Author Topic: Wanted: Makita Groove Cutter (trencher) (Read 11766 times)

Marschy · « **on:** February 27, 2013, 08:59:51 PM »

Hello swaggers,

My son is a chippy and is trying to get a hold of a Makita Groove Cutter (trencher). He's not having much luck sourcing a new one here in Oz. He has gone to the extent of trying to source one from an online tool store in Canada who won't ship to Australia. He has a contact in Canada who he can get it shipped to, but the problem is the unit is 120 volt, which means having to outlay for a step down transformer as well.

Are there any stores that anyone is aware of that still stock these in Oz, or has anyone got a trencher that they are willing to sell. If so, send me a PM and I'll put you onto my son so you can talk turkey.

Cheers, Marschy

GUEY · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2013, 09:40:57 PM »

If you haven't already contact Makita Australia direct. They will point you in the right direction and or why they aren't available any more.

sparksy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2013, 10:01:26 PM »

Have you tried sourcing from countries like the UK, Indonesia or Thailand. They all use a 220 to 240 volt supply that works ok here in OZ.

Marschy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2013, 10:06:16 PM »

Mate, I've watch Grand Designs on the ABC. From the look of the UK still uses hand saws, hammer and chisels to trench LOL.

Thanks for the tip, will get my son to have a look.

oldmate · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:43:31 PM »

Oops wrong link

Pipeliner · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2013, 07:36:49 AM »

On eBay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAKITA-GROOVE-CUTTER-CIRCULAR-SAW-MODEL-3501N-VGC-IN-BOX-/300865668866?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item460cfdc702

Marschy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:19:52 AM »

Not the same type of groover.

GUEY · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:45:09 AM »

Apart from the obvious what exactly does he want to do with it?

Marschy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:46:47 AM »

Trenching bottom and top plates for studs. His bosses builder insists on it. Not done by a lot of project house builders anymore.

GUEY · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:52:45 AM »

If he can't get one the other option is to go a plunge router. A lot more versatile. Can be used for stair stringers to curved shapes. Once set up not much slower that a groove planner. Would be making the call to Makita oz first though. They may be able to get one in.

Marschy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2013, 09:07:00 AM »

The lad will be calling them shortly. He only does stick framing/roofing, so made for a purpose is more a priority over versatility. The groove cutter is a one pass process (time and effort is money in the pocket). I've got a Makita plunge router and I reckon it would come done to how many bits (expensive) you would go through doing the same job that a groove cutter can do quickly and more efficiently.

The 'Groove Cutters' web page is blank on the Oz website.

Groove Cutters

oldmate · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2013, 09:09:29 AM »

Yep agree with guey.
And yeah I had a look on oz site and noticed they are not listed. Also ame across another site that said no longer available. So maybe they don't make them any more??

Tim - Stratford · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2013, 09:12:11 AM »

I'm not sure if some of these are the same thing - called wall chasers, but do variable sized grooves.

https://www.alltools.com.au/shop/index.php/137_Wall_Chasers

Tim

camlisa · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:10:33 AM »

Marschy, we used to use radial arm saw with a collated blade for this exact purpose. Havnt seen one on abuilding site for 20 years. I think most frame/truss manufacturers still use this type of saw.Must be lots out there not being used would also be a lot quicker and easier than trenching saw. Hope this helps.
Cam.

dazzler · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:15:11 AM »

Just guessing here but I wonder if they are not used anymore due to safety reasons. They are lethal if they kickback. Will google when home and see if there is a safety bulletin on them.

camlisa · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:18:41 AM »

Good point mate.

Chippy76 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2013, 07:53:45 PM »

type "makita chaser" into ebay .....

Cheers Chippy

lino6 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:16:59 PM »

You can get blades for rebating angle brace into frames but they are only usually a 20mm cut, just fit into a normal power saw, but would mean every stud would need 2 cuts. I would think a radial arm saw would be the go because I think a hand held trencher/rebater would be hard to push through square. Plus imagine using a hand held tool on a job with 400 studs would be 800 cuts. I would think a radial arm saw would pay for its self in time saving. Plus with a RAS you could put a normal blade on it and dock the 400 studs after you finished the plates!

craig11 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2015, 07:26:26 PM »

Sorry to dig up an old topic, but I'm a chippy and I have always trenched my frames, I allready have a groove cutter, but I get my blades from www.Impossatools.com.au I believe they sell the machines as well though. Not cheap mind you! Trenching is not so common these days anyway.

Cheers

dales133 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2015, 07:57:57 PM »

Aus is overly anal about "safty" (getting sued because someone on your watch blames you, the tools, the industry ...everyone but themselves) I'd try NZ far cheaper shipping and exchange rates and in NZ if you cut your hand off its still your own stupid fault;) so most stuff is still avaliable, same voltage too

dazzler · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2015, 08:21:21 PM »

Quote from: dales133 on May 28, 2015, 07:57:57 PM

in NZ if you cut your hand off its still your own stupid fault;)

Where do I sign up?

dales133 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2015, 08:22:27 PM »

Rumpig · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2015, 08:37:28 PM »

Quote from: dales133 on May 28, 2015, 07:57:57 PM

Aus is overly anal about "safty" (getting sued because someone on your watch blames you, the tools, the industry ...everyone but themselves) I'd try NZ far cheaper shipping and exchange rates and in NZ if you cut your hand off its still your own stupid fault;) so most stuff is still avaliable, same voltage too

count me in on some of that action....i had an apprentice try some legal action on many years ago because he shot himself in the hand with a nail gun whilst nailing on ply bracing sheets. Reading the paperwork questionaire the ambulance chasing law firm gave him to fill in was quite an eye opener, if it wasn't so serious the answers he filled in were pretty laughable actually.

dales133 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 28, 2015, 08:44:25 PM »

Yea it's bogus.
I lived in port stephens nsw for a while years ago and the guy that owned the luge track had to make it so slow and crap to meat ohs requirements and then he still couldn't aford his liability insurance as it went through the roof he had to shut it down.

NZ version. ...sign a piece of paper before you get on that the owner isn't god and your doing something potentialy life threatening, disabling, unless the owner shoots you in the face it's your risk

Marschy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2015, 07:21:47 AM »

Quote from: craig11 on May 28, 2015, 07:26:26 PM

Sorry to dig up an old topic, but I'm a chippy and I have always trenched my frames, I allready have a groove cutter, but I get my blades from www.Impossatools.com.au I believe they sell the machines as well though. Not cheap mind you! Trenching is not so common these days anyway.

Cheers

My son ended up getting one from an apprentice who was given a trencher by his father. The apprentice dropped out in his 4th year (dickhead) and sold the trencher to my son for $1500.

Nearly all of the jobs my son does involves trenching. I don't know, but it may be a SA favoured practice.

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Author Topic: Wanted: Makita Groove Cutter (trencher) (Read 11766 times)

Marschy

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