Makita planer

The best cordless and electric planes from Makita

The Japanese traditional company Makita is certainly known to every home and craftsman. The company offers numerous high-quality electric and cordless tools. The range also includes some hand planes with motor. A Makita planer is characterised by high-quality workmanship and good working efficiency. The planers of the manufacturer are either supplied with energy – in the form of an electric planer – via the normal mains current or operated via an 18V rechargeable battery.

In the following, we will show you which Makita planer is a good choice. You will also find out what you should bear in mind in this context. We hope to be able to help you with this guide.

Makita planer – These models are recommended

Makita DKP180Z

Battery planers are also becoming increasingly popular in the planer category. An absolute bestseller for years has been the Makita DKP180Z .

The tool has over 1000 positive reviews on Amazon and is powered by the proven 18V LXT platform. If you already have a suitable battery (1.5-6 Ah) and a charger, you can save money by purchasing the accessory-free “Z version”. Otherwise, it is possible to order any accessories without any problems. A rip fence, a socket spanner and a reversible blade are also included as standard. If the latter is blunt on one side, it can simply be turned over.

The planing depth is up to 2 mm. It can be adjusted intuitively and precisely via the rotary control on the top. The cordless freedom and the rubberised grip surfaces ensure a high level of operating comfort. Despite the 18 V voltage, you can work on a width of 82 mm and therefore also quickly process wide beams and the like. A speed of 15,000 rpm ensures that the surface quality is promising.

Makita KP0800

Classic electric planes with a mains cable continue to prove their worth in numerous projects. One recommendation in this context is the Makita KP0800 .

This planer is quickly ready for use. All you have to do is connect the 2.5 metre long mains cable to the socket. Of course, an extension can also be used if necessary. The device is not 30 cm long and only approx. 15 cm wide. Accordingly, it fits very well in the hand. Thanks to its light weight of only 2.6 kg, women and senior citizens can also expect it to be easy to handle.

The device is delivered with all accessories so that you can get started right away. A transport case (MAKPAC size 3) is also included, making transport and safe storage of small components child’s play. While the maximum chip removal is up to 2.5 mm, it can be planed over a width of 82 mm. The motor rotates up to 17,000 times per minute to produce high-quality surfaces.

Makita 1806B

Particularly in the trades, you sometimes have to deal with boards and beams of enormous size. A so-called carpenter’s plane is the perfect choice for quickly giving them a great surface finish. A high-quality model from Makita is the Makita 1806B .

This planer can work on an outstanding width of 170 mm. However, you have to pay for this fact with increased dimensions and a weight of 9 kg. So it definitely needs strong hands. The planer sole is 52.9 cm long. To ensure that the planer moves smoothly over the surface, you should also hold the front rotary control by hand. You can adjust the chip removal between 0 and 2 mm.

Because the centre of gravity is low, it is easy to use. Up to 15,000 revolutions ensure that a beautiful surface finish is achieved. The fact that the enclosed power cable is already a helpful 5 metres long certainly contributes to a high level of comfort. The scope of delivery also includes a rip fence, a hexagon socket spanner, an adjustment triangle, a blade holder and a carrying case.

Makita planer – You should always pay attention to the following

Choices & Functionality

Makita currently offers 11 different planers. The majority of the devices are classically supplied with power via a mains cable (230V). It is worth mentioning that the cable is at least 2.5 metres long. An extension is no problem and does not reduce the performance. Some beam planers are supplied with a 10-metre power cable anyway.

In addition, 2 models are offered with rechargeable batteries. The latter give you a lot of freedom of movement and can be powered by the well-known 18V LXT series (1.5 to 6 Ah). The designation Ah (ampere hours) stands for the capacity. The higher the value, the longer the battery lasts in continuous operation. At the same time, its dimensions and weight increase, as does its price.

Whether a battery planer or an electric planer – the way a planer works is always similar. A rotating blade removes the chips or other material from a surface. The depth to which this is possible is specified by the manufacturer. The working depth is regulated via a height-adjustable aluminium plate.

In general, you will make much faster progress with an electric planer than with a compact hand planer without a motor. Therefore, the models on offer are particularly recommended for the trade and for demanding do-it-yourselfers who want to smooth surfaces on a regular basis.

Power

The power is, of course, of absolute importance, because it decides decisively which activities can be carried out with the planer and which results can be expected. Here it can be worthwhile to look at several indicators at once.

If you want to remove the chip rather flatly, you should look at the speed. The higher it is for filigree work without much resistance, the better the result (visually appealing surface quality). Values from approx. 14,000 revolutions per minute seem to be suitable here. Depending on the model, a Makita electric planer can offer up to 18,000 revolutions.

Generally, all manufacturers, including Makita, indicate the maximum working depth and working width for each model. The most powerful carpenter’s plane from Makita can operate at a width of up to 170 mm. In addition, it is possible to plane at a depth of up to 4 mm with some models.

In the segment of electric planes, a look at the wattage is certainly tempting. However, it seems that this only defines the power consumption. A high energy consumption/unit of time can go hand in hand with more power, but you should also look at the other performance data. Sometimes dubious manufacturers advertise a high wattage, which in practice only results in a power guzzler.

The electrical voltage (in volts) and the type of motor are further parameters for the performance of a battery planer. The new 18V Makita planer, in the form of the DKP181, can be classified as more powerful than its predecessor because it has a brushless motor. Here, less frictional losses occur during power transmission.

Handling

Handling a planer should be as comfortable as possible. In this case, you can devote yourself fully to the task at hand and do not have to fear any physical discomfort.

A Makita planer offers you comfortable handling for several reasons. The compact versions weigh around 3 kg and can therefore be used quite easily by women as well as senior citizens.

Furthermore, the handles are usually pleasantly soft and rubberised, which you may already know from other Makita tools. This prevents a feeling of pressure in the palm and the formation of calluses, even during prolonged use.

There can also be up to 3 V-grooves on the underside of a Makita plane. These are V-shaped recesses that are particularly helpful when chamfering edges.

A rip fence is also useful. Many Makita planes are supplied with one as standard. Thanks to this, even beginners do not slip during work. Accordingly, nothing stands in the way of creating straight rebate edges.

The operation of a Makita plane can be classified as uncomplicated. As soon as the power supply is ready (battery or socket), you can start using the accelerator switch and a safety switch on the side. The latter can be pressed with one finger and prevents improper tampering with adhesive tape or the like.

The working depth is set via a rotary control. This is usually provided with 0.1 mm increments. Depending on the model, a Makita planer can remove a maximum of 2 to 4 mm of chips in one go.

A partially enclosed MAKPAC case supports you during transport. Thanks to it, no individual parts get lost.

Additional functions

A Makita planer can be equipped with various features that improve comfort and safety. A soft start, for example, prevents uncontrollable power peaks when starting. In addition, a motor brake prevents any run-on.

A small plastic bolt on the underside of the planer ensures that the blade is not damaged when it is parked. It creates a space between the ground and the blade when “parked”. When working, a spring mechanism automatically ensures that the bolt moves back into the housing.

If you want to keep your workplace clean at all times, there is no getting around the combination with a hoover. Every Makita planer can be combined with a vacuum cleaner. This is possible with modern planers via Bluetooth (Makita AWS). However, only a few models currently allow a free choice between the left and right side of the housing.

Many Makita planers also come with a carbide reversible blade. If one side is blunt, you can simply turn it and use the other, still unaffected side.

A Makita battery planer can also be equipped with the so-called ADT technology. This automatically adjusts the speed to the current work situation. In this category, there is also a comprehensive battery protection system against overheating and deep discharge.

Price

Of course, the price also has a certain influence on the decision. A Makita planer is generally more expensive than models without a motor. This is understandable and no different with other manufacturers. The first models are on offer for just over 100 Pounds. A high-quality carpenter’s plane or a thickness planer, on the other hand, which are also suitable for very extensive work, require a budget of several hundred Pounds.

It makes sense if the costs are in a fair relation to your own requirements. Then the potential for disappointment is limited. In the planer segment, this means the following: The more power you need and the faster you want to do extensive work, the more you should invest. The same applies to the desire for long durability in continuous operation.

Where to buy

Due to the brand recognition and worldwide appreciation, Makita tools are sold through many dealers and companies. Purchasing is possible both online and offline. You have the largest selection on online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. As a rule, every model can be found here. Since various dealers are constantly competing with each other on these platforms, fair prices can also be expected.

Offline, there are occasional offers in DIY stores and also at well-stocked retailers. For example, Bauhaus, Hagebau and sometimes Media Markt as well as Real are local options for a purchase.

Makita planer – The manufacturer offers many advantages

The battery and electric planes from Makita offer great advantages. Compared to a simple hand plane, the work is much more efficient and less strenuous. This is certainly advantageous for use in the trade and for the ambitious do-it-yourselfer. However, the manufacturer cannot meet every demand. So that you can comfortably weigh up the pros and cons of the Makita planes, we have provided you with an overview below:

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