Hello,
I had the technician come by this afternoon to align the fence on my new Jointer. It’s been sitting in the basement for a while and I finally got around to turning it on today. So while he was here I had him show me how to use the setting on the Dewalt planer. (DW735) I didn’t find the manual too helpful.
He wasn’t sure how to work it either so I showed him the manual. Anyways to make a long story short.. after putting a board through the planer I discovered that the planer was leaving SCRATCH marks on the board (pine 3/4″) now imagine had that been a piece of oak.. the scrathes would have shown up even more. So he had a look at the cutting knives for nicks but there were none the knives appeared normal so he put the board through 2 more times pushing it through on the right side then the left side and then towards the middle. The planer was leaving marks on the rt and in the middle. They look like someone took a pocket knife and dragged it down the board. The tech suggested that the machine might have been knocked around during shipment. His solution…change the knives. Only problem I have with that solution….. The planer is Brand spanking new.. it’s been in the basement for 5mts but today was the first time I turned it on and put it into action. (with him present)This planer is obviously faulty. God knows what else is wrong with it. But I find it strange that the knives appear normal with no gouges/knicks. maybe it’s not the knives that are the problem. The tech said the store might not exchange the machine for another because it is all ready 5mts into its warranty and it would be difficult to sell. So he said the store is likely to just replace the knives at no cost. This machine has a 1 yr manufacturer’s warrantee.
I think they should have to give me a brand new Planer. Usually this planer is ready to use right out of the box. If it gives you this kind of trouble on day 1 god knows what will happen down the road. I’m going to push for a new planer. Besides I’ve given this local tool store a lot of business. I have purchaed all my big tools from them.
What would you do in my situation? Am I being unreasonable? What I can’t believe is a tech who supposedly repairs machines for the store doesn’t know how to operate one of their more popular brands. If the store sells the machine they should be able to demonstrate how to use it. I don’t mean to come down on the tech. But when they put together the machines perhaps it would be in their best interest and the buyers to test the machine before leaving the customers house to make sure it’s functioning properly. Would avoid a lot of headaches down the road.
Wanda
Replies
I agree with you 100 percent, they should give you a brand new one, but I have question to ask you why in the devil would you buy a planer and not use it for a year! Man when I buy a new tools I just got to use it right away.
Jack
Where I work, We would get you a new Planer pronto. I would take the planer back to where you bought it, and if you don't get any satisfaction from them. Ask for the phone number of their DeWalt sales rep. And also give De Walt customer service a call and complain about the store. You may have one of the planers that had poorly heat treated knives installed but that problem has been resolved. And I'am sure DW will gladly replace the knives. Go for it !!
It also sounds like the store doesn't want to be bothered, or their DW sales rep is a little lazy and gives them poor service. Corporate DW will be interested in that matter also.
Was the technician from the Store ?
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Hi Bruce,
Still waiting to hear back from my local tool shop. Yes, the tech is from the store I purchased the planer from. He's their "tool guy" he's the one they call when customers have problems with their tools. That's why it amazes me he can't demonstrate to me how to use the planer. If they sell it they should know the machine in side out!
Wanda
Wanda,
I have the same planer and was having a similar experience. I checked the knives multiple times (even using magnification) and could find no nicks, yet, I was still getting ridges in my boards.
Eventually I raised the cutterhead up to full height and took a flashlight and examined the cutterhead cowling. It appears to be made of light duty metal and mine was all beat up. I took some 220grit and sanding the rough spots down. Like magic my ridges disappeared.
grbwood, that's a very interesting solution to what seems to be a very pervasive problem with this particular planer. I'm in the market for a planer and the 735 fits the bill but I've read so many negative reviews (Amazon) all relating to the blades that I'm holding off. Another weak area seems to be the plastic hight adjustment gears failing. Wanda, I would expect the merchant from whom you purchased the planer would exchange it and you shouldn't feel the least bit awkward in doing so . It would be interesting to know whether that actually fixes the problem. Good luck, hope to back from you.Anybody else with DeWalt 735 experience?
Sorry about your luck. I have been using my DW735 planer for over a year now, and am completely satisfied with it.
No lines or scratches at all in the wood. The two speed feed rate is a plus, the 13 inch capacity is enough for most of what I do, the four threaded spindles make for a very stable cutter head cradle, and the machine has plenty of power for my needs.
All I can say is, maybe those machines came from a bad batch, which could happen.
As for the DW rep, shame on him!Any decent retailer will make it right for you with a new machine.
Don't write off the DW 735 just yet
DZ Rider
Hi,
hmmmm I've only read exceptional reviews on the DW 735 that's why I purchased it. My second choise would have been the Delta planer can't remember the model number now.
The DW has plenty of power like you said. No problem there. Very stable. But I have to wonder if I'm better off trading it in for a Delta. No matter what tool you buy there are people who rave about it and then those who have terrible experiences with it.
I will insist that they replace the planer with a new one. I won't except anything else. My god! it's like buying a new car and finding out the transmission just blew... Those knives are the heart and sole of the planer. I'd say that machine was from a bad batch. I've got myself a real LEMON.
Shame you can't test drive tools like you can cars.
Wanda
Take a look up from the bed to the bottom side of the head casting and look for casting "nubs" hanging down. Nubs are common on aluminum castings. If there are "nubs" just ust a metal file and remove them.
I own the same planer, and have had good luck with it. It does have some foibles- the speed selector switch can stick between settings causing the rollers not to turn- which requires you to look carefully. Some have complained about the durability of the knives, but that has not been a problem for me, and there is apparently a third party source for replacement knives. Initially, there were problems with the sprockets, but these apparently have been sorted out and the affected machines will be fixed at no charge by DeWalt.As for your issue, I second the suggestions made by others to look for a problem in the cutterhead. If you are uncomfortable trouble-shooting the problem yourself, well the machine is still under warranty, you could take the machine and a board with the tell-tale marks on it to a DeWalt service center, and they should make it right. I don't think they owe you a replacement machine if they can repair or adjust it to work within spec. Even with the sprocket problem, they replaced the sprockets, not the machine. Looking at it from their point of view, they owe you satisfaction, but not a new machine. As for your problem with the tech rep, that's easy- you need to escalate the problem over his head. The best way is to send an email to the DeWalt service center ([email protected]), requesting help. Describe the problem- I had to send several pointed emails over about 36 hours, but I did get a supervisor who helped me out. If there is a known issue, they will be able to sort it out with you. Unless there is a simple fix, you will probably be instructed to bring it to an authorized service center. As above, I would ask that they review the affected board and run another board after repair to ensure the problem is fixed. Good luck,Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Hi Gloucon,
I have to disagree with you. If the machine wasn't brand new and I'd been using it for a while and discovered a problem that would be different. But when you dish out $599 for a machine it should work from the start and if not they should have to replace it. Besides if I tamper with it that will probably void the warranty. So I will wait till I hear back from the tech. If I don't hear from him today I might just bring the machine in.
Wanda
Wanda,I have to agree with Sparky. To you the planer is new, because you had not used it or apparently, checked it out for 5 months. To DeWalt, it is 5 months old. I am assuming that what you want is a machine that works properly- not another cardboard box.I don't agree that trouble shooting your machine will void your warranty. If you inspect the cutterhead as described in an earlier post, you will be doing nothing that would not occur during routine knife changing. That would certainly not void your warranty.You could go back to the store where you purchased it, but you said that you were not satisfied with their service. I doubt that you will be able to reform them, if the tech person is either lazy or unknowledgeable, or both.I think you may be painting yourself into a corner- not having checked the machine after purchasing it, not liking the store that you bought from, not wanting to troubleshoot the tool, and apparently not being inclined to contact DeWalt authorized service directly. Given the above parameters, it is unlikely that you will achieve satisfaction. Perhaps DeWalt will just send you a new machine based on the above, but it seems unlikely to me.If your main objective is to have a working planer to do milling in the near future, you might want to rethink your approach.Good luck,Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Hello again,
Yes, I agree with you. Should have checked out the machine mts ago. But at the time I was caught up doing other things. Big mistake on my part. Won't make that mistake again. I just assumed I was purchasing a quality planer. I figured I couldn't go wrong purchasing a Dewalt 735 planer. I had such trust in that brandname. (never assume anything.. lesson learned! )
Fact remains the planer should function properly considering it was never used. Regardless of how much time had expired. Doesn't the company check these machines before they ship them out to their distributors. On May 1st /2006 I paid full price for a 13" Dewalt planer which I thought was a quality machine. I didn't fork over $600 for a 2nd hand"reconditioned" machine. Now I'm thinking maybe I should have purchased the the less expensive Delta. but I figured the Dewalt was superior and worth dishing out a bit extra.
I looked up Dewalt in the yellow pages to discover that the store I purchased the machine from is the Dewalt distributor for my area. LOL
Lucky for me I do have a good relationship with the sales rep. After all I have purchased several large woodworking machines from the store. Their service is pretty prompt.
I phoned this afternoon and talked to the sales guy. Explained to him my concerns. He said they'd take care of the problem. (I got the impression that he will give me a new machine) I expressed to him I wasn't comfortable with just a blade change. I requested a new machine. Maybe I'm reaching for the stars.. but hell it's worth a try.
I'll bring the machine in tomorrow and see what happens. I'm anxious to get back to woodworking. I'm right in the middle of constructing some wall cabinets for my tool room. So I need a planer! I can't build frame and panel doors for the cabinets without jointing and planing the pieces first.
I'll have to mention the jointer blades to him as well tomorrow. I didn't want to get into that over the phone.
Wanda
May 1st/2006 was 9 months ago not 5...
Anyway, I have to agree with everybody on the forum. Dewalt should be willing to replace it. You porbably will have to take it up to the next level, but I think things will work out for you in the end. I've had the same planer for almost 2 years now, when I received it I either nicked the blade, or the blade had a nick in it. I didn't worry to much about it.
I must say that the thought of not using a tool for 5 months is a little odd. Why did you bother buying it in the first place? I've noticed many of your post for the last year have been request for information on which tool to buy. To find out that you didn't use your planer for so many months makes me wonder about the rest of the tools.
Good afternoon Buster,
I got my wish! The store gave me a new machine. Now I will plug it in and try it out as soon as I bolt it in place and attach the extension wings.
Now with regards to my other tools... 12" Makita miter saw, P/C router and G/I 17" Band saw those tools have been tested and tuned up. It's only the planer and jointer that I didn't get around to using. Why you ask... Because The small projects I have been working on have not required the use of a jointer and planer. I've been using dimentional 3/4" pine for my projects. So the only tools I've had to use so far have been the table saw, miter saw, drill press and router table.
Now my next project.... building wall cabinets with frame and panel doors will require the use of a planer and jointer. I don't own any hand planes. Those tools don't come cheap. $390 for a #5 1/2 smoothing/jack plane. No wonder some people prefer to buy power tools. Eventually I will want to build dressers which will require me to rip and glue up boards. I bet some people are going to say you can just use a belt sander to smooth the boards once glued. Which you could do. For that matter you could go and buy an expensive smoothing plane/jointer plane from Lie Nielsen and plane the boards by hand. Many ways to skin a cat. I've chosen to go with power tools to perform those tasks. Saves time.
From now on I will plug in and test out all tools I buy.
Wanda
I’m really glad everything worked out for you. I have the same planer and have really enjoyed it. I was following the thread on both Knots and the Canadian Woodworking forums, I was really amused with the difference in response you received from each forum.<!----><!----><!---->
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I re-read what I wrote and it came off a little more critical than intended. I do think that if you have tools sitting unused you may want to slow down on your tool purchase. Your purchases seem to have been guided by what others would have purchased, rather than what you actually needed.<!----><!---->
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Putting a shop together is a personal thing. Everybody has an idea of what tools are a must. <!----><!----><!---->Reading<!----><!----> through the $5000 shop survey of tools needed really points this out. There is a belt sander on the list, something that I do not own and probably will not buy any time soon. One poster suggesting adding a mortiser as a must. Again, it is essential for that posters shop, but not for mine. Lots of top 5 tool lists have a miter saw, something that I purchased last more as an afterthought that anything.<!----><!---->
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In the end, all quality tools are expensive. Regardless of if they are hand or power tools. But you’ve hit the nail on the head: There are many ways to skin a cat. Your decisions have to tempered by economics, space, time, style of work, and of course need.<!----><!---->
<!----> <!---->As I progress in my skills I have found that I spend less and less time at the tool store, and more and more time at the lumber store selecting the ‘right’ wood. My advice for people at the beginning of putting their shop together is to learn all they can about their newest acquisition before moving to the next. Use the tool for the sake of using it. Take the time to fine tune it, and then start to consider the next tool. Let need guide your tool purchases rather than a set list published on the web or in Fine Woodworking.
Hi Buster,
So you're like me you like to browse both the Canadian woodworking forum and Knots.
You're right, I've gotten some rather interesting responses to my dilema. Thank god I have all that straightened away now.
What's this I've been hearing about the blades knicking if they contact knots. I've always been under the impression that a planer can plane most species of wood providing you don't remove too much material in one pass.... Most of the material I use is 3/4" knotty Pine.. (I'm cheap!!!!) I'm only a weekend woodworker. Like everybody else I wish I could find more time to spend woodworking so it takes me a while to get around to finishing any project. Until I perfect my skills I wil stick to using the cheaper lumber. pine/ash, poplar
The only tools I am not 100% familiar with are the planer and jointer. Last time I used a jointer and planer was at a basic woodworking class. That was yrs ago!
My router table, chop saw and table saw are used all the time. I make most of my tool purchases based on need more than anything else. Space is at a premium. I couldn't live without my chop saw! Like you I have no need for a belt sander/disc sander. If I was a real tool fanatic I'd have a porter cable compressor and nailer plus a makita lithium powered driver and a mortising machine... . Nope I'm no tool collector. I generally use what I buy.
Now I'm very excited about my next project. I'm desperate to get the junk off the floor. So cupboards made from (frame and panel doors) are a must. I'm going to have to use the "wall space I have now to house my tools. I'm terribly unorganized at the moment but all that will change soon. :) This project will make use of all the tools I have!
Wanda
Sometimes "refurbished" is the way to go. I have several items in my shop which I bought refurbished ... the Dewalt 735 is one of them. A refurbished machine is GUARANTEED that someone inspected it and fixed any probelms ... and you get a discount to boot!! I paid $399 for my machine from Took King. I've had it over a year and ran a few hundred board feet of cherry through it with NO issues (knock on wood). Normal inspection frequency during manufacture is between zero and 2 or 3 per hundred. With a new machine, you takes your chances.
Barry in West Virginia
Edited 2/16/2007 9:52 pm ET by Anderson
Doesn't the company check these machines before they ship them out to their distributors.Wanda,Sounds like you are on your way to a resolution. I would be greatly surprised if they gave you a new machine. To answer your question, it is impossible for every mass-production machine to be individually tested. Usually, they test a certain number out of a batch — every 250th unit or something like that. It's cost prohibitive to test every one.As an aside, if you opened a new tool and found dust in it you couldn't be sure if it were from mfgr testing or the dealer using it, or if it were returned by a previous purchaser?Finally, cost has nothing to do with a product working out of the box. I expect even an $8 router bit to be sharp, balanced etc. I once bought a $42,000 suburban. A week into driving it I noticed the steering wheel wasn't aligned properly. They fixed it and I was happy.A warranty usually covers repair or replacement at the option of the manufacturer.
Here in the UK we have the protection of local Trading Standards bodies, and articles have to be fit for the purpose for which they were purchased, otherwise they go back. Do you not have anything similar in Canada? On the other hand you can point out to De Walt that their stockists failure to provide service is getting world wide publicity, and futhermore you are on the point of writing to local newspapers unless they wish to discuss the matter with you by return of post. Do not try to fix it, go for compensation for your trouble and your money back!
Vic...... Same perplexing situation here. I've been tempted to buy this planer but I'm not convinced yet. I contacted Dewalt Technical assistance regarding the blades possibly being a problem. They are looking at it; but claim they have a lot of customers with no problems.
So I'm seriously looking at the Rigid, about the cheapest of the bunch with fair reviews. If it doesn't hold up; no great loss. I'm a hobbyist; I don't need an everyday production piece. If I did then I'd jump up to the 15" models.
I think the 13" planers are a cheap imitation of the 15"; simply to appeal the masses like me. The hobbyist. They all seem to have there own quirks regarding performance.
Groucho: I had the Ridgid for a day. I ran approximately 400ft. of 2" X 1/2" cherry and it left some some tiny, against the grain type, chip marks regardless of the amount of cut. It seemed to be feeding to fast, but that's just my inexperienced opinion. Aside from that the Ridgid seemed like a nice package with stand and extension included. Their guarantee and the ability to return it with a minimum of hassle was a plus. Vic
Vic...Did you ever buy another planer, if so what did you decide on?
I have a project waiting on me simply because I need a planer to get going.
Groucho......No, not yet. I think I have made up my mind thanks to what I've learned here. It will be the DeWalt but I'm going to purchase at the home depot. I would rather support my local woodworking store but hd's 30 day return policy takes the suspense out of this particular purchase. I'm waiting for the need job wise before I make the purchase to have ample opportunity to use/test the planer. My second and third choices would have been the Delta and the Makita or the Rigid. Have fun shopping.Vic
Vic,
I'm a hobbyist and replaced a perfectly good DW733 with the DW735 three years ago because I was enamored with the two-speed options. Overall it has worked as expected. I use the slower feed frequently for my final passes and the lack of a manual cutterhead lock makes height adjustments even easier. The unit is loud. My shop is in the basement and I don't have any sound measuring equipment to confirm but it appears to be the loudest machine in the shop by a long shot. I new it was loud before I brought it home. There are times where I turn it off between passes out of respect for the family upstairs.
Vic,
I've had mine for 2 years now, and have yet to have a problem. Early on, I had little ridges show up when planing 2x4's for a router table. Seems i had missed a staple in one. Shifted one blade about 1/16" and the problem went away. Since then, I've used the bodiddley out of it and have still not needed to reverse the blades. Every manufacturer has a bad day now and again.
SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Thanks everybody for your input regarding the DeWalt 735. After rereading the negative reviews at Amazon.com it struck me that, aside from changing the blades, nobody took a deeper look into their problems as some of you have here. Way to Go!Vic
Vic,
I was looking at some of the reviews at Amazon, especially one about a Delta lathe, the guy didn't even own one but was ticked off at Delta about their quality and put in a bad review about the lathe. You really have to read into some of those reviews. My 2 cents worth,
Greg
Steve,
They should make their blades so they can plane thru nails. Did the same thing with mine.
Greg
Greg,
If they do, I'm sure I'll find another way to tear it up. It's kinda one of those V8 moments when it happens. Oh well, it was easy enough to fix, and I guess I learned something. It is a neat planer, though.
Have fun--and be careful.
SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
If you have a groove in the wood then its not the blades. A blade nick leaves a ridge.
Take a look for what the others have said, it will be much quicker than running to and from the store.
I would backup you in requesting a replacement.
Edited 2/14/2007 8:57 am ET by USAnigel
Hi USAnigel,
hmm ridge or groove.. well it's a uniform "scrape" all the way down the length of the board in the middle and and right hand side. I'd call it a groove. It's as if you took a fine wire brush and dragged it down the board. You know the scratches a wire brush would leave on a surface.. .
Still waiting to hear back from the store. The tech said he'd contact me today.
I have to wonder why the tech didn't suggest that the problem with the jointer might have been caused by (blunt knives). He just said to use more force to push the wood past the blade and it was probably only the fact that it was a wide board... LOL I don't think a 7 1/4" piece of dimensional 3/4" thick pine would give so much resistance. Especially using an 8" 2hp jointer (9amp) This guy didn't know how to joint the board so I did the jointing.
As far as the planer goes I don't think I want someone who doesn't know the machine tinkering with the knives.
Wanda,
I have a 735 and have not experienced the problems that you have but I seem to recall a thread saying that Dewalt had a bad batch of knives that the heat treatment was not correct. I was also wondering if you switched the knives to the new side if you are getting the same scrapes. I have called Dewalt in the past with questions that I have had and the answers they gave me were accurate.
Greg
Thanks for the tips GW,
I think I'll have this problem resolved by tomorrow. If not then I'll contact Dewalt Canada. I have their toll free number. found it in the manual.
Wanda
The first set of blades that came with my Dewalt were bad.They either had a wire edge left on them that folded over the first time they hit wood or the blade was messed up to begin with.Changed blades and it been fine. Still loved my old Jet till the bearing went...boy i shoved alot of wood thru there!
DJK and Drbwood's experiences mirror mine with this machine. In the end, I got fed up with the same problem as you have as well as the raising and lowering mechanism jamming (one of the bolts securing a spiral thread corner pillar had come loose). So I took the whole machine to bits to see what I could see. It's not the blades - as was pointed out, if the blades are nicked, you'll get a slight ridge in the planed wood, not a gouge. Raise the carriage up to its maximum and (with the machine unplugged!) feel with your hand along the underside of the cast housing either side of the blades. You will feel roughness along the edge parallel to the blades - just file this smooth and your problems are over. You might want to take the blade carriage out first. That would enable you to remove and sharpen/lap the blades themselves whilst you're at it. Then you'll have a machine that REALLY works well. I'd recommend you buy the in/outfeed tables if you haven't already - makes a real difference to snipe. I'm not sure I'd have confidence that a completely new machine will be perfect right out of the box. I take the view that all machines need a bit of careful setting up in the first place.
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