Makita 1900B planer
Tool: Makita 1900B Planer
Date of Service: 1989
Can’t say I ever really liked this planer but I have to say; It’s been an integral part of my trim carpentry jobs for 20 years! My Makita 1900B Planer has a permanent spot in my truck toolbox and has planed down enough interior and exterior doors to fill a dumpster with sawdust.
Rating: 
Experience:
I have lots of experience with this tool. I bought it new before I was really a carpenter at all. I remember getting a really awesome piece of burl and wanting to plane it down. I do still have that burl which I made in my apartment building hallway in 1989.
Fifteen years later, I used this plane to work on The Glass House in New Canaan, CT. I guess that makes it a famous plane since it was in a published picture. 
Comments:
If you look at this picture of the base, you’ll see the Chamfer Groove. I’m sure I’ve used it to my advantage but it’s usually a worry. If you are rounding over and edge, just taking off a little little bit, you had better drive the plane close to one side because when the edge falls into the V-groove it’s all over. It takes 1/4″ right away. I’m sort of laughing now because it’s happened to ruined some work.
The model 1900B that I bought in 1989 still works. I bought new blades and replaced them over time but nothing to the motor. The cord is always a pain in the ass with this thing but it’s not a brand specific complaint. You should hear the screaming wail this thing makes. It has sounded sick for the last 10 years, certainly not what it sounded like new. It works and I use it and I see no reason to buy a new one until it’s dead. Then, I will cough up for the Festool EHL 65 E.
The depth adjustment knob pulls the plate upward into a foam pad. It really never worked very well and mine has been tightened to it’s max depth almost permanently. I rarely loosen it because this plane just doesn’t eat very much at a time. 3/64″? hmm…
Links:
I’m shocked to see the Makita model 1900B in 2009!
Makita N1900B 4 Amp 3-1/4-Inch Planer
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Makita KP0810 7.5 Amp 3-1/4-Inch Planer
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