Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Router Table • Spray Finishing • Compound Miter Saw

Planer

Term from Furniture Making industry explained for recruiters

A planer is an essential woodworking machine that smooths and levels wooden surfaces to a consistent thickness. In furniture making, it's like an advanced sander that can process larger pieces of wood quickly and precisely. Workers use planers to prepare raw lumber for furniture production by making it flat, smooth, and exactly the right thickness. You might also see this tool referred to as a thickness planer or wood planer. It's one of the fundamental machines in any professional woodworking shop, alongside table saws and joiners.

Examples in Resumes

Operated industrial Planer to prepare hardwood components for high-end furniture production

Maintained and calibrated Wood Planer machines for precise thickness control

Trained junior staff on safe operation of Thickness Planer equipment

Typical job title: "Wood Planers"

Also try searching for:

Woodworker Furniture Maker Cabinet Maker Wood Machinist Woodworking Machine Operator Custom Furniture Builder

Where to Find Wood Planers

Professional Organizations

• Woodworking Network
• Architectural Woodwork Institute
• Wood Products Manufacturers Association

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you set up a production line involving a planer for maximum efficiency?

Expected Answer: A senior operator should explain workflow organization, safety procedures, material handling systems, and how to coordinate with other machinery operations. They should also discuss maintenance schedules and quality control measures.

Q: What factors do you consider when planning wood thickness reduction for different types of furniture?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of different wood species, grain patterns, moisture content, and how these affect planing. Should also discuss final product requirements and efficient material usage.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you troubleshoot common planer issues?

Expected Answer: Should be able to identify and resolve common problems like snipe, tearout, or uneven thickness, and explain basic maintenance procedures for keeping the planer in good working condition.

Q: What safety procedures do you follow when operating a planer?

Expected Answer: Should discuss proper safety gear, machine guards, feed rate control, minimum board length requirements, and emergency procedures.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the basic purpose of a planer and how do you operate it?

Expected Answer: Should explain that a planer makes wood smooth and uniform in thickness, and describe basic operation steps like setting depth, feeding wood, and checking results.

Q: How do you measure wood thickness and ensure consistency?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate familiarity with measuring tools like calipers and proper technique for checking thickness at multiple points on a board.