What's inside
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
The best Delta 12-inch planer for most small shops is the Delta 22-560, provided you find one in sound condition with replacement knives still available; the larger Delta 22-580 is the better choice for frequent work when its 13-inch capacity, heavier construction, and more substantial infeed and outfeed support matter more than portability.
Delta no longer has a broad current range of 12-inch benchtop planers, so buying a “Delta 12 planer” in 2026 usually means comparing older, used machines rather than choosing between several new models. The important distinction is not a modern feature package but the condition of the cutterhead, feed rollers, gearbox, tables, and knife supply.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Delta planer models compared
| Model | Maximum board width | Maximum stock thickness | Typical maximum depth per pass | Cutterhead | Approximate machine weight | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta 22-560 | 12 1/2 in. | 6 in. | About 1/8 in. on narrower stock; about 3/32 in. near full width | Two-knife straight-knife head | About 80 lb | Home shops, occasional furniture work, and users needing a portable planer |
| Delta 22-580 | 13 in. | About 6 in. | About 1/8 in. under favorable conditions; less on wide or difficult stock | Two-knife straight-knife head | Roughly 100 lb | Frequent stock preparation and a semi-permanent shop setup |
| Current equivalent type | 12 1/2–13 in. | 6 in. or more | Usually 1/8 in. maximum, reduced for wide hardwood | Usually two-sided disposable knives; some newer machines use helical inserts | 70–100 lb | Buyers who prioritize warranty support and readily available consumables |
Specifications can vary slightly by revision, manual, and whether a used machine has been modified. Treat the figures above as buying benchmarks, then confirm the data plate and operating manual before purchasing.
Delta 22-560: the practical portable choice
The Delta 22-560 is the model most people mean when they search for a Delta 12 inch portable planer, Delta 12 portable planer, or “12 Delta portable planer.” Its 12 1/2-inch capacity handles ordinary 8-, 10-, and 12-inch boards, while its roughly 80-pound weight makes it possible for one person to move it between a workbench and storage.
Its two-knife straight-knife cutterhead is simple and inexpensive to understand. The knives are reversible, so a nicked edge does not always mean an immediate replacement purchase. The tradeoff is more noise, more visible knife marks, and greater sensitivity to grain direction than a modern insert-style cutterhead.
For a machine of this age, snipe control is more important than the nominal depth-per-pass figure. Snipe commonly appears at the first and last several inches of a board when the board is unsupported as it enters or leaves the rollers. Raise the planer so the bed is level, support long boards at the same height as the table, and feed the next board immediately behind the first. These steps reduce the amount of material lost to snipe more effectively than forcing a deeper cut.
Delta 22-580: more capacity, less portability
The Delta 22-580 is a stronger candidate when the planer will remain set up in one location. Its 13-inch opening gives only half an inch more capacity than the 22-560, but that extra width can prevent a carefully selected board from needing to be ripped first. The heavier body also tends to resist movement and vibration better during repeated passes.
That benefit comes with a portability penalty. A roughly 100-pound machine is movable with care but is no longer convenient to carry regularly. It also requires a sturdier stand and more clearance around the infeed and outfeed tables. If your shop is a garage or shared workspace, measure the complete board path—not just the planer itself—before choosing this model.
The 22-580 still uses the traditional straight-knife approach rather than a modern helical head. Expect the same basic ownership tasks: keeping knives sharp, cleaning resin from the rollers, checking table alignment, and preventing dust from accumulating around the elevation mechanism.
Head-to-head buying decision
| Your situation | Better choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Limited budget and occasional use | Sound 22-560 | Lower used-market cost and easier handling; spend the savings on knives and dust collection. |
| Frequent hardwood preparation | 22-580, or a newer planer with stronger support | Heavier construction and a little more width reduce setup frustration during repeated work. |
| Small shop or shared garage | 22-560 | The smaller footprint and lower weight make storage and repositioning more realistic. |
| Beginner learning to mill rough lumber | 22-560 in good condition | Its controls and two-knife head are uncomplicated, and mistakes are less expensive to correct. |
| Wide boards close to 13 inches | 22-580 | The additional capacity avoids ripping boards that would otherwise fit only marginally. |
| Daily production use | Neither older model unless exceptionally well maintained | Consider a current planer with supported parts, improved dust handling, and a helical or insert cutterhead. |
Cutterhead and replacement-knife reality
Both Delta machines are fundamentally different from newer planers that use rows of small carbide inserts. A straight-knife head gives a clean result when properly aligned, but a single damaged knife can affect the entire board width. Knife installation must be even and precise; a small height mismatch can create ridges or uneven cutting.
Replacement knives for older Delta planers may still be found through woodworking-tool suppliers and aftermarket manufacturers, but availability is less predictable than it was when these machines were sold new. Confirm the exact model, knife length, thickness, hole pattern, and bevel orientation before ordering. Do not assume that a generic 12-inch knife will fit.
Before buying a used planer, ask whether the seller includes the knife-setting jig, spare knives, dust hood, and original table hardware. Missing accessories can turn a low purchase price into a costly restoration. Inspect the exposed cutterhead for deep scoring, check that the elevation mechanism moves smoothly, and make sure the feed rollers pull a board consistently without slipping.
How to reduce snipe and improve finish quality
- Flatten one face first. A planer makes faces parallel; it does not reliably flatten a twisted board.
- Take shallow initial cuts. Start around 1/32 inch, especially with hardwood or boards wider than 8 inches.
- Support both ends. Align auxiliary supports with the planer table so long stock does not drop at the rollers.
- Keep the board moving. Feed a second board directly behind the first when safe and practical; the leading board helps keep the feed rollers engaged.
- Mark the final thickness. Stop when the highest pencil marks disappear instead of repeatedly removing unnecessary material.
For example, reducing a 1 1/4-inch rough board to 1 inch removes 1/4 inch total. At 1/32-inch cuts, that requires eight cutting passes, not one aggressive pass. If the board is 10 inches wide and hardwood, shallow passes are more likely to preserve finish quality and reduce motor strain.
Ownership costs and common failure points
A used Delta planer can be economical, but the purchase price is only the beginning. Budget for replacement knives, a dust-collection hose, wax or suitable table lubricant, and possibly new drive belts. Feed rollers are another wear item: glazed or contaminated rollers can cause slipping, inconsistent thickness, and apparent snipe.
- Clean pitch and resin from the rollers without damaging their surfaces.
- Wax the table lightly so boards feed with less resistance.
- Keep knives sharp; dull knives increase tear-out and motor load.
- Vacuum dust from the elevation screw and gearbox area rather than allowing buildup to harden.
- Never plane stock containing nails, screws, staples, or embedded grit.
- Use hearing and eye protection, and connect dust extraction whenever possible.
Final recommendation
Choose the Delta 22-560 if you want the most practical Delta 12 in portable planer for occasional work, limited space, and manageable carrying weight. Choose the Delta 22-580 if the machine will stay in a fixed shop position and you regularly process boards near 12 inches wide. For either model, condition and parts support matter more than a small difference in rated capacity. A clean, accurately feeding 22-560 is a better purchase than a neglected larger planer with worn rollers, missing knife hardware, or an unavailable cutterhead component.