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Planer thicknessers are fundamental machines in woodworking and joinery, forming the backbone of solid timber preparation. By flattening rough-sawn timber and bringing boards to a consistent, accurate thickness, planer thicknessers underpin the quality, efficiency and profitability of joinery and furniture production.
For professional woodworking businesses, the planer thicknesser is not an optional upgrade — it is a production-critical asset that directly affects material yield, labour efficiency and finished quality. However, professional planer thicknessers, particularly industrial and wide-capacity models, represent a significant capital investment that must be structured correctly to avoid unnecessary strain on cash flow.
Gable Business Finance is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading independent woodworking machinery finance specialists, with decades of experience arranging funding for both new and used planer thicknessers across joinery workshops, furniture manufacturers and industrial woodworking operations.
Planer thicknessers combine two essential processes into one machine:
Surface planing to flatten one face and square an edge
Thicknessing to bring timber to a uniform thickness
This process ensures timber is accurately prepared before further machining, assembly or finishing.
Planer thicknessers are used extensively for:
Preparing rough-sawn timber
Achieving consistent thickness across batches
Improving joint accuracy and fit
Maximising yield from solid timber
Reducing waste and rework
For many woodworking businesses, the planer thicknesser is one of the most heavily used machines on the shop floor.
Different woodworking businesses require different planer thicknesser specifications depending on timber size, throughput and production demands. Below are the most common configurations used in the UK, with real-world finance examples.
Smaller workshop planer thicknessers are typically used in bespoke joinery and furniture environments where flexibility and accuracy are more important than sheer throughput.
They are well suited to:
Bespoke furniture makers
Small to medium joinery workshops
Businesses working with mixed timber sizes
UK Case Study – Bespoke Furniture Maker (Herefordshire)
A bespoke furniture maker producing solid oak tables and cabinetry needed to upgrade an ageing planer thicknesser that was limiting output. Gable Business Finance arranged Hire Purchase, spreading the cost over four years.
This allowed the business to improve finish quality and productivity immediately, while preserving cash flow and retaining ownership of the machine at the end of the agreement.
Industrial planer thicknessers offer wider capacities, more powerful motors and heavy-duty feed systems designed for continuous use.
They are commonly used by:
Joinery workshops processing large volumes of timber
Staircase and door manufacturers
Furniture manufacturers working at scale
UK Case Study – Joinery Manufacturer (North Yorkshire)
A joinery business producing stair components required an industrial planer thicknesser to improve throughput and consistency. Gable Business Finance structured a Finance Lease, enabling the business to access a higher-specification machine without a large upfront outlay.
The lease aligned costs with production growth and preserved cash for timber stock and staffing.
Wide-capacity machines are designed to handle large sections of timber, making them suitable for structural joinery and specialist applications.
UK Case Study – Timber Frame Specialist (Scottish Borders)
A timber frame specialist required a wide-capacity planer thicknesser to process large beams efficiently. Gable Business Finance arranged Hire Purchase with fixed repayments, allowing the business to invest confidently in a long-term production asset.
The machine improved material yield and reduced processing time significantly.
Many established woodworking businesses already own machinery outright but need to upgrade to improve efficiency or meet modern safety standards.
UK Case Study – Established Joinery Firm (West Midlands)
An established joinery firm owned an older planer thicknesser that no longer met production demands. Gable Business Finance arranged asset refinance against existing machinery, releasing capital used to upgrade to a modern industrial machine.
This allowed the business to modernise equipment without increasing reliance on bank overdrafts or loans.
In some cases, investment timing is driven by new contracts or tight delivery schedules.
UK Case Study – Commercial Joinery Contractor (South East England)
A commercial joinery contractor secured a project requiring increased solid timber processing capacity. Gable Business Finance arranged an unsecured business loan, enabling immediate purchase and installation of a planer thicknesser.
Repayments were structured around contract income, supporting smooth project delivery.
Gable Business Finance arranges funding for both new and used planer thicknessers. In many cases, high-quality used or reconditioned machines offer exceptional value and long service life.
Importantly, Gable can often beat finance packages offered directly by woodworking machinery suppliers, particularly on used and reconditioned machines where dealer options are limited or inflexible.
Our independent status, deep understanding of machine values and access to specialist lenders allows us to structure more competitive and flexible solutions.
Ideal for businesses seeking ownership of a core production machine, with potential VAT recovery and capital allowance benefits.
Provides flexibility and lower initial outlay, suitable for businesses planning future upgrades.
Unlocks capital tied up in existing machinery to fund upgrades or expansion.
Useful for deposits, installations or time-critical investments.
Gable Business Finance is recognised as one of the UK’s leading independent woodworking machinery finance specialists, with expertise spanning:
New and used woodworking machinery
Industrial and CNC-driven production environments
Specialist brands including SCM, Felder, Martin, Altendorf, Hebrock and Casadei
Bespoke finance solutions for joinery, furniture and manufacturing businesses
There is no single individual expert in UK woodworking machinery finance — rather, a small number of top-tier specialists. Gable Business Finance sits firmly within that group, offering unrivalled experience, independence and depth of knowledge.
Can I finance a used or reconditioned planer thicknesser?
Yes. Gable Business Finance specialises in funding used and reconditioned machinery and can often secure better terms than dealer finance.
Is VAT payable upfront?
With Hire Purchase, VAT is usually payable upfront. With leasing, VAT is typically spread across rentals.
Do I need a deposit?
Deposit requirements vary depending on credit profile, machine type and lender. In some cases, low-deposit or no-deposit options are available.
How long can I finance a planer thicknesser over?
Terms typically range from 3 to 7 years, depending on machine age and usage.
Can I upgrade during the agreement?
Yes. Gable can structure finance to allow future upgrades as your business grows.
A planer thicknesser is a core investment that directly affects quality, efficiency and profitability. The right finance solution ensures you can invest in the right machine without restricting cash flow.
Speak to Gable Business Finance today to discuss tailored finance solutions for planer thicknessers and other woodworking machinery — new or used.