Looking to buy a thicknesser...

[jonathan-m]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a thicknesser but can't seem to decide between the Makita 2012nb and Metabo dh330.

What I like about the Metabo is the higher power rating and that it has a gauge on the infeed that shows how much you're taking off.

What I like about the Makita is the lighter weight and lower decibel rating.

Anyone here who's had to make a similar decision or that has used either machine?

Thanks in advance

 

[ear3]

Can't speak about either one, as I just converted over to the Dewalt 735 a couple of days ago, but just a small comment about the gauge.  I find the material removal gauges on thickness planers to be pretty useless.  The one function they have for me is to let me know that I'm in the ballpark on the first cut, so that I'm not taking off so much that I stress the machine.  Thereafter, though, I'm relying on how far I turn the wheel and digital calipers to set the next cut.  But in truth, if the gauge from my thickness planer suddenly disappeared tomorrow, I would not miss it.

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a thicknesser but can't seem to decide between the Makita 2012nb and Metabo dh330.

What I like about the Metabo is the higher power rating and that it has a gauge on the infeed that shows how much you're taking off.

What I like about the Makita is the lighter weight and lower decibel rating.

Anyone here who's had to make a similar decision or that has used either machine?

Thanks in advance

 

[Bob D.]

Can't speak about either one, as I just converted over to the Dewalt 735 a couple of days ago, but just a small comment about the gauge.  I find the material removal gauges on thickness planers to be pretty useless.  The one function they have for me is to let me know that I'm in the ballpark on the first cut, so that I'm not taking off so much that I stress the machine.  Thereafter, though, I'm relying on how far I turn the wheel and digital calipers to set the next cut.  But in truth, if the gauge from my thickness planer suddenly disappeared tomorrow, I would not miss it.

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a thicknesser but can't seem to decide between the Makita 2012nb and Metabo dh330.

What I like about the Metabo is the higher power rating and that it has a gauge on the infeed that shows how much you're taking off.

What I like about the Makita is the lighter weight and lower decibel rating.

Anyone here who's had to make a similar decision or that has used either machine?

Thanks in advance

Same here. I have even tried the Wixey digital gauge which does work pretty well. I have the original one and batteries seem to go in about 6 months, doesn't seem to matter how much you use it. I think the second version uses  AAA batteries, mine is a button cell. I use a digital caliper most times and the thickness gauge to ensure I'm not biting off too much on the first cut just as you do.

 

[ChuckM]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a thicknesser but can't seem to decide between the Makita 2012nb and Metabo dh330.

What I like about the Metabo is the higher power rating and that it has a gauge on the infeed that shows how much you're taking off.

What I like about the Makita is the lighter weight and lower decibel rating.

I have had no experiences of either machine you quoted, but I would choose Metabo, everything being equal because:

- unless you are carrying the machine from site to site, the weight itself (on a bench or on castors) doesn't matter and you will still need to wear ear protection regardless of the lower db rating.
- on the other hand, the power and gauge on the Metabo are more useful features.

Unlike the other comments about the gauge, I find the depth gauge very important for thicknessing boards with no or the least machine marks on the surface as well as avoiding or minimizing snipes (mine is the Ridgidhttp://tinyurl.com/y8c5rwxb  ($500 Cdn or less at sale time)). The depth gauge is NOT designed to tell you the final thickness of the stock has been planed, but rather, it keeps you from over-planing when you turn the depth wheel. To plane all boards to the same thickness, in the case of the Ridgid, we use the Repeat-A-Cut™ adjustable depth stops.

The Ridgid machine alone can produce boards of identical thickness of your choice using one of the 8 adjustable depth stops, without using any calipers. And I have never needed to use a caliper in any stock preparation.

I used the Dewalt 734 before the Ridgid and found Ridgid a lot better in preventing snipes and in dust collection. With proper set-up and techniques, I can get snipes-free boards a lot of the times.

You may also consider which of the two machines has a better snipe control feature.

 

[glass1]

I have the makita. I like it. Miles better than either dewalt. Lighter, quieter, just works better. Never seen the metabo before.

 

[BJM9818]

I have the Dewalt 735 and it works great. I like The 4 post design over either of these two units.

 

[Roseland]

I think the key thing to look for is a depth stop, so that you can easily get all your boards the same thickness.

Mine doesn't have this feature, and it's a pain, but the current Axminster one does:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-series-ct330-330mm-thicknesser-501207

Andrew

 

[RJNeal]

I liked my Dewalt 735. But I sold it when I bought a 15" powermatic.
I never used it out of the shop.
Rick

 

[ChuckM]

I liked my Dewalt 735. But I sold it when I bought a 15" powermatic.
I never used it out of the shop.
Rick

That's a machine in a different class (240V, 3HP).

With a byrd shelix cutterhead, it could cost 6 to 7 times a DW735 or other benchtop models.

 

[RJNeal]

Yes I understand that Chuck. What I really was saying that I was happy with the 735. And I would purchase another one if I needed to go portable.
Rick

 

[glass1]

y'all consider the 735 portable ? does it not weigh 90lbs plus ? I unlike others have found the dewalts loud, overated, heavy. The makita is the sweet spot in terms of weight and portability. For the record in my opinion hitachi made the best lunch pail planer the c12  the older one with the joiner option was an awesome machine. If you can find one of those buy it.

 

[glass1]

hitachi p12ra  thats the one

 

[ChuckM]

Hi,

Anyone here who's had to make a similar decision or that has used either machine?

Thanks in advance

The FW2017 Tool Guide covers the MAKITA 2012NB as follows (the other one you are considering is not there):

Of the planers with two-knife
cutterheads, the Makita produced
the best surface quality. The knives are
very narrow and a bit tricky to change,
but Makita provides two magnets for
lifting them off the cutterhead, and these
make it easier. The machine’s dust port
is an odd size, with an outside diameter
of approximately 27⁄8 in. Using an adapter
to connect it to a 4-in.-dia. hose, dust
collection was only fair. Finally, a full
revolution of the height-adjustment wheel
moves the cutterhead 3⁄32 in. The other
machines move 1⁄16 in. with a complete
revolution of the handle, a dimension
that’s much easier to work with because
the most common thicknesses for
furniture are in multiples of 1⁄16 in.

In the same Guide, the Best Overall is Dewalt 735X and Best Value Ridgid R4331. I believe they arrived at the same conclusions in the 2016 Tool Guide.

 

[glass1]

Dewalt probably spent more on adds. I have owned both my company has the 735! I own the Makita. The crew uses the beater the Dewalt. When we need good clean cuts it's the Makita.  Plus if you need one person portable the Dewalt is a boat anchor.

 

[kevinculle]

Another vote for the DW735...mine has the Byrd head and a Wixey digital readout and it is a workhorse.

 

[jonathan-m]

Unfortunately, the choice of compact "portable" ticknessers and planers in europe is rather restricted.
The DeWalt 735 is not available to us

You have the Chinese budget crap  < €500
The lunchbox types listed and the old elektra beckum 260 spinoffs  < €1200
and then you have cast iron quality products  > €1200

 

[#Tee]

been very happy with the 735

 

[sancho57]

When I was looking for a thicknesses, I was looking at te same 2 thicknessers. I decided on the Makita. Mainly because i had a talk with a old carp who had one and he said it lasted for many many years . So based on his recommendation and the parts availability as the makita is everywhere, I am happy I chose the one I did. The makita is a awesome plane. Lighter then the delta and does a very good job at planing hard woods.

Since I didnt get the Metabo I can tell you how it works. But the Makita is awesome

 

[danny l]

I want the metabo and ordered one 6 weeks ago. Delivery was planned end of february, then march, last week it was April and now November. That is in 8 Month. Getting stuf is a nightmare. For the one who want a festool TS75, good luck next year.

 

[jeffinsgf]

You may not have access to the DeWalt, but here in the States, we don't have access to the Metabo. I've been generally impressed with Metabo and the merger with Hitachi seems to have been mostly positive. I looked at the UK site, and the portable thicknesser looks like it might have Hitachi roots. That little over/under jointer thicknesser looks like it is worth investigation, too.

All that said, I have to put in a good word for the Makita. I have one of the previous models that is 90% the same machine they produce today, just with a bit less fancy trim. I have tried to work it to death, but it just keeps going. At work we have a Powermatic 18" with a helical head. I have a co-worker that has a DeWalt 735. I will take the finish quality and snipe of my Makita over either one of those. Blade changes are simple and quick and the blades are widely available and inexpensive.

I can't remember exactly how long I've had that little planer. It is for sure something over 18 years...maybe about 20. I know the day is coming when it will plane its last board. I'm pretty sure when that day comes, I'm just going to get one of the new Makitas with the fancy new sheet metal.

Oh, and the reviewer that talked about the "oddball" size of the dust port needs to buy a metric tape measure. It's 80mm, a fairly standard size of dust collection hose everywhere except here in the States.