I, unlike most of you, use just a standard Makita power planer for shaping. I don’t have an exhaust attachment, or anything else modified, other than filed-smoothe edges on the aluminum base. After many boards, I noticed that it began to run a little rough. I discovered that I had to clean the motor brushes in order to fix it; foam dust got in there. I still wonder about the air intake for the motor and all of the foam dust that get in there. I just shake or blow it out after each use. Are there any other basic maintenance tips that I should be doing to prolong the life of this “cheapy” planer? Thanks.
Hi, Grant!..kind of after the fact, but next planer…get the sealed bering model. Will help considerably with life extension. Too bad your planer can’t be hooked up to a vac (true, or no?)…also a great aid. (You get used to all the hanging stuff after a while and it beats cleaning up all that foamdust). Other than that, you’re doing what we all do…MAINTENANCE! T.
my hitachi was losing power so i took it to the local power tool repair place. the guy tells me it needs bearings and a belt. no problem, but the belt wouldn’t come in for two weeks. went home called clark foam, had a full bearing, belt and brushes for just over 40 bucks. thought it’d be a bitch, but wasn’t that difficult getting it apart. thing is smooth like silk now.