Okay gang, I am sorry to report my DW735 planer (the third one and one of the new and supposedly improved models) broke another sprocket, taking a 1/16″ pass from a 6″ cedar plank. I just got this one in Nov. 04 and haven’t really used it all that much. I did notice that the supposed “fix” was the installation of a dampener/tensioner on the chain but the sprocket looks to be the same sprocket. (The sprockets on the older model planers had a much beefier sprocket.) The primary purpose of this thread is to let you know DW has not fixed the problem. I really like the features on this planer but the quality of the sprockets and knives stinks. As someone else reported the knives are very soft and I have already had to turn mine with very little time on the machine. I have a dilemma and that is whether to keep it and just buy a box of spare sprockets on hand as replacements or get a larger unit. I REALLY like the features and it does everything I need when it is running.
I am considering a larger unit but I think a 15″ unit loses the portability aspect and costs about $1000 more and I don’t know whether a larger unit , like the Delta or Jet, is any more reliable. I suspect they are more “stationary” machines and have to be located in one spot. ( BTW, I have tried the smaller Delta planer and chewed up brushes so I switched to the DW735 at the recommendation of my Woodcraft store who has graciously taken back every machine and replaced it.)
I would appreciate any thoughts , particularly those that may have moved from a portable planer to a 15″-20″ stationary model.
Replies
Sorry to hear about your luck Sailalex. Third one? There would be absolutely no way that I would even consider keeping it.
Peter, the only problem is I have to have a planer and the alternatives are basically get a small Delta or upgrade and spend another $800-1000 on a beefier 15" unit. I can buy a lot of sprockets for that kind of money. I am going to service center today with the hopes they have sprockets and maybe some encouraging information. I would love to hear that they have fixed the problem and my unit didn't have the fix.
Well, after going to my local DW service Center I learned that sprockets cost $2.66 each and I now have 3 of them for any future problems. This may be the best solution.
What were their comments? I take it that you had to pay for the sprockets?? Did you mention the seemingly constant threads here on Knots regarding the 735? Did you have a chance to mention the blade quality and aks whether there would be any upgrades in the future? I'm curious because I've had the 735 for about 2 months and have used it a little bit. It has excellent features but I did notice the blade problem almost immediately because I hit a small knot which created a notch in the blades. I reversed them and they are currently fine.There are more old drunkards than old doctors. Ben Franklin
The guy I talked to said he wouldn't give me credit for 1 sprocket as a warranted part because I wasn't certified to work on DW equipment. Then he told me they were $2.66 each and the bill for three would be $11+ with tax; I said how can that be and he said "tax is extra". I said "multiply 3x $2.66 and you don't get over $11". He puzzled for a minute and said "Oh, I charged you for 4".
Believe me, I just wanted out of there and knew this guy didn't know his..... well you get the drift. I can't believe DW has this level of brainpower working there. He did say when I noticed the texture of the new sprockets were different than my broken one that they were "better heat treated". We'll see.
Alex,
Not that it's going to help you much at this point, but I have been seriously coveting the 735 for some time. Woodworker's Journal just did a subjective (i.e. - no ratings table) review of 10 benchtop planers, including the 735. I was surprised to realize that it doesn't come with extension tables - you have to pay extra for them. Wow!
4 of the 10 models were 2-speed - the 735 (499 excluding table extensions), Delta 22-580 ($320 excluding dust collection hood), Jet JWP-13DX ($400 excluding dust collection hood), and the Palmgren(?) 84113 ($529 including an internal DC fan and a half bag which is made fit over a 30 gallon trash can).
Only the DeWalt has 3 blades. That said, after reading the reviews, I'm leaning much more toward the Delta. Not sure what the cost of a dust hood is, but pretty confident it's not $180...
If you had it to do over again, would you consider the new (and apparently improved over the 22-560) Delta?
Good luck,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
MVAC, I am not familiar with what Delta did to "improve" their old model but I had one about 2-3 years ago and traded it on the DW when it went bad. Don't worry about the extension tables on the 735, you don't need them. I use roller supports for longer planks and for material less than 5 feet I haven't even seen a need for the rollers.
If I had it to do over I would get the DW735 again. In fact, because I can return my 735 to Woodcraft (less than a year from purchase) I can now do anything I want and have elected to buy a few sprockets and keep the DW. The machine is really nice, easy to use and for the smaller machines , it is my pick. I couldn't ask for anything more as long as the sprockets hold up.
Geez, I know what you mean. I haven't had any sprocket problems so far. I would hope there is someone at Dewalt that cares.There are more old drunkards than old doctors. Ben Franklin
Why not go to an Auto supply shop, UAP NAPA or the american equivelent and buy a heavy duty sprocket. I'm sure you will find one. maybe it will be made in Canada or the USA. That would be a bonus.
Derek
This is depressing! I'm truly disappointed to hear that they actually downgraded th quality of the sprocket from the earlier model. The adjectives "stupid" and "nonsensical" come to mind, and a few that aren't family fare.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
"family fare"? Have you seen the manspace thread? ha, haThere are more old drunkards than old doctors. Ben Franklin
I can make that planer break on my first pass (new out of the box) or I can make it run forever.
I suspect you don't know how to use the planer.
I broke the sprocket on mine. My fault. They had it repaired before the paperwork was done.
<< I suspect you don't know how to use a planer.>>
Well, George you could be right but since DW has been having problems with this sprocket since the unit was introduced I guess it could be a problem with the machine. This time I was taking a 1/16" pass on a 6" cedar board 33" long; what's to screw up? Anyway, I am sure that DW would be more than happy if you would develope a primer for them to distribute to their customers of the 735 on how to properly run a planer and not have the sprocket break; if all these problems are operator error, all their efforts to fix the problem are wasted and I am sure they would pay you a lot of money to make this go away.
Sorry to hear about your problems, I purchased mine as a replacement to their earlier model and no problems so far. I have run reclaimed green ash, black walnut and yard purchased cedar posts without any problems at all. I did bolt it to a sheet of 3/4" 9 ply for clamping to the benchtop, and I use several roller stands for both infeed and outfeed tables.
I am actually quite pleased with it to date; I am curious as to when you purchased it... I picked up mine at 7-Corners Hdwe in St. Paul MN the same week it was introduced. Good luck; and I hope I'm not the exception to the rule.
Doc, this is actually my 3rd machine. I bought my first one about 3 months after they first were introduced and it lasted about 3 months before the sprocket went. The second machine went longer and this one was purchased 5/04. I must say that I originally didn't realize I had had this machine that long but when I checked the receipt I realized I had had it longer. I used the 2d machine pretty heavily ( I was planking a boat with 12' x 6" cedar planks) and it seemed to do okay. Maybe if the usage is lighter, the wear is not so great. Anyway, I love the machine's features and am going to keep using it. The new sprockets I bought are different looking than the others so maybe they are fixed.
Planking a boat huh? Now I am interested, do you have any pictures? Peter
Peter, I have a website that I have been keeping showing the progress of the build ( now 2 years worth); I will give you my address below and if you give me yours , I will send you the instructions for navigating the website. I will try to attach those instructions to this message but if I fail just give me yours and I will send separately.
[email protected]
I have a 12" Makita that I work like a 15" and it is a champ. In fact, I have a friends 15" in the shop and I haven't hooked it up yet, except for a quick run, because the Makita won't die and is excellent. I plane rough sawn maple, Brazilian Cherry, oak and walnut without a whimper. It just does its thing. I have had it about four years now and I am more than pleased with it. Prior to that, I would burn up a Delta a year. The only other planer that you might consider is quite a bit more expensive is the Hitachi 12".
Good Luck!
John
Another vote for the Makita 12". I've had one for 13 + years, buy all my lumber rough sawn, built several red oak and cherry kitchens, many pieces of furniture in RO , cherry, ash, and hard maple. Maintenence consists of occasionally installing new blades. I wish all my tools were this good. Art
Buy a 12 or 13" planer with an induction motor.Jet and Grizzly have them, both of these are planer-molders.My first choice would be a Woodmaster, they are 12", 18" and 24 " models. The 12" model would probably do fine for you. They cost more, they are worth more too. How many more times do you want to lug a Dewalt planer home and hope it works for a while? I don't have a problem with Dewalt, but did have the older model Dewalt planer for a few months. Burned the motor up, bought a jet planer-molder.Been very happy with this machine.
mike
Mike, I have heard nothing but good things about the Woodmaster; in fact I think Wooden Boat Magazine ran a very favorable review of it. I just will plod along with changing sprockets @ $2.66ea.
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