The Makita 2012nb Planer is a High-end Compact Thicknesser With Many Functional Features
What We Like
- Adjustable cutting depth
- Cast-aluminium structure
- Compact and lightweight
- Diagonal cross and 4-post design for stability
- Extra-large table extensions
- Noise and vibration-free
- Double edge blades and quick blade changes
What We Don’t Like
- Snipe happens from time to time
- Unreliable thermal protector
- Expensive
Bottom Line
Our Makita 2012NB 12″ Planer review shows that it is a great device with many fancy features that all happen to be functional.
The vibration and noise-free features are among the best two since many planers out there make noise and vibrate a lot as well.
With this Makita planer, you’ll hardly hear any noise or feel any vibration when you’re trimming wood into the required shape for your project.
Despite all the fancy features on the planer, it still doesn’t eliminate snipe. Also, the thermal protector is unreliable so the motor may overheat from time to time.
You need to be careful when you’re using the Makita 2012NB Planer with Interna-Lok Automated Head Clamp to make sure you don’t overload it. For a thicknesser that costs almost $700, this is a disappointment.
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Makita is one of the most popular manufacturers of power tools in the industry and they gained their reputation by providing some of the best tools you’ll find in the market.
Our goal in this Makita 2012NB Planer with review is to help you determine if this thickness planer is an ideal option for you.
The Makita 2012NB Planer is a compact, lightweight power tool with an automated head, adjustable depth, and extra-large table extensions.
It has an amazing 4-post design that ensures that it is stable and sturdy despite its lightweight.
It’s a corded power tool but you’re not going to have any problem using it as long as you have an ideal power source.
It has a 15 AMP motor and double edge blades that allow it to trim through different types of materials with ease. The major question is this; is the Makita 2012NB Planer worth the money?
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Features of Makita 2012NB Planer
Compact Design and Cast-aluminium Structure
The Makita 2012NB with interna lock has a cast-aluminum structure so durability is not a problem. It might not be as strong as cast-iron but it gets pretty close when it comes to strength and durability.
A planer isn’t something you’re expected to buy every year or even every few years. Every woodworker hopes that their hardware will last for a lifetime.
This is why you need to consider the durability of the product before you purchase it. Since the Makita benchtop Planer is made of cast aluminum, it is rust-free.
This doesn’t mean you should expose the planer to rain or keep it in damp places. The design of this woodworking tool is compact and it weighs just about 67 pounds.
This makes it light enough to be carried by one person but not too light that it doesn’t do its job efficiently.
Diagonal Cross and 4-post Design for Stability
Apart from the durable design, the Makita 2012NB Planer has a diagonal cross and 4-post design which makes it sturdy and stable on the workbench no matter what you put on top of it.
This 4-post column also makes the device more flexible because you will be able to adjust the cutting head without digging far into the device.
There is a clamping system on the body that is meant to stop snipe by eliminating waste.
However, the Makita 2012NB Planer isn’t anti-snipe. It is an Interna-Lok automated head clamp which is better than what you’ll see in many other planers out there. Despite this, it doesn’t eliminate snipe.
Related Reading: Triton TPL180 1500W Triple-Blade Planer
Double Edge Blades and Quick Blade Change
The Makita 2012NB has great double edge blades. This isn’t unusual since all great planers have double edge blades. When you want to, you can adjust the cutting depth to get the required precision.
The adjustable depth stops coming in handy whenever you want to make repeat cuts. The blades aren’t the same size. One is 30-3/8″ x 19-1 and the other is 64″ x 15-25/32″.
They are sharp out of the box but whenever you want to re-sharpen them, all you have to do is use the quick-change option and you’ll be done in a few minutes.
The compatible blades are easy to find either on Amazon or in a local hardware store.
15 AMP Motor Offers 8,500 RPM No Load Speed
The most important part of the Makita 2012NB Planer is the motor. This will be the most expensive part to replace if it gets damaged after the warranty passes.
It is the 15 AMP motor of the Makita 2012NB Planer that powers the device allowing you to complete your woodworking projects in style.
As long as the blades are sharp and everything else in the motor is running smoothly, you’ll not have any problem with the motor.
The maximum no-load speed is 8,500 RPM making it incredibly efficient. The motor allows the blades to move as deep as 28 feet into the board.
This is one of the things that makes the motor perfect for DIY projects. While 8,500 RPM might seem high to a homeowner, it’s below average for a commercial woodworker.
It’s also low compared to the price since many planers with the same speed cost far less.
Related Reading: PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer
Makita 2012NB Planer Review The Verdict
We hope that you’ve gotten all the information you need from our Makita 2012NB Planer review.
The thicknesser is durable and sturdy like many other thicknessers that are manufactured by Makita. Everyone can use it because it is easy to set up without professional help.
The blades are sharp and the cast-aluminum body is rust-free. The motor is also pretty good for a planer.
However, it is important to note that the Makita 2012NB Planer isn’t snipe-free despite the Interna-Lok feature that was added to reduce snipe.
Also, even the slightest chance of overheating is discouraging, especially because you’ll have to spend almost $700 on the planer.
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