Makita KP0800K 620W 82mm Planer

Do not assume that the blades are set correctly! The blades on mine were exposed and misaligned. When set on less than 'zero', the blades were exposed and also not mounted in alignment with the sole.This may explain why some have reported uneven rough cuts, and blade damage with their first use. Having set the planer depth dial to '0'; I used an iGaging Digital Plane-Check Gauge to verify the original blade tall settings and side-to-side height misalignment. I followed the enclosed instructions to reset both blades. The planer is now performing flawlessly, producing a very smooth surface on the wood. I have added the vacuum hose connector, which in my opinion should come with this unit but doesn't. Without it, the planer will throw shavings everywhere!I am very ... MoreDo not assume that the blades are set correctly! The blades on mine were exposed and misaligned. When set on less than 'zero', the blades were exposed and also not mounted in alignment with the sole.This may explain why some have reported uneven rough cuts, and blade damage with their first use. Having set the planer depth dial to '0'; I used an iGaging Digital Plane-Check Gauge to verify the original blade tall settings and side-to-side height misalignment. I followed the enclosed instructions to reset both blades. The planer is now performing flawlessly, producing a very smooth surface on the wood. I have added the vacuum hose connector, which in my opinion should come with this unit but doesn't. Without it, the planer will throw shavings everywhere!I am very pleased with this Makita planer, having first seen it used on YouTube during the restoration of the wooden schooner 'Tally Ho' by the Sampson Boat Co.

I bought this planer in July 2020 upon a friend's recommendation. Though I already had a collection of DeWalt cordless tools, this friend reckoned that the cordless planers didn’t use the standard 82 mm reversible tungsten carbide tipped blades, and so with minimal research, I bought this Makita corded model. I later discovered that the DeWalt cordless models do indeed use the standard blades, and so I recently bought one and it’s largely replaced the use of my Makita planer. By the way, I believe the only difference between the KP0800K and the KP0800 is that the former comes with a case.Don’t get me wrong though, this Makita is an effective planer. I’ve used it extensively, mostly on hardwood. Much of that hardwood was salvaged, and so I would occasionally hit a ... MoreI bought this planer in July 2020 upon a friend's recommendation. Though I already had a collection of DeWalt cordless tools, this friend reckoned that the cordless planers didn’t use the standard 82 mm reversible tungsten carbide tipped blades, and so with minimal research, I bought this Makita corded model. I later discovered that the DeWalt cordless models do indeed use the standard blades, and so I recently bought one and it’s largely replaced the use of my Makita planer. By the way, I believe the only difference between the KP0800K and the KP0800 is that the former comes with a case.Don’t get me wrong though, this Makita is an effective planer. I’ve used it extensively, mostly on hardwood. Much of that hardwood was salvaged, and so I would occasionally hit a nail that I’d missed spotting, and if that nail was intact as opposed to pretty rusty, it would generally cause the blade to snap into two or more pieces. The blade can still be used like this because it’s clamped into the planer, but there would usually be a groove across the blade edge, resulting in a ridge left on your timber after planing. So if you’re planing anything where you want a smooth finish, and you hit a nail, you’re generally going to have to replace the blades, or at least turn them around. Blade change-over is fairly quick and easy, requiring you to unscrew three bolts for each blade. I usually use my impact driver to do it faster.This planer has a maximum depth of 2.5 mm, which isn’t bad. It has sufficient power for most purposes. If you’re planing dense hardwood though, you’ll either have to go pretty slowly at maximum blade depth, or use a shallower blade depth.The planer is pretty compact, a reasonable sort of weight, and comfortable to hold and operate. I’ve been pleased with its performance and haven’t had any issues. In my experience its main downsides are that it’s quite loud, and that it has a cord, which makes it much more inconvenient to use than a corded planer. The cord just always seems to be getting in the way or getting caught on things. Still, I guess it’s handy to have around if I’m planing a large amount of timber or if I’m planning in two different locations at the same time to avoid carrying one planer back and forth.

This is the first electric hand planer that I've used, having stuck to the manual method for years. But when a job came up that involved a lot of planing I decided it was time to try out the modern methods. I'm so glad that I did: the planer is comfortable to hold and easy to use. Setting the depth of the blade is easy, just turn the dial. My most recent task was taking 2mm the base of a solid hardwood door and it took it off in a matter of seconds and left a verygood finish.