Makita 3901 5.6 amp Plate Joiner

by Makita

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Purist furniture makers frown on the plate joiner, or biscuit joiner as it's often called, but this model might change a few minds. The joinery ease is unparalleled with this method, and Makita really knows its business. This model offers a 10,000 rpm, 5.6 amp motor, six cutting depths for different biscuit sizes, and a precision fence that angles with positive stops at 0, 45, and 90 degrees. Changing biscuit sizes is as quick and easy as turning the adjustment dial. The rack-and-pinion fence's action is as smooth as any on the market at this level, and our test cuts were clean and dead-on accurate. Sure, you can keep on cutting mortise and tenon joints if you want to, but the smart woodworker is taking one of these home. For us, it falls squarely into the gotta-get-one category. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Amazon.com Product Description

The Makita Plate Joiner, model 3901, combines power and speed with ease-of-use for strong, dead-on accurate plate joints. The 3901 is engineered for furniture making and fine woodworking.

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3901 Features ACCURACY - Rack-and-pinion vertical fence adjustment CONVENIENCE - Positive stops at 0°, 45° & 90° PRECISION - 6-position depth setting gauge for commonly used biscuit sizes including #0, #10 & #20 CAPACITY - 4" blade diameter and maximum cutting depth of 25/32" INCLUDES - Carbide tipped blade, angle guide, dust bag, wrench, set plate and tool case

Tool Specifications Blade diameter 4" Max. cutting depth 25/32" No load speed 10,000 RPM AMPS (120V) 5.6 Overall length 12-3/32" Net weight 6.6 lbs.

5.6 AMP Power and 10,000 RPM
The 3901 features a 5.6 AMP motor, 10,000 RPM, six cutting depths for different biscuit sizes, and a precision fence that angles with positive stops at 0, 45, and 90 degrees. The blade diameter is four inches, with a maximum cutting depth of 25/32 inches. The non-marring rubber strip insert prevents slipping of material, and the shaft lock allows for easy changes of the carbide-tipped blade.

Additional ease-of-use features include rack-and-pinion vertical fence adjustment, and one-touch six-depth setting for number 0, number 10 and number 20 biscuits. The large top-grip handle is designed for improved user comfort. The 3901 is a heavy-duty plate joiner engineered for furniture making and fine woodworking. The 3901 is just another example of Makita's commitment to innovative technology and best-in-class engineering.

About Makita's Power Tools
Makita delivers precision, accuracy, capacity, and innovation to woodworkers. Makita has full range of miter saws, jig saws, circular saws, routers, planers, sanders, nailers and staplers, blades, compact cordless drills and impacts, and more. Makita's woodworking solutions are engineered for pro contractors, for use in high production settings and in home shops.

About Makita
Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge innovation to engineer power tools that are more compact and energy efficient, yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. For more information, please call 800/4-MAKITA (800/462-5482) or visit makitatools.com. Makita is Best in Class Engineering.

Warranty
Every Makita tool is thoroughly inspected and tested before leaving the factory. If you are not satisfied with any Makita tool within 30 days of purchase, return it and Makita will provide a replacement or refund. Each Makita tool is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase. Should any trouble develop during this one-year period, return the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita's Factory or Authorized Service Centers. Please see makitatools.com for complete details.

What's in the Box
Makita 3901 Plate Joiner, carbide tipped blade, angle guide, dust bag, wrench, set plate and tool case.

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Product Details

Product Manual [978kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 5 x 5 inches ; 11 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223JG
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 3901
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,408 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #5 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Plate Joiners

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than others, March 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Makita 3901 5.6 amp Plate Joiner (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought this plate joiner sight unseen and don't regret it. Makita is superior in comparison to other brands. The tolerances are much tighter with no slop. Cuts are very smooth. I also have a Porter Cable, and it doesn't come close to the quality this model. The slider bars move with great precision. All wood chips exit through the dust port. Unless you have the money to spend for an expensive "Lamello", this is the model to get.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biscuits & Gravy, January 31, 2007

By 

Jerry A. Lowe (LAKE TAHOE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Makita 3901 5.6 amp Plate Joiner (Tools & Home Improvement)

I am a 30 year carpenter of which the last 15 have been nothing but finish work. I had done some research on these biscuit joiners before buying the Makita.Great decision!This thing is so simple in design and function that the direction booklet is not even necessary.It's effortless! I jumped in full bore today.8 six foot 1 by 4s of mahogany for a table top went together quite easily thanks to about 50 perfectly alligned biscuits.I don't bother with the dust bag so I can't really comment on that but what a sweet tool.The fence allignment was spot on and the cam lock height adjustment is so user friendly that it makes this tool fun to use.
I guess the only reason I did not give this tool a 5 is because the fence sort of shrouds the biscuit location marks on your project. It's not that big of a deal but you do have to extend your marks to about a half inch on each side of desired biscuit location.
The blade left very little tear-out and cut effortlessly! I have tried almost every biscuit joiner out there with the exception of the Lamello[WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!!!] and all in all this one gets my vote for top tool for the price!
I would recommend this tool to all you journeymen as well as apprentices out there wondering which one. Trust me on this one guys!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tool value, December 11, 2000

By 

Steve Rozmiarek (Hemingford, NE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Makita 3901 5.6 amp Plate Joiner (Tools & Home Improvement)

The rack and pinion depth adjustment feature on this joiner is among the best that I've tried. All the adjustments are quick and repeatable with good accuracy. My only complaint is with the case. It could use a bit more room. I have to loosen the fence angle lock to get the case lid to shut. Trivial but a nuscience never the less. The joiner itself does a great job and the dust collection bag actually works! I'm sure that spending more money will get you a more refined tool but for the budget minded, this very well could be a valuable asset to your woodshop.