Product Description

This well-designed planer offers fast stock removal and the smoothest finish--exactly what we expected from Bosch. The powerful 6.5 amp motor runs the versatile two-blade Woodrazor system at 16,500 rpm with a protective shield that covers the section of blade that's not in use. The fence itself deserves applause--bevels are accurate and easy to adjust. We love the chip ejection as well. Too many times, we've tried tools with an exhaust system that might as well not be there, but this one actually moves the removed stock and it's multidirectional! Deep cuts are possible in just one pass without bogging or chatter. There's even a spring-loaded park rest stand that protects blade and workpiece. The saw is a special shape that allows easy start-up in the middle of a workpiece. Accidental starts are a thing of the past because of the lock-off release button. Bosch thought of everything; we're impressed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9115 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Bosch
• Model: 1594K
• Dimensions: 17.75" h x 14.60" w x 8.75" l, 15.00 pounds

Features

• 3-1/4-inch planer kit with 2-blade system, chip ejection switch, and ratcheting depth knob
• 6-1/2 amp motor delivers 16,500 rpm; easy-to-adjust bevel fence; spring-loaded park rest stand
• Durable micrograin carbide blades
• Includes planer, bevel guide fence, blade wrench, chip bag, and case
• 11-1/8-inch shoe length; 6 pounds; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Review
This well-designed planer offers fast stock removal and the smoothest finish--exactly what we expected from Bosch. The powerful 6.5 amp motor runs the versatile two-blade Woodrazor system at 16,500 rpm with a protective shield that covers the section of blade that's not in use. The fence itself deserves applause--bevels are accurate and easy to adjust. We love the chip ejection as well. Too many times, we've tried tools with an exhaust system that might as well not be there, but this one actually moves the removed stock and it's multidirectional! Deep cuts are possible in just one pass without bogging or chatter. There's even a spring-loaded park rest stand that protects blade and workpiece. The saw is a special shape that allows easy start-up in the middle of a workpiece. Accidental starts are a thing of the past because of the lock-off release button. Bosch thought of everything; we're impressed. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Customer Reviews

One Heckuva Tool
Bought this planer the other day to do some doors. It was all I expected and more. Very strong motor - never even appeared to bog down. Good balance. Depth control is very easy to use and accurate. I actually own a Dewalt and a Makita. I bought the Bosch for the features (i.e. the fully adjustable fence, the adjustable chip deflector that actually comes with a WORKABLE shop vac adapter - THAT is great!) and the reputation. I have not been disapointed. The Bosch is the best of the three. Until I got the Bosch I was pretty well satisfied with the Makita with the Dewalt pulling up the rear, but the Bosch is the best of the three by far. Strongest motor, Woodrazor carbide blades, shop vac adapter, and that great fence. You will use the fence. It can be set at 90 degrees or any other angle you want - and there is an adjustagble rabbeting stop that basically lets you take it about as deep and wide as you want. By the way, USE a shop vac with this. It will fill up your shop with shavings in a heartbeat - but with a vac hooked up, not a one hit the floor. Overall, this is a super tool at a very reasonable price. Oh yeah, it's also relative quiet. This one's a keeper.

Help for those researching 3.25" hand power planers
I'm a general contractor, generally working on remodels or refurbishments. Recently I decided to purchase my first hand power planer. I will be using the machine for stud straightening, deck trimming, door/doorway adjustment, cabinet scribing, subfloor leveling ... and whatever else comes up. All-around functionality is my #1 criteria; expense is secondary, but important.

There are several different types of planers, as you will find out when you Google "planer". A "thickness planer" is used on boards to shape them into a uniform thickness. A "door planer" or "edge planer" is the kind we are talking about here. Searching on "planer" will bring up lots of false leads: authors, books, celebrities, floor-model tools, etc.. While most specific, "door planer" or "power hand planer" don't produce a whole lot of hits (other than advertisements).

After about 6 hours of on-line research as well as a review of JLC's July 2005 issue I've discovered many currently available models. They are, in alphabetical order:

Black & Decker 7696 - low-end stuff made by Dewalt... I skipped.
Bosch 1594K (planer and case/kit)
Bosch 3365 (a "stripped down" 1594 without carry case or fence)
Delta - none
Dewalt DW680K (planer & case/kit)
Festool HL850E (planer & case/kit)
Hitachi F30A (no longer sold)
Hitachi P20SBK (planer & case/kit)
Jet - none
Makita N1900B (planer & case/kit)
Makita N1902X7 (planer, no case - alot like N1900B)
Milwaulkee - none
Porter-Cable 9125 (planer, case/kit)
Porter-Cable 9118 (planer, case/kit)-- older, well reguarded
Ryobi L1121 (not much info...no longer sold?)
Ryobi HPL51K (planer, case/kit)

Of these units, the Bosch 1954, Porter-Cable 9118 (possibly 9125), and Festool HL850E seem to be best reguarded by professionals with the Mikita and Dewalt next. But I would say each of these models above have their fans.

The Bosch 0125, Festool HL850E, and Ryobi HPL51K have the capability to expel sawdust to one side or the other, a much-liked new feature.

The Porter-Cable 9118 cannot plane flat surfaces like floors (all the others can).

The Hitachi, Makita, Porter-Cable 9118 models have no dust bag or vacuum sawdust pickup capability at all.

A long base and a rear handle close to the back end make control easier. Bad control leads to snipe (gouging at start and end of runs). The Festool did the best here, but the (otherwise well liked) Bosch 1594 did poorly.

For me, I've narrowed the field to either the Festool HL850E or the Bosch 1594.

Bosch very helpful to consumers even on minor issues
After reading all the reviews here, I bought the 1594K planer expecting nothing but the best. I was sold by the chip eject direction feature, power, smoothness, and my previous positive experiences with Bosch tools. To me the mis-aligned shoes mentioned elsewhere seemed like a short-term QC problem that had been resolved, judging by all the positive reveiws.

I was concerned when I received my new planer and saw machining marks that were less than confidence-inspiring. The machining marks on about 30% of one side were obviously not machined the same way as the rest of the sole plate. It looked like the tail end of the cutting tool was doing the work in that area, as the tool marks were arcing in the opposite direction. So I began to doubt the rear sole plate was flat.

I contacted Bosch via e-mail on this matter. They responded quickly, and were extremely helpful. They sent me a new rear sole plate and forwarded my comments to a senior technical advisor to look into the matter. They also requested digital pictures (that I offered in my e-mail) to help them investigate the matter further.

After looking at the tool more closely, the rear sole plate WAS ACTUALLY FLAT and fully functional. So, this issue turned out to be nothing more than a cosmetic complaint, but Bosch listened to my concerns and did everything in their power to make me happy. Customer service this good is rare, and I applaud Bosch on their efforts.

Another thing I'd like to mention is that the planer kit comes with a chip bag, not the vacuum hose adapter. This typo appears in more than one place, but it's a fact that you get the chip bag instead of the VAC002 hose attachment.

And, yes, the planer works great too. I'll let the other reviews speak to that!