FindBuyTool now offers two 13-inch helical-head planers at two fairly different price points. I’ve tested both of them, and while they share the same basic purpose and both produced excellent results in my testing, there are some significant differences in their design, features, size, weight, and usability.
The real question is whether that adds up to enough to justify spending roughly $300 more. Here’s how they actually compare.
👉 Check Current Price of the FB131H at FindBuyTool (No tax or shipping when you buy from the FindBuyTool website)
👉 Check Current Price of the FB132H at FindBuyTool
FindBuyTool sent both planers for me to test, but they had no input on this comparison and didn’t get to see it before it was published. All opinions are my own.
Quick Answer: The FB131H is the better choice if your priority is getting a true helical-head planer for as little money as possible. The FB132H costs more, but gives you a more substantial four-post carriage design, two feed speeds, and several usability and storage improvements.
FindBuyTool FB131H vs. FB132H Specs
| FB131H | FB132H | |
| Maximum Width | 13 Inches | 13 Inches |
| Motor | 15A | 15A |
| Cutterhead | Helical | Helical |
| Carbide Inserts | 40 | 40 |
| Feed Speed | 1 | 2 |
| Feed Rate | 27.5 FPM | 12 & 21 FPM |
| Max Depth of Cut | 1/8 Inch | 1/8 Inch |
| Carriage Design | 2 Threaded Posts | 4 Threaded Posts |
| Carriage Lock | Yes | No |
| Weight | 77 Pounds | 109 Pounds |
| Warranty | 12 Months | 12 Months |
| Approx. Price | $700 | $1,000 |
👉 Check Current Price of the FB131H at FindBuyTool
👉 Check Current Price of the FB132H at FindBuyTool
A quick terminology note before moving on: FindBuyTool describes the FB131H as having a four-column frame, which is correct. But the cutterhead carriage itself rides up and down on two threaded posts — that’s what I mean when I call the FB131H a two-post design. The FB132H’s carriage rides on four threaded posts.
What’s the Same?
Before getting into the upgrades, it’s worth establishing that the fundamental capability of these two machines is actually pretty similar. Both give you:
- 13-inch planing capacity
- 15A motor
- Factory-installed true helical cutterhead
- 40 four-sided carbide inserts
- 1/8-inch maximum depth of cut
- Side-mounted dust collection
- 12-month warranty
Most importantly, both produced excellent results in my testing. The FB131H produced a noticeably smoother finish than my DeWalt DW735X did when it still had straight knives installed. The FB132H also produced an excellent finish and performed similarly to my DeWalt after I upgraded it with a helical cutterhead.
That establishes an important point for the rest of this comparison: you’re not spending an extra $300 on the FB132H simply to get a good helical-head finish. The FB131H already gives you that. So what does the extra money actually buy?
You can see my full testing of the newer FB132H in the video below.
Key Differences Between the FB131H and FB132H
Two-Post vs. Four-Post Carriage Design
This is one of the bigger differences between the two machines. Although the FB131H has a four-column frame, its cutterhead carriage rides up and down on two threaded posts. Because of that design, it uses a separate carriage lock lever that you need to engage before making a pass.
The FB132H’s cutterhead carriage rides on four threaded posts instead. It’s a more substantial, commercial-style arrangement, and it eliminates the need for the separate carriage lock. That’s a practical benefit for me personally, since I regularly forgot to engage the carriage lock on the FB131H.
The FB132H also simply feels like the more substantial and refined machine. That’s an important part of what you’re getting for the extra $300, even though it doesn’t necessarily translate into a dramatic difference in finished surface quality.
One Speed vs. Two Speeds
This is probably the most obvious feature difference. The FB131H runs a single 27.5 FPM feed rate. The FB132H gives you a choice between 12 and 21 FPM — one speed intended more for dimensioning and material removal, and a slower rate intended for finishing.
Interestingly, the FB131H’s single feed rate is actually faster than either of the FB132H’s two feed rates.
I wouldn’t oversell the benefit of the second speed, though. During my FB132H testing, I honestly couldn’t see or feel much difference in surface quality between its two feed speeds — both produced very smooth results. So the second speed gives you additional control and flexibility, but I wouldn’t say the FB132H is worth $300 more simply because it has a finishing speed.
Infeed and Outfeed Support
The FB131H uses traditional folding infeed and outfeed tables. The FB132H replaces those with extendable rollers.
I prefer the rollers. They extend farther than the FB131H’s tables, and they retract into the machine when you’re finished, making the FB132H more compact when stored. This is one of those differences that doesn’t sound particularly important on a spec sheet but becomes more useful once you’re actually living with the planer in a small shop.
Size and Weight
This is one area where the cheaper planer has a legitimate advantage. The FB131H weighs around 77 pounds, while the FB132H weighs 109 pounds — roughly a 32-pound difference.
If you’re storing your planer on the floor or on a shelf and physically lifting it onto a workbench whenever you use it, the FB131H is clearly easier to deal with. If the planer is going to live permanently on a stand or mobile cart, the FB132H’s extra weight isn’t nearly as important, and it contributes to the more substantial feel of the machine.
So you end up with two different small-shop scenarios: if you’re frequently carrying or storing the planer, that’s an advantage for the FB131H. If you’re keeping it on a mobile stand in a cramped shop, the FB132H’s storage-oriented features become more attractive.
Controls and Convenience Features
The FB132H adds or improves on a handful of smaller things beyond what’s already covered above:
- LED illumination
- Retractable, fold-away handwheel
- Anti-kickback protection
- Additional control refinements
The fold-away handwheel and retractable rollers reduce the amount of space the machine occupies when it’s not being used. I don’t see any of these individually as a reason to spend another $300, but collectively they make the FB132H feel like the more refined machine.
Cut Quality: Is the FB132H Actually Better?
This is probably what most buyers ultimately care about, and the honest answer from my testing is: not enough that I’d buy the FB132H solely for better cut quality.
Both machines use true helical cutterheads with 40 four-sided carbide inserts, and I’ve gotten excellent results from both. The FB131H impressed me when I originally tested it against my straight-knife DeWalt. The FB132H later produced results that were essentially indistinguishable from my DeWalt after I installed a helical cutterhead in it.
So if your primary goal is “I want the least expensive planer I can get that gives me a really nice helical-head finish,” the FB131H makes a very strong case. The FB132H premium is more about the machine surrounding the cutterhead than a huge improvement in surface quality.
Which Is Better for a Small Shop?
This will depend on what you prioritize.
FB131H advantage: It’s considerably lighter and therefore easier to physically move and store.
FB132H advantage: The rollers retract and the handwheel folds away, making the machine more compact when it’s sitting on a cart or stand.
If you need to physically pick up and store your planer after using it, the FB131H probably makes more sense. If you keep your planer on a mobile cart or dedicated stand in a cramped shop, I prefer the FB132H’s retractable rollers and fold-away handwheel.
Is the FB132H Worth $300 More?
At roughly $700 versus $1,000, the FB132H costs around 43% more than the FB131H. And because the FB131H already gives you very good helical-head performance, someone buying the less expensive machine shouldn’t feel like they’re settling for poor cut quality.
The extra money primarily buys:
- Four-post carriage instead of two-post carriage
- No separate carriage lock
- Two feed speeds
- Extendable rollers
- Fold-away handwheel
- Additional convenience features
- A heavier, more substantial and refined overall machine
Which leads to what I think is the cleanest way to frame it: the FB131H is the value winner, and the FB132H is the overall winner.
FB131H vs. FB132H: Which Should You Buy?
Buy the FB131H if:
- You want a factory-installed helical cutterhead for as little money as possible
- You’re satisfied with one feed speed
- You need a planer that’s easier to physically move around
- The additional FB132H features aren’t worth roughly $300 to you
- Value is your biggest priority
Buy the FB132H if:
- You want the more substantial four-post carriage design
- You want two feed speeds
- You prefer the retractable rollers and fold-away handwheel
- Your planer will primarily live on a cart or stand rather than being carried around
- You’re willing to pay more for the more feature-rich and refined machine
If I were trying to get into a helical-head planer for as little money as possible, I’d buy the FB131H without hesitation. If the extra $300 wasn’t a major concern, I’d buy the FB132H.
👉 Check Current Price of the FB131H at FindBuyTool
👉 Check Current Price of the FB132H at FindBuyTool
FAQs
Does the FB132H produce a better finish than the FB131H? Both produced excellent results in my testing, so I wouldn’t buy the FB132H solely because you’re expecting dramatically better cut quality.
Do both FindBuyTool planers have true helical cutterheads? Yes. Both use true helical cutterheads with angled carbide inserts rather than straight knives or a spiral cutterhead.
Is the FB132H worth the extra money? It depends on what you value. The FB131H is the better value, while the FB132H gives you a more substantial carriage design, two speeds, and several convenience and storage improvements.
Which FindBuyTool planer is better for a small shop? The FB131H is considerably easier to physically move, while the FB132H’s retractable rollers and fold-away handwheel make it easier to live with on a mobile cart in a small shop.
What’s the biggest difference between the FB131H and FB132H? The FB132H is the more substantial, feature-rich machine overall — four-post carriage, two feed speeds, and several storage and convenience upgrades. See the full comparison above for how each difference actually plays out in use.