First the disclaimer. The Dewalt planer is the ONLY portable planer I have ever used. It is also the BEST portable planer I’ve ever used.<G>
But, I have been running lots of rough cut wood through it lately. Dropped a few hundred dollars removing a small pittance of the wood stacked up around frenchy’s house. Now it’s time to clean it up.
This little planer has been eating up the wood. With the exception, that I was really really slow realizing the blades were dull and just kept making smaller and smaller cuts to compensate, it’s done great.
Last night I finally said, ‘hey stupid, it’s time to put the other set of blades on it.’ I did, and as a mechanical designer, I am incredibly impressed with the engineering that went into their blade setup. All the tools were included, work well, store on the tool where they are totally accessible, but totally out of the way. Putting new blades on and aligning them was quick and easy. The instructions on how to do it weren’t perfect, but far above average. And, other then using a torque wrench to tighten the bolts just right was done totally with the included tools. The torque wrench made me feel better, but wasn’t really needed.
After a year and a half of use, most of it within the last week or so, the blades I took out were dull, but not nicked or damaged anywhere. They just need a light touchup. The blades come with 1/8″ of sharpening length, at that rate they could be sharpened several times. The feed rollers still look new, as does the rest of the mechanical mechanisms.
Well built, well designed machine.
Now, if I just trusted myself to sharpen them. Think I’ll see what the sharpening shop down the road would charge. Ken does good work.
Replies
Hi,
You'd probably be happy to share the model number then - huh?
Thanks! Down the road I'll be shopping for a planer. Being a engineering professional in my earlier career moves I appreciate your insight "mechanically".
Fred, The model number is DW733. Best $300 bucks you'll ever spend.
http://www.dewalt.com
I agree Billy, I love that planer, it beats my old one hands down. Wish it had been available 15 years ago. I've had mine since the early January WW show in Baltimore. I haven't used it a lot with my shop renovations going on and now in the final stages. I'm building a plywood box on casters for it to sit and ride on, glued up last night, be painting it this weekend. In my small shop having that 75 pound planer sitting on the floor somewhere is about as convient as a boat anchor. I'm just going to set it on the box and roll it to its special parking place out of foot and work traffic.
Enjoy, Roy
Just curious, what was your old planer?
Building a box for it to sit on makes a lot of sense. Did you build any storage into the bottom of the base, or is it just for a roll away stand? Are you gonna build any extra support tables, or just live with the fold down ones.
I say live with, but they work great, just sometimes more length would be nice.
My old planer/jointer/molder is a 15 year old Foley-Belsaw 684, 6" jointer on top, tables fold to the sides, and the 8" planer bed cranks up. It worked well with TLC, the drive belts needed tighting and the cranking systems needed cleaning and lube. I found the jointer a bit sloppy because of the folding tables. I have it set up for jointer only (probably) from now on. Fine adjusting and locking the jointer tables down good and not having to mess with it helps a lot.
The plywood box on non-locking casters is just for stowing and parking the planer. The planer top is just over knee high on the box. I operate it on top of the tablesaw, wood workbench or on a 2' cube US Army steel box on casters. No plans for extension tables but will probably invest in some good rollers and stand.
Enjoy, Roy
Roy
Agree that a mobile stand is a virtue. Gets it where you want it, when you want it with ease. If you need the space, storage under-neath would be simple enough.
Regards...
sarge..jt
So Sarge,
I see that you went with the Delta 2-speed. What do you think? I have one myself and I really don't think that I could be any happier with it (it is a LOT better than their 12 and 1/2 inch planer IMHO). Even with a raking light- no machining marks. :-)
One drawback is that the dust collection outlet is too close to the board's surface as it leaves the machine ... if my hose droops a little- bummer.
-Peter T.
Peter
I love it. I also considered the DW and Ridgid. I really think that all 3 will get the job done. I liked the Delta because of the features and the two speed. I did feel the Ridgid had the smoothest height adjuster amongst them all.
I think the Delta (personal opinion) has the best dust collection. And yep, I wouldn't have bought the earlier Delta thickness planers. I would have opted for the Ridgid. Glad I didn't given the recent announcement that Ryobi is now going to do the Ridgid line. The only Ridgid I have is the new DP 1550 drill press. I love it. They created it for WW, IMO. I don't know what the switch will mean to parts service. The good news is a drill press is a finesse machine and doesn't wear out parts for many years. Belts and chucks can be gotten anywhere.
Another reason I chose the Delta is that ToolCrib had it on sale for $409. No tax in Ga. and free shipping. The Ridgid would have been more bought locally with the sales tax. I think I ended up with the one I would be most satisfied with. But in defense of the others, I think all will get the job done as I stated.
I don't have the problem with the dust hose dropping. I have a Penn State DC I hook direct to the machine when I use it. Take a look carefully at the pipe mount I added to the mobile base I built. I use a nylon tie or a piece of duct tape and strap the hose to the L shape pipe at the top. I was fortunate enough to think that though before I had it happen. Even an ole blind squirrel gets an acorn every once in awhile. ha..ha..
Have a good week-end...
sarge..jt
I use a shop vac to attract dust, so I put the vac in the caster box, out off the way and where it is used most.
Bob in Sherbrooke, Province of Québec
Unless they've added a new model, it's the only one Dewalt makes. I think the model # listed in the 3rd post is right. It'll do 12.5" wide and up to 6" deep. Fairly easy to move around, doesn't take up too much space. Get little to no snipe on medium pieces 3-5'. Shorter and longer pieces get some snipe sometimes. I understand building a longer support table would aleviate this with the longer pieces.
Personally having had to design some things for user replacement or adjustment. And then having to draw illistrations and write directions on how do it. I was impressed. I was really leery of swapping the blades out. Imagining a nightmare getting them out and realigning everything. But, with the knife setting tools provided with the planer, it was easy as could be to set the knives. The magnetic tools held the blade in the right place while the bolts were tightened. Entire blade change could be done 1 handed.
I noticed on another forum that Lowes has the Dw733 on sale for $239.99..
Now thats a heck of a sale on that planer.. not sure if dewally is coming out with a new planer to compete with the new Delta 2 sp or if Lowes is just clearing shelf space..
ToolDoc
I believe DeWalt is planning on debuting a new planer very soon. There was a planer shootout in one of the other ww mags in the last couple of months and the DeWalt was noticably absent. The article explained this due to the fact that they had a new one coming soon and didn't want to include what will be an old model. I hope they don't kick it to the curb. Mine is great. I wish the dual speed was available when I bought mine three (?) years ago though. I've seen the demonstrations of the Delta and it's a nice improvement. Now if they could make a lightweight, multiple speed "benchtop" planer that would also take moulding knives for under $400, I'd be the first in line.
Miles
I'll be interested to see Dewalt's new planer, if they are coming out with one.
I probably should have titled this as praise to portable planers. They've got to be one of the absolute best innovations for the home woodworker ever. For about $300 you can now have a decent planer that is portable and doesn't eat up a ton of space. It allows all us amatuers the ability to plane our own wood, which adds a lot of capability to the small shop.
I'm sure some of the other planers are great also, just can't really judge that without using them. Sounds like many here have other brands, and also love their little toys.
Still, was impressed with how well the blade system on the Dewalt was designed. Somebody did good when they laid that part out.
Only complaint I have is the dust collection. My shop vac can't keep up (2.5"). Having the dust hose enter the center, instead of on one end, would help this for those of us who don't have a real dust collector. Of course, then they'be had to design it so the hose still was at the size out of the way, I may just build my own. Still, the shop vac catches most of it. If I bought a real dust collector (4") it'd probably have no problem at all.
I looked at Lowes.com and DW733 is listed at $400! Where is Lowes offering this planer for $239? Thanks
Check Amazon (if you're OK with them). They recently had that model for $299 with the dust hood and extra knife set... (if I only had the cash now...)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004OCHZ/qid%3D1057631106/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-7201963-6879822Kind regards - Fred
Barnbuilder: the Lowes web site NEVER lists there close outs.. check at local Lowes near you,then again I have also found out these close outs are sometimes only local stores only,aparently it is up to each stores mangers if they participate..SORRY.. Ive got caught on this before where I saw people post these sales & when I showed up with the Cash to buy something my local Big box store wasn't having it reduced..
ToolDoc
barnbuilder
Agree with ToolDoc on Lowe's policy of clearances. I spoke to a tool dept. mgr. at my local an he explained. If a certain store is showing a slow history of sale on a particular tool, the store mgr. has the option to clear it at that store. He can actually lower it to cost to get rid of existing inventory.
If Lowe's is clearing it because they are dis-continuing a certain tool, then the price is set for all stores to sell existing inventory with that item. That will not go on-line. First come-first served till it last. Example: I bought a Hitachi SCMS about 6 months ago on clearance as the newer Hitachi laser had just come out. I just happened to be there. A trim carpenter bought the last one as I was looking at it. I rushed to another Lowe's about 6 miles away and they had two left in stock. $327 for a listed $479 the day before.
I saw a DW sliding TS sell at a Lowe's in a not so tool oriented section of Atlanta. The store had two. The price was $525 for a listed $899 TS. Both saws were sold when I called. A guy I met at the Atlanta WW Show told me about it. I went by my local an mentioned the $525 price. He laughed at me and explained how they have a one store only clearance to free up cash flow for something that sells in that particular store. His price for the DW was still $899 and still is, as I saw it several days ago. Right now the Hitachi M12V router is clearing for $159 at Lowe's.
Bottom line: Right place... Right time...
sarge..jt
Sarge,
I have a WW friend who has had the darnest damn luck stumbling into deals of a lifetime. And many times over!. Makes me sick, and jello-us.
I guess I gotta go shopping more.
Enjoy, Roy
Some folks are just lucky.
And some folks spend a ton of time looking for deals. And are lucky.
I find some good finds at a local thrift store.
Of course, I drop in 4-5 times a week on my lunch break to find the occassional good deal.
Of course you also see the way overpriced used stuff. Like they currently have a used Chinese import vice that is damaged. You know, the big swivel vices that sell at the traveling tool shows for $40-50. This broken one is only $75. . . . .better hurry.
I've also stumbled on a couple good closeout deals at the local hardware store, and HD. Folks that go to these places more then once every couple weeks would find many more of these deals then I ever will.
Billy
I find the same true with pawn shops. A lot of people think because a tool is there, they're getting a deal. I have seen too many that are very heavily used an priced close to retail. ha..ha..
I do drop by Lowe's and HD every two or three days. I have both about 4 miles away from my home. Lowes built a store directly across the street from an older HD. Both stores I pass on the way home from my part time job. I can go through the tool section in about 5 minutes, jump in the car and cross the street to do the same at the other store. Ten minutes and I'm on the way home. On a few occasions with a tool. I ran across a Hitachi SCMS at Lowe's being cleared about 3 months ago at $327. You never know what you will find..
Regards...
sarge..jt
I was in lowes tonight and happened to get a good score off the clearance table myself. PC 557 Plate Joiner for 199 marked down from 219 + a PC 690 fixed base 1 3/4 horse router at marked down to 128 for a grand total of 327 + a 50 dollar lowes gift card.
I didn't really NEED a 3rd router, but i've been looking for a spare 690 motor to throw in my plunge base permanently for a while and they cost more than 120 every time i find them and it put me over the 300 in PC products i needed to buy to get that 50 dollar GC.
I was quite happy with the purchase, especially cause i've been wanting a quality plate joiner for a while now, been hitting the limitations of a biscuit bit in my router.
JD
JD
Not bad at all. I wish I had known you needed an extra motor for the 690. I have a 690 combo kit with the thumb-nut on the back side and the plunger and fixed base. I just added my 5th router ( addiction I believe is the word ) and the PC is collecting dust. I would have sold the whole kit for $75 and the motor is in great shape.
This sounds like a Roy and I deal. We always get offers for the best deal after we thought we got the best deal. ha..ha.. The folks that run into them before the fact are guys like Bill Gates an Ted Turner. Life isn't fair, but it's still fun. < G >
Have a good nite...
sarge..jt
luckily the 690 i got was the one with the enclosed switch and lever locking mechanism like my other 693 combo kit's fixed base.
I really like the enclosed on/off switch just so it doesn't get gummed up.
One thing about that motor though, if i hadn't bought it i would probably talked myself out of the plate joiner cause i wouldn't have qualified for that gift card, but oh well :)
I've found the wife is way more receptive when i find stuff used or on clearance than when i go in and ask for 1500 bucks for a cabinet saw :)
JD
JD
The plate joiner will come in handy. I still mortice an tenon for the most part, but I do build a lot of charity furniture for womens, veterans shelters, etc. from donated shorts. I use a lot of buscuits on those as no one is judging to harshly.
Most women idenify with "on sale" or "clearance". They will buy that one regardless if you need it or not. It's in the genes. ha..ha..
Evening, I'm going to bed and hope the "First Lady" doesn't read this. < G >
sarge..jt
Let me know if you are still able to sell the 690 motor and kit. I could use one, as my mid-80's Craftsman is ready to go. Excellent efforts by Reynolds and Castilla last night.
Paxton
E-mail your address if your interested. The combo has the case, fixed base plate and the plunge. I put a height adjuster on the plunge. I'll let you have the whole shooting match for $75 plus UPS shipping. I can ship at work for our cost. We are one of UPS's 200 biggest shippers in the U.S. Probably about $6.00 to $8.00 depending on what zone you are in.
That isn't a bad deal!! ha..ha.. I'm off to work around noon. I will check e-mail to-nite.
sarge..jt
hey sarge, question:
do you have any pics of that height adjuster you made for your plunge base? i'd love to construct one cause setting the depth is one of those pain in the butt tasks i hate doing :)
JD
JD
The adjuster is not home-made for a change. Bought it at Highland Hardware for the PC 690. They now have a crank style like the quick crank on my Jet BS. It's for the PC 693 as the 690 is a dis-contined model. I think it is the same thing as that part wasn't changed.
Check it out at: http://www.highlandhardware.com
Go to router accessories and page 4 of that. PT# 822. Give the Highland Tech dept. a call at 800-241-6748 and ask them if it will fit the 690. I believe it will, but best to ask to be sure. I don't think the adjuster portion of the router was changed at all. Mainly they switched to a lever release instead of the thumb-screw lock.
If I can assist, you know where to reach me...
sarge..jt
Sarge,
I have to get a schedule like yours! Oh well, only another 20 years of 9 to 5!
Pax
Ha... I paid my dues already. Router in case taped up and sealed. Can't get the label to stick. Will try for cardboard box tommorrow at work so I can be sure label won't peel off that plastic case.
Found everything except the 3 screws that hold the baseplate to the fixed base. Threw in a height adjuster and a universal edge guide. Maybe that will make up for the 3 screws that will cost you about $.50.
Better get some sleep to be re-freshed for that gruelling 6 hours of work tomorrow. It's tough having to talk about old American Muscle Cars for 6 whole hours on the phone. I guess someone has to do it though. ha..ha..
Regards...
sarge..jt
Sarge,
I still need you to e-mail me your address so that I can pay you. Thanks!
Paxton
When I e-mailed, it was returned with an error report. Something about address or unknown sender or something. I don't what all this stuff means. ha..ha.. I will mail the address when I get around to it.
BTW, shot out and estimated ETA possible Mon., probably Tues. an should be no latter than Wed. UPS ground surface. My shipping cost was $5.41. Enjoy....
Regards...
sarge..jt
Forgot about pawnshops. A friend of my brothers owns one. Nice guy, and I have bought a couple things from him over the years, but... I've also found, that sometimes the tools he sells are a tad overpriced. Even after he knocks off a few extra dollars because we're friends.
And, as you say, they're often very very well used. Still, he doesn't mark them up as much as the thrift store does at times. They just had 3 or 4 old cheap circular saws. Some had broken tables and other major problems. The one that was missing a table entirely was priced at $15. The 'nicer' ones at $25. All were $30 new quality, and well used. They're all gone now, don't know if they marked them down before they sold them or not.
On the other hand, I bought my Rockwell table saw there for $10. Spent $50 getting the motor fixed, put a good fence on it, and am pretty happy with it.
Hey, sidenote: Just bought another Rockwell saw there for $25. Had the fence, motor (needed new capacitor works great), 2 extension wings, and the miter gauge. Same model as mine. Now, this one has a major component broken in the blade support mechanism, but... gonna ebay the good components, take the cast iron top off, build an openframe support for the arbor, and see if I can build a riving knife that'll work on it. Remember that crazy idea we once discussed? I think I can actually work something out with this setup, and I won't have to disable my saw, or crawl under it trying to measure and assemble things.
Oh, same time I bought the Rockwell for $25, they had a small, cheap, no name, old portable table saw, with no fence or miter gauge, for $65. Think the difference was the motor ran. Slightly better quality then buying a portable saw from Harbor Frieght. Actually, they've marked that one down to $25 now, still no takers.
If I was closer to HD, I'd drop in regularly, as I've gotten some great clearance deals there, even though I'm only there a few times/ year.
Hey Sarge
A couple of weeks before Christmas I was on a trip through Lowes and they had a Delta 12 volt drill with 2 batt. 49.95, I bought one. About 2 weeks after Christmas they had them on after Christmas closeout sale $79.95. I don't see any left in the store, I guess they sold them. Marketing works on some of us.
Gods Peace
les
You guys are lucky.
The nearest Lowes is about 12 to 15 hours drive for me. (Maybe more)
The nearest Home Depot is about an hour, so I don't get ther very
often.
My brother has it great, maybe 5 minutes away, and never goes.
To say the least, sales are something I usually miss.
Jeff
I guess I am one of the lucky Dewalt buyers, as I thought about it for approximately 5 seconds before buying. There are 5-6 Lowes between where I live and where I work, and some have them on clearance, and others don't.
Jeff
"You guys are lucky"..
In some ways we are in the drivers seat with stores located so close to home. On the other hand, that means population density and all the problems that come with it. I grew up in a county just outside Atlanta that had 38,000 people in 1960. It now has over 600,000.
So, it all boils down to how you define lucky. One of these days I will be looking for a place that has a Lowe's 12 to15 hours away. Sounds like you're already there. It goes to show that "some of you guys are lucky". ha..ha..
Enjoy the cat-nap at the 4-way Stop-Sign. If you did that where I live you would back up traffic for a mile and somebody would go over red-line with road rage.
Have a relaxing day... Beauty is in the eyes of the be-holder.
sarge..jt
les
"Marketing works on some of us".
Yes it does. I bet one of the classes that is taught to top level manage-ment in their Marketing Div. is "Tool Addition an How To Exploit It 101". ha..ha..
Best for the day...
sarge..jt
Roy
If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any at all. ha.. ha.. I usually get there just after the last one is gone. I have learned to make friends with the tool mgrs. and give them a business card. Ask them to call if anything goes clearance like that. I drop by every 3 or 4 days just to look briefly.
Have a good evening...
sarge..jt
I actually have just visited this site for the first time tonight, great site! Anyhow, I read the posts within this thread and called my local Lowes store and sure enough, they had the DW733 for $239.00 +tax = $256.??. I went straight out and snatched it up, last one they had! It came with the dust hood and extra blades! Turns out the fella working in the tool section told me they were clearing out space for the new model. This is my very first piece of large ww equipment. My father-in-law reclaims wormy chestnut lumber and I am looking to start making stuff out of it! But thanks for the great info, without it I would never have known they were offering it for that price.
IM glad you posted & bought the Dewalt planer as there was doubts that Lowes indeed had that planer on close out price,all I can say to all the non-beleavers is SEE it was true..LOL....
ToolDoc
I never doubted you Doc. That's how I got the Hitachi SCMS. I saw the DW 621 router cleared there about a year ago for $119. I didn't need it then, 8 months latter when I did I paid $199 at HD which still stocks it. The Hitachi M12V router was cleared at my local Lowes. They're gone at this point.
Never a doubt... ha..ha..
sarge..jt
SARGE: "Never a Doubt",hmmmm why is it when you give the old ha ha,it is me who has the Doubts???LOL....Hey got to love Lowes & home Depot for there clearances on power tools,I have gotten some real buys,now just wished they stocked lumber that didn"t suck...<G>...oh well can't have it all..
ToolDoc
Doc
Go read post #17 and you will see what I mean by, "never a doubt". I have seen a clearance disputed here in the forum also. I went to both stores and spoke to tool dept. mgrs just to see how clearances happen, why an what the ground rules are. It's all in post 17.
ha..ha..
See you latter to-nite...
sarge..jt
SARGE: I have had read your post #17 before,thank you......your a Gentleman & a "Master of the Tools", I think thats like a "Toololgist" hehe..
Have a nice weekend.. ToolDoc
ps,have you gotten registered at the chat site yet????
Doc
I will fore-go going to the grocery store to-nite. So, my family doesn't eat next week. They can go without as I will attempt to register on the site while the "First Lady" is here. There has to be a reason they keep kicking me out with that made up excuse of a erroneous nick-name. This may call for my .45 Auto an a full clip, but I'm getting on that site to-nite or else.... ha..ha..
sarge..jt
SARGE: Soooooooo did you get in the chat room?? .45 Autos & starving the family..WOW!!! your serious about gettin there huh..bet your wifey got you in 123..LOL....
ToolDoc
Doc
Yep... It was quite an effort for her though. Must of taken her all of .45 seconds........ Aw, shuuuttt-up with the laughing. I was there an someone named messman asked me to respond to a Legacy Mills machine. I told him I had never heard of it an was just happy to get in the chat room.
I'm ready now... Well, as long is the wife is home an can provide back-up if I get in over my head. Those guys can type fast.. I know that FG and Dennis probably can probably type a manuscript before I can finish a sentence. ha..ha..
Off to Sat. chores b-4 I see the shop today...
sarge..jt
SARGE: ROAR!!!! I knew your wife could get you in,God Bless em my wife gets me out of puter jams too,but hey if it involves tools etc.IM ok not this puter stuff..well now your all set for our next gab session at the chat room,have to check with the KnotHeads trouble team====> Jamie & Dennis to see when were going to throw the bull again,will keep ya posted there Pal..
ToolDoc
For anyone thinking about getting one of the Dewalt planers.
ToolCrib just sent me a catalog. They have it on sale for $299.95 w/ a dust hood and extra set of knives. Near as I can figure, S+H will be $9.95. Pretty good deal.
Billy,
The item ships for "FREE" with Amazon's Super Saver Shipping... Or so their site says.
RR
Hey, even better. I'd just looked at the card in the catalog here, and it looked like shipping would be $10. Free is even better.
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