electric compass plane

[Thad Van Gilder]

Does anyone have experience with makita's electric compass plane. They make it to replicate hand hewn timbers, I am curious as to whether the sole is adjustable or what.

-Thad

here's the link:

http://www.timberwolftools.com/tools/makita/M-1002BA.html

It's in there with the 13 inch hand held electric beam plane(???????????)

[ 01-19-2005, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: Thad Van Gilder ]

[Bill Perkins]

Since a minimum radius is specified rather than a fixed one it seems it's adjustable .Flat would need to be the other end of it's range for it to run the faux tool marks shown on straight timbers .Maybe the radiused blades would be handy for backing out planking ?

I think some timber frameing has become a bit decadent, to where it's less real than modern stick frameing .

[Paul Pless]

maybe this will help:
go here (http://www.makita.com/res_tools/pdf/noncurrent_owners/1002.pdf)

[Thad Van Gilder]

looks fixed to me...

[Paul Pless]

page 6 of the owners manual says the front base is adjustable via screws and a locking nut that allow the planer to shape a more or less of a concave cut....

this adjustment is independent of the depth adjustment

[JeffH]

We ordered one of these at the shop before we started fairing the hull setup, to see if it was any better than the ones we have been using. It wasn't. The range of radius adjustability is extremely limited, which is not terribly useful for boat work. The power compass planes we do use have both front and rear flexible adjustable soles (much like the Stanley compass plane) that can go from somewhat convex to flat to decently concave. They still don't have a tight enough radius as we could use, but they are better than doing it all by hand.

I don't remember offhand who makes them.... They look like Makita's, but aren't. I'll check, if you want to know....

Jeff

[bugeye]

Hi,
The one Jeff is thinking of is the Virutex. I've used one before for fairing deckbeams and hollow spots in the hull of a large schooner, and while it does work, I was a little underwhelmed, except by the price tag. I think they go for around $400. While it doesn't have a flexible sole, I was really impressed by the Festo planer. The biggest advantage of this over any other is that you can rabbet to any depth on one side. Also very expensive though.