Best planer? Dewalt 735?

[Toolinator]

I apologize. I realize this is a bit of a loaded question, but is the general sentiment that the dewalt 735 is the best compact planer because of performance and Byrd upgrade potential?

I have a tiny shop and trying to find the best long term solution. I love the Byrd style head for quietness and longevity. Small'ish planer on cabinet could work too possibly.

Any other portable or moveable larger scale machine honorary mentions??

 

[Claimdude]

I have had a 735 for about 8 years or so. Upgraded it to the Byrd head about 3 years ago. Excellent planer in my opinion. It may be compact but it is NOT light weight. It is a beast think 80+ pounds I believe maybe heavier. If you want one you can snatch off the bench and put it away the 735 is not it. If you want one that will hog off 1/8" of material at a pass with the Byrd head this ain't it. More like 1/64 of an inch at a pass.

Jack

 

[Cheese]

I'm not a big fan of Dewalt unless we're talking about their early radial arm saws. The last 10-15 years, pretty much trash. However, the 735 is a real nice planer if you need to be mobile. On that yearly occasion that I need to take a planer outside, the Dewalt comes to the rescue. If you never move the planer there are better units available because by the time you've optioned out the Dewalt, it's not inexpensive, consider the planer, wings, stand, Wixey digital readout, Byrd-Shelix head you've invested $1600+. But if you need mobility, lifting 90# is easier than lifting 350#. That's the bottom line. I'm looking for an older Powermatic but will still keep the 735 for it's portability.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

My buss is portable, via the forklift. [big grin]

I tried to set it on a bench top, first time i ever saw wood vaporize. [big grin]

 

[Cheese]

Ya funny, Darcy...you bring a whole new definition to portability.

 

[Toolinator]

Good points. Portability isn't necessary, this is just a hobby, space is the only consideration.

I was thinking of building a rotating stand with the kapex. Maybe too heavy?

For a small stationary unit, any advice on planers to consider?

 

[live4ever]

For a home shop, some of the main issues (aside from the functionality or cut quality of the machine) to consider are:  weight/moveability, footprint, and noise. 

If you ever want to take the planer to another jobsite, the DW (though not light) wins hands down over a stationary planer.  However, if the planer is to live in your shop 100% of the time, you only need to worry about its mobility within your shop.  In that case, your rolling stand vs the mobile base of a stationary planer, which I would consider a draw.  The footprints of a DW735 on a flip-top stand and a 15" stationary planer are surprisingly close, with the exception that you can fit another tool into the flip-top cart.  I had the small Ridgid oscillating belt/spindle sander on the other side of my flip-top. 

Finally, as I'm sure you know, the DW735 is a screamer.  This noise is drastically reduced with the Byrd head, but now you've spend $1k for a planer with a universal motor.  It's unbeatable if you EVER have to take it on the road.  If it will sit in your shop, it is worth considering a 15" stationary (something like the Grizzly 0453). 

 

[Sparktrician]

It may be compact but it is NOT light weight. It is a beast think 80+ pounds I believe maybe heavier.

Jack

It's 94#.  I'm reminded of that fact every time I get it out to use it. 

Finally, as I'm sure you know, the DW735 is a screamer. 

That it is!!!  I've never heard such a racket!!!  It does a great job, despite the noise.  Another aspect to consider is dust collection.  The 735 throws an incredible amount of debris, so you'd better have superior dust collection.  I use a Dust Deputy, but have to remember to dump the bucket very frequently or the pressure of accumulated debris will blow the lid off and spread dust all over the place. 

 

[jaguar36]

To save space, I've got my DW734 mounted on the underside of my homemade MFT.  It's on some massive slides and hinges so when I need it I just slide it out and flip it up.  Rest of the time its tucked away under the table, not taking up any space.

Also something to keep in mind that one of the big advantages of the DW735 over the 734 is that it has a fan to eject chips so it works well without a dust collector.  However if you have a dust collector you may be able to save a couple of bucks and get the 734 instead.

 

[live4ever]

Also re: the fan/blower, if you do have very good dust collection, you can disconnect the fan/blower to REALLY reduce the noise of the machine.

 

[guyswoodshop]

I have had the 735 for about a year and a half. When I bought it, I bought the Byrd Shelix head with it. Loud, yes. Cheap, no. However since I rarely (if ever) plane anything over 13" wide, it works great. No tear out at all on everything I throw at it. Another reason I went with it vs. a standalone 15" is the footprint of the unit. I have it on a mobile base, and the extensions of the planer fold up. The 15" planers are not capable of folding the wings up. So while the base doesn't have a large footprint, it still takes up more room than I would like in my shop.

  The only negative I have  (other than the noise) is the depth of cut. I can take no more than a fat 1/32 off at a single pass. When milling a lot of stock and ou need to take lets say 1/4" off, you can be there for a while. Most of the 15" and larger, you can take a much deeper cut, which can be a huge time savings. And of course, time is money.

  While the unit performs extremely well, I am currently looking at replacing it with a full size for the depth of cut alone. I guess I will have to find more room in my shop (garage). Any one have any good ideas for convincing my wife she doesn't need to park in the garage?

 

[live4ever]

Any one have any good ideas for convincing my wife she doesn't need to park in the garage?

Get the projects she wants done in a timely fashion and the parking situation takes care of itself.

 

[guyswoodshop]

HaHa. Already do that. I guess I could just say that the garage is mine whether she likes it or not. How do you think that will go over?

 

[promark747]

Also re: the fan/blower, if you do have very good dust collection, you can disconnect the fan/blower to REALLY reduce the noise of the machine.

Is this easy to do?  Would appreciate if you could describe the procedure.

Thanks!

 

[live4ever]

HaHa. Already do that. I guess I could just say that the garage is mine whether she likes it or not. How do you think that will go over?

Yeah, that should go pretty well....
[scratch chin]

 

[live4ever]

Also re: the fan/blower, if you do have very good dust collection, you can disconnect the fan/blower to REALLY reduce the noise of the machine.

Is this easy to do?  Would appreciate if you could describe the procedure.

Thanks!

I've not done it personally since I never had good enough dust collection to justify it while I was using my 735, which then got replaced by a stationary anyways.  I don't have a procedure in hand though I've seen them on the net here and there...a google/youtube search should help you find the info.
Here's a thread on another forum that has some discussion about it.  Note:  there are some considerations before you attempt this.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?183897-Removing-the-blower-from-a-DW735

 

[grbmds]

I've owned the 735 for years. It is loud, but I use hearing protection anyway and good protection really eliminates the noise issue as  far as I'm concerned. Plus, I've only owned one other table top planer and it was loud also. As for the impeller, I wouldn't mess with it. The real effectiveness of the dust collection is related to the impeller. I do have good (maybe even extremely good) dust collection and there is virtually no dust anywhere (a few escaped chips on the table inside the planer maybe). It works great the way it is. Why mess with it? Dewalt designed it as a system with components that work together.

 

[flair woodworks]

I am quite happy with my DW735 and Shelix head.  I always use it in second speed - I don't know if I've ever used the first speed.  One thing notable about the Shelix in the DW735 is that you can remove the top cover for easy rotating of the cutters.  Some other planers don't make it this easy.

 

[jeep jake]

I own one as well, I have only used it a few times, put always got great results even with factory blades

 

[#Tee]

had mine for lil over a year now and i love it (still on the oem blades). i put it on a dolly and store it under my mft. its the loudest thing in the shop for sure.