The PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer is a Portable and Flexible Handheld Thicknesser
What We Like
- Dual-side dust extraction system
- A cast aluminum shoe that is 11.5-inches wide
- 6 Amp motor to handle all your home woodworking projects
- Thicknesser can be used for edge chamfering
- 10 positive stops for depth adjustment drive
- 2-finger trigger and comfortable handle
- Affordable price
What We Don’t Like
- Misleading description
- Blade adjustment is difficult
Bottom Line
The PORTER CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer is one of the most affordable handheld planers in the market.
With less than $100, you can purchase one online. The thickness planer is lightweight and compact.
So, it gives you more flexibility than you’d get from many other handheld planers.
However, the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP isn’t battery-powered, so, the flexibility will be limited to an extent.
While there are many other good features of the PORTER CABLE PC60THP, the description on Amazon.com is misleading.
Also, the blade adjustment is difficult compared to other products that have quick blade change features.
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The PORTER-CABLE PC60THP 6 Amp Hand Planer is a corded thicknesser that also happens to be one of the most adjustable handheld planers in the market.
It has a great 6 Amp motor which is powerful enough for your household woodworking projects.
For more precision, there is a cast aluminum shoe that gives you more control over what you’re trying to do ensuring that every cut is precise. When you cut, the sawdust that will inevitably be created will be sucked into the dual-side dust collection system.
Almost everything about the PC60THP is perfect and our PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer review will show you some of the few imperfections so you can decide if it is the right tool for you.
Related Reading: Bosch PL2632K Hand Planer
Features of the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer
Perfect for Edge Chamfering
In woodworking, chamfer refers to the transition between two surfaces of the same wood. Most woodworkers define the chamfer through the bevel because it is usually shaved in a 45 degree.
Not every handheld thicknesser can be used for edge guide because not all of them are built to allow bevel cuts.
There are three chamfer grooves on the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer so there is hardly any bevel cut you’ll be unable to perform when you use this device.
The depth adjustment of the PC60THP Hand Planer has 10 positive stops. The adjustment levels range from 1/128 inch and it moves as high as 5/64. You can create chamfers that will ease sharp edges on the woodwork not just for beauty but for safety too.
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to make chamfer edges inside or outside the adjoining surfaces of the wood. You’ll also get 0.47 inches max rabbit depth.
6 Amp Motor for Small to Medium-scale Projects
Porter, the manufacturers of the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer claim that the product was designed for heavy-duty projects.
However, we would be lying if we stated that the 6 Amp motor can be used for commercial-scale projects without stress. With a motor of this size, you can work on medium-scale home woodworking projects as best.
Trying to use it too frequently will lead to overheating. You’ll wear the blades out as well. You should expect a 16,500 RPM from the motor and this is just fine for occasional furniture making projects.
The motor powers the two high-speed carbide blades perfectly so you don’t need to worry about chipping as long as you don’t use it to shave wood that is thicker than recommended.
The HSS blades retain sharpness for long. However, in the description on their official website, Porter claims that there are two extra blades in the package for when you need to change the original ones.
This is false so don’t get your hopes up. Also, we noticed that changing the blade is not as simple on this planer as it is with many others.
Related Reading: PORTER-CABLE PC160JT Benchtop Jointer
Dual-side Dust Extraction System
One feature we found intriguing is the dual-side dust removal system. When you shave wooden surfaces, the sawdust is removed from both sides of the dust removal system.
Along with the PORTER CABLE PC60THP 6 Amp Hand Planer features a dust bag that filters all the sawdust collected from both sides.
The bag is rectangular shaped and it is designed to collect more dust at a time than the oval-shaped dust bags that come with many handheld planers.
There is a dust adapter included in the package for those who want to connect a vacuum shop to the dust collection port for even more accurate dust extraction.
It’s also important to note that having a dual-dust collection system gives you more durability because it allows you to flip the exhaust from side to side without worrying about sawdust messing your workspace up.
Cast Aluminum Shoe that is 11.5-inches Wide
For even more precision, there is an 11.5 inches cast-aluminum shoe attached to the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer. This cast-aluminum shoe gives you the ultimate control over the device but it doesn’t work alone.
The handle of the planer is ergonomically designed for your comfort and to maximize efficiency. It is made up of layers of different materials which all contribute to make it strong and make you comfortable while you work.
It is located in a perfect position on the planer that allows you to drive it through different types of wood without hurting yourself. There is a 2-finger trigger which can be locked on or off with the lock switch.
Related Reading: Porter-Cable PC305TP Thickness Planer
PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer Review The Verdict
If you’re looking for an affordable thickness planer that can run through different forms of wood without stress, the PORTER CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer might be just what you need.
As you can see from our PORTER CABLE Hand Planer review, it has all the capacities of a $300 handheld planer but it only costs between $70 to $80. Isn’t that amazing?
It might not be strong enough for day to day commercial use but it is certainly good enough for homeowners with woodworking skills if you can overlook the flaws.
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