Tool Box Buzz

Milwaukee M18 3-1/4” Planer 2623-21

Manufacturer: Milwaukee
Model number: 2623-21
Price: 299.00 kit / 199.00 bare tool
Power source: M18 battery
Weight: 7.5

Milwaukee M18 3-1/4” Planer 2623-21

Milwaukee just released a brand-new 3 1/4 inch power planer. This new tool is now part of their 70 cordless lithium-ion product line, which I’m sure will grow even more this year.

Using a Power Planer

Power planers are already convenient, useful and versatile job-site tool.

As a remodeling contractor and carpenter, I love my hand planes, however nothing beats my power planer for tasks such as:

• Flushing and leveling framing members
• Leveling uneven joists
• Edge smoothing
• Adjusting doors that have become stubborn to close properly
• Beveling door edges
• Scribing cabinets and counter-tops
• Shaping and tapering wood trim

Milwaukee M18 Cordless 3-1/4” Power Planer

I recently had the opportunity to use the Milwaukee M18 3-1/4” Planer 2623-21, both at their media event, planing a door and on a recent remodel getting doors to close correctly.

Power and Run-time

The Milwaukee M18 Cordless 3-1/4” power planer rides on a shoe plate, with two blades mounted on a cutter head spinning at 14,000 rpm’s, removing wood equal to the difference in elevation between the front adjustable and fixed rear shoe plate.

The speed at which you push the tool and the depth setting you choose will affect the final smoothness of your work. I was able to set the M18 planer to 1/16 in. per pass, with a fir door, with outstanding results.

Later in the shop, when I edge-planed hardwood boards, a setting of 1/64-in., 1/32-in. and 1/16-in., all worked well.

On both operations, the planer cut smoothly and evenly, and there was no drop in power or bogging down observed.

According to Milwaukee, the M18 Cordless 3-1/4” Power Planer can make [75] 3-foot cuts on a 2″ by dimensional pine and [58] 3-foot  cuts on a 2″ by dimensional oak.  Both tests were conducted at 1/16″ depth which is the most common depth used to plane.

I performed my own test and used 5/4″x6′ poplar and 2.5′ Maple to test the run-time of the tool an battery.  To allow the tool to cool and simulate on and off use I made a cut and allowed the tool to rest for 10-seconds.

After 10-cuts I allowed the tool to rest 1-minute.  This is still an aggressive use for a power planer but I didn’t want to take all day.

The results were an impressive 330′ of planed 5/4 Poplar an 60′ of 3/4 Maple.

Weight and Balance

The planer weighs 7.5 lbs with a battery, and is fairly well balanced, The handle is well placed, and in-line with pushing the tool through the cut.  I found that the handle placement made it easier for me to control he tool and reduce end of cut snipe.

Depth of Cut

The M18 planer has a two blade design, and comes with a 3-1/4″ Tungsten carbide blade that is reversible.

This planer can plane material up to 3-14″ wide and has 20 settings for the cutting blade, depth-of-cut.  These settings ratchet and lock into place, to ensure cut accuracy. The 20-settings give you adjustment it’s controlled by the front handle knob, and will allow you to set your cut from 0″ to 5/64″ deep.

Each micro adjustment results in a 1/256″ [0.1mm] adjustment. The planer also features a maximum rabbet depth of up to 27/64.”  An on-board hex wrench is provided for blade changes.

Rear Kickstand

A rear, spring activated kick stand is provided and protects the tool and cutters when resting on flat surfaces. The planer has a motor brake that completely, and quickly stops the cutters from spinning when the trigger is released.

Chip Ejection

I really like the innovative adjustable chip ejection feature, which allows users to eject chips on either the left or right side, keeping chips away from your face and the line of sight. The dust chute accepts a 1-1/2″ diameter vacuum hose, and works great when used with and connected to a tool actuated vacuum.

Unfortunately this tools does not come with a chip bag.

Specifications

• M18™ 3-1/4” Planer (2623-21)
• 14,000 RPM
• 20 Locking Positions (0 to 5/64”)
• Up to 27/64” rebate depth
• 7.5 lbs w/ battery

Includes M18™ Planer, (2) Planer blades, Bevel/edge guide, (1) M18™ REDLITHIUM™ XC Extended Capacity Battery & Multi-Voltage Charger

Cost

Also available as bare tool 2623-20, the kit will retail for about $299 and the bare tool will be about $199.

Overall Impression

The Milwaukee M18 3-1/4” Planer 2623-21 is impressive to say the least.  It has the power, run-time and features to make it a go-to planer on any trim or finish carpentry site.

Video Review

1 Comment

1. Rob

   November 6, 2015 at 1:43 pm

   Looks like a great planer for sure. I hopefully won’t be needing to replace my planer anytime soon but when I do I’ll keep this one in mind. Although hopefully by then, this one will be long outdated….

   Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.