I ran across a guy who has a Makita 2040 industrial planer and I am in the market for a planer and so…
The machine is missing the infeed and outfeed rollers (about $250 for each assembly) but he is only asking $150. Other than the missing rollers it looks and sounds like it is in good shape, blades are sharp, no rust, etc.
I do a lot of rough wood, mainly walnut (I do gunstocks) and so an industrial machine is appealing. However, so is a new DeWalt with the three knife cutterhead and a warrantee.
So, anyone have any experience with this planner? Especially on figured woods.
On a funny note, the guy didn’t know the rollers were missing and was about to show me how well it worked…lucky for me and his care (right behind the machine) I was checking it out and noticed the rollers were missing.
Okay, went through the archives and it is clear this is a great machine. However, needing to get BOTH roller assemblies makes it not a cheap machine. Anyone know of someone who sells USED parts for these?
Edited 9/26/2005 7:12 pm ET by MichaelPB
Replies
Michael
I have a 2040 planer and it works great.
I rebuilt it with new rollers and a custom made adjustment mechenism ( I had a fellow in calif make them for me from my design).
If the rollers are missing, you'll need to buy a set from Makita as their the only place to get them, plus a few parts.
Are the rollers really missing? or just a piece of metal rod where they were.
If the rod is there, then the gears and such should also be there.
You can get the roller rods stripped and re-rubbered for about $60 ea.
If the rollers are missing, then what about the gears, chain, adjustment posts, bearings, etc.
Total for the parts can add up to $400 to $500 easily if all are missing.
When you look at the planer, the adjustment posts (4) are threaded into the top casting. So if there are 4 holes (about 1 1/4" diameter) without anything in them, you'll need all the parts.
I wouldn't mind another one for parts and the motor. As they aren't available anymore.
But not sure if I'd want to start with a unit missing so much.
By the way, the whole thing was over $2000 when new.
Jeff
MichaelPB ,
If you have the time to rebuild or spend on refurbishing this old gem , you will never regret owning it . I have one and would jump all over that one at that price for parts for ever . Even at worst case scenario you could possibly spend a total of $ 1000 for a 15 ,1/2" planer with rubber rollers that will produce a mirror like finish . To my knowledge all new planers wider than 12" now come with steel rollers which unfortunately leave many marks on the finished wood unlike the Makita 2040 . Mine has been repaired and rebuilt several times but still worth every penny I have put in it . I was told they still make them but will not export them out of Japan . Some of the other companies probably have subsidized them to not sell them here LOL !
good luck dusty
The 2040 is a great machine even with the need for new rollers will be a real good deal for you. There are sites online that can supply the parts; make sure you carefully remove the old rollers and their bearing blocks. The scews that hold these parts like to strip their heads (phillips) and need to be dealt with carefully. Make sure you get the new bearing blocks with the rollers or you will be replacing the rollers again sooner than you should. The machine is reliable and better than the big box pocket planers almost to a fault. I no longer have mine as I sold it in a fit of "antiwoodworking career" a few years ago (darn!). I still have my 18" Powermatic but I loved that Makita for finishing. Grab it and enjoy it for years. aloha, mike
I bought one new in the early 80's and it is a TRUE workhorse. finalyy after 35 years the rollers deteriorated to replacement time. Up here in Canada makita wanted dang near 500/roller, and that was more than I was willing to pay, so I asked them if they ever rebuilt them. "yep-all the time" what's it cost I asked. "up to 2k$" they are in demand, and folks love em.
So I did find a source to rebild the rollers for 165 a pop.
If the feed rollers were gone, you'll likely need new bushing blocks, a few bucks each, and the phillips screw heads will probably be damaged getting them out, so you'll need some replacement metric bolts.
Warning....mine was a 110 version, and they also made and sold a ;ess common 220 version.
My advice, buy it for 125 two rollers cost 350, other parts. maybe 50 amd you've got a workhorse that will last you at least 30 years before you have to repair it.
Makita did have a "slow speed gear kit" that is no longer available. If yu want the source for the rebuild company, send me an email [email protected]. my dollar figure was CDN$ so 165 may transmogrify to 120 u$
I still have mine, and cannot bear to slell it even in retirement
Eric
I did the Lowe's vinyl tubing (maybe for a hot tube) version of the rollers metioned here: http://wooditis.blogspot.com/2013/06/rebuilding-makita-2040-planer-part-three.html.
Surprisingly, it worked well. I'm only a hobbyist, so not running huge quantities of wood through the planer. I had this for about 2 years before I sadly had to sell this excellent planer before I moved. If I had to do it again, I might do the same with rubber tubing--cutting a single line down the tube. This way, it would be easier to slip over the old roller arbor, and I could easily dab in some super glue to hold it all together.
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