Read this DeWalt DW735 Review, A Formidable Pro-Grade Bench Planer For Home Use.
DeWalt is certainly among the most honored names in the DIY woodworking tools industry. It’s renowned for offering high-quality tools you can rely on to work unerringly and without breaking down too soon.
Some do grumble about the price (these DeWalt gadgets certainly can’t be called “cheap”), but no one really complains that they’re not worth the money you spend.
The naming conventions for DeWalt can be amusing, however. This is the DW735, which offers great features than the DW734.
It’s also exactly the same as the DW735x model, except that this DW735 doesn’t have the infeed and outfeed tables and you don’t get extra knives.
If you need those features, go with the DW735x model.
Specifications to Look
- Corded-Electric Power Source
- 15-amp motor
- Cutting depth up to ⅛-inch
- Width capacity of 13-inch
- Flat Head
- Weighs 90 pounds
- Depth capacity of 6-inches
Special Features
- You don’t have to worry about having enough power to deal with certain types of hardwood. You have a 15-amp motor, with 20,000 rpm and 10,000 rpm cutterhead speed.
- With the 2-speed gear box, you can pick either 96 or 179 CPI.
- Your bench planer won’t move in place so you don’t get problems. The 19¾-inch cast aluminum base is twice as rigid as the standard 10-inch base and folding tables.
- Your cuts will be accurate, since you have features like the material removal gauge and extra-large thickness scale. You know what kind of results you’ll get beforehand so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises.
- The 3-knife cutter head offers you a longer lifespan for your knives, which can go on for30% longer. That’s because the knives are reversible. When they get dull, just pop them out and then put them in reverse so you have sharp knives in no time. In addition, when you do need to sharpen the knives the knife changes are easier and faster.
- Work becomes a lot more efficient as the chips won’t get in your way. With the fan-assisted chip ejection feature, the chips are vacuumed from the cutter head and takes them out of the machine.
- The automatic carriage lock minimizes the movement that results in snipe. You won’t have to engage manually either, since it’s automatic.
- This has an extra-large turret stop, so you can get back to the usual thicknesses you tend to use.
- The limited warranty is for 3 years, while you get a 1-year limit on free service. There’s also a money-back guarantee for 90 days. DeWalt is known for its terrific customer support, so there won’t be any hassles.
Best Suited for
This is best for experienced woodworkers, as you have features here you really may want to use. Beginners may not be able to use those features frequently, which means they’re paying for things they don’t need.
So, newbies should go with more affordable models especially when they don’t use a bench planer often.
However, an argument can be made for this as a bench planer for those without much experience. That’s because it’s easy to use, and that’s always something that everyone appreciates. When you’re working with rougher wood pieces, you have a bench planer that can work.
This is better than the DeWalt 735x if you already have infeed and outfeed tables to use, since this doesn’t have those accessories.
It’s another reason why it’s better for the pros, since without these tables it’s a bit harder to keep your wood pieces in a perfectly flat position.
Pros and Cons
The power here is very impressive, and with the ability to deliver more cuts per inch you really can get a smooth finish no matter what kind of rough hardwood you’re working on.
Your cuts are accurate as well, with useful gauges telling you what’s really happening. It really helps that the various controls are easy to use, as they’re large and located sensibly.
On the other hand, this isn’t perfect. Snipe is a major concern, however, due to the absence of the infeed and outfeed tables. Without them, it’s really harder to keep your stock perfectly flat.
It’s also loud. You’ll need earplugs for this, and you may end up bothering your neighbors too.
Finally, it’s a bit more expensive than other bench planers. It’s a DeWalt with lots of power and features, so that’s to expected.
Why Should You Buy This?
From this Dewalt Dw735 review, We suggest you to buy this if you’re going to use it frequently. The cost is a bit too much for infrequent users. Newbies may find a cheaper bench planer (like the DeWalt 734) a lot more sensible.
For dedicated hobbyists, this is great. You have lots of power and you can make accurate cuts. It’s a joy to use, as everything works as they should. The controls are easy to use and placed right where they ought to be.
Basically, it makes your job a lot easier and sniping can be minimized as long as you get the extension tables you need. It’s durable as well, so it won’t just break down too quickly.
The DeWalt customer support is also terrific. All in all, you get your money’s worth on this tool. As long as you’re working with it frequently, it’s a great investment.
But you may want to consider getting extension tables for this as well.
FAQs
Are the blades okay?
The blades that come with the bench planer are nice enough, but they do tend to dull a bit too quickly. Replace them with carbide blades, which can last much longer. The DW735 may be a bit too powerful for standard HSS blades.
Does it have a 4-inch or 2.5-inch dust ejector port?
It takes both. A small bag will get filled very quickly, however. You may have to rig a system that can catch plenty of debris so you’re not constantly emptying your dust bin.
Can it deal with hardwood?
The answer here is a resounding yes. If you found it hard to work on oak with other planers, that’s a thing of the past. You’ll cut oak perfectly with this one. You just need to change to carbide blades and keep them sharp, and you will enjoy a smooth finish to your hardwood.
Why do some people have trouble changing the blades?
This is actually easy, but you should still be careful. If you’re still having problems, read the manual or watch YouTube videos on how it’s done.
You may want to apply a drop of 3-in-1 oil to keep your screws from getting stuck.
What accessories do I need with this?
You need a dust system collection, plus spare knives. But the most important accessories you need to get are the extension tables.
With the infeed and outfeed tables, you’re better able to keep your stock perfectly straight, and this will really reduce the sniping issues.
The lack of those tables is perhaps its main drawback.
