I am thinking of purchasing a Dewalt DW735 to serve as a stop gap
planer until I can afford a larger stationary model, and eventually to
serve as a second planer. I was wondering what advice if any the wreck
has on these machines? I have read basically nothing but good reviews
of them, and was wondering if anyone has had bad experiences with this
model.
Also any thoughts on the support wings or stand? I know I could build
my own but if they are quality it might be easier to simply purchase
them and be off the block.
I appreciate any thoughts, and if there is a different model that is
comparable I would appreciate a heads up
Andrew
Yeah,
I am aware of the dust collection issues. I have an older delta planer
I bought used for $50. It has never worked all that well, despite
several varried attempts at tuning it up. Just recently I have noticed
blue sparks coming from the motor as soon as I turn it on which has
given me cause to replace it.
I am in a constant struggle with machinery. I started as a frequent
metal worker, very occasional wood worker. Over time, and in response
to my clients demands these percentages have swtiched. This means that
my industrial quality level TIG welder sits unused many hours that I am
running other machinery not designed for such heavy wear. I was hoping
the Delta planer would last until I can justify the expense of a
stationary planer (the 15" spiral powermatic to be specific) but it
doesn't seem to be holding up. Eventually having two planers will be a
fine thing, so I'm not adverse to buying one that will be replaced
within the year.
The good thing is that as I look around my studio I see fewer and fewer
tools that fit into this category, though thats only after replacing a
bandsaw, jointer, and table saw. Learn from the mistakes of this kid
and try and buy the absolute best you can at the time.
Thanks for the thoughts so far, and I will check the archives some
more.
Andrew
Yeah I have niticed that as well. There are still some things about
these planers that I am less than trilled about. It seems like alot of
money for a lot of plastic. And the disposable blades is somewhat of a
worry. I guess it's nice that they are indexed to be easy to replace,
but seems like a lot of money.
Andrew
Matisse wrote:
>
> What about the Makita planer; the reviews for it are fantastic and no
> one seems to mention the blades wearing out quickly which seems to be a
> common complaint of the Dewalt?
>
>
And it's cheaper, as are the replacement blades. I don't know Matisse,
looks like a good machine for a good price to me. The Dewalt is a newer
model, and the three knives makes more sense over two knives. Anyone
care to comment on the Makita?
Andrew
So I took the plunge and bought the DW735 yesterday from woodcraft. I
happened to mention to them that it was my birthday, so they knocked
10% of my total, which was nice as I was picking some other stuff up as
well.
Got it home, unboxed, added the wings, which are quite nice and started
it up. Runs really well. I planned down all the legs for a set of
dining room chairs today, and am very pleased with the performance. The
dust collection port works really well, the finish is much better than
my old Delta, and I am a happy man.
I must admit I don't see a difference in quality between the rough and
fine settings, but maybe that's just brand new blades in action. I am
looking forward to making a proper stand for it, and using it for my
projects.
Thanks again for the comments, I as always appreciate them
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
I have noticed the traffic on a couple WW forms is very low right now.
Maybe vacations. If you use Dewalt 735 in the url below you will get
over 900 hits. Cheers, JG
http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.woodworking?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
Tattooed and Dusty wrote:
> Tom
> Thanks for the comments. I am hoping some more people respond with
> their thoughts on the dewalt or other semi-portable models.
>
> Andrew
Tattooed and Dusty wrote:
> Tom
> Thanks for the comments. I am hoping some more people respond with
> their thoughts on the dewalt or other semi-portable models.
>
> Andrew
>
I don't have a planer but I read this news group a
lot. Essentially all of the comments (and there
have been a lot) on the DW 735 are positive.
Tattooed and Dusty ([email protected]) wrote on Friday 15 July 2005
08:37 pm:
> I am thinking of purchasing a Dewalt DW735 to serve as a stop gap
> planer until I can afford a larger stationary model, and eventually to
> serve as a second planer. I was wondering what advice if any the wreck
> has on these machines? I have read basically nothing but good reviews
> of them, and was wondering if anyone has had bad experiences with this
> model.
>
> Also any thoughts on the support wings or stand? I know I could build
> my own but if they are quality it might be easier to simply purchase
> them and be off the block.
>
> I appreciate any thoughts, and if there is a different model that is
> comparable I would appreciate a heads up
>
> Andrew
Andrew,
I bought mine about a little less than a year ago. The blades that came
with it were junk. After two or three passes of some soft pine, they
started leaving noticeable grooves in the wood, even after flipping the
blades over. This is -after- I installed it onto the stand and with the
table extension, so returning it to Home Depot would be a major pain. I
called DeWalt, and within a few days two new sets of blades showed up at my
door - these worked flawlessly.
The stand and the table extensions are good. The only negative about the
stand is that the shelf is one of those without raised edges, i.e. anything
you place on there may roll off when you move your -portable- stand. I
still haven't gotten around to fixing that yet.
Overall, though, happy with it.
--
Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer
Tattooed and Dusty wrote:
>
> I must admit I don't see a difference in quality between the rough and
> fine settings, but maybe that's just brand new blades in action. I am
> looking forward to making a proper stand for it, and using it for my
> projects.
>
> Thanks again for the comments, I as always appreciate them
And thanks for getting back to the wreck with YOUR take on this machine
and adding to the knowledge base.
I'm seriously looking at the DW 735 myself and may pop for the
remanufactured unit on Amazon.com. Can I go too far wrong with this
machine at $300 delivered? My guess is no.
Tattooed and Dusty wrote:
> Patriarch
> Yeah I think I am being won over by the comments in here. A always your
> thoughts are on point and greatly appreciated.
>
> It looks like the DW735 will be the next major purchase.
Add to Doug's comment that with the blade registry pins/holes on the
DW735, I have been told that this is the only one that currently has the
holes elongated on the horizontal plane.
This means that should you nick a blade on some dirty wood you can
loosen one or two blades and slide them in opposite directions, tighten
them back down and you're good to go.
The other blade systems with the registration pins don't allow for the
side to side movement so once you get a nick, it's time to rehone,
resharpen or replace.
I don't know this from experience but, like you, I'm researching for a
future purchase and that's what I'm hearing about the DW 735 - yet
another check mark in the plus column.
Quote:
Yeah I have niticed that as well. There are still some things about
these planers that I am less than trilled about. It seems like alot
of
money for a lot of plastic. And the disposable blades is somewhat of
a
worry. I guess it's nice that they are indexed to be easy to replace,
but seems like a lot of money. Unquote
What about the Makita planer; the reviews for it are fantastic and no
one seems to mention the blades wearing out quickly which seems to be a
common complaint of the Dewalt?
--
Matisse
"Tattooed and Dusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am thinking of purchasing a Dewalt DW735 to serve as a stop gap
> planer until I can afford a larger stationary model, and eventually to
> serve as a second planer. I was wondering what advice if any the wreck
> has on these machines?
Go with used. There is a planer in our local paper that is probably
suitable for you. A 30" Whitney, handles 8" thick, four knives 15 hp direct
drive. Even has a dust hood. $23000 or BO.
Want the number?
"Tattooed and Dusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Yeah I have niticed that as well. There are still some things about
> these planers that I am less than trilled about. It seems like alot of
> money for a lot of plastic. And the disposable blades is somewhat of a
> worry. I guess it's nice that they are indexed to be easy to replace,
> but seems like a lot of money.
>
> Andrew
The disposable blade are not cheap, but they do have one feature that is
good for many of us. They are sharp. Seriously, of all the planers sold,
how many of the owners can get the blade as sharp as the factory blade? I'd
bet a very small minority. Unless you have a good sharpening service, the
disposables are not so bad. Works well for razors for the past 50 or 60
years also.
In a home shop, the blades will last a long time in terms of weeks/months
because many of us use the planer for specialty type work. My hardwood
dealer planes to size included in the price. Production shop would probably
kill them in a couple of days.
"Tattooed and Dusty" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Tom
> Thanks for the comments. I am hoping some more people respond with
> their thoughts on the dewalt or other semi-portable models.
>
> Andrew
>
Several friends have the DeWalt, and like it.
I have a Ridgid TP1300, and it does what I need without complaint.
Make sure you count chip collection as part of your evaluation. These
things can fill a shop vac really quickly.
Patriarch
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> "Tattooed and Dusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Yeah I have niticed that as well. There are still some things about
>> these planers that I am less than trilled about. It seems like alot
>> of money for a lot of plastic. And the disposable blades is somewhat
>> of a worry. I guess it's nice that they are indexed to be easy to
>> replace, but seems like a lot of money.
>>
>> Andrew
>
> The disposable blade are not cheap, but they do have one feature that
> is good for many of us. They are sharp. Seriously, of all the planers
> sold, how many of the owners can get the blade as sharp as the factory
> blade? I'd bet a very small minority. Unless you have a good
> sharpening service, the disposables are not so bad. Works well for
> razors for the past 50 or 60 years also.
>
> In a home shop, the blades will last a long time in terms of
> weeks/months because many of us use the planer for specialty type
> work. My hardwood dealer planes to size included in the price.
> Production shop would probably kill them in a couple of days.
>
If you have already invested in a Tormek, an EZLap, or something similar
for sharpening edges, the disposable blade argument changes its
economics.
But spending $350 - $800, or more, for sharpening tools requires it's
own business case.
In pretty serious, but still hobby use, I'm on my third set of (double-
edged) planer blades in 3 1/2 years. I clean then, and hone then a bit
with 600 grit wrapped around a block, and then reinstall them, if the
job isn't some tear-out prone figured wood. I don't know that I'd make
that tradeoff in a pro shop. Pop in the new blades, and get on with it.
There's a lot of value in the sub-$500 lunchbox planer, and I would
think that, with enough space in the shop, one of these next to a 'big
machine' would earn its keep.
The last pro shop I visited had three lathes, two jointers and four
bandsaws. For one furnituremaker and one apprentice.
Patriarch
"Tattooed and Dusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am thinking of purchasing a Dewalt DW735 to serve as a stop gap
> planer until I can afford a larger stationary model, and eventually to
> serve as a second planer. I was wondering what advice if any the wreck
> has on these machines? I have read basically nothing but good reviews
> of them, and was wondering if anyone has had bad experiences with this
> model.
>
> Also any thoughts on the support wings or stand? I know I could build
> my own but if they are quality it might be easier to simply purchase
> them and be off the block.
>
> I appreciate any thoughts, and if there is a different model that is
> comparable I would appreciate a heads up
>
> Andrew
>
How's this for a bargain? Amazon has the 735 (reconditioned) for $349.99 AND
$50 off on purchases of $250 or more AND free shipping! That almost
qualifies as a gloat in my book. See
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0008G342C/ref=pd_ts_tb_2/103-2461330-0749462?v=glance&s=hi&n=228013
Gary
"Patriarch" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Make sure you count chip collection as part of your evaluation. These
> things can fill a shop vac really quickly.
I bought my Delta 580 one week, the dust collector the following week.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/
On 15 Jul 2005 18:37:42 -0700, "Tattooed and Dusty"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Also any thoughts on the support wings or stand? I know I could build
>my own but if they are quality it might be easier to simply purchase
>them and be off the block.
>
After a couple of weeks I'm impressed by the one I bought. Got the
planer, stand and wings (from ToolKing, no commercial interest!).
Posted a review of the stand in this NG about a week ago.
The planer itself did a more than passable job on some rough cut 4/4
cherry. Board had a bit of a warp so I hand planed the high part
(about 1/8" high) down then ran the 6'X4"X3/4 through at a 1/32 cut on
the fast cut (slow feed speed) setting. It is LOUD! Hearing protection
required. I say that and I'm a half deaf ex-helicopter jockey, so
trust me, get out the bunny ears!
With the extensions set at a bit of an upward angle, in and out,
there was no snipe at either end. Tear out was barely noticable, and
that only around a couple of "swirly, curly" grain spots. First post
machining cut with a #3 hand plane (with a really nasty (read sharp)
edge) brought up a set of totally even 1 3/4 wide curlies you could
read through. That indicates to my un-educated brain that the DW
planer had got the board pretty darn flat, no ridges or gouges.
Were the machined planed sides truely parrallel? Damned if I know. I
have no good way to measure that. The thickness was (according to my
dial caliper) virtually identical at multiple points along the board.
measured at multiple distances in from the edges, so I guess it was
darn close.
Of course, the warp wasn't entirely gone. Got it down to about 1/32,
which was unimportant as the longest piece I cross cut off the board
was to be about 24".
All in all I was a happy camper with the stand, the wings, and the
planer. We'll see how it works out over time.
BTW, ToolKing had a deal on a package including an extra set of
blades, at $40 off plus the DW $50 rebate (12 week wait, but WTH).
Delivery was common carrier, but it was 5 calendar days from order to
delivery and the driver dollyed (SP?) it from the front to the garage
without a murmur.
Regards.
Tom
In article <[email protected]>, "Tattooed and Dusty" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Yeah I have niticed that as well. There are still some things about
>these planers that I am less than trilled about. It seems like alot of
>money for a lot of plastic. And the disposable blades is somewhat of a
>worry. I guess it's nice that they are indexed to be easy to replace,
>but seems like a lot of money.
You perhaps have missed the small number of posts in which I have pointed out
that the blades can, in fact, be sharpened. I've had my DW735 for close to two
years now, and after many hundreds of board feet I'm still on the first set of
knives -- but at least the third resharp. This is a *vast* improvement over
its predecessor in my shop, a Delta 560: there's not enough metal on those
knives for even a light honing when they get dull.
Do the math: Delta blades at $30/set, two edges, can't be resharpened. Discard
after dulling two edges. $30 / 2 = $15 per edge.
DeWalt blades at $45/set, two edges, resharpenable _at_least_ 3x in my
experience. Dull two edges, resharp, repeat 3x - that's eight times. $45 / 8 =
$5.63 per edge.
On top of that, the DeWalt blades last longer too.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.