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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Posts
    231

    Default Makita 3803A groove cutter review

    I've seen a couple of references to this tool here but no pix or evaluation. I just bought one so I thought I would leave this here for the archives as I try it out.

    The 3803A is hand held dado machine. It was and is popular in Japan for cutting grooves and notches and lap joints in large timbers. Very handy if you are working with large timbers and need to take the tool to the work. Mine came with a ~9 meter power cord.

    218FAFD8-CE21-4486-9703-3119A8EDFC6D_1_105_c.jpeg7C3609C8-C1F6-4E98-BC72-687EE909D671_1_105_c.jpegDDE4B8F4-C357-4AC0-AF0F-7062D2341942_1_105_c.jpeg

    The one I bought was made for the Japanese market with a motor running at 50-60 cycles and 100 volts. I'm in the USA where our standard voltage is either 125 or 250. I know folks who use the 100v version on our 125v service with no problems. Fortunately for us the plug is even the same.

    I believe, but am not certain, that Makita also offered a 200? v version that might work better in Australia. Or maybe get the more common 100v version and buy a step down transformer.

    AA6861A9-E1A6-44B7-AEE5-8092E1201716_1_105_c.jpeg



    If you get past the electrical translation, here is the rest of the tool.

    The body and base plate are all cast aluminium and weigh about 6.8 kg so it is pretty hefty. The front handle is a robust plastic. The belt cover and fence parts are steel.

    Mine came shipped from Japan in its original ,old school, solid wood finger jointed box.

    796A210B-009F-41F7-A94C-44EDB265D3FC_1_105_c.jpeg

    It included the standard fence and the auxiliary rebating fence, the wrenches for cutter change, four cutters, and the manual (in Japanese only).

    B5087447-5B7B-407D-BBD8-E16A2CECD345_1_105_c.jpeg

    The tool drives individual cutters of different widths and in 2 wing or 4 wing configurations. Most are 120 mm in diameter but the largest are 110 mm. Here are the cutters said to be available in the manual. I'm not sure how may can still be purchased. I've found a few and they are very expensive. Like buying a used lathe: the machine is cheap but the tooling adds up quickly. Fortunately I think most users can get by with a small number of commonly used sizes.

    19A6D8E1-2FB3-4910-ADB4-67EF37D71946_1_105_c.jpeg

    Here is one of the 21 mm cutters I received.

    A494880F-F849-4713-BD44-7C981D6C03C5_1_105_c.jpeg

    And here is a 4.5 mm cutter showing the adjustable zero clearance inserts. Other inserts are used for wider cutters.

    5304654B-9883-4EEE-8747-7F1CAB92949B_1_105_c.jpeg


    I'll finish here with one very cool accessory that might or might not be available: a foot stabilized miter gauge for cross cutting.

    C09C7272-67CF-45FB-97E1-C869CB5C0B91_4_5005_c.jpeg303ACE36-46B5-449F-8AB4-E41C0968D6EB_1_105_c.jpeg


    Since I've just received my groover I'd love to hear from anyone who has used one. I'm also happy to answer questions as I put this one to work.

    Gary

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Parkside - South Australia
    Age
    45
    Posts
    3,316

    Default

    Good work Gary …. If I recall correctly they were popular in the past for home construction as they could be used to notch top and bottom plates of timber wall framing. I have a feeling they ended up being banned for site use which would have been a popular market for the tool. They pop up occasionally on Gumtree or Marketplace.
    Now proudly sponsored by Binford Tools. Be sure to check out the Binford 6100 - available now at any good tool retailer.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    52
    Posts
    1,087

    Default

    Gotta love Makita, shame they don't make a mortise and tenon joiner tool, though I think Festfool have got the sole rights to that gig.

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