Makita 40V XGT Planers
Makita 40V planer range for fast door easing, clean edges, and proper site trimming without dragging leads about.
When you're hanging doors, scribing worktops, or taking a tight stud wall back a touch, a cordless planer saves time and saves your shoulders. The Makita XGT planer line gives you solid cut control, good balance, and the power to keep taking shavings all day on 40V.
What Jobs Are Makita 40V Planers Best At?
- Easing sticking doors and fire doors on refurbs by taking controlled passes without tearing the edge up.
- Scribing and trimming kitchen fillers, end panels, and worktop edges where you need a straight, clean finish before fitting.
- Knocking high spots off joists, studs, and packers during first fix so boards and linings sit flat without fighting you.
- Cleaning up rough-sawn timber and taking mill marks off on-site cuts when you want it presentable without dragging a thicknesser in.
- Chamfering and breaking sharp edges on timber handrails, posts, and framing to stop splintering and make sanding quicker.
Choosing the Right Makita 40V Planer
Match the planer to the way you actually work: width, control, and dust handling matter more than chasing big numbers.
1. Planing width and depth (what you'll really cut)
If you're mostly easing doors and trimming edges, a standard width planer is spot on and easier to control one-handed. If you're regularly flattening wider timber or doing more bench-style work on site, go wider so you're not doing twice the passes and leaving steps.
2. Front knob adjustment and base feel
If you're finishing visible edges, pick the one that gives you positive, clear depth adjustment and a stable base that doesn't rock. If the front shoe feels vague, you'll see it straight away in chatter marks and uneven passes.
3. Dust and chip control
If you're planing indoors or in a finished space, don't ignore extraction and chip direction. A planer that connects cleanly to a vac and doesn't fire shavings across the room saves you the end-of-day sweep-up and keeps the client happier.
4. Battery choice on XGT
If you're just doing quick trims, a lighter battery keeps it balanced and less tiring on edges. If you're planing a lot of timber in one hit, step up in capacity so it doesn't die halfway through a door set and leave you hunting for a charger.
Makita 40V XGT Planer FAQs
Is the Makita cordless planer any good?
Yes, for site trimming it's a proper bit of kit. Cordless means you actually use it for the quick jobs like door easing and scribing, and the Makita XGT platform has the punch to keep the cutter speed up under load. Keep sharp blades in it and it leaves a clean finish.
Is Makita XGT better than LXT?
For higher-draw tools like planers, grinders, and bigger saws, XGT is generally the better pick because it's built to deliver more sustained power. LXT is still class for lighter work and already has a massive range, but if you're buying a cordless planer for regular use, XGT is the platform aimed at that heavier workload.
Is Makita 40V any good?
It is, especially when you're leaning on the tool all day rather than doing the odd trim. The Makita 40V XGT system is designed for trade kit that needs power and runtime, and it holds up well on proper site work as long as you pair it with the right battery capacity for the job.
What is the best brand of electric planer?
There isn't one single "best" for everyone, but on UK sites Makita is a safe choice because parts, blades, and batteries are easy to stay on top of, and the tools are built for daily use. The best planer is the one that cuts clean, adjusts accurately, and doesn't feel like it's trying to climb out your hands.
How do I choose an electric planer?
Start with what you're planing most: doors and edges want control and good adjustment, while wider timber wants more width so you're not doing endless passes. Then look at chip control if you're indoors, and finally battery platform if you're going cordless, because it's no good buying a tool that doesn't match the batteries you already run.
Who Are Makita 40V Planers For on Site?
- Chippies and joiners doing first fix and second fix who need quick, accurate trimming for doors, linings, and kitchens.
- Shopfitters and fit-out teams working room to room where cordless speed matters more than setting up benches and leads.
- Maintenance and facilities lads who want a planer that lives in the van for call-outs, sticking doors, and quick timber repairs.
The Basics: Understanding Cordless Planers
A planer is basically a fast rotating cutter block that shaves timber to a set depth. The trick is controlling the first pass and keeping it flat so you don't create dips.
1. Depth setting (small bites win)
Set your cut shallow for the first pass, especially on doors and finished edges. You'll get a cleaner result and you're less likely to snatch, tear grain, or take too much off and ruin the fit.
2. Grain direction and tear-out
Work with the grain where you can and slow down on knotty timber. If it starts tearing, back the depth off and take more passes rather than forcing it and ending up with a ragged edge you can't hide.
3. Flat start and flat finish
Keep pressure on the front shoe at the start, then transfer to the rear as you exit the cut. That's how you avoid the common dip at the beginning or end of a run, especially when easing doors in place.
Planer Accessories That Save Time on Site
A couple of add-ons make a cordless planer cleaner, more accurate, and less hassle when you're working in finished spaces.
1. Spare planer blades
Blunt blades leave lines and burn marks, and you'll feel the tool fighting you. Keep a spare set in the box so you can swap and crack on instead of trying to nurse a rough finish through a full day.
2. Dust bag or vacuum adaptor
Planer shavings get everywhere and they're a nightmare in occupied houses. A proper bag or vac connection keeps the mess down, stops chips clogging up, and saves you the clean-up grief at handover.
3. Guide fence and rebating depth stop
If you're running consistent edges or doing rebates, a fence and depth stop keeps it straight and repeatable. It stops you free-handing and ending up with a taper you have to hide with filler.
Shop Makita 40V Planers at ITS
Whether you need a Makita 40V planer for door work and second fix, or a Makita XGT planer set-up for heavier trimming and site fit-out, we've got the range to suit. It's all stocked in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery, so you can order today and be planing on site tomorrow.
