Replies

1. 
   GACC_DAllas | May 24, 2001 02:16am | #1

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   I've got the Makita. Both models. No problems all these years. A friend has the DeWalt. Loves it. One of our crew just bought the small Bosch. Thinks it great.

   Bottom line.......they all seem to do what they say they'll do. My advice?....stay away from the off-brands.

   Ed.

1. 
   Mad_Dog | May 24, 2001 02:31am | #2

   *I agree. I used old Makitas for years, no complaint. Went to buy a new one, and at $139 was disappointed that it came only with HSS blades and the Bosch at $89 came not only with one set but two of CARBIDE sold me on it. I love this thing. It hooks up to a vacuum if you're indoors, you can adjust the chip exhaust to blow to left or right, depth control happens while planing by turning the hand hold knob. It is a sweet deal.The Makita comes with a case, Bosch doesn't. That bummed me out until I picked up a used Craftsman belt sander case for $5 at a pawn shop. Now I've got a good planer that no crook will steal!Highly recommend the Bosch for the money. It also has a fence.Happy Shopping,MD

1. 
   calvin_ | May 25, 2001 12:54pm | #3

   *Have a buddy that has the old Makita. He made up a simple plywood base that he can flip the planer over and set it in. This gives him a relatively unsafe but usable jointer. Haven't taken the time to try this with the bosch I have and like. Took a Hitachi SCMS dust bag and managed to shove it on one direction only of the exhaust port. This catches the chips w/o the hose of a vac.

2. 
   Cliff._Johnston | May 25, 2001 12:54pm | #4

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   I'm in the market for a power hand planer and have seen ads for Hitachi, Makita and DeWalt - not to mention the rice burning specials on eBay.

   I would appreciate any feedback that you all could give me as to the advantages/disadvantages of the various models.

   Thanks,

   Cliff. Johnston