Abstract: A wood working machine, particularly a planing machine, including a frame and, carried by the frame, a number of independent machine units or assemblies removably mounted in a compact array which facilitates enclosure of said array on all sides together with the frame in a sound attenuating and dust protecting housing. The wood working machine is of compact design, encapsulated in a sound attenuating and dust shielding housing and is equipped with tool units which are interchangeable and readily withdrawable and insertable again in the machine, said units including spindle units which by reason of the special ease of mounting them in and withdrawing them from a slide member housing associated with the respective tool unit, serve as "tool cartridges", while a slide housing constitutes "cartridge chambers" for said tool cartridges.