Replies

1. 
   fussy | Sep 24, 2007 09:11am | #1

   Cap,

   Get it and don't worry.  I got mine two years ago and have been blown away.  It gives a smooth finish (although that isn't required of a planer), accurate thicknessing (VERY important), repeatable results with the depth stops (extremely important), and the dust extraction really works.  I haven't had much problem with snipe.  Had a little at first, but added infeed and outfeed extensions (shop-made 30" long each end.  That took care of that.  Since then-nada.  Make your own.  Don't by the accessory ones.

   Some say the knives don't last, but I think that A) they are flogging them by taking too heavy a cut, or B) they just like to whine because they didn't buy a bigger machine.  The trick is to take light cuts (just because it says it will cut up to 1/16" to 1/8" doesn't mean you should do it.  Just like with a router or any other power tool, common sense must rule.  The other trick is to periodically clean the feed rollers with mineral spirits.  All planers require this.  It's just maintenance.  The knives are reversible, and indexed.  No sharpening, no setting cutter heights, no lacerated fingers.  Just pop them out, turn them around, drop them in, tighten everything, and you're in business.  The knives are $40 a set, but that gets you to sets of cutting edges.  How do they last?  I've read posts where people claim they're crap.  I've been using mine for over two years on oak, maple cherry, poplar, sycamore, bloodwood, etc.  Haven't flipped them yet.  About to on the next project, though. 

   All together, it's the best in it's class.  Has been since its introduction according to all the magazine  reviews.  If 13" by 6" max meets your needs, buy it.

   I apologize for being long-winded, but I consider it one of the most important tools I own.  Hope this helps.

   Steve

   There 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

   
   

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   Edited 9/24/2007 2:23 am ET by fussy

2. 
   THintz | Sep 24, 2007 11:37am | #2

   I have a reivew of the 735 at the lnk below. Since posting this review we have gotten lots of email from satisfied users, very popular machine. There have been detractors claiming short knife life but of the people we know that take light cuts, use good dust collection and wax the tables, none have found this to be an issue.

    

   http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/dw735rvu.html

   Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 24, 2007 02:09pm | #3

   cmorgan,

   I'll ditto fussy.  Had mine for about a year now, 600+ bf of all manner of boards, narry a problem.

   The chip extractor will blow your mind, literally!  Very nice machine.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   Vic Damone | Sep 24, 2007 07:48pm | #4

   I originally purchased the Ridgid which came with everything included, stand outfeed tables, dust port. Unfortunately it produced a little chipout on a batch of cherry. I returned it for the 735 DeWalt which comes with nothing but it didn't chipout.

   The expensive DeWalt blades do go away quickly regardless of cut, this is well documented.

   The DeWalt is expensive but OK. If you don't have dust collection you'll need the chip extraction kit and a spare blade set. Add up the accessories you'll need for the DeWalt along with the unit itself. You may be getting close to to the cost of a used stationary planer.

5. 
   vincentedwards | Sep 26, 2007 06:04pm | #5

   I also have the dewalt.

   I would second that it is a very nice machine which leaves a very good surface.
   The dust extraction is fantastic. I can hook it up to my 1hp delta dust collector
   and not even turn the dust extracter ON and the dewalt blows all the chips through
   a 4' hose into the dust collector... the built in blower is that good. I usually just
   turn on the collector for 10 seconds at the end of a job to clear any chips out of the hose
   and that's all it takes!

   The knives, as mentioned, my not be the best on the market. But after some good and
   bad experiences, I've decided that they are not too bad and they are no reason no to buy
   this planer. I always take 1/16 or 1/32 inch passes, depending on the width of the board.
   I think any problems that I've had in the past were due to dirt in the rough lumber I planed. Also watch out for knots in hard woods like maple... these can chip the knives.

   I now use some aftermarket knives made by infinity cutting tools.
   I have found that honing a slightly steeper secondary bevel on the knives will help them
   stay sharp longer. I did this with a 1000 and then 4000 grit norton waterstone after the initial edge became dull. You have to be sure to hone the same amount on each blade
   because they are indexed, and you can really only do this once or twice. You can't
   really 'shapen' the knives... just light honing.

   Also, add some infeed and outfeed tables. This planer can, at best, produce close to zero snipe... but only with some well adjusted support tables.

   one last word- this is a portable planer, with a universal motor. It is not intended to do the kind of heavy work that a stationary 15" or 20" planer can do. The knives are thinner and lighter, the motor is smaller, and the cutterhead isn't as heavy.

   It does a great job taking light cuts and can handle just about any wood so long as you
   keep this in mind. If you want to take 1/4" off of a whole stack of 12" wide maple boards, then you will want to spend more money on a larger machine.
   If you don't mind taking 3-4 passes to remove 1/8" of wood, and you want a really nice surface, then the dewalt is perfect.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Sep 27, 2007 03:24am | #6

   I also like the tool picked it up two years ago, and it has been good to go. I do find the height a bit low. (I will add about 5 or 6 inches to the stand shortly) When using it for any time I get a sore back from bending over. Being 6'5 may be part of the problem (but then again my dad is 6-0 and he says it is to short also) Other then that it is great.

   Doug Meyer