I’m closing in on deciding what planer to get but would first appreciate some feedback on the DW735. I’ve looked at the machine at Lowes and read the reviews and would get it except I keep reading about the short life of the knives. The magazine reviews love it but don’t push enough wood to test the knife longevity (it seems).
Since I will be doing a fair amount of planing this is a real cost issue with replacements around $50. On the other hand the superior dust collection is mighty tempting.
My other choices are the delta 22-580 or possibly the Yorkcraft 15″ floor model although this is probably (make that almost certainly) overkill.
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I've had mine for about 8 months now, and haven't had to change the knives yet. I'm close, but not yet. The planer blades currently have a better cut than the jointer of the same age.
One thing to keep in mind is that the blades are reversible. Also aftermarket blades are available for the machine as well. Finally, it's my understanding that some people have actually sharpened the disposable blades.
I also have been using the 735 for a bit over a year now, including a full three-room remodel for which I milled all my own woodwork (lots of oak and maple) and am still on the first set of knives, though I have turned them over in the last couple of weeks. I have also heard from many happy 735 owners since posting the review about a year ago.
Keep in mind that more than a few of the "bad tool" reports are instigated by people doing dumb stuff with a machine. It's ALWAYS the machines fault by the time some folks get to the Internet to complain.
Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
Would you say you've gotten a least 1,000 feet of the oak out of your 735 knives before reversing them?
Probably a bit more. I machined almost 800 feet of stock for the remodel and did a few projects before and after that before turning the knives over. I normally don't keep track of feet when doing projects but had to buy the remodel wood all in one shot so I remember that load!Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
Can I assume you ran each board through more than once so that in effect you got several thousand "pass-feet" (or whatever the proper term is)? Please say yes as this would be immensely encouraging...
I hadn't thought of it that way but, yes. I always take multiple passes if I need more than 1/16" off. Most of the lumber had to cutt8ing passes and one finish (really light) pass. That's how I do all my wood when planing.Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
Don't let the knives bother you, they last a long time and you will really like the planer. Like others have said, the knifes are double sided. They are easy to change. I am still on my first set and have had my planer for 1 1/2 years now. I used one side of the blade for general use and the opposite edge for birds-eye and curly lumber until the generally used side got too chipped up. Now I have a backup set but have yet to use them.
Not long ago I planed some curly yellow birch for panes with the original set for a headboad and footboard I made and the origninal set of knives did a beautiful job. This stuff is tuff to plane without tearout.
http://www.superwoodworks.com/Projects/ArchedBed.htm
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http://www.superwoodworks.com
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