Can anyone recommend a good benchtop thickness planer for squaring turning stock. There are a lot to choose from and I thought it'd be good to get direct opinions.

Close to square is close enough for turning in my book. I've turned stuff out of almost triangular sticks split out of a log with an axe. If you need it square to register lips, eyes and bellyholes, you can probably get it close enough by tablesaw or bandsaw with a fence...

If you "need" a planer I can't offer any suggestions because my only experience is with a 12" Ryobi that does an OK job..

I would'nt waste the electricity and sharp blades planing stock to turn. It will be plenty square with a table saw and good enough with a band saw.

I have a little Williams-Hussey moulder/planer. Nice little machine. I don't usually try to square up stock for turning. If you plan to make square stock you will need a jointer as well.

I would'nt waste the electricity and sharp blades planing stock to turn. It will be plenty square with a table saw and good enough with a band saw.

Couldn't agree more... But if you really "need" to square up your stock, You could buy my jointer in Classifieds.... Comes with a Shopsmith lathe, drillpress, tablesaw, and a bunch of other cool tools....:grins:

I have a Delta 13" and use it all the time on different kinds of wood working projects

as the others have said, in most cases your saw cut will be plenty close enough... As for the Planer, I've got a Craftsman 12" that has servedme well for many years.... fro small stuff, I use the jointer (8") craftsman...