If you buy a Makita planer, you might be wondering how to actually use this device correctly. While there are plenty of hardware gurus that might know what they are doing, if you don’t know what you are , it can be costly and dangerous to use electric planers without proper knowledge. This guide will give you the basics on how to use one.
Now, the first thing to know is that Makita electric planers are usually used with TCT edged cutters. This is because the special tungsten blades last a lot longer and stay sharper between sharpening.
If you do have high speed steel blades, you can do your own sharpening with an oil stone. If you want to do finishing work, a high speed steel black is a much better choice than a tungsten blade. But for other work, make sure to choose a tungsten blade.
If you don’t want to mess around with sharpening a blade all the time, you can look at getting a solid tungsten-carbide mini blade. These are throw away blades that can be discarded once the blade gets dull. These will fit into a special blade that attaches to your machine. If you have a lot of planer work ahead of you, these throw-away blades will probably be the most economical to use.
To properly use an Makita planer, you should set the front knob for the depth of the cut and grip it tightly with your left hand (provided that you are right handed). Your right hand is the hand that should control the machine. Make sure to keep a very firm grip on the machine so it doesn’t slip or slide. You should use the left hand to balance the device and prevent shake.
Most buzzers will come with a fence guide. Make sure you use it.
Different types of wood will affect electric buzzers differently. Plywood is notoriously hard on plywood blades and can dull blades very quickly. You can use the fence to get extra life out of your buzzer.
When it comes to actually buying Makita planers, make sure you do plenty of research. There are quite a few models to choose from and you want to be sure you are getting a model that’s right for the type of work you are doing. Most planers are designed for the professional, as such they will be reliable and last for a long time without breaking, but some models are more reliable than others. You can find out which by looking up consumer reviews online.