Very interesing planer

[Cecil]

I never knew such a machine existed.

[Bob10]

you have to wonder how often they need to sharpen the blade

[janus frey]

I never knew such a machine existed.

A company (I can't remember which one) was marketing something very similar 30 years or so ago. Clearly, the old one wasn't as sophisticated as this, but it was the same basic principle.

Very cool .

[Bob10]

reminds me of a meat slicer only backwards

[EvilTwin]

It was either Hitachi or Makita,  I think Makita.  Worked similar, the blade was on the bottom and it was able to rotate to adjust the skew.

Update: after a google search, I think Hitachi, Makita and Ryobi have all made something similar.  It seems to be a design that was limited to the Asian market though.

[Rick F]

Didnt Hitachi make a much simpler version of that ?

[6270_Productions]

So that is how they make the faces for plywood!

I always wondered how they got it so thin.  

[stav]

Looks like it is intended to compete in one of those longest hand plane shavings contests they have in Japan.

[daddo]

Around $30k I think..

[RichK]

Neat tool.  The Marunaka website says their carbide blade is rated for 1,650' of hardwood and their disposable carbide blade is rated for 4,600' of Japanese Cypress.  No prices listed but on other sites it looks like used machines start at about $4,000.  I'd love to see one up close.