Hitachi P20SBK 3-1/4-Inch Portable Planer

by Hitachi

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This hand planer from Hitachi is virtually snipe-free. With its powerful 3.4 amp motor, it provides efficient cutting power on even your toughest jobs. The simple blade adjustment has an exclusive blade setting gauge for precise cuts. A center v-groove on the base for bevel cutting. The rugged aluminum alloy base provides stable, scratch-free work. At 15,000 rpm, this machine eats wood! Hitachi Power Tools are backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. Includes a box wrench, blade setting gauge, set of blades, guide, and case.

Product Description

Includes 3.4 Amp 3-1/4-in Hand Held Planer - P20SBK, Blades - 324289, Blade Setting Gauge - 958736, Box Wrench - 940543, Guide - 958842Z, Carrying Case - MP100000

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Product Details

Product Manual [595kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 16 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223K6
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: P20SBK
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,530 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #20 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Planers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eats Wood!, February 4, 2001

By 

Mike-Z (Peabody, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi P20SBK 3-1/4-Inch Portable Planer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I looked at all the planers. I was going to buy a planer with AMPS being my first concern. With a 3.4 amp motor this planer did not fail once. I put this machine to work on rough cut white oak with the blades full bore, and I got tired before this Hitachi planer. My only wish is the shoe as in all planers in this class was 1 inch longer. With a longer shoe or base this would get 5 stars. At this price you cannot go wrong. Blades are a snap to change, and sharpen. This is a nice machine.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in class, October 14, 2005

By 

Paul Allen "Z" (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi P20SBK 3-1/4-Inch Portable Planer (Tools & Home Improvement)

If you need a hand planer for occasional use and don't want to spend more than $100 bucks this is an excellent buy. I gave it 5 stars are mainly because this is a best value choice. I got mine on sale for $89. It came with a metal case and right angle fence. It's a quality tool and fit and finish are very good. The shoe is a little short, making it slightly unbalanced, but it still feels pretty good in your hand. Depth of cut adjustments are simple and accurate, and it will produce a very clean cut. I've had mine for 2 years and the blades are holding up extremely well. I have not had to change them or sharpen them. It takes a little practice but it will take down to 64th of an inch with very little snipe at the ends. Has plenty of power for my needs. I use it mainly on bowed studs, shaving jam extensions flush, or back planing baseboard. None of these operations require extreme accuracy, but this tool delivers very nice results. Occasionally I will use it for shaving doors and it works fine but you will likely need some touch up hand sanding.

I think this is the probably the best hand planer out there for less than $150. For under $100 you can't beat it. If you want the top of the line look at the Porter Cable 9118 but that tool is 5 times the price.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the investment, solid tool, August 5, 2006

By 

R. Ball "harryball" (McDonough, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi P20SBK 3-1/4-Inch Portable Planer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'd have to give it 4.5 stars, it's worth more than 4 stars so I had to give it 5.

Good, solid tool. Simple, clean and throws chips clear easily. Plenty of power for most jobs, handles hardwoods well with reasonable bite.

Con, no dust collection port or bag. Just ejects the chips out the side shoot. In the shop it's no big deal, if I have guests coming over and I want them to think I've been working hard, I'll run it over a board for a few minutes and it looks like I've been working for hours. In the house, you better get someone to catch. On the plus side, the chips are shavings, not saw dust so it's easy to clean up.

Not that it's hard to figure the thing out but the instructions are all but useless. I'd rate them about 50% if you count the safety warnings. No mention of how to use the edge guide and usage suggestions basically consist of an illustration of a board with the cutting already done. Blade change instructions are a bit lacking as well.

If you need a power planer handy you can use, you can't go wrong with this one.