It seems that Makita has been working on making a cordless thickness planer, and this seems like a prime candidate for their new XGT cordless power tool system.
Thanks to Nate (Doresoom via YouTube) and Rob (Belts and Boxes via YouTube), we have a good idea about what it can do and what might look like. Nate took the time to find and fully review Makita’s tech patents, and Rob from Belts and Boxes put together a fantastic rendering from the patent artwork.
Advertisement
Makita does make a corded planer (2012NB via Amazon), and according to Amazon it was released more than 17 years ago.
I have never associated Makita with fine woodworking tools, and although they have some older corded SKUs, they don’t seem to be as popular as other brands in this area. Still, this could be interesting for anyone who might have wished for a cordless portable planer.
Because some people are angry about this, here’s a story: I got into a memorable argument once, about 200 miles away from where I grew up, about whether or not garlic sauce should be included with every pizza. I have never associated garlic sauce with pizza, because… why??? My friend had never not had pizza without garlic sauce to dip their crust into. I still don’t associate garlic sauce with pizza, and it still doesn’t seem to be a popular association compared to say marinara as a dipping sauce. Yelling at me about the number of items in a catalog doesn’t help. About anything, if you think I’m wrong about something, don’t just tell me, show me.
Despite some corded planers being described as portable, a great majority of benchtop planers are not very portable.
In that regard, I looked over the patent (US20210016463A1 via Google), and there is no mention of top or side carrying handles.
Advertisement
It looks like there could be a handle recesses in the top plate, but there is no reference of this in the patent language that I can find. Usually any and all features and functions are specifically described in a patent.
Nate went over Makita’s patent application in his latest video, embedded below. In it, he notes that Makita specifically describes their cordless planer technology as being powered by an 18V X2 battery setup that delivers 36V. Perhaps this was done to keep XGT close to the brand’s chest even though the lineup was already announced prior to the patent’s application filing date?
As Nate describes in his video, Makita’s cordless planer patent specifically mentions straight cutter knives, which are typically very power-hungry. Even powered by two batteries, I wonder what this would mean for cutting performance, application speed, and battery runtime.
Modern premium benchtop thickness planers often feature helical and spiral-style carbide inserts over straight knives, and it’s unclear why Makita would engineer what will surely be a very expensive cordless planer with 2 straight cutting blades instead.
As you might have seen, after a long delay, Makita launched an initial wave of XGT cordless tools in the USA.
IF Makita comes out with a cordless planer, it’s unclear if it would be exclusive to their 18V platform, 40V Max XGT platform, or if there would be “good” and “better” options for both lines as we’ve seen for some other recent tools launched to both platforms. Makita has refused to answer questions about how their 18V and 40V Max XGT “18V form factor” systems will share the market.
Maybe their 18V system will feature a straight knife planer, and the XGT system a spiral-style cutterhead planer?
I say IF because this planer is only found in Makita patent materials and so no actual product exists yet. However, tool brands typically don’t file for patents without having a clear product roadmap. Even if such a product will exist, there’s no guarantee it will even launch in the USA.
Are any of you connecting corded thickness planers to battery power systems or generators? Would you upgrade to a cordless solution if it were available?
Would you buy a battery-powered thickness planer from any brand?
Be sure to check out the videos below, and subscribe to both channels if you haven’t already.
Will
I’d really hope something like this would be a hybrid.
RI Guy
Totally. Will buy one if hybrid. Otherwise nope.
Ramone
No, I would not.
fred
When we were doing lots of built-ins this might have been handy. As it was, our remodeling business would sometimes contract with a shop (our cabinet business or others) to supply special-thickness boards – or to have client-provided (or specified) lumber cleaned up. For jobs where we were doing large room walls using things like old barn boards – I can’t see how a battery-powered planer would be up to snuff. But for a cabinet or two – this might have worked.
BTW – I have an old Makita 12 inch thickness planer – and snipe is sometimes an issue for me. I also have a large drum sander and a 50 year old Delta 8 inch long-bed jointer so I make do. and am not inclined to scrap the Makita. If I were buying a small thickness planer today it probably would be the Dewalt DW735X.
Rafe
No. This is one of those tools where it’d make more sense just to have traditional power supply. Getting into heavy planing with a cordless hand held planer is a major battery killer. Can’t imagine trying to power a 12″ planer with a battery and do any substantial amount of work with it.
Marvin L McConoughey
It looks OK but I would far rather that Makita come out with a carbide spiral cutter head for its existing 2012NB 12 inch thickness planer. If not that, at least carbide straight blades.
Stuart
There is an aftermarket SHELIX blade available for the 2012NB, priced at $440.
Jared
Yep. Why not?
I prefer cordless everything. My woodworking tools are not stationary. Cordless expedites setup and cleanup.
None of that means I could afford a pure cordless setup though. The cordless versions of tools are always more money and the high power batteries are not cheap.
I assume Makita would only come out with this if they had batteries to power it. So at least in theory, sure, sign me up for a cordless planer.
James
Because it would plane 4′ of stock before the batteries died. This just doesn’t make sense for a cordless product.
Leo B.
Seems like the battery placement would severely limit the available height, but maybe they’ve accommodated that somehow. Looks interesting, but I’d personally pass.
Doresoom
Thanks for the feature, Stuart!
It’s always good to remember that you can patent designs even if they’re not practical or even physically possible. So Makita might be setting a placeholder for future capability, hoping their XGT platform will be able to meet the power demands when the next jump in battery technology comes around. Or they could be preemptively locking competitors out. Either way, it’s still an interesting patent!
Stuart
Thank you for doing the hard work in digging up and analyzing the patents! =)
It’s peculiar. Amazon says their corded planer came out 17 years ago. There are so many other holes in their cordless lineup to fill – where’s the table saw? This seems interesting to me, but it doesn’t seem like a very in-demand solution. I don’t think any readers have ever emailed asking my thoughts on the possibility of a cordless planer.
But also – straight knives? In what would surely be a premium-priced product, I would expect an indexable cutting head.
Makita describes their blades as disposable, but they’re also not inexpensive. Wouldn’t carbide inserts be more convenient if this tool were taken out into the field?
ChrisP
You mean possibility of a cordless planer?
Stuart
Sorry, yes.
*fixed*
Thanks!
Craig Stadnyk
A 80 volt table saw is totally the priority, without a doubt.
Hans
I’m waiting for the 5HP cordless cabinet saw. This makes me want to switch brands it’s so stupid. No one needs this. The dozen people worldwide that might have needed it already own generators.
Stuart
I might have issues with Makita USA and their deployable dismissal of press/media norms, but when I ask about who could use this, that’s not a rhetorical question.
Every brand has requests for certain tools, and after enough requests, they meet those needs if they can.
I have no idea who is asking for this. Then again, I have no idea why Makita needs several times more different drills and impact drivers in their catalog than every other brand. Why were they the last brand to add a battery fuel gauge to their 18V system batteries (the answer I used to get when asked was “our chargers are fast.”)
But also keep in mind this isn’t a real product (yet?). They could be working a “protect it first, research or develop it later” approach if the demand isn’t already there.
A lot of things about the product, as described in the patent application, make no sense to me. But I’m sure they make sense to someone outside the engineering team.
While different brands’ efforts don’t always perfectly align with the market, most brands at least strive for a good alignment between user need and solution.
JMG
Makita USA reminds me of a company that I used to work for that wanted me to update the phone system to include caller ID on individual units just so that they could ignore existing customers who had issues. That company failed several years back for ‘reasons’.
I have never once received a response for a RFI from Makita USA and wrote them off years ago as a useless entity, not deserving any form of respect… Lack of communication is a massive flaw in a business environment IMO, and they fit that flaw to perfection.
The kicker is that I like a large number of tools that Makita produces and have been using them since they first started selling a 7.2v cordless drill. I just find other sources if I ever need information.
Big Richard
Absolutely. In the middle of the northwoods, I can run everything cordless except my planer. The DeWalt DCB1800 power supply solves that, but I would rather not have to use 4 batteries to power it. I don’t need a ton of runtime, so a 2x40v seems like it would be plenty for me.
Hans
Are you doing finish carpentry with rough sawn lumber on buildings that won’t be supplied with electric? Seems like your business is a really rare model.
Nathan
first a comment – Makita is often highly considered for quality wood working tools. Circular saw – their miter saw – router etc. but more so in other countries from the videos I’ve seen.
No I wouldn’t buy that because mostly if I bought a thickness planner I’d buy corded. but I could see the desire for the tradesman on the go. Dust collection is a giant question – so is there an XGT battery vac to go with – I assume so. Now how many XGT batteries do you need. . . . . .
Another issue I have as said before – the battery placement mucks up your height capacity – batteries should have been on top of the cross bar. Yes I know more wires – more current loss (a pitance I’ll add) . . . . but you’d be able to use the thickness planner to dress the edges of boards some 7 inches wide maybe.
Put another way – it’s a common technique you see people do with thickness planners is use them as jointers in a pinch with a guide plate and run boards on edge.
Also more thickness planners of this type (portable) are straight knife. The Dewalt, the Delta, the Makita corded, etc – all come straight knife from the factory. Only factory portable thickness planner i know of with a helical option is that cutech and that’s their stock in trade. (I also lust after one.)
So neat idea – but pass. move the batteries and I’d like it more – add on some corded adapter and I might like it alot more – but I know the price will make me say no.
A guy that also uses a battery miter and or table saw in the back of a van can probably use this daily.
ON the power though – one thing to note here is that with those batteries it is possible that the motor here has more torque, more control, and faster speed than it’s corded counterpart.
Pink porkchop
Yeah, the comment about fine woodworking is a bit ignorant. It’s often compared to festool, being sightly lesser.
Stuart
Have you ever used a Makita sander? Jigsaw? They’re not popular tools here. I got my father a Makita because he didn’t want me spending a lot of money and it was the cheapest.
I have never associated Makita with fine woodworking tools. It’s fine if you do.
When I get questions, it’s never “what do you think about the Makita planer,” questions come in about Dewalt and some of the lesser brands.
It’s never “what do you think about the Makita jigsaw,” it’s usually between Bosch, Festool, Milwaukee, and Dewalt.
I have been asked about Makita miter saws, and what stood out was a common “do the rails still deflect like I’ve heard about?” Makita did want to send a sample out once, and when I asked about if there’s a deflection problem as I saw from several other sources who looked at a different, they said they didn’t know I was referring to, and dropped the idea of a test unit.
I just don’t associate Makita with fine woodworking tools. I don’t see them in stores, readers don’t ask about them, nobody on the online forums I visit use them, and they’re never in any of the project videos I watch online except from a single overseas DIYer.
I’ve also never heard anyone compare them to Festool.
I have purchased power tools made by Bosch, Dewalt, Metabo HPT, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Ridgid, and Craftsman, but not a single Makita tool struck me as a “this is a compelling woodworking tool to buy.”
A few years ago I was surprised they make nailers, as they’re practically invisible in the market here.
Pink porkchop
Gotta ask, what country are you in? Because Makita is huge among workers of all trades except auto and industrial. Makita miter saws are generally considered one of the best, basically festool, Makita, bosch for common brands. It’s like saying your a car guy but have never heard of the Corvette.
Stuart
When I think pizza, I think thin-crust, because that’s what I grew up with, that’s what I’ve been exposed to, that’s what they have around here.
You can say “hold on, you can’t like pizza if you don’t enjoy deep dish.”
Now if restaurants around here started promoting it, it became popular with pizza lovers, and it came to where I was looking for pizza and deep dish were on equal footing with the thin crust options, then maybe then I’d include deep dish in my pizza associations.
Would you rather I say, “oh yes of course, deep dish pizza, silly me!” ?
Maybe there’s a disconnect between how popular you see the brand when it comes to woodworking, and the exposure I’ve had and visibility I’ve seen.
I’ve shared this view before, and nothing has changed since then.
If Makita, Dewalt, and Milwaukee all come out with a new cordless miter saw, I can guarantee the impact of news coverage for Makita is going to be lower. For cordless routers, sanders, and so forth, I’ll still report on them, but I can tell you that relative impact with readers and visitors is going to be a lot lower.
When shopping for a sander, Makita is never included. Jigsaws? Same. Router? Same unless we’re talking about the Shapoko CNC machine. I have one, but went with Dewalt.
Convincing me of otherwise is going to take time. More people that love Makita for their woodworking selection will need to speak up, because I rarely see much love for the brand compared to other brands.
Matt
Really? I think that’s just because Makita is less common in a lot of the country (US), if you bring up the brand on a forum or look online it leads in a lot of those categories.
Their routers are top notch, cordless or otherwise. Their miter saws are always listed among the best, their track saw is among the best, I don’t see their jigsaw lacking, and I think they are one of a few companies (Bosch and Festool off the top of my head) that make a dual mode sander. Also, their biscuit jointers always rank highly, does anyone else even make a cordless one?
fred
Makita does offer some carpentry/woodworking tools that others do not. We looked at Mafell timber framing tools – and the only lower priced option for a big circular saw (16 inch class) and big plane (12 inch class) was Makita. We ended up with the Makita tools – thought they were probably not as good as their Mafell equivalents – but good enough – especially since the timber-framing craze seemed to pass in our neck of the woods.
Alex
As an avid reader of Toolguyd, I’ve always felt that your comments have been objective and fair. However, calling Makita not a fine wood working tool brand is just nuts and antagonistic. In fact, I would consider many of your accusations as blatantly false and inflammatory. Such baseless comments as:
* Makita miter saws suffer from blade deflection??? (Completely made up) BTW, it’s Milwaukee’s and Bosch miter saws the deflect.
* Makita makes the cheapest jigsaw???
* Makita doesn’t make fine woodworking tools, yet you’ve owned their track saw for how many years?
* Oh, what brand makes one of the most diversified and most specialized selection of corded sanders? It’s Makita, period.
DeWalt makes good woodworking power tools, but they rarely make the best. Milwaukee is not even in the same class as DeWalt and Makita when it comes to woodworking tools.
Overall, I’m very disappointed with your inflammatory and false comments.
Stuart
Rail deflection. That’s what readers asked about, and that’s what I asked Makita about.
“I’m looking at the Makita miter saw, but x, y, z people on YouTube and Instagram said the rails deflect. Is that still an issue?”
I never learned one way or another.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XULXEO/?tag=toolguyd-20
I bought it for $69.
I never send Makita doesn’t make fine woodworking tools, I don’t associate them with fine woodworking tools. Which is absolutely true.
I’ve seen Dr. Pepper commercials, and know they make soda, but when you say “soda,” that’s not what comes to mind.
You obviously have your own brand preferences, but don’t put words in my mouth.
Sure, you can tell me all about how many specialized sander the brand has in a catalog. Which do you use? Nobody writes in asking about Makita sanders, I never see the sanders talked about by users, I never consider the brand for my own sander purchases, and they don’t stand out when magazine comparisons talk about things like scratch patterns or what-not. So if you want them to stand out, don’t just point to a catalog, because that’s not going to work.
Hans
The last two generations of makita miter saws have been panned by both pro and consumer reviews. Both have manufacture and design issues. The models before that were well made and are what’s responsible for anyone’s association with makita and fine woodworking. I can speak to all of Makita’s LXT woodworking tools and they are far from first class. The LXT trim router is a pain to adjust. Their sanders won’t hold onto the ubiquitous diablo sanding discs (although there’s a hack for this)—nor will their replacement pads. They’ve refused to update the orbital sander with a brushless motor. Their newest jigsaws have such terrible reviews I stayed away. I have the brushed version and it’s underpowered and lacks any additional guides that bosch and festool use to keep the blade from deflecting. Makita has refused to make an LXT 15gauge nailer. Their 18gauge is by all accounts worthless.
Their general carpentry tools fair much better. They can do a circle saw, grinder, or multitool. I loved my X2 sawzall until it burned out and I read that it was a very common problem (right about the time Home Depot stopped carrying it in stores).
I supposed their corded belt sanders are still consider first class. That might be the lowest rung in hierarchy of fine woodworking tools however.
That said. These tools will still get you from point A to point B. They above comment that makita is the Corvette of trade tools is laughable at best.
Stuart
See comment below. I received a comment the last time I said this a few years and I tried to keep an open mind, but nothing has changed since then.
Most older planers having straight knives, but the newer models, such as by Cutech/Wahuda, Jet, Shop Fox, Rikon have spiral cutterheads or at least the option.
It seems to me that this is a cost-cutting measure for new models that don’t have an indexable cutterhead, or a “our model’s still selling why update or upgrade it?” mindset.
I’ve heard about one brand not doing so well with a SHELIX head if users take deeper passes, due to blades always engaging the wood instead of with short breaks as with the OEM Straight knives.
William
As a DIYer and a woodworker, this product has no real use. I have a big hammer A3-31 and never wanted to bring a planer anywhere other than my shop, which is in my garage.
Maybe someone would use it while framing a house without power or a generator?
Leo B.
Maybe, but I’ve never known a framer to need a thickness planer where a handheld planer wouldn’t do the job, perhaps better, even. Some high-end, custom framers may need it, but it’d probably be something like timber, for which there are better options. I’m not sure, though.
William
Yeah, I agree, was just thinking of a theoretical use case.
Seems like a very niche product.
Frank D
Makita. Yes.
Cordless. No.
Not if it is only cordless. It is such a high draw appliance, and the instances that I (we) need to plane a good number of items are just too numerous. If you only need a couple small things, well that could work. Beyond that … it really should be ” hybrid ” let me run it on AC at home or on location where there is power and it is going to be setup for a day or multiple days. And, if it is just a couple quick pieces off the grid, then let me run it on batteries.
Because I really hate to burn through battery cycles when it can be avoided. I will pay a bit extra to have the best of both worlds. Save my wallet / battery budget. Save the planet.
Col. Bud
Makita been in the fine woodworking tool business for a long time. I have a 40 year old Makita plunge router that was revolutionary in its day and still going strong. I’ve got a corded 3/8” drill by them from that time too. I think they also had one of the first semi-portable thickness planers back then.
Stuart
The only reason I know Makita makes routers is because Carbide 3D has Dewalt and Makita mount options on their Shapeoko CNC router, and of course because I reported on them.
I had to check now to see if they have a full-size router – apparently they do. Maybe I’ve seen it before, but I’m not at all familiar with it.
When I was shopping for a 2+HP router, it was between Bosch (first choice), Dewalt, and Porter Cable. I actually went with a Porter Cable to try something new, but it had a defect in the speed controller so I went back to Bosch.
Andrew Drozd
Whenever I think of Makita, I’ve always thought of carpenters and woodworkers. My wife’s uncle was a master carpenter for 50 years, every power tool in his shop (less the Jets) is in a teal box labeled on a shelf.
Matt
Have to agree. When I think of Gary Katz I think of two tool brands Festool of course, then Makita. I have a relative that is a recently retired finish carpenter in the Midwest, he used Hitachi because he like their Japanese made miter saws back in the day and no one sold Makita nearby when he started, he said most of finish and cabinet the guys now are using Makita.
The one and only high end woodworking store in my area carries two brands of small power tools, Makita and Festool, along with Sawstop and Powermatic large equipment.
I’m also not some Makita shill, I have Ryobi, Bosch, and Makita tool. If I were to do it over again I would give a stronger look to Dewalt or Milwaukee, I think Makita is starting to fall behind with tech and innovation.
MoogleMan3
This one’s not for me.
Their 2012NB is fantastic though. It does the job beautifully and is quiet for a planer.
Mike McFalls
Although I wouldn’t have a use for the planer; Cordless Everything!
I do understand run time concerns; but IMO if you’re buying something like this it would stand to reason you have a few Makita tools and by extension extra batteries. I know Stuart was making a point about the terrible response to his inquiry on a fuel gauge; but Makita is a leader in battery charging time and technology.
I also agree with the point about other holes in their tool lineups. For instance, I’ve been waiting for a 12v CXT die grinder or cutoff tool similar to those offered by Milwaukee.
I have also been waiting for a CXT blower for light duty, like cleaning up my Miter saw. I did recently see a press release, that one is coming to the US, so now it’s a matter of time until it hits retailers.
Finally I’d like to see them go brushless and up the rpms on the 3-3/8 circular/tile saw. 1200 rpms is too few.
Pink porkchop
I would love one, but I could see it totally sucking even the 36v with 6amps dry in seconds if a hardwood or trying to take to much off. If they do the xgt 80v it could probably handle it. But it really needs dual power.
I would rather have a smaller more detailed planer.
MFC
I’ve taken my thickness planer to the job site before and plugged it into my DeWalt power station to plane some boards that I needed at varying thicknesses.
By 2030 I want every semi-stationary tool to be both battery and A/C driven like the Flexvolt Miter saw.
I just don’t understand why dewalt hasn’t made more tools like that.
Miter saw, Table saw, Shop vac, Thickness planers, router tables, etc.
Maybe I’m just weird.
Travis
I agree, I thought Dewalt would have more dual powered options by now.
MM
I agree too. The dual-flexvolt batter with the AC adapter that Dewalt has for their “120V Max” miter saw is a great system that could easily work in other higher power demand tools such as planers, air compressors, table saws, etc. It might also be of value for the concrete trade; I imagine you could really up the power on rotary or demolition hammer that way too, and I could see a double-battery larger version of the 9″ cutoff saw they have (which is a fantastic tool IMHO). It would also offer more run time and/or potential for more power compared to the dual-40V Makita system as well. I can’t help but wonder if they aren’t simply overloaded with too many irons in the fire. Another serious head-scratcher is why Dewalt hasn’t made a 60V impact wrench. Milwaukee is eating their lunch in that particular area, and it seems like it would be pretty easy for a Flexvolt model to dominate any of Milwaukee’s 18v offerings.
Jared
You got me dreaming with the idea of a 120v dual power compressor. I envision something like the large wheeled one I use in my shop now – except maybe I could plug it in to charge up the tank, then wheel it around and keep it going on battery power. That would be neat.
Nathan
for the tradesman on the go I totally see that. I don’t have a need for the flexvolt mitre saw – but I do want one if only because I can plug it in. OH and I think it would be nifty as all getout to make a fense with a mitersaw setup on the back 40.
JMG
I honestly can’t say whether I would buy one or not. It would be situational at best.
I have an old Ryobi 10” portable planer that I used as a finish surfacer for years (it needs several new parts at this time). It never lent itself as a rough planing tool in either width or height, but it saw more use than any joiner that I ever owned.
There is definitely a niche open for this Makita in the processes I use, but I have to wonder if it would fit economically…
Adam
I have a Makita thickness planer, but I really can’t see the point of a cordless one, and it would probably be a lot more expensive, it’s a stationary tool and needs quite a lot of power, so no I wouldn’t buy one.
Dcl
The woodworking comment is flat out weird. Probably 70 percent of the custom cabinet shops and stair installers around me use Makita. They are easily the most common brand among carpenters. I know this can vary by region a bit, but I’ve worked in New England, Chicago,
Grand Rapids, and that has always been a constant.
That’s said I can see no reason or practical use for a cordless planner unless they are using battery technology to get more power out of it than a corded tool. Now if it could be plugged in also, sure, why not. We do a lot of 100% custom, high end builds and always try to set up a dedicated on-site workshop ASAP. However we definitely have power at that point.
Stuart
Could be I need to talk to more stair installers.
For cabinet installers, around here the trend has been to go Milwaukee M18 and M18 SURGE.
For custom cabinet makers, I’m drawing a blank.
PW
My next door neighbor is a carpenter specializing in custom stairs. I’m not sure what his complete tool assortment is, but I’ve seen him working with Makita cordless and Festool corded tools.
James Moore
If you where to go into any random small cabinet shop (less than 50 people). You would possibly find some Milwaukee but what you will find in them all are Porter Cable, Makita, DeWalt & Bosch. DeWalt and Makita for the bulk of drills and PC for most routers. All of the small electric tools made by the big 4 are throw away and cheap/affordable.
As for this article a cordless planer would fit right in with a trim crew. With so much cordless now power can be hard to find at times.
As for Makita and woodworking note that Makita owns the timber frame market followed distantly by Mafell. Makita makes excellent routers and hand planers. As for miter saws they are all junk it’s a byproduct of the weight savings. The only good portable miter saw was the ELU 274. ELU was bought out by Black & Decker and ruined just as they did with Porter Cable. If you want a good miter saw you can get them from OMGA.
Kent Skinner
No way.
However, I work in my shop, not on a construction site.
I think the use case for this is pretty small. A framer will use a handheld power planer on site, and there should be power by the time the trim & cabinets are going into a house. Not sure who this is for.
Matt
“Makita tools are OK…” That comment and the links below really surprised me, being on a site that’s usually very objective and logical. “The Makita 9534B grinder is just OK, but I’d recommend…” <- that's a statement that would make more sense, voicing a strong opinion on a specific tool based on facts. I am just surprised that this site would be so quick to discount an established, long-time tool company, everything in their portfolio, as OK. I disagree completely based on personal experience.
Stuart
I stand by it.
I have Makita tools on-hand from when Home Depot sent a combo kit and other options. They’re okay. I pick them up every now and then to refresh myself on them or for comparison purposes, but I don’t prefer them, and they’re slated for the next giveaway or donation bundle in a couple of months.
There are absolutely some standouts, such as the track saw.
If I have Metabo HPT/Hitachi, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Metabo, Makita, Fein brands of tools in front of me, and I find I NEVER reach for that Makita, “okay” is a fair description.
Most aren’t exceptional, but they’re not bad. Makita’s $299 holiday season combo kits, for instance, are a great buy. Their $99 drill and impact driver kits are very compelling choices compared to competitors.
But when it comes to what I prefer using, they’re okay.
I get it, you’re personally invested in the brand and you have strong sentiments.
Objectively, if I count how many times I *choose* Makita over other brands, that number will be quite small.
If I need a tool for personal use, I buy it. Cordless vac? Milwaukee. Compact recip saw? Dewalt and Milwaukee. Jig saw? Bosch. Impact Driver? Metabo HPT. Air nailers? Metabo HPT. Circular saw? Festool track saw. Dust extractor? Festool? Drill/driver? Bosch.
Actually – that’s one tool I do use on occasion, my Makita $99 holiday season special drill kit. (I bought all brands’ brushless options for vetting and holiday season comparisons.)
So based on facts, I barely use them for personal use, and most of their lineup simply doesn’t appeal to me as a user when I shop for new tools.
I can recommend Makita objectively – there are some things I do like, and some tools might work for others. But if I’m being subjective – and I am allowed to share my opinion whether you agree with it or not – overall they are simply *okay*.
Ask a specific question and I’ll share my objective response with pros and cons either way.
You’re entitled to disagree with my personal experiences. But provide specifics. e.g. “Hey Stuart, I know you said you’re looking to buy the Festool finish sander. But, *something about Makita dust collection, + a potential reason why you might want to buy it instead.* ”
I’m open-minded. What are your favorite Makita tools, and why?
Point me in a direction. “If you have a lot of woodworking projects coming up [I do] you should look at… [some Makita tool].”
Or “I’ve been looking to buy a [] and Makita is the top choice right now, here’s why.”
I have a Makita circular saw on-hand and the last time I used it, it was out-classed by other brands’ models. After this happens a couple of times, what kind of descriptor would pop into your mind. “Okay” seemed appropriate.
KajunFramer
“Cordless vac? Milwaukee. Compact recip saw? Dewalt and Milwaukee. Jig saw? Bosch. Impact Driver? Metabo HPT. Air nailers? Metabo HPT. Circular saw? Festool track saw. Dust extractor? Festool? Drill/driver? Bosch.”. – This comment reeks of marketing influence.
After 30 years in the carpentry game, having worked across the country, I can say that Makita is used by most professional carpenters. Dewalt and Milwaukee invest a lot in marketing and distribution, and good for them. That approach makes them money.
However, Makita makes quality tools, tools that last. I have a circular saw that is 20 years old, the first 15 years of its life being spent framing. My miter saw is 18 years old, and still accurate. And my Makita compressor spent the last for years powering a cabinet shop, and a paint gun. It hasn’t given a problem yet.
Makita is a professional brand. So while it may not appeal to tool promoters that make their living off of gadgets and features, it is often the first tool reached for by a master carpenter.
Scar
I read this post a few days ago sort of scratched my head about the “I have never associated Makita with fine woodworking tools” comment. Did Stuart mean “fine woodworking” as in Norm Abram? Yeah, OK that makes sense. Nothing to see here.
Though 60 comments later, it seems more as if it meant as carpentry in general. Which as others have pointed out is very strange indeed. But Stuart’s reply of (paraphrasing) “Well, I don’t make that association” is fair. I didn’t always either.
My grandfather was a carpenter in his younger days and ran a tool repair shop (back when those were a thing) in his older ones. I saw a strange teal circ saw in his shop, and asked him about it. He said it was the best saw he owned and gave it to me. I still have it of course.
I have followed this blog for a long time, and I think Stuart has been very open about marketing, paid promotions, etc. And very commendable in this regard, better than any “influencer” I’ve seen.
But tagging almost all Makita posts, including retroactively, with this strange blanket statement “Makita tools are okay, but we like these cordless power tool brands a lot better: [LINKS] ” SEEMS vindictive. Whether or not it is, I would give Stuart the benefit of the doubt, but still…
I guess the take away is I like Makita for carpentry (1/4″ router, track saw, circ saw). Stuart doesn’t like Makita, and this is his blog, so whatever haha. And anyway, decision making depends on emotions much more than logic.
Stuart
That box you see at the bottom is because Makita USA refuses to answer press/media questions, and they’ve suggested it’s because I don’t only post about tools they want me to post about.
And after that, I received a request to promote their OPE tools.
Expressing my preference for other brands is fair, but also balances my sentiments, allowing me to remain as objective as possible. It’s also set to expire for a week as I transition to a state of indifference.
Despite frictions with Makita USA, I like some Makita tools and can recommend specific products. But as a user, I spend my money elsewhere.
I was excited and open-minded about XGT, but their refusal to answer questions gives me the strong impression they’re hiding something. Their current marketing claims conflict with each other, and all other brands with nothing to hide would have provided a statement of some kind.
Ineffectualness or punitive press/communications treatment because I don’t color within their lines? Sure. Disappoint and frustrate me as a user?
I figure that putting a bumper sticker on the car helps me feel better vs. grabbing my soapbox and heading to the town square with a megaphone.
Scar
I think we hit the nesting limit for comments, but thanks Stuart for the reply about the “bumper sticker.”
I figured there must be a reason for it and catharsis is better than most I could come up with.
Becoming frustrated when you approach a company as a journalist and they treat you as a marketer reinforces why this site is a cut above the rest.
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Plus, it provides a sense of transparency. I find that public transparency provides all the outlet I need, and this allows me to speak freely.
But, what if I were the vindictive type? What if I were sycophantic? I could be either, neither, or both. (The answer is neither.) But you don’t know that.
So, transparency lets you be the judge, or at least gives you the opportunity to know that my impartiality could have been compromised.
I tend to be open about high-enough level of friction because it’s more helpful than not. And, when readers look at my conclusions, opinions, or statements, you can judge for yourself.
Sure, you might never know if I don’t mentioned anything, but that would be uncharacteristic of me.
Stuart
I’m entitled to my personal experiences and preferences, just like you’re allowed to be biased by your personal investment.
When I have 6 cordless vacs at my disposal, and I always reach for the Milwaukee, and it comes time to buy one and I go with Milwaukee, and I have zero regrets over that decision, I have developed a preference for Milwaukee over other cordless vacs.
I’ve tested a Makita vac, and it was about as good as other average vacs. A good choice for Makita users. They have other models, none of them suitable for my needs.
You can tell me about how much you love Makita, and how they’re such an awesome brand, but as a USER the brand isn’t as appealing as other brands.
My preferences stem from and contribute to my spending habits as a tool user.
I’ll associate dust extractors with Festool, sanders with Festool and Bosch, cordless vacs with Milwaukee, compact saws with Milwaukee and Dewalt, and so forth, because that’s what I bought and there’s nothing better.
I’ve heard so many “I used to use Makita tools but…” stories, but not many “I moved to Makita tools.”
Arguing over my preferences is pointless, you’re not going to win. Would you want me to tell you that you’re blinded by your investment and can’t see how the grass is so much greener outside of Makita’s ecosystem? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.
You’re arguing against my current opinions based on your experiences with tools purchased at least 18-20 years ago. Side note – I do appreciate your opinions and feedback, especially your notes about the tools that work well for you. For instance, I wasn’t aware they have paint guns.
I *did* recommend a Makita compressor – based on specs – to a local contractor who needed to replace a Makita compressor that burnt out. It was a good match spec-wise to their needs. They ended up going with a $99 or $119 home center special and I screamed a bit on inside.
Leo B.
I don’t know; I think those picks all make sense. Makita certainly has a lot of good options, and their miter saws are second only to Festool and possibly Bosch. Stuart’s perspective is a little bit different than yours, though, and many other professional carpenters. I think you’ll find that this can vary regionally as well. I’m an apprentice in California, and I actually don’t see a lot of Makita. I’ve seen some circular saws, some miter saws, and a SDS-plus hammer. I did see some cordless tools once, and I personally use a Makita sander and router. But that’s honestly about it. Metabo HPT/ Hitachi dominates our nail guns, and SkilSaw Mag 77s dominate our saws. DeWalt and Milwaukee are common. I’ve heard great things about the other picks, and I’d feel confident in using any of Stuart’s picks, except the compact DeWalt reciprocating saw. I’ve used that, and I’ve never used a saw with more vibration. I don’t know; maybe this is too long, but hopefully it helps to show how different things can be regionally.
Leo B.
This is for KajunFramer, I appear to have posted it in the wrong place. Sorry about that!
Stuart
(Sorry, with respect to the compact reciprocating saw, I more meant the 12V Max or Atomic than the 20V Max. For Dewalt brushless, I really like the 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage, Power Detect, or FlexVolt, and I usually lose track of which one I’m using.)
Matt
I don’t feel “invested” in the brand but my personal experience has been this: Everything Makita I’ve ever purchased has been more than OK, which is more than I can say for other brands. I’ve got a 2-gallon Makita compressor which is super quiet, reliable, and very well made. I also have two corded angle grinders, one old and one new, both perform great. Years ago the electrical shop provided Makita cordless drills and at the time they had all the ergonomics of a shampoo bottle but they never let us down. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion and it’s a fool’s errand to try and convince you otherwise. For me, however, based on working in/around trades for almost 25 years, if I walked onto a job site or cabinet shop or opened up a van and all I saw were Makita tools, I’d think not one thing about it. Definitely less common than Milwaukee or DeWalt but it’s not a bad choice. Same scenario but it’s all Ryobi? Hate to say it but I’d really question that person/crew’s choice in tools relative to Milwaukee/DeWalt Makita. Again, that’s MY perception based on MY experiences. Makita’s interaction with you in another story and frankly they sound like jerks. Were the roles reversed I would probably be more sour and vindictive than you are, so good on you for your restraint and transparency.
Eric
I am all for the continued conversion to cordless and hybrid shop tools. In fact, I find myself using the DeWalt portable power station to sometimes power corded equipment (including the DW735 planer) in my own basement during times when I am otherwise tripping breakers. That is not a direct comparison with four big batteries, but I get quite a long uptime with that setup since the stationary tools are off most of the time.
Matt
I think you’re looking at it from the wrong point of view. I can find a better tool than Makita in most categories, especially if I can consider Festool, I can also find issues with every tool brand, remember the legendary Festool Kapex having motors burn out? Need a track saw and committed to Milwaukee, too bad.
The tradesman I know try an commit to a platform, it becomes cost prohibitive and cumbersome to have ten different battery platforms.
Are you a plumber, you go Milwaukee because they have the specialized tools you need, are you a finish carpenter, I think there is a case for Makita. They have a good cordless track saw, a great miter saw, a cordless biscuit jointer, a good cordless palm router, a good cordless planer, their cordless sander seems fine to me (I have a cordless Ryobi, and corded Bosch and Festool), and a base tool platform that works fine for a finish carpenter. Oh and they all take the same 18v batteries or x2 (until recently anyway), and their track saw integrates well with Festool accessories, and their cases interlock with systainers
Now, in modern times I do think Makita has some huge gaps, their cordless nailers are garbage, which is an issue for a trim carpenter, they don’t have a table saw option, and their battery system change seems not well thought out or explained.
Lastly if you have a lot of “woodworking” coming up I would recommend Sawstop, Powermatic, Festool, and Laguna. Outside of a router, sander, or track saw I’m not sure what “woodworking” you’re going to be doing with any of the other major brands except maybe a lunchbox planer?
Maybe I’m just one of those people who’s too personally invested in Makita, but I think you took their poor PR and snubbing to heart and it’s showing.
Stuart
They’ve always been a little different to work with, but I don’t extend professional relationships and sentiments to entire companies.
The local supermarket sells Tropicana orange juice. A couple of times in row, it was bitter. I spoke to Tropicana, and they said improper handling, storage, or shelf temperatures can do this. A bad experience with one particular store doesn’t mean all of Tropicana is to blame for my bad experience.
Here’s what it comes down to.
Brand A Tool Personal Familiarity: [============]
Makita Personal Familiarity: [=========]
Brand A Tool Exposure: [============]
Makita Tool Exposure: [====]
Brand A Tools Purchased: [=======]
Makita Tools Purchased: [==]
Brand A Design Insights: [==============]
Makita Design Insights: [===]
Instances where I choose Brand A: [============]
Instances where I choose Makita: [====]
Excluding the Makita track saw: [=]
Brand A visibility in online community content: [==============]
Makita visibility in online community content: [==]
Ignoring cordless, I don’t think Makita has ever been on my shortlist for anything.
Personal exposure + 3rd party anecdotes + visibility + insights all add up to objective and subjective standpoint.
You can show me a list of Makita woodworking SKUs, and it might raise my awareness a little, but over time everything else ends up being more impactful.
I looked at Makita miter saws a few time, but the reader and online community complaints and concerns have stuck with me. It was repeated enough in private and public circles that I took it at face value.
Every brand has gaps. Milwaukee needs a cordless track saw. Dewalt needs a cordless pin nailer. Bosch needs a cordless table saw.
Makita has a very good impact driver, and it might even be my preferred choice if I didn’t like Metabo HPT’s over that and other options.
Also, I choose my words carefully. You *know* when there are frictions with a brand or retailer for any reason. That way, you can judge any information and opinions for yourself.
If you asked me tomorrow whether I would recommend Makita 18V or XGT systems, I was say NO. I wouldn’t buy into a system without understanding their positioning. That’s a current sentiment. My sentiments about Makita overall, or their competitiveness in the fine woodworking category, that’s nothing new. It’s probably one of the things about me/TG they’ve grumbled about.
But as open-minded as I am, a list of SKUS won’t do anything for me.
Regarding the Festool Kapex motors, that’s a big reason I didn’t buy one – I heard too many instances of the same. They upgraded the Kapex recently, and I’ve held my ear to the ground to see if anything has improved with motor longevity, but it’ll be a while before something like that becomes known.
In a post from 11-1/2 years ago:
Do you think my stance on this has changed?
Some of my PR experiences have convinced me to go with one brand over another for personal purchases, but I can’t say that’s ever happened with Makita. The absence of insights and details absolutely has pushed me away.
I try to be objective, but when my opinion shifts to “I would not recommend or buy into their cordless lines for any reason right now,” “okay” is generous.
Matt
Thanks for this response, I think it covers your logic a little better than some others. As a Makita owner, I think they have a good reputation among finish carpenters, which is all I can speak too. Unfortunately I’m going to have a big dilemma coming up of deciding which brand I’m going to buy into next when I purchase cordless nailers.
One area we agree on, I wouldn’t recommend them to someone buying into a platform today. I usually recommend Dewalt or Milwaukee.
Eric
A thickness planer may not be very portable but neither is a miter saw nor table saw and Milwaukee is selling the crap out of theirs. But I personally would never buy a cordless miter saw, table saw, planer or any other tool where you need good consistent power. A lot of my family has hoped on the bandwagon for the Milwaukee miter saws and tables saws but I still prefer my corded ones
Jared
For guys actually working in the field, Makita is a strong presence. I have 2 of the Makita 36v Sliding Miter saws and Ive yet to find a rival for cut quality and accuracy. (sold my Kapex after getting the motor repaired) The cordless router is the go to router in our cabinet shop for quick edge work. In the shop we are mostly Dewalt but the batteries dont last as long as the Makita batteries I personally use. I dont like Makitas brad or micro pinners. I havent been impressed with other cordless offerings either. Hopefully they work the bugs out
The cordless planer is a niche product but I would probably buy one for my shop at home.
JoeM
I think… I would seriously consider… A DeWALT FlexVOLT 120V Hybrid instead…
I don’t normally work in this scale, so if it comes to the point where I start to? I’m going to retreat to my original ecosystem, because I wouldn’t take chances investing so much in something that I’m that unfamiliar with. At least with DeWALT, if I blow something, I know it was me with absolution. If I go with Makita, I don’t know, or have experience with, enough of their tools to know the difference.
Though if an individual is already a Makita-centric user, then I would recommend it to them with confidence that they can handle any bumps in the road they encounter. Though I would firmly put my hand on their shoulder (assuming I can reach it, I’m not extremely tall.) and beg them to either wait for, or push for, a hybrid edition.
Hans
If you’ve ever had to lug one of heavy-awkward things around it’s funny to think of plugging it in as the inconvenience.
Stacey Jones
It’s interesting. I am looking for a combination planer right now and I do hate cords… I really like the Makita brand, but unlike the old days it’s made in China now. No big deal for a drill/driver but if I’m spending this much money it had better be good.
I’m sure these “lunchbox planers” are great for contractors, but have my doubts about hardwoods and fine woodworking. Seems like these may not have enough power. That’s why I’ve been trying to find a quality old school combination machine. I’m trying to find either a Makita LM1301 Planer/Jointer/Saw or Belsaw 910 Planer/Moulder/Saw.
Also considering a Hitachi P12RA Planer/Jointer, it is Lunchbox style, but made in Japan. With this and the Shopsmith and Dewalt Radial Arm Saw, I should have most of what I need.
John S.
Back in the 80’s (when I was young) if you had a cordlesss tool it was Makita. They made great stuff at the time. The only makita ive used recently was their sliding Meijer saw and I liked it, it still seemed well built.
Now the reason I’m posting is, what’s with the weird pizza references ? Doesn’t seem to fit in the body of the story and left me confused.
Stuart
Similar emotional loyalties.
This isn’t the 80’s. My tool brand nostalgia only goes back at most ~16 years.
rob
I used to have a shop. Now I don’t. I would see the benefit of cordless planer being the same as a cordless miter saw and jobsite saw for contractors. If I can’t control the power, than a comprable cordless solution is freaking great. There’s no way I can run a thickness planer plus a dust collector on any of the circuits where I have my tools located atm.