Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner Review 2023

The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner is an Affordable Power Tool With a 5.6 Amp Motor That Delivers 11,000 RPM

What We Like

5.6 Amp motor offers 11,000 RPM
The fence has adjustable cam locks and positive stops
Compact and ergonomic design
Quick and easy blade change
Battery-powered for more flexibility
Affordable

What We Don’t Like

Dust collection port could do better
Too many defective units
Battery and charger not included

Bottom Line

The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner review shows that it is a versatile product that can be used for making precise cuts on boards you intend to join together. For a 5.6-Amp motor, 11,000 RPM is impressive.

It doesn’t matter if you want to cut one or two pieces of wood. The rack and pinion fence system can be adjusted to meet your woodworking needs and the cast aluminum construction ensures that the product remains durable for a long time.

The dust bag that comes with the package could use a little work. It doesn’t collect a significant amount of sawdust compared to similar biscuit joiners.

Also, Makita has too many defective versions of the device in circulation. Several retail buyers have complained about receiving defective products out of the box. Also, the battery and charger you need for the device aren’t included in the package.

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Plate Joiners or biscuit joiners are among the most important tools you’ll find in any woodworker’s shop. However, not every plate joiner is worth your money. Some are unfairly priced, while some others are almost perfect.

The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner falls in the close to perfect category as you’ll see in our Makita Plate Joiner review. It is strong, durable, and affordable.

The 5.6-Amp motor isn’t too high but it’s high enough for a handheld power tool. It has six different depth settings, three of which have one-touch stops. The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner also comes with a cast aluminum fence with positive stops and many other useful features.

Related Reading: Triton TPL180 1500W Triple-Blade Planer

Features of the Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner

5.6 Amp Motor Offers 11,000 RPM

The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner has a 5.6-Amp motor with eleven thousand RPM. This means that the motor spins 11,000 times per minute. Most handheld power tools offer a maximum of 10,000 rotations per minute with 5.6-Amp motors.

The size and power of the motor are just fine for a cordless device. All you need is an 18-volt lithium-ion battery to power the motor. When the battery is fully charged, you can get more than 320 cuts before it runs down.

The battery-life is stable so you don’t need to worry about the device stopping sooner when you work on hardwoods compared to when you’re working on soft tools.

The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner will only stop working after 320 cuts. If you notice that the battery doesn’t last as long as it ought to, you should consider changing it. Keep in mind that neither the battery nor charger comes with the package. You’ll need to purchase them separately.

Compact and Ergonomic Design

Since the Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner is a cordless power tool, it is flexible. You don’t need to worry about dragging an extension cord around the workplace when you’re using it. It offers a great degree of flexibility.

Apart from being cordless, the Makita PJ7000 Biscuit Joiner is also compact and lightweight. It weighs about 5.5 pounds and the dimension is 7.87 x 19.49 x 10.24 inches thus allowing optimal maneuverability.

Not every handheld biscuit joiner is this flexible. Some weigh as much as 20 pounds. This might not seem too heavy to lift but you’ll certainly benefit more from using a lighter plate joiner.

Fence Has Adjustable Cam Locks and Positive Stops

As you’d expect from a good plate joiner, the Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner is completely adjustable making it a versatile product. The fence comes with adjustable cam locks that increase precision.

The cam lock is a cylindrical fastener that keeps the fence secure without affecting its appearance. Thanks to the rack and pinion vertical fence system, the adjustment of the fence is tool-less.

You don’t need a wrench to make the necessary adjustments when you’re working. To ensure precision, it has six depth settings, and one-touch stops at #0, #10, and #20.

If you have any experience with plate joiners, you’d know that these three levels are the most common biscuit levels. There are clear angle guides inscribed on the device.

These angle guides help you make the right choice, especially when you’re trying to make difficult cuts. There are positive stops at 0°, 45°, and 90°.

Carbide-tipped Blade, Rubber Inserts, and top Grip Handle

The Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner comes with a single carbide-tipped blade. The blade is durable but you can always change it if you notice that it is getting dull. The tool-less blade change feature is easy.

All you have to do is use the blade cover to avoid accidental injury, and the shaft lock to ensure that the blade doesn’t fall off accidentally. For even more safety, the Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner has non-marring rubber inserts that ensure the wood doesn’t slip off during the process.

The ergonomically designed top grip handle allows you to maintain a firm grip throughout the process. The handle is made of plastic instead of metal so it’s not going to slip from your arms.

Related Reading: DeWalt DW682K Plate Joiner

Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner Review The Verdict

The Makita PJ7000 Joiner review shows that it is a good option for people looking for lightweight power tools that will give you as much power as some heavyweight tools. It has a solid motor and a sturdy cast aluminum build for durability.

However, the dust collection system isn’t up to standard. Also, you can’t use the unit out of the box because you have to buy the charger and battery first.

After spending around $170 to $180 on a plate joiner, you still need to spend more money on the battery and charger. This can make the overall price as high as $220 or even $250. Also, there are too many defective parts in circulation. The good news is that you can request for an exchange if you receive the product damaged.