Planer Choices

Well, the two speed feed rate of the 735 is nice, plus it looks like it’s built a little bit heavier then the 734. But it looks like the 734 should do well enough for you.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I have the 735 myself but am looking to upgrade because we build a lot of doors and it gets a work out. Of course, every 36” cabinet features panels too large to fit through the 735 since the panels finish out at 14”. To me this is important, I am doing a 9’ display unit for a company and I have 6 total 3’ cabinets, all will feature door panels too large for my 735.

I bought mine new on sale and I am sure I did not give more than 450.00 at HD. I do love the 735 and it would certainly be a good planer for you but personally I would want to wait, knowing what I know now, for a good used unit on CL. Every once in a while I will find a Jet, Grizzly or North State or comparable 15” or 20” planer. I think a 15” planer should be a minimal size and the induction motor is going to be much quieter then the industrial motor on the DW. A good used 15” unit should not cost that much but would be much stronger built.

-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net

I have the Delta 22-580 Benchtop Planer is a good planer for the money.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

I have the 735 and love it also, bought it used for $300. I have used both and felt the 735 was the better planer. At 92 pounds it definitely on the heavy side, if you can build a cart for it, then by all means do, you back will really appreciate it. It is also very loud, louder than any other tool I own. The 2 speeds are really nice and so are the automatic depth stops. If you do get it, be sure to get the infeed/outfeed tables, without them you will have snipe problems, which is the same with any planer I guess. I believe the 734 only has a 2 blade cutterhead, the 735 has a 3 blade, which produce smoother cuts. I haven’t had the problem with the blades dulling really quick like others have said but they do tend to nick easily, but the remedy to that is to be careful or you could get HSS blades or carbide. But…...for a hobby type work, it may be a little “more” than you need. I will say, whichever one you do get, you shouldn’t have any problems.

I have the 735, it’s a real good planer. The finish is the best I’ve seen and there’s no snipe. I do have an occasional problem with the knives nicking, last time was when I was planing hard maple and walnut. But other then that it’s a rock solid planer and I deal with that. It’s dust chute is blower powered and when connected to a dust collector no chips come out of it.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

I also have the 735. Its a nice planer. The table extension accessory is nice too.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

The 735 is a nice planer, but @ $650 it’s still just a portable machine with a universal motor. $650 puts you painfully close to the price of a decent stationary planer with cast iron body and induction motor, which tend to have a much longer field life.

For less $, the DW734, Makita 2012, Ridgid R4330, or Delta 22-580 or TP400 are all decent values with dust and snipe control.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

get the planer…i want the dewalt planer cuz i’ve had the cheaper delta for a few years now and I wore the hell out of it already. Mine is only a 2 bladed planer and the dewalt has 3 which is better as well. I’ll get it one day. but usually when I buy my dewalts they come out with something better the next day. lol

-- My purpose in life: Making sawdust

I have the Ridgid 4330. It is a great little machine. I have used it for over a year now and had no problems. Blades are easy to change (it has 3), snipe can be controlled. I think you can get it at a reasonable price from HD.

-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

I’ve seen HD have 20% off sales of all Dewalt tools every once in a while, and that would be more of a discount than you’re getting now. Add on a price match -10% and you probably get it cheaper than that. And on that point, I only WW for a hobby and do sometimes feel DW735 is a lot of machine for the amount I use it for. Plus as Brian mentioned, the outfeed are expensive. I don’t regret purchasing it, but if I were to do it again I would buy the Ridgid planer on sale and use the money saved on other things, like a 8” jointer. Especailly if you don’t have a jointer now, I would save the $$ for that.

-- Ed

Thanks for all of your opinions. I think I have decided to go with the DW734. Funny, I had the DW735 on my cart yesterday. I hope to play the price match game on that and get it for $377 or about the price of the Ridgid. I initially thought the DW735 would be my “last-a-really-long-time” planer but have come to the conclusion that a cheaper one will get me through a lot right now and years from now if I feel the need (I’m sure I will), I will get a full sized 15” with an induction motor. Thanks again everyone.

-- some day I hope to have enough clamps to need a clamp cart!

Jason, I bought my DW734 used, already a couple years old, and I’ve been very happy with it so far. Someone above mentioned that they thought it had a two blade cutterhead, but it does have three blades and they are sharpened on both sides so they are reversible when they go dull on one side.

-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY

Jason, I got my 735 at hd clearance a few months back. I would check around at different Hd’s to see if you have any luck. I don’t understand how it could be a clearance item a couple month back and now back up to regular price. Good Luck

-- With each new day, celebrate life. Love God with all of your heart. Share Jesus with those around you and make a positive impact on those you meet. Bob

Jason, I forgot to give you the price. The clearance price I got was $274.

-- With each new day, celebrate life. Love God with all of your heart. Share Jesus with those around you and make a positive impact on those you meet. Bob

knotscott has brought up a very important point in regards to the universal motor. This is simply not the best choice of power for stationary tools. You will be way ahead in the long run by investing in a planer with an induction motor. this type of tool will last your entire lifetime.

I’m also less than sold on the disposable blade concept. I would much rather have a planer with blades that can be sharpened. I sharpen my planer and jointer blades myself.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"