Makita 1806B Review
The Makita 1806B is a heavy duty planer built around a large 6-5/8 inch cutting width, which puts it in a different class than the compact hand planers most DIYers own. This review covers the specifications Makita publishes for this model, the price bracket it sells in for US buyers, and the themes that come up repeatedly in owner feedback.
Quick answer
It is the right planer for someone who needs to flatten wide boards, resurface slabs, or take deep passes in hardwood and is willing to pay for a corded, two handed tool that weighs accordingly.
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- Cross-checked manufacturer-published specifications before writing any recommendation
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- Owner-feedback themes are summarized as feedback, never presented as our own hands-on testing
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Research updated September 2026.
Makita 1806B
ReviewedPros
- Very wide 6-5/8 inch cut flattens slabs and glued up panels in far fewer passes than a standard 3-1/4 inch planer
- 10.5 amp motor holds speed under load, so it can take meaningful depth of cut in hardwood instead of stalling
- Rugged all metal base and a proven Makita motor design that owners report holding up over years of shop use
Cons
- At roughly 20 lbs it is a two handed tool, and long overhead or vertical work gets tiring fast
- It is a premium priced corded planer, so hobbyists doing occasional trim work pay for capacity they may never use
The 1806B is Makita's large frame corded planer, aimed at timber framing, slab flattening, and heavy stock removal rather than light edge trimming. It pairs a wide 6-5/8 inch cutterhead with a high speed motor and a solid metal base, and it uses standard reversible blades.
Real-World Notes
Owner feedback themes center on how much time the wide cut saves on slab and beam work, with users describing flattening large surfaces in a fraction of the passes a small planer requires. The recurring complaints are weight and fatigue during extended use, plus the cost of replacement blades and the need to set them carefully. Several owners note it is happiest on a bench or over a sawhorse setup where the workpiece is supported, not on a ladder.
Alternatives Worth a Look
- Makita KP0810K
Who Should Consider Something Else
If your planing jobs are mostly door edges, sticking lumber, or occasional trim, this tool is heavier and more expensive than you need. A compact 3-1/4 inch planer such as the Makita KP0810K will do that work with less fatigue and less money, and a benchtop thickness planer is the better answer if you mainly need consistent thickness rather than surface flattening.
FAQs
What is the cutting width of the Makita 1806B?
It has a 6-5/8 inch cutting width, which is the feature that separates it from standard 3-1/4 inch hand planers.
Is the Makita 1806B corded or cordless?
It is a corded tool that runs on standard US 120V AC power, so it needs an outlet or a properly sized extension cord.
How heavy is the Makita 1806B?
It weighs roughly 20 lbs, so plan on using both hands and supporting the workpiece well.
What is the Makita 1806B best used for?
It is built for heavy stock removal, slab and beam flattening, and resurfacing wide boards where a narrow planer would take too many passes.
Does the Makita 1806B use standard blades?
It uses reversible planer blades of the type Makita specifies for this model, and owners commonly note that blade setting and replacement take some care.
Our verdict
The Makita 1806B earns its place as a serious wide cut planer for people who flatten slabs, dress beams, or remove a lot of material in a hurry. It is heavy, it is not cheap, and it is overkill for trim work, but for high volume surface prep on wide stock it is one of the more capable corded planers you can buy in the US.