So I’ve gotten this for the wonderful price of free. My grandfather had it, and said he bought it but rarely used it and that I could have it. Is this of any use for mowing foam? I mean, I’m totally down to work with it regardless of it’s legacy (or lack of) in board shaping, but, wondering if I’ve been gifted soemthing really good? It’s a makita N1900B, according to the manual. Picture from google images, but it’s the same thing. Depth adjustment has 0, 3/64, 1/32 and 1/64, which seems very shallow, but, I’m not in a hurry.
Not too long ago i was in your shoes. I bought my first planer a bosch 1594k (the two bladed slightly more powerful option) and used it and STILL use it without ANY custom shoe like the one PeteC puts out. You can do the same thing with the Makita you have bought. Many people have modified them to make shaping easier for them. Many people shape with them bone stock and make great boards. Yes these people know what they are talking about and are 100% correct. A Slightly modified skill 100, 190, or a Bosch 1594k with any number of mods from PeteC, or a Clark Foam type Hitachi are currently the best options available and the industry standard. A stock or even modified planer will not preform as well as these options all because of one thing, depth adjustment.
A user not too long ago “newleaf” put up a series of videos on youtube on how to add 1/2 turn to full-depth depth adjustment to most any planer. If you want to try it out then go for it, i know lots of people have been doing it recently.
The long and short of this is, you absolutely can shape great boards with a stock Makita planer. If you want to make shaping easier and thus make your boards better, maybe consider jumping up into skil 100 territory, moded bosh 1594k from PeteC (he also sells DIY install kits for just the shoe, currently 250$ or so, great buy), the Clark Foam type hitachi, or hack up your makitas shoe and make your own depth adjustment.
Good luck on your search for planers!
Angus-
you cant beat free, I also have this planer. Ive never used it… but The depth adjustment is very shallow. Compared to the hitachi. Seems to be same amps & RPM’s.
Im doing the depth mod right now, grinded and beveled the shoe. Buts it prob not worth it… as you will not get the cutting depth of an 1/8" to 3/16" like the modified Hitachi, apparently Clark foam did extensive homework when they decided to offer a modified planer for shaping surfboards.
Too late I already started the mods, at least it will look cool :P