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Rigid R4331 13" vs Dewalt DW735 Planer

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49K views 32 replies 24 participants last post by  RibsBrisket4me 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi fellow LJ's…

I've scrimped and saved some cashola from some my Christmas cutting boards and I would like to replace my 12 1/2" Mastercraft planer. It has served it's purpose of being a nice starting power tool but I feel it's time for it to go and time to get a new one for a couple of reasons. It doesn't have a dust chute so it's one of the worst offenders for dust in my shop. Also, the added 1/2" width will come in very handy.

My local Home Depot has the Rigid R4331 on for $399 and the Dewalt DW735 for $699. Busy Bee has the Dewalt on for $599.

I would be interested in your opinions on either of these machines, pros and cons in trying to make the decision.

Thanks in advance…..

Cheers…Don
 
#2 ·
I've got the Rigid planer and have had really good luck with it planing everything from plywood (don't ask) to curly walnut. I have a couple of complaints, but I think they're typical for any planer similar to this one and not an insult to the Rigid.

First, the motor/blades are REALLY loud. I mean screaming like a jet engine loud. I understand that a helical cutterhead would reduce the noise, but that's a pretty big cost difference.

Second, I can't go more than a 100 bf or so without checking the planer's settings. The 4 posts on the Rigid that allow the cutterhead to be raised/lowered are threaded rods with locking nuts. With so much vibration and the speed that the blades are spinning, those nuts work their way loose and allow one end of the cutterhead to dip. I went nuts trying to figure out why my boards were wedge shaped until I figured that out.

The DeWalt has some great features like two speeds and the blower motor for chip extraction, but for the money, I don't think you can beat the Rigid.

You could also consider the helical head planer from Steel City. If I was buying another lunchbox planer, that's the one I would get.
 
#3 ·
I have the 735 and an earlier two-blade Ridgid 4330. When I bought the 735 I thought I'd get rid of the 4330. But I soon realized that the 735 didn't do any better job, so I kept both. I tend to get more snipe with the 735 even with the separately purchased extension tables. Forgot to mention that. The Ridgid has the extension tables, the 735 does not. I'd go with the 4331.
 
#4 ·
I have the Rigid planer. I got it because it was on sale, $200 off at Home Depot! Overall I'm really happy with it. The snipe is terrible and I've tried a few things to get rid of it but honestly it's just easier to keep the boards long and then cut off the last inch or two. It is noisey but I just put on some hearing protection and I'm good. I think eventually I'd like to take a look at the Dewalt because I've heard such amazing things about it, it's just so expensive. For now… I love my Rigid.
 
#5 ·
I've got the R4330 and have been fairly happy with it. They're all very loud…no getting around that in a portable planer, but I don't get snipe very often. I think I'd prefer it to have a manual cutterhead lock vs the 4-post threads, which is the same type device the 735 has to fight snipe. It's a nice enough planer, but I'm not sure how big of a step up it is from your current planer, whereas I suspect the DW735 is a bigger step….albeit an expensive one. Executive decision time.
 
#6 ·
I have the DW735 and like it. I bought a kit for chip collection recently and now the chips all go into a plastic garbage can. I find the blades do not last all that long but are easy to change. I have adjusted the infeed and out feed tables to cut way down on the snipe. Takes some trial and error to get it just right.
 
#7 ·
I think one of the main reasons I have for 'upgrading' is for the dust port on a new machine. If I have to purchase extension wings for the Dewalt on top of the higher price, that may be a huge enough drawback to go with the Rigid….

Really appreciate the feedback thus far folks….keep those cards and letters coming!
 
#10 ·
I bought the 735 from Rockler about 3 years ago I think. They had the extension tables laying there too, so yes, I picked them up as well. I think its necessary to have some kind of extension table. You could make them if you wanted too…I dont think that would be too hard, but I paid about $550 for the planer at the time and I think I paid about $60 for the tables if I remember correctly.
 
#12 ·
+1 for the DW 735. Picked mine up at Home Depot a couple a years ago when they were selling them out for $264 brandnew. Don't have any experience with the Ridgid r4331 but, have been very happy with the Dewalt 735.

Good Luck.
 
#13 ·
Don, did you get that MC planer used? The reason I ask is that I have one of those too and it came with a dust chute…works quite well if hooked up to a DC. I've gotten some good mileage out of mine and I just use it for clean up of old/used wood. It isn't a DW735 by any means (have one of them too) and use it for final planing. I'd say the dust collection on the MC with a chute and hooked up to a DC is pretty darn close to being as good as the DW735.
 
#14 ·
Hey Marcus….

I bought mine about 6 or 7 years ago and it didn't come with a dust chute. I've been fairly satisfied with my MC but I've always been pissed about the dust and chips it throws out. It's also giving me quite a bit of snipe on one corner now which is a recent thing so maybe it's just tired :)
 
#15 ·
:) yeah, I can appreciate the just tired thing, feel that way myself. The thing about those MC planers is that they just aren't good enough where you feel like putting very much money in them to get them back up to snuff. I'd say, at 6-7 years, you got a darn good life out of it.

Take care, Mark.
 
#17 ·
I've had a Rigid 1300, going on 4 years now. No major complaints at all. I don't have a vibration or noise problem.
I've been told by friends who own planners that mine is the quietest they have seen. The snipe problems all went away when I used a 48"x 13" piece of Melmalene with stops on the bottom to keep it from sliding.
The first time my blades got dull, I sent them out to a local sharpening service. After paying $30 they cut like new ones, then I found out Home Depot sells sets of new blades for $30. I bought 2 new sets and hone them myself with glass and wet & dry paper. This method seems to stay sharp as long as having them ground did.
This little machine has planned 100's bdf of white pine and well as a lot of white oak and poplar.
I'm sure the DeWalt under heavy or professional use would last longer, but I don't believe it could perform any better.
 
#18 ·
I have to vote for the 3 blade Ridgid (not sure of the model #). Mine is 4 years old, has planed miles of lumber of all kinds, and has been trouble free so far. I too have my disposable blades resharpened. The snipe problem went away when I elevated the ends of my infeed and outfeed tables and take fairly shallow cuts.
 
#19 ·
My vote goes to the DW 735. Got mine off of craigslist for $250. Added the in and outfeed tables and have had no problems with it for 2 1/2 years. About to go to the second set of blades, flipped the current set just after I got the machine. I don't have any experience with the Rigid but I really like the two speed feed rate.
 
#20 ·
Just to add to the confusion have you explored the General Tools option (http://www.general.ca/site_general/g_produits/planer/30-010.html). From the reviews of other General Tools here and elsewhere they are a pretty good manufacturer. I just bought one of their tablesaws and am extremely happy with it. When it comes time to replace my 733 I will definitely be looking at General. Legere Industrial
Supplies is even in Ottawa and they carry General (I've never shopped there so do not know what they are like, just saw their address on the General web page). It may be worth a look!
 
#21 ·
Either way, see if you can use the Harbor Frieght 20% off one item coupon. If that wont fly in Canada, then turn to the 10% price match guarantee. Take in the add/info from the other seller, and see if the mgr will beat it by the 10%...never hurts to check. I have the dw735, I also got it new for a lot cheaper than they sell now. I think I paid about $350? No complaints, has been a solid machine for about 4 yrs, and lots of wood. Good luck.
 
#22 ·
Don, thanks for posting, I've been looking myself, and it's nice to see some other options.

FWIW, Amazon is currently offering a DW735X kit for $559.00. The kit includes the planer itself, dust hose adapter, dust ejection chute, extra set of knives, and infeed & outfeed tables. Not as cheap as some others here have found the machine, but not too bad a deal.

http://www.amazon.com/DeWalt-DW735X-Two-Speed-Planer-Package/dp/B003OX9KME/ref=pd_cp_hi_2

Good luck with your search.

- John
 
#23 ·
Just tried the Amazon route and they won't ship to Canada. Damn, that's a freakin' good deal too :(

Just found a DW735X for $599. Hmmmmmmmmmm…...

I'll call Legere Industrial later to see how much the General is going for…can't find a price on it.
 
#25 ·
New Dewalt DW735X complete with dust hose adapter, dust ejection chute, infeed/outfeed tables and extra set of blades ordered last night $599 :)

Should be here before Christmas.

Will have to find a good home for my old planer.

Tablesaw is next. Time to replace my Ryobi 3100. I'll be searching the posts for recommendations on a new one….

Cheers all and thanks
 
#26 ·
Don;

Congratulations on your choice. You will be very happy with the DW735X.

Hint: Spend a little extra time aligning the infeed and outfeed tables to the bed of your planer and you will significantly reduce snipe on boards of resonable length.

Good luck!
 
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