Electric Planer – Adjusting Chamfer Depth?

paperclap

Hi all,

I'm in the market for an electric planer.

It's a toss up between the Makita KP0800K (~£120) and the Makita KP0810K (~£200).

KP0800K
Up to 2mm per pass.
One chamfer groove.

KP0810K (heavy duty)
Up to 4mm per pass.
Three different sized chamfer grooves.

The sized chamfer grooves confuse me a little. Surely, the chamfer size is determined by the blade depth set (say, 1.8mm or whatever), and not the actual groove on the base plate? Therefore, no need for "three different sized chamfer grooves"?

Or maybe I'm misunderstanding something?

Thanks!

DanDare999

The three V grooves will be different sizes so in simple terms a small, medium or large chamfer in one pass. 

Apodemus

I've not yet splashed out on an electric planer - I want one, but at present I can still achieve nearly as much with my hand planes, so there are other toys ahead of the planer in the queue!

But I wonder if you have considered a battery one?  Seems to me that the planing action is one of these tasks where a cable can be a hindrance and where a battery tool might be easier.  If you are a Makita person, then the DPK180Z seems to be in the same ball-park as your KP0800K.

paperclap

Apodemus said:

I've not yet splashed out on an electric planer - I want one, but at present I can still achieve nearly as much with my hand planes, so there are other toys ahead of the planer in the queue!

But I wonder if you have considered a battery one?  Seems to me that the planing action is one of these tasks where a cable can be a hindrance and where a battery tool might be easier.  If you are a Makita person, then the DPK180Z seems to be in the same ball-park as your KP0800K.

The old corded vs battery debate. I think I've convinced myself corded is the way to go. Whenever I see second-hand "spares and repairs" tools online, they're usually always battery-powered. Plus, waiting around to charge the batteries. Plus, it seems battery-powered tools are always more expensive than their cable equivalent. All my tools, bar my drills, are cable  I'm just a DIYer. Perhaps a tradesmen on site would much prefer battery-powered tools!

paperclap

DanDare999 said:

The three V grooves will be different sizes so in simple terms a small, medium or large chamfer in one pass. 

I figured that. But, surely the groove is only for the placement of the planer on the wood, and the depth gauge is for the depth of the chamfer?

Though, think I may have just answered my own question. When the blade is set to 0mm, it is effectively flush with the base plate. But therefore, there would still be some depth to the groove – from the blade, to the "tip" of the groove. I guess that is where the depth comes from?