewards careful setup, so someone who wants a set-and-forget tool should look at a three-knife DeWalt instead.
Specs sourced from manufacturer documentation. Owner feedback reflects community reports from r/woodworking, Sawmill Creek, and Amazon verified reviews. Prices may vary by retailer and change over time.