Bench Planer Thicknesser - Mainly Diy/Hobby Use

[Uriah Heep]

Most of those seen online look identical and reviews are similar. In reality is there much difference? Prices seem to range from £150 -£300. Are they similar with only the colour different?

[Buenchico]

This review site seems to be genuinely independent. (i.e. the links go to Amazon, rather than the site trying to actually sell you anything itself):
https://propertyworkshop.com/carpentry/best-small-planer-thicknesser/
Even if you don't opt for any of the featured products, the information there should help to guide you in making your choice.

[The Builder]

Power tools are generally rated:
DIY
Trade
Industrial

You certainly don't need Industrial. Even Trade might be overkill. The difference mostly lies in the number of hours use you can expect to get.
It's common sense really. DIY cannot be expected to manage prolonged hard use.
Trade will put up with much more than you'll ever give it.
Industrial will possibly go on forever (sort of.)
Just as an example...
https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/planer-thicknessers/cat830944

The "Titan"listed would do you fine. If you can't find one with a "rating", then go by price.
The other thing to say is that the more you pay, the better the accuracy and durability of the fences/guides/measuring thingies will be.
It'll depend on just how accurate you want to be.

[The Builder]

A bit more thought...
The Titan is quite durable, but a bit crude with the sizing and setting up. That may be ok for you though.

Much much better are the "feed-through" types such as the Sheppach in my Screwfix link. (319.99).
Feeding through gives a lot more control and accuracy.
Sheppach is an excellent make.

[Buenchico]

Clarke products, from Machine Mart, have been regularly praised by AB members in the past:
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/c/planer-thicknessers/

[The Builder]

^^^ agree with that ;o)

I was going to point you towards Axminster Power Tool Centre. They have their own brand, which very good, but maybe out of your range.

[Uriah Heep]

Thank you all. That is pretty much what my own research came up with. A bit surprised at praise for Clarke products. Not looking for heavy use but always like 'trade rated' stuff. Really appreciate The Builders comments. Hard to know what to go for as all the reviews, both read and videos, vary so much. Seems a bit of a lottery as to the quality of what you get. Really liked my Dewalt table saw until the motor burnt out - known design fault and spares no longer available. Kind of put me off Dewalt. Still deciding on a replacement for that.

[Old_Geezer]

I have a cheaper Clarkes thicknesser; one you need to feed the planks through. Worked very well until the day I fed through a bit of spare wood I wanted to reduce, flatten and clean up. Didn't see the buried nail. Now it skims planks but leaves a line :-( No idea if blades can be replaced.

[Buenchico]

O_G:
Take a look at the manual for your machine. (If you can't find it, look for the product on the Machine Mart website. There will be a link there for you to download it). There are instructions in the manual for replacing the machine's blades. The manual also provides the relevant contact details for obtaining spare parts. (They're also here: https://ibb.co/7SN4x3q )

[Old_Geezer]

I will almost certainly still have the manual, but dread looking through those thirty two billion 'important papers' in the study to try and find it. I'll check out the link, thanks.