I know this is not necessarily a new topic on here… but I have been doing a lot of research before purchasing my first benchtop planer (I am just hobbyist woodworker), and have been torn between the Wen pl1326 and the DeWalt735. The pros for the Wen being the price (obviously) and the spiral cutterhead… however, I don’t like that the pl1326 has only 1 speed option.
That being said, it looks like Wen now offers a pl1337 which seems to be the exact same planer, just with 2 speed options now… however, I can’t seem to find any reliable reviews or comparisons for this model online (perhaps because it is still new).
Wen pl1337 https://wenproducts.com/products/wen-pl1337-thickness-planer-two-speed-13-inch-spiral-blade-benchtop
Just wondering if anyone had any input on this.
Thanks!
Replies
I have never used any tools by Wen, so I can't comment. I have a large Laguna planer/joiner with a spiral cutterhead and a DeWalt 735. While I almost exclusively use the larger Laguna, the DeWalt leaves a super smooth finish. I would not expect to take off much stock with a single pass with either of the machines you are looking at. Looks like the Wen is not much cheaper than the DeWalt. I would worry about a spiral cutter that only has 26 cutters (If I read the Wen ad correctly, that is the total number of individual cutters on the the head. That means only one cut per rotation - which may leave a less than smooth cut. I would probably go with the DeWalt. If the cutters get dull, just throw them away and replace. With either machine, dust and chip extraction are key to a good finish.
Thank you so much for the input!
I and many other woodworkers have a Dewalt 735 which has been upgraded with a Shelix helical cutterhead from Byrd Tool. This cutterhead has 40 carbide cutters arranged in a true helical pattern that produces a shearing action when planing. This setup works great, even on highly figured woods.
You should note that, despite what their ad says, the Wen planer does not have a true spiral cutterhead. The picture in the link you sent shows the (26) cutters arranged straight across and the specifications indicate that they are HSS, not carbide.
I suspect that the Wen would produce results very similar to a Dewalt 735 that comes equipped with three (easily changed) straight knives, and that the cutters on both would have similar durability.
Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for the input! I will most likely spend a little more and get the DeWalt. Then, by the time the blades get dull, I should be able to replace the cutterhead with a Byrd Shelix.
You're welcome. Sounds like a good plan. I think you will be very happy with the DeWalt.
Run the math on the purchase and then the upgrade... yoou`ll wind up in the $1500 range I think. You can buy the 735 already upgraded for $1800 or so. Once you're in that range you might want to look at waiting a bit to save for a 12" combo machine. A 12" jointer is a serious game changer.
FYI, with a little shopping you can buy a DW 735 and the genuine Shelix (uninstalled) for about $900 USD total.
I'm on my second Dewalt 735 as I wore out the first one. I have the straight steel knives it comes with. I'm also a hobbyist. I've been very happy with that machine over many years of service. I have no experience with Wen tools.
The Wen unit looks very similar to one sold by Wahudatools. (https://www.wahudatools.com/product/13-planer-two-speed/). which I bought a couple of years ago. For my hobby woodworking activity the Wahuda unit works just fine. In the two years that I've had it, I have never touched the cutters. I mostly mill walnut, maple, oak and ash, and even though it has two speeds I only use it on the low speed. I am quite happy with it.