Replies

1. 
   MStehelin | Oct 13, 2002 11:07pm | #1

   is that the conbination machine with jointer and planer? I have the combo. It is good but i think the rubber rollers are getting worn out. It doesn't feed very well any more.  Other than that great tools

   Cheers

1. 
   jeffn7 | Oct 13, 2002 11:55pm | #2

   I had a 2030, the rubber rollers wore out... a piece of maple that I was planing got pulled back, bent the metal pressure plate into the cutterhead and ruined a pair of carbide blades that were seriously expensive. I would suggest you call makita about new rollers.

   I replaced it with a Delta 2 speed planer and a sunhill 8" jointer.

2. 
   Upraiser | Oct 14, 2002 01:46am | #3

   Just the planer. 

   I can see why the rollers would wear out, mine seem to be in good shape, clean no real checks, etc.

   I have a friend with the combo machine.  I was so impressed with its performance in comparision with my 15" Grizzly that I decided to try and find one used.  They do not come up very often.

   My Grizzly is for sale, make someone a real good deal.

   Curt

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 14, 2002 01:53am | #4

   Curt,

   How much for the Grizzly?

1. 
   Upraiser | Oct 14, 2002 05:30am | #7

   Rich

   I haven't decided. Open to offers.  Are you near Central Oregon?  Would hate to think about shipping it very far.

   Curt

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 14, 2002 05:55am | #9

   I'm on Maui. Hard to just drive over and pick it up.

   Which model is it?

   Rich

2. 
   Upraiser | Oct 14, 2002 04:37pm | #12

   Rich

   Its the basic 15" machine, stand and HTC roller base.

   On Maui, I will going over to see my Daughter in the next few months, perhaps I can get the airline to handle it as part of my luggage.   Hey what is an extra 500# or so.

   Curt

3. 
   RSRose | Oct 14, 2002 08:29pm | #15

   Curt,

   Grizzly has 2 15" machines listed in their current catalog:

   G1021, 2hp, open stand, 440 lbs shipping wt, $765 + about $100 freight to Hawaii

   G1021Z, 3hp, closed stand, 540 lbs shipping wt, $995 + $100 shipping

   Completely different machines.

   Which model is yours?

   When you load it on the plane, be sure to sit on the OPPOSITE side! It shouldn't be much of a problem considering the extra weight in your luggage. They'll probably just charge you the equivalent of 3 additional air fares!

   Seriously, if we agreed on a price, do you have the facilities to get it crated for shipment. I would assume that it would cost much more for a private party to crate and ship than it does for Grizzly.

   What's your price for the machine? What condition is it in?

   Do we need to take this discussion to the Classified section?

   Rich

4. 
   Upraiser | Oct 15, 2002 02:34am | #17

   Rich

   The Grissly is about 15 years old, most like the 2 hp open stand. Its a single speed and I think the new ones are two speed.

   Condition, its in good condition, extra set of knives.  I will even make sure the extra set is sharp, I have the Makita horizontal wet grinder and it works good to sharpen them.

   HTC mobile base.

   I want $400 for it.   The base and top can be separated. I can box it and find out about shipping to Hawaii.   I can take it to Portland.  

   The reason that I was not completely happy with it, is that it is difficult to get the blades even when replacing them.  They can be set to about 3000th fairly fast, but that leaves a noticable ripple.   I have messed with them using a machinist gauge and get them to about 2000th.

   I mainly used the planner for planning local pine.  I resawed a lot of it into craft wood and the buyers were not that particular.  It ran a lot of it

   I would not recommend the machine for making fine furniture, unless you are willing to sand some it.    I used that method on hardwood, ran it through a Performax sander.

   I have a lot of very old clear fir and hemlock from a door manufacturer and was having problems using that method.  The Makita handles it all planers should.

   Let me know if your interested.  I will be happy to send photos, etc.

   Curt

5. 
   RSRose | Oct 15, 2002 04:07am | #18

   Curt,

   Thanks for the honest description of the knife-setting situation. I need a machine with a little more precision. It will cost at least $150-175 shipping, insurance and crating it for Hawaii. I'll keep saving a bit and buy a new machine. I'm sure you'll get your price in your area.

   Best of luck,

   Rich

2. 
   AndyPitts | Oct 14, 2002 02:26am | #5

   I've had a 2040 for 20 years. I installed the speed reducer sprocket so the small motor could handle the load better and I have had great success with the machine. The only significant problem is that the rubber rollers eventually start to get mushy and disolve (like after 15 years of use). At first I thought I was seeing sap accumulation on the rollers, which then got onto my lumber, but since I mostly plane hardwood I finally ruled out the sap theory. Measuring the rollers revealed that they were actually getting thinner, and not evenly across the surface, either. I've priced new rollers at about $200+ each. Right now I'm building a new shop, but when I get it done I plan to buy new rollers and use the Makita for light work. I've also got plans to but a 20" planer with more heft than the Makita.

   I bought new replacement steel knives when the machine was new so I would have two sets. In retrospect, I would look for carbide knives now, since they will probably go further between sharpenings.

1. 
   Upraiser | Oct 14, 2002 05:35am | #8

   Andy

   I like the idea of it going a bit slower on the feed.  I may look into the rollers since the machine I purchased in at least 15 years old.  The rollers were the first thing that I checked.  The guy that sold it to me estimated it had 20 hours of use. From the looks of the insides, it must be about right.

   The last few years it was in storage, or used to make shavings for pet rats and such.

   I presume Makita's headquaters will have the slower feed gear and the replacement rollers.

   Thanks for your comments.

   Curt

1. 
   AndyPitts | Oct 14, 2002 03:12pm | #10

   Curt-

   I don't know if you can buy parts directly from Makita - maybe you can - but I found a parts breakdown diagram and prices at this site: http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/cgi-bin/schematic.cgi/makita/2040. Also, I bought the speed reducer sprocket from Highland Hardware, where I bought the planer in 1981. Don't know if they still stock it, but worth a try.

   If you can get over the fact that the planer's motor speed varies a lot as the size of the boards you are planing, I think you will really like the machine.

   Andy

1. 
   riverr1 | Oct 14, 2002 04:02pm | #11

   Sorry to butt in here, but what is it about this portable planer that would warrant a $1800 price tag? My opinion was their jointerplaner was a bit pricey for what it was, but even it isn't anywhere near this price.

   Hey, not being critical, just curious.

   Don

1. 
   Upraiser | Oct 14, 2002 04:53pm | #14

   Don C

   I will let those who have owned one longer than I address it.  But it is not a portable planer. 266# per the freight bill.  But I do have it on a mobile base.

   I was impressed with the surface and the fact that it was easy to adjust to eliminate snipe.  A whole lot easier to replace the blades.  About 1/3 the noise of my Grizzly.

   It is fast.  

   I have not been able to justify the price new.  I am just an aggessive hobbist that appreciates good tools, but with a budget that requies me to make some choices.

   The price I paid was less than the Makita Portable.   I also needed the 15" capacity. 

   Curt

2. 
   riverr1 | Oct 14, 2002 08:41pm | #16

   Curt,

   Gotcha! I wasn't aware that makita made any stationary machinery. I assumed you were discussing their benchtop machines.

   Don

2. 
   Upraiser | Oct 14, 2002 04:44pm | #13

   Andy

   Thanks for the great site, it appears to have good prices as well as all the parts for the planer.

   I already knew I would like the planer, a good friend has the combo machine in his cabinet shop.  I was very impressed with the performance, ease of set up etc.

   Curt

3. 
   jimswoodworks | Oct 14, 2002 02:52am | #6

   IS IT THE COMBO MACHINE? (JOINTER & PLANER) IF SO IT'S THE ONE I HAVE, & I LOVE IT. YOU CAN GET BLADES FROM MAKITA BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE, LOOK FOR GENERIC BLADES THRU WOODWORKING CATOLOGS, WOODWORKERS SUPPLY, ETC.