Format4 | plan 51L Jointer
The Format4 plan 51L Planer-Jointer features a 20 5/64" (510 mm) planing width and an impressive 118 7/64" (3000 mm) table length, designed for professional woodworking. With a tiltable infeed table for concave and convex jointing, a space-saving planer fence, and optional Silent-Power® spiral knife cutterblock, it delivers unmatched precision and operating comfort for solid wood and plastic processing.
Key Features
Highlights
- Concave – Convex Joint: First Format4 planer with tiltable infeed table for perfect glueing results with concave or convex workpieces, ensuring no visible joints.
- Professional Planer Fence with Parallelogram Adjustment: Space-saving design allows positioning against a workshop wall without restricting planing width.
- Jointer Table Length 118 7/64": Heavy, solid, ribbed planing tables with a 64 61/64" infeed table for robust support of large workpieces.
Details
- Format4 Perfect Planing Technology: Disposable, reversible planing knives with factory-set precision, eliminating adjustment needs; supports standard or TERSA cutterblocks.
- Planer Table Adjustment with Power-Drive: Electromotive control adjusts solid cast iron tables to a tenth of a millimeter via button, with ergonomic eye-level control panel.
- Silent-Power® Spiral Knife Cutterblock: Reduces noise by 50%, offers tear-free planing, up to 20 times longer blade life, four cutting edges per knife, and optimized chip extraction (optional).
- SUVA Planer Guard: Covers the entire planing area and lifts automatically for enhanced safety (optional).
- Excellent Extraction Results: Large-dimensioned, optimized chip extraction hood ensures superior chip removal and clean work tables.
- Continuously Adjustable Planer Fence: Tilts up to 45° with end stops at 90° and 45° for precise settings.
- Complete Freedom of Movement When Planing: EURO comfort planing fence folds down for maximum safety and convenience.
- Tiltable Format4 Auxiliary Fence: Ensures safe and comfortable planing of thin or narrow workpieces.
- Format4 Planer Guard: Integrated, space-saving guard stabilizes workpieces during jointing and beveling for maximum safety.
Technical Specifications
| Category | Details |
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| Electrics |
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| Planing Unit and Cutterblock |
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| General |
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| Accessories |
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Specifications
Felder Format4 Plan 51L Jointer – FAQs
What is the Felder Format4 Plan 51L Jointer and what woodworking tasks is it designed for?
The Felder Format4 Plan 51L Jointer (surface planer) is a professional-grade woodworking machine engineered to produce flat, true surfaces and square edges on boards. With a wide **510 mm (20 ⅛″) planing width** and **3 m long planing tables**, it supports flattening long and large-format stock critical for cabinetry, panel glue-ups, furniture parts, and architectural millwork. ([turn0search0](https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/products/jointer-planers-jointers-planers-c1948/jointer-plan-51l-p3272?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Who should consider the Format4 Plan 51L?
This machine is ideal for professional cabinetmakers, custom furniture manufacturers, production workshops, and serious woodworkers who need exceptional accuracy, long planing support surfaces, and advanced jointing features for large boards and panel components. It is especially valuable in shops that routinely process wide or long stock requiring precision flatness. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What are the key use cases for this jointer?
The Plan 51L is commonly used to:
- Surface and face plane boards to eliminate warp, twist, or cup.
- Edge-joint boards for flat glue joints in tabletops and panels.
- Prepare large workpieces for downstream machining and assembly.
These use cases are essential in cabinetry, furniture fabrication, architectural millwork, and panel production workflows. ([turn0search0](https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/products/jointer-planers-jointers-planers-c1948/jointer-plan-51l-p3272?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What makes the Plan 51L’s table design special?
The Plan 51L features extremely long, solid, ribbed cast-iron planing tables (~3 m total length with ~1,650 mm infeed support) that provide substantial support for large stock and improve control and precision when jointing long boards. ([turn0search0](https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/products/jointer-planers-jointers-planers-c1948/jointer-plan-51l-p3272?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What is the “concave/convex” joint feature and why does it matter?
For the first time on a Format4 planer, the **infeed table can be tilted** to create **concave or convex surfaces**, enabling perfect glue joints with no visible seams. This is especially beneficial for curved and complex surface work or when joining irregular stock. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
How does the planer fence and parallelogram adjustment improve workflow?
The professional planer fence uses a **parallelogram adjustment system** that maintains planing width accuracy and allows the machine to be positioned near a workshop wall without reducing capacity. The fence tilts from **90° to 45°** for bevel jointing operations. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What cutterblock options are available?
Standard cutterblocks include a **4-knife Format4 system**, with optional **TERSA** or **Silent-Power® spiral knife** configurations. The **Silent-Power spiral cutterblock** reduces noise emissions by over 50 %, produces tear-free planed surfaces, and significantly extends blade life, reducing maintenance costs. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
How does electronic height adjustment improve performance?
**Power-Drive electronic height adjustment** with a digital display is included as standard, allowing precise planing depth changes at the push of a button. The ergonomic control panel positioned at eye level simplifies setup and reduces operator fatigue. ([turn0search0](https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/products/jointer-planers-jointers-planers-c1948/jointer-plan-51l-p3272?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What materials can the Plan 51L process?
The Plan 51L is suitable for solid hardwoods, softwoods, large-format boards, plywood, MDF, and engineered panel materials when used with proper cutters and dust extraction systems, making it versatile for diverse woodworking applications. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
How does the Plan 51L compare with smaller jointers?
Compared to smaller jointers, the Plan 51L’s **510 mm width and ~3 m table length** support much larger and longer stock, improving control and reducing the need for additional outfeed support. Shops that frequently joint wide boards or long panels will benefit more from the extended table and advanced features than from smaller, hobby-grade machines. ([turn0search0](https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/products/jointer-planers-jointers-planers-c1948/jointer-plan-51l-p3272?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
How does the Joiner Plan 51L compare with dedicated planers and thicknessers?
The Plan 51L focuses on surface flattening and jointing rather than thicknessing. For combined planing and thicknessing workflows, jointer-planer combos (e.g., Format4 Dual 51) or separate thickness planers may be better suited. However, as a dedicated surface planer, the Plan 51L provides more robust long-table support and precision joinery capabilities. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What safety and ergonomic features are included?
Standard safety features include a **EURO comfort planer guard** integrated into the chassis, stabilizing workpieces during planing and beveling, plus ergonomic height and fence adjustments that reduce operator fatigue and improve workflow consistency. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
What electrical and motor options are available?
The Plan 51L supports three-phase electrical configurations such as **3×400 V or 3×230 V** with motor options like **7.5 HP (5.5 kW)** or **10 HP (7.35 kW)**, plus accessories such as power feed mounts and extraction interfaces to match professional shop requirements. ([turn0search1](https://www.centexautomation.net/products/format4-plan-51l-jointer?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Is the Format4 Plan 51L a good investment for professional woodworking?
Yes. With its long planing table, concave/convex jointing capability, advanced cutterblock options, electronic adjustments, and professional-grade build quality, the Plan 51L is a durable and precise surface planer that enhances productivity, finish quality, and workflow efficiency in demanding woodworking shops. ([turn0search0](https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/products/jointer-planers-jointers-planers-c1948/jointer-plan-51l-p3272?utm_source=chatgpt.com))