DeWalt 735 planer review.

[BRFordJr]

For those of you thinking about purchasing this planer, DON'T! I purchased this planer in the hopes that it would be a good compromise between the 12 1/2" planer which I have and the 15 inch planer I don't have the space for. I have had tear out and snipe on every pass. The snipe exceeded that of my old DeWalt

12 1/2" planer in depth and length from the end of the board. On thin boards 1/8"-1/4" the board gets pulled toward the cutter head creating deep gouges in the wood. As I was giving the yellow beast one more chance to prove itself, I noticed that the hand wheel moves as the planer vibrates buy as much as a half turn. That is a 32nd of an inch, enough to make fitting joints later a real challenge. Before I am inundated with advise emails, I know all the little tricks for getting better results. I am really disappointed with this product from a company that I have been generally pleased with. Brian

[Brian]

I've seen this planer in action and have not seen ANYTHING like you're describing here. QUITE the opposite. I suspect your unit has a defective head locking mechanism.

Brian.

[Nova]

The cutter head's depth changes with the head locked?

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

[BeerBoy]

I have this planer and it's been great. This is the first bad review I've seen for the 735 - it's gotten nothing but praise. I think you have a defective machine. Go and exchange it and give us an update.

[<tefgaf]

Brian,

While I don't doubt what you've written about your 735, mine has performed nothing like the one described in the subject review. I've never experienced any snipe to speak of, nor does my planer vibrate or move out of adjustment while operating. The handwheel, while easy to rotated, remains as adjusted until one turns it by hand.

I would suggest that you return it for another or have it repaired under warranty. I am no expert on planers (of any size), but I am most impressed at how mine makes rough boards smooth and flat. For example, to have inexpensive wood for practicing dove-tail joinery, I recently ran a few boards from old packing crates (remaining from my many overseas moves) and the results were great.

Good luck on getting a replacement that works.

[Bay Area Dave]

For god's sakes, man RUN, don't walk back to the dealer and ask for an exchange! I've seen that thing with my own eyes, and inspected planed boards and there has been NO snipe at all! You've got something seriously wrong with yours if everything that you've mentioned is true. At the very least call tech support and see if you there is a simple solution; otherwise get a replacement and stop whining about it.

dave

BRFordJr wrote:

[B a r r y B u r k e J r .]

The local store guys I talked to all said they preferred the 733 over the 735, which is not a great way to sell them.

I had heard good things overall, except for the salespeople, until your post. This will be interesting as more of them reach end users.

Barry

[stickdoctorq]

B a r r y B u r k e J r . wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Ever consider they may be sitting on a buttload of 733's that they somehow have to sell with 734's and 735's becoming available?

[B a r r y B u r k e J r .]

That's one reason why I was interested in a retrofit.

The four sales people stated that they unanimously thought the 733 left a better surface than the 734 and 735, due to the 733 having higher quality, resharpenable knives, vs. the throw away knives on the newer models.

I've never compared the two myself, and these guys had no 733's left to sell, with both of the newer units in stock and available for sale. It could be all baloney, but there could be something to it as well. Only those who have used both side by side would know.

Barry

[Bay Area Dave]

I've seen the output from a 735. It is every bit as good, if not better than from a 733. I've got a 733 and it does a fine job, but the 735 ALSO leaves a superb finish. Don't forget, I'm that PICKY guy who has a very low opinion of Delta 1 1/5 HP band saws. If it isn't close to perfect, I don't like it! :)

dave

B a r r y B u r k e J r . wrote: