Woodworking enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, often seek tools that combine durability, precision, and innovative features. The DEWALT DW735 planer stands out as an exemplary tool that fulfills these criteria, making it a favorite among many. This machine is not just another planer; it represents a culmination of thoughtful engineering aimed at providing superior performance and user-friendly operation.

Key Features

1. Powerful Motor: The DEWALT DW735’s motor is a powerhouse, designed to handle a wide variety of wood types, from softwoods to the most challenging hardwoods. The high cutterhead speed ensures that each pass removes material efficiently, reducing the number of passes needed to reach the desired thickness.
2. Three-Knife Cutterhead: The innovative three-knife cutterhead design significantly improves the smoothness of the finished product. The knives are double-sided, allowing them to be flipped when one side becomes dull, effectively doubling their lifespan. This feature not only saves time but also reduces maintenance costs.
3. Two-Speed Gearbox: The ability to switch between two speeds provides a level of versatility that is highly beneficial for different woodworking tasks. The lower speed setting is ideal for initial dimensioning, quickly removing large amounts of material. The higher speed setting is perfect for finishing passes, ensuring a smooth and polished surface.
4. Automatic Carriage Lock: Snipe, or the slight indentation that can occur at the beginning and end of a board, is a common issue with planers. The automatic carriage lock in the DW735 helps to mitigate this problem by securing the cutterhead in place during operation, resulting in more consistent and precise cuts.
5. Fan-Assisted Chip Ejection: One of the challenges of planing is managing the large volume of chips and dust produced. The DW735’s fan-assisted chip ejection system is highly efficient, pulling debris away from the cutterhead and expelling it out of the machine. This not only keeps the work area cleaner but also helps to prevent clogging and maintain the machine’s performance.
6. Sturdy Construction: The solid build of the DW735, with its cast aluminum base, ensures durability and stability during operation. This robust construction supports the planer’s heavy-duty performance, providing a reliable foundation that minimizes vibrations and enhances the accuracy of cuts. The planer’s large base offers better support for the material, contributing to precise and consistent results.

Performance

The DEWALT DW735’s performance has garnered widespread acclaim from users, thanks to its remarkable efficiency and versatility in handling various wood types. Its powerful motor, coupled with the advanced three-knife cutterhead, ensures that each cut is smooth and precise. This combination greatly reduces the need for additional sanding

The DEWALT DW735’s performance has garnered widespread acclaim from users, thanks to its remarkable efficiency and versatility in handling various wood types. Its powerful motor, coupled with the advanced three-knife cutterhead, ensures that each cut is smooth and precise. This combination greatly reduces the need for additional sanding, saving time and effort in the woodworking process.

One of the standout features contributing to the DW735’s high performance is its two-speed gearbox. This feature gives users with the flexibility to switch between a lower speed setting for quick, rough cuts and a higher speed setting for finishing touches. This adaptability makes the planer suitable for a variety of tasks, from initial material removal to achieving a finely polished surface.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Powerful Motor for Efficient Material Removal: The DEWALT DW735 features a robust 15-amp motor that ensures rapid and effective material removal, making it suitable for a variety of woodworking tasks, including working with tough hardwoods.
2. Three-Knife Cutterhead for Finer Finishes and Extended Knife Life: Equipped with a three-knife cutterhead, this planer not only delivers smoother finishes but also extends the lifespan of the knives by 30% compared to traditional two-knife systems. The knives are also reversible and disposable, which adds to their convenience and cost-effectiveness.
3. Two-Speed Gearbox for Versatility: The two-speed gearbox offers flexibility by allowing users to choose between 96 cuts per inch (cpi) for fast material removal and 179 cpi for a smoother finish. This versatility makes the DW735 suitable for both rough dimensioning and fine finishing.
4. Automatic Carriage Lock to Reduce Snipe: The automatic carriage lock feature minimizes the movement of the cutterhead during operation, thereby reducing snipe and ensuring consistent, precise cuts.
5. Effective Chip Ejection System for Cleaner Workspace: The planer’s fan-assisted chip ejection system effectively removes chips and dust from the cutterhead area and expels them out of the machine. This helps maintain a cleaner workspace and prevents clogging, which can impede performance.
6. Sturdy Construction for Durability and Stability: Built with a cast aluminum base, the DW735 is both durable and stable. Its solid construction provides better support for the material, contributing to the accuracy and reliability of the planer’s performance.
7. Depth Stop Feature for Consistent Thickness: The depth stop enables users to set the machine to a predetermined thickness, ensuring uniformity in repeated cuts. This is mostly useful for projects that require precise and consistent thickness across multiple pieces of wood.

Cons

1. Price: The DEWALT DW735 is positioned at the higher end of the price range for portable planers. This can be a good investment for hobbyists or those on a tighter budget.
2. Weight: Weighing approximately 92 pounds, the DW735 is slightly heavy, which can make it less portable compared to lighter models. This weight, while contributing to its stability, can be a drawback for users who need to frequently move the planer around.
3. Noise: The powerful motor and cutterhead generate considerable noise during operation. This noise level can be disruptive, necessitating the use of hearing protection to safeguard the user’s hearing.

Price and Where to Buy

Price

The DEWALT DW735 is an investment reflecting its high-quality construction, powerful performance, and advanced features. The price typically ranges from $500 to $650, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions or discounts. While it is on the higher end of the price spectrum for portable thickness planers, many users find that its performance and durability justify the cost.

Where to Buy

The DEWALT DW735 is widely available through numerous retailers, both online and in physical stores. Below are some popular options for purchasing this planer:

• Amazon: Amazon is one of the convenient option for buying the DW735, offering competitive prices and the possibility of free shipping for Prime members. The platform also provides user reviews, which can be helpful for making an informed decision.
  • Amazon – DEWALT DW735
• Home Depot: Home Depot is a reliable retailer for purchasing the DW735, often providing in-store pickup and delivery options.
  • Home Depot – DEWALT DW735
• Lowe’s: Lowe’s is another major home improvement store that carries the DW735. They offer both online purchasing and the ability to check local store availability, making it easy to buy from a nearby location.
  • Lowe’s – DEWALT DW735
• DEWALT’s Official Website: Buying directly from DEWALT’s official website make sure that you are getting an authentic product. The site also offers information on accessories and replacement parts, as well as warranty details.
  • DEWALT – DW735
• Specialty Tool Shops: Many local and online specialty tool shops carry the DEWALT DW735. These retailers often provide expert advice and customer support, which can be beneficial for first-time buyers.
• eBay: For those looking for a potentially lower price, eBay offers both new and used DW735 planers. It’s important to review the seller’s reputation and return policies before making a purchase.
  • eBay – DEWALT DW735

Customer Feedback

The DEWALT DW735 has garnered a significant amount of positive feedback from users, reflecting its high performance and reliability in woodworking tasks. Many customers laud the planer for its impressive power and precision, which allow it to handle various types of wood with ease. The three-knife cutterhead, in particular, is frequently mentioned as a standout feature, delivering exceptionally smooth finishes that reduce the need for additional sanding. Users also appreciate the two-speed gearbox, which provides the flexibility to switch between quick material removal and fine finishing, enhancing the tool’s versatility.

Another aspect that receives consistent praise is the automatic carriage lock. This feature helps to minimize snipe by securing the cutterhead firmly during operation, resulting in more accurate and consistent cuts. The fan-assisted chip ejection system is also highly valued for its effectiveness in keeping the work area clean and preventing clogs, thereby maintaining the planer’s performance over prolonged use.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some users do express concerns about the planer’s high price and substantial weight. The cost of the DW735 places it at the higher end of the market, which can be a good for those on a tighter budget. Additionally, its weight of around 92 pounds makes it less portable compared to lighter models, which can be a drawback for users who need to move the planer frequently.

Conclusion

The DEWALT DW735 stands out as a premier portable thickness planer, known for its combination of power, precision, and advanced features. While it carries a higher price tag and a heavier build, the advantages it offers far outweigh these potential drawbacks. Its powerful motor, innovative three-knife cutterhead, versatile two-speed gearbox, effective automatic carriage lock, and efficient chip ejection system collectively contribute to its outstanding performance.

Key Takeaways

1. High Performance: The DEWALT DW735 is renowned for its powerful 15-amp motor and three-knife cutterhead, which together deliver smooth, precise cuts on a variety of wood types.
2. Versatility: The two-speed gearbox allows users to switch between rapid material removal and fine finishing, providing flexibility for different woodworking tasks.
3. Precision: Features like the automatic carriage lock and depth stop contribute to the planer’s ability to produce consistent, accurate cuts, minimizing common issues like snipe.
4. Efficiency: The fan-assisted chip ejection system effectively manages debris, ensuring a cleaner work environment and preventing clogging.
5. Durability: With its sturdy construction, including a cast aluminum base, the DW735 is built to withstand heavy-duty use, providing long-lasting performance.
6. User Feedback: While the planer is praised for its power and precision, some users note its higher price and substantial weight as potential drawbacks. Despite this, many agree that its benefits justify the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes the DEWALT DW735 different from other portable thickness planers?

The DEWALT DW735 stands out due to its powerful 15-amp motor, three-knife cutterhead, and two-speed gearbox, which together offer superior performance and versatility. Additionally, features like the automatic carriage lock and fan-assisted chip ejection system enhance its precision and efficiency.

How does the three-knife cutterhead improve the planing process?

The three-knife cutterhead provides smoother finishes and extends the life of the knives by 30% compared to traditional two-knife systems. The knives are also reversible and disposable, reducing maintenance time and costs.

Can the DW735 handle different types of wood?

Yes, the powerful motor and adjustable speeds make the DW735 capable of handling a wide range of wood types, from softwoods to hardwoods, with ease and efficiency.