Whether you’re a novice wood planer user or you have an experienced woodworker, you’ll want a versatile and strong power tool to help you with your projects. It’s not surprising that you’ve narrowed down to Makita wood planers.
If you’re wondering what some Makita wood planer pros and cons are, we’ll look deeper into the Makita KP0810 and the Makita DKP181Z models to have a better idea.
Pros of Makita KP0810 Benchtop Planer
This Makita wood planer clocks in at 16,000 RPM with its two-blade cutter head, all to provide you with a smooth finish. You have planes up to 3 and ¼ inches wide and 5/32 inches deep in one single pass, but beyond the specifications, you need to know whether it’s something you can use.
Ease of Use
Some people think this wood planer is a little less professional, just because it’s surprisingly easy to use. The ease of use is one of its best features, though, making it the perfect option if you’re just starting out. Even if you’re more experienced, there are additional features which simply make the KP0810 versatile and convenient.
For example, you have a lock-on/off button that will allow you to continue using it without holding down any buttons. There’s a rubberized handle too, which is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand.
Dual Blades
Many planers don’t have dual blades, but this Makita wood planer does. Having both blades means that you can deal with any type of wood with smooth and efficient cuts. Any project is more exact and the whole process will proceed more smoothly. Ultimately, the dual blades make this planer quite impressive.
Versatility
You can do a lot with the versatile range of features. That includes the adjustable depth knob, which will let you make 0.1mm adjustments to your work – you really can’t get any more precise than this. That knob is rubberized too, making it that much easier to handle.
You have 3 chamfering groove options as well, plus a modifiable chip ejection. In this end, even more experienced users should find this planer good for any type of project.
Construction
You have a 7.5amp motor, but don’t let that fool you: the Makita benchtop wood planer is actually very light weight. If you’re traveling, its lightweight design makes it one of the best options. It’s still a powerful planer though, with enough amps to get through any type of wood.
Don’t forget about how well built this planer is either. It’s made up of durable plastic, which is also easy to maintain as well.
Cons of Makita KP0810
All in all, there are a lot of good points with the Makita KP0810. It’s a good tool for any workshop, but you just might hesitate because of one thing: the blades.
Thin Blades
Perhaps the biggest issue with this Makita planer is the fact that the included blades are fairly thin. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t cut through your wood or that there will be an issue with your work, but you might find that you need to purchase thicker blades in order to get your work done.
Pros of Makita DKP181Z
You have a powerful motor in the Makita DKP181Z at 18V—meaning that you’ll be able to use this for a long time on the battery. You only have 1200 RPM though, as well as 3mm maximum cutting depth. Ultimately, this makes it perfect for very specific projects.
Dual Blades
You also have dual blades with this Makita thickness planer, so you can be assured of great performance and a generally smooth finish. Ultimately, you should notice that your work will look quite professional even if you haven’t spent much time using a planer before.
Ease of Use
You have an ergonomic handle on this Makita thickness planer, as well as a support foot right there on the rear base of the brush. You should notice that this is easy to use then, or at least easy for you to figure out for those of you who are new to planers.
You will even have an ejection option for those wood chips. You can eject them either left or right depending on your preferences—you only need to adjust the cover plate to the side you want.
Safety
Whether you’re an expert or a novice, you need to make sure that you have safety features to prevent any accidents when you work. You’ll like the electric brake right by the base plate then, which is made to keep you and your projects safe while you work.
Versatility
Take a second to choose which chamfering groove you will need for your project—you have a total of 3 chamfering grooves available to you. Just pick the one you need to use for your specific project.
You can also adjust the depth of your cut using the adjustment knob, which is made to be precise. All you have to do is change it if you want to make even small changes to your project.
Cons of Makita DKP181Z
You are paying a little bit more with the Makita DKP181Z, but beyond the price, the biggest issue here is with the battery—since you don’t actually get the battery included.
Price
You’re already paying more for the DKP, but you also have to buy the battery separately. While the battery for this option is strong and will support any type of work that you’re doing, it’s not included in your initial purchase. However, it’s quite a standard thing with many benchtop planers.
If you’re unable to buy something more expensive, you might be better off looking around for a cheaper model, or a model that has the battery included already.
Final Verdict
You know you’re in good hands with any of the Makita benchtop planers. With years of positive reviews and experience behind their work, your Makita wood planer will undoubtedly be a handy power tool for your woodworking projects.
