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Benchtop or stationary machines: how the makers' specs compare

Makers' figures show benchtop machines weighing tens of pounds on 120V, and floor models weighing hundreds on larger motors. DEWALT lists its DW734 planer at 80 lbs and 120V; Powermatic's 209HH planer manual lists 801 lbs and a 5HP, 230V motor. WEN describes benchtop models as smaller, less expensive and portable.

What do makers mean by benchtop and floor-standing?

Taikra doesn't rank or test tools; every figure here is from the maker's own page or manual, linked.

WEN's planer and jointer explainer describes benchtop models as almost universally less expensive and much smaller than floor-standing models, as well as portable, and says floor-standing models can handle much wider workpieces and are more powerful. (WEN Products)

WEN's drill press FAQ says benchtop models are generally less powerful but take up less room and cost less, while floor-standing models are generally more powerful and handle large workpieces. (WEN Products)

The sections below set cited figures side by side, one machine type at a time.

Benchtop vs stationary thickness planers

DEWALT lists the DW734 benchtop planer at 12-1/2 in. cutting width, a 6 inch depth capacity, a total weight of 80 lbs, and 120V at 15 amps.

Powermatic's 209HH manual lists a 20 in. maximum cutting width, 8 in. maximum thickness, a 25-3/4 x 20 in. table, a 5HP, 230V single-phase motor and a net weight of 801 lbs. (Powermatic (JPW Industries))

Benchtop vs stationary jointers

RIKON's 20-600H benchtop jointer manual lists a 6" cutting width, a 30" x 6-1/8" overall table, a 120V, 10A motor and a net weight of 36 lbs. (RIKON Power Tools)

Powermatic's 54HH manual lists the same 6" cutting capacity on a 7-1/4 x 66 in. table, a 1 HP, 115/230V motor, a jointer bed weight of 254 lbs and a stand weight of 80 lbs. (Powermatic (JPW Industries))

Benchtop vs floor drill presses

WEN lists its 4214T benchtop drill press with a 12-inch swing, 3-1/8-inch spindle travel, a 9-1/2 by 9-1/2-inch table, a 5-amp motor and a weight of 85 pounds. (WEN Products)

Delta lists its 18-900L floor drill press with a 3/4 HP motor, a 6 in. quill stroke, a 20 in. x 14 in. table and a weight of 240 lbs. (Delta Machinery)

WEN's drill press FAQ defines swing as twice the distance between the spindle's centerline and the forward edge of the column. (WEN Products)

Benchtop vs floor band saws

WEN lists its 3962T 10-inch band saw with a 3.5 amp motor, cuts up to six inches deep and 9-3/4 inches wide, and a 14-1/8 x 12-1/2 inch table. (WEN Products)

RIKON lists its 10-347 18" band saw with a 4 HP, 220V motor, a 19" cutting height, a 25" x 19" table and an overall net weight of 498 lbs. (RIKON Power Tools)

Benchtop vs floor sanders

RIKON lists its 50-320 benchtop oscillating spindle sander with a 1/2 HP, 110V motor drawing 4 A, a 12-5/8" x 12" table and a weight of 20 lbs. (RIKON Power Tools)

Benchtop or stationary machines: questions answered from the sources

How much does a benchtop planer weigh compared with a stationary one?

DEWALT lists the DW734 at 80 lbs; Powermatic's 209HH manual lists a net weight of 801 lbs.

Sources: 12-1/2-in. (318mm) Corded Electric Thickness Planer With Three Knife Cutter-head (DW734); 209 and 209HH Planers Operating Instructions and Parts Manual

What is drill press swing?

WEN defines swing as twice the distance between the spindle's centerline and the forward edge of the column.

Source: Drill Press FAQs

Is a floor-standing jointer wider than a benchtop one?

Not necessarily by cutting width: RIKON's 20-600H and Powermatic's 54HH both list 6" capacity, while the tables are listed at 30" x 6-1/8" and 7-1/4 x 66 in.

Sources: 20-600H 6" Benchtop Jointer Manual; 6-inch Woodworking Jointer Models 54A and 54HH Operating Instructions and Parts Manual (2018)

Sources

  1. An Introduction to Planers and Jointers — WEN Products
  2. Drill Press FAQs — WEN Products
  3. 12-1/2-in. (318mm) Corded Electric Thickness Planer With Three Knife Cutter-head (DW734) — DEWALT
  4. 209 and 209HH Planers Operating Instructions and Parts Manual — Powermatic (JPW Industries)
  5. 20-600H 6" Benchtop Jointer Manual — RIKON Power Tools
  6. 6-inch Woodworking Jointer Models 54A and 54HH Operating Instructions and Parts Manual — Powermatic (JPW Industries) (2018)
  7. WEN 4214T 5-Amp 12-Inch Variable Speed Cast Iron Benchtop Drill Press with Laser and Work Light — WEN Products
  8. 18 in. Laser Drill Press (18-900L) — Delta Machinery
  9. 3.5-Amp 10-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Worklight (WEN 3962T) — WEN Products
  10. Model 10-347 18" Professional Bandsaw — RIKON Power Tools
  11. Model 50-320 Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander — RIKON Power Tools