CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp (CMEW320)
✅ PROS
- 15-amp motor handles hardwoods like oak and maple without bogging down
- Quick-release depth adjustment with a visible scale for repeatable cuts
- Built-in dust chute connects to a standard 2.5-inch shop vac hose
❌ CONS
- Knives arrive slightly dull from the factory; plan to sharpen or replace early
- No onboard storage for the wrenches, which are easy to misplace
The Verdict
The benchtop planer is the tool that separates “I buy lumber” from “I mill lumber.” If you’re tired of paying premium prices for S4S boards that still cup on you, the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 deserves a hard look. With 229 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, it’s clearly earning its keep in home shops. But let’s dig past the star rating and talk about what this thing actually does on a Saturday afternoon.
What you get
The box contains the planer itself, a dust chute adapter, two wrenches for knife changes, and a push pad for feeding stock. The unit sits on a 12-inch footprint, weighs in around 60 pounds, and measures roughly 19 inches deep by 17 inches wide. It’s compact enough to tuck under a workbench extension, but solid enough that it doesn’t vibrate across the table at full depth. The 15-amp motor is the headline — it’s the same class of power you’d find in stationary planers costing twice as much.
Performance and build
The 12-inch cutting capacity handles standard dimensional lumber with room to spare. The two-knife cutter head spins at 10,000 RPM and takes cuts up to 1/8 inch deep. In practice, you’ll want to stay around 1/16 inch for final passes to avoid tear-out on figured grain. The depth adjustment is a crank wheel with a readable scale in 1/32-inch increments. It’s not digital, but it’s accurate enough for furniture-grade work.
The infeed and outfeed tables are cast aluminum with a slick coating that feeds stock smoothly. The rollers grab consistently, and I didn’t experience snipe on boards under 36 inches — which is better than many planers in this class. For longer boards, you’ll want to use infeed/outfeed supports to prevent the board from tipping and causing the cutter to dig in at the ends.
One thing that surprised me: the dust hood. It’s not just a token port — it actually captures a meaningful amount of chips when hooked to a shop vac. The included adapter fits a standard 2.5-inch hose. You’ll still get some dust on the floor, but your lungs and shop will be noticeably cleaner than with a bare planer.
What buyers consistently praise
The power-to-price ratio comes up repeatedly in customer feedback. One buyer noted, “This thing eats through oak like it’s pine. I planed 50 board feet of red oak for a dining table and it never stalled once.” Another highlighted the accuracy: “The depth scale is dead-on. I set it to 1/16 and got 1/16 every single pass.”
Where it falls short
Let’s be honest about the knives. Multiple users report the factory blades are not optimally sharpened. You’ll get acceptable results on softwoods, but hardwoods will show more tear-out than you’d expect. Budget for a replacement set of knives ($20–30) or a sharpening session early in ownership. It’s a minor annoyance, not a dealbreaker.
The other gripe is storage. The wrenches and push pad have no designated home on the unit. They’ll end up in a drawer, and you’ll dig for them every time you swap blades. A magnetic tray on the side would have solved this for pennies.
Who should buy this
This planer is ideal for the hobbyist woodworker who’s outgrown hand planes and wants to mill their own stock. If you’re building furniture, cabinets, or live-edge slabs, the CMEW320 pays for itself within a few projects. It’s also a strong choice for anyone who buys rough-sawn lumber to save money — you’ll recoup the cost in board savings alone.
Skip it if you’re a professional running a production shop. The 15-amp motor is capable, but it’s not built for eight-hour days. And if you only work with pre-milled lumber, you don’t need a planer at all.
FAQ
Does it handle pressure-treated lumber?
Yes, but let it dry first. Wet PT wood will clog the knives and dull them faster.
Can I use it for reclaiming pallet wood?
Technically yes, but check for nails and staples first. One piece of metal will ruin the knives. Run a metal detector over every board.
How loud is it?
Around 90-95 decibels at ear level. Wear hearing protection — this is not optional.
The Verdict
The CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 is a legitimate workhorse that delivers pro-level results at a hobbyist price point. The power is genuine, the cuts are clean, and the dust collection is better than expected. The dull knives and missing storage are minor irritations, not flaws that undermine the tool’s core job.
Buy it if you’re ready to stop paying retail prices for milled lumber and want a planer that won’t embarrass you in front of the grain.
Skip it if you need a production-grade machine for daily commercial use.
Rating: 4.6/5 — A strong value that earns its place in any serious home shop.
Where to Buy
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.
Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.