DeWalt DW735 "pre-initial" observation

[promark747]

I say "pre-initial" because I haven't actually plugged it in yet.

One of the things I liked about the highly-rated DW735 (while researching it at various stores) was the good build quality and attention to detail.  The crank was silky smooth and the whole unit exuded quality.  One specific detail I was impressed with, though cosmetic only, was that the name "DEWALT" was embossed/molded into the plastic.  It just conveyed a higher level of quality than other tools (including the lesser-priced DeWalt model) with stickers.  So as I took the planer out of the box today I was disappointed to see that DeWalt has now gone the sticker route with the DW735.  It's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I can't help but wonder: how much freakin money could they be saving (if any) by changing the molded name to a sticker, and what other shortcuts have they made to a tool that has been very well regarded?

I also wonder about where this was manufactured.  The sticker says Baltimore, MD and I can't find anything that says Made in China (or Mexico).  Is it possible this was made in America or is that wishful thinking? (EDIT: just saw Made in Taiwan on the outer box)

I'll report back after I run some actual wood through this...

 

[John Stevens]

Funny, I just met a tech who works for DeWalt last weekend.  He says all the engineering is done in Towson, MD, and the manufacturing is done all over the world.  Don't know about the planer.  I own a DW735, too.  I like it a lot, very satisfied with it, hope you will be, too.

Regards,

John

 

[promark747]

Happy to report that the planer works great...amazing how smooth the boards emerge.  And with the dust port connected to my cyclone and Delta dust collector, there is virtually no dust anywhere.  A real pleasure to use (though I wear earplugs AND headphones to limit the noise).  Next purchase will be a Wixey digital scale.

 

[tbellemare]

I don't like many things DW and have no real fondness of the company, parent companies, etc.

However, I kind of like my DW735.

Tom

 

[iamnothim]

For once I got lucky and found a deal on Craigslist.  I'm usually the guy underpricing things and throwing stuff in.

I picked up a nearly new,  (or just cleaned up) Dewalt DW735.  I wanted one and out of curiosity decided to look on Craigslist.
I paid $400 for the unit and the stand.  That's about $200 under new.  Naturally since I saved money I ordered a Wixey digital gauge.

Now the question is do I throw it all away and pay $430 for a Shelix?
And ya, I had to order the feed shelves for $44.  Still a good deal.

[attachimg=1]

 

[grbmds]

I've had mine for years and don't feel the necessity to spend the extra money for a helical head. The planer does a great job with the existing blades. However, I suppose whether it becomes expensive to replace blades or not depends on how much you use it and whether a hobby woodworker or a professional. If I were you, I'd use it for awhile and see what kind of wear and performance you get from the high speed steel blades. I viewed a video online about installation of the helical head and I decided that I'd live with the original. It was  quite an involved process based on the video. If you look around sometimes you can get deals on the steel knives and save some money.

 

[iamnothim]

I watched the 3 part video as well and had the same feeling.  Working with wrenches usually doesn't bother me, but that install went deep into the bowels.  Springs, retainer rings, and mallet blows to the cutting shaft.

There is a company named Infinity, mentioned in the video, that makes carbide knives for half as much.  Anyway, I'll follow your advice and see what the results are with the HSS knives.

Do you hook up your CT to the planer?

Thanks

 

[thedude306]

I don't like many things DW and have no real fondness of the company, parent companies, etc.

However, I kind of like my DW735.

Tom

I am in the same boat.

Now the question is do I throw it all away and pay $430 for a Shelix?
And ya, I had to order the feed shelves for $44.  Still a good deal.

I went with a Shelix head.  It's still sitting on my bench waiting for install.  I wish I had a big project right away so that I could beat up the straight blades before my change over.  The OEM blades do a great job when sharp.  What I find is I don't change them as often as I should and cut quality suffers.  The set up (on all tools) with straight blades is a PITA for me. 

the helical heads on all tools solve that problem for me.  It gives me greater cut consistency because I can just flip a cutter (in five minutes) and keep on going.  but at a price.  [unsure]

 

[iamnothim]

Dang it...

Now I'm back to thinking Shelix.

It's hard to stop chasing Unicorns!  Those unicorn guns are damn pricey too.

 

[jbasen]

I highly recommend the Shellix head for the 735. It is unsettling to tear apart a brand new planer but the resuts are worth it.

 

[iamnothim]

Finished putting my first test pieces through the DW735.
I don't know if this is good news or bad news.  The knives appear to be junk.  The hard maple has tiny gouges and the blue pine has a huge ridge down the length of the board.

$250 for the Infinity Carbide?  or  $430 for the Shelix including bearings?
I gotta like the fact that each cutter on the Shelix can be replace if I ding one.  As noted the cutters can be rotated 3 times for 3 fresh shearing surfaces.  (Think RO90 delta pad)

[attachimg=1]

 

[thedude306]

Remember you can flip the knives.  They are sharp on both sides.

My vote is for the shelix   

 

[iamnothim]

Remember you can flip the knives.  They are sharp on both sides.

My vote is for the shelix   

It hurt real bad when I selected "Buy Now 1Click"

 

[Discap]

I went Shelix and never looked back. The install is not that bad.  But do not hold the new cutter in paper towels in your hand and tighten the nut with an impact wrench.  It cannot be done and causes massive blood loss.

Let the flaming begin.

Bill

 

[grbmds]

I watched the 3 part video as well and had the same feeling.  Working with wrenches usually doesn't bother me, but that install went deep into the bowels.  Springs, retainer rings, and mallet blows to the cutting shaft.

There is a company named Infinity, mentioned in the video, that makes carbide knives for half as much.  Anyway, I'll follow your advice and see what the results are with the HSS knives.

Do you hook up your CT to the planer?

Thanks

No, I doubt the CT vacs would handle a planer's large volume of chips, although the Dewalt has an "impeller" inside which drives the chips out so I suppose it's possible it would work. The other problem with using the CT is the quick fill-up of the bag. You would be replacing or emptying the filter bag frequently and they are too expensive for that frequent a replacement. I'd suggest a larger dust collector. I have an older Oneida, but these days there are a lot to choose from and many would handle the planer output.

I have not tried the carbide tipped blades as I still have a couple of extra pair of steel I got at a good price. I used my annual Woodcraft birthday discount one year and bought a couple of pair (as I didn't need a big item that year). I've found other good pricing online also (not recently though). I'm sure the Shelix heads work great, but I decided that you can buy a lot of steel replacement blades for that price and I'm completely satisfied with them for now. I felt that, if I wanted to go that way, I may just sell the planer and purchase one with the helical heads installed. I still say the installation on the Dewalt seems complicated and potentially risky to get back together like it was when you started.

 

[grbmds]

Finished putting my first test pieces through the DW735.
I don't know if this is good news or bad news.  The knives appear to be junk.  The hard maple has tiny gouges and the blue pine has a huge ridge down the length of the board.

If those are the blades that came with it used, they might just be well-used. The holes in the knives which fit over the "pins" on the head are oval and, therefore, slightly movable right to left. Most likely it's a nick in just one of the 3 knives that's causing the ridge. Sometimes you can move that knife right or left, thus staggering the knives, and covering the nick in one knife with the other knives with no chip in that spot. It may not completely eliminate the ridge but at least most of it will be gone. Depends on the size of the nick in the knife.

The knives are a piece of cake to remove and replace as they do not have to be set, just laid on the pins and the holder attached. Since they are sharp on both sides, they do last a bit longer but it is a heartbreaker when you nick one just after installing on some unseen obstacle. Glue will be a little hard on them for sure if you are planing something which was a glue up.

I'm still sticking with the HSS knives (or possibly going for the carbide). No matter what anyone says, I feel the helical head installation video makes it seem a little bit of a risk for at least me to install the head.

 

[iamnothim]

Current tally:
$400  DW735 used
$45    Wixey WR510
$45    DW Feed Trays
$430  Byrd Shelix
$920 
(It did include a stand and rollers)
Guess the Kapex is back on hold.

EDIT
@grbmds...
I may just return the Shelix unopened and go the carbide route.
I'm just a hobbyist.  I need to wake up  [eek]

 

[iamnothim]

Finished putting my first test pieces through the DW735.
I don't know if this is good news or bad news.  The knives appear to be junk.  The hard maple has tiny gouges and the blue pine has a huge ridge down the length of the board.

If those are the blades that came with it used, they might just be well-used. The holes in the knives which fit over the "pins" on the head are oval and, therefore, slightly movable right to left. Most likely it's a nick in just one of the 3 knives that's causing the ridge. Sometimes you can move that knife right or left, thus staggering the knives, and covering the nick in one knife with the other knives with no chip in that spot. It may not completely eliminate the ridge but at least most of it will be gone. Depends on the size of the nick in the knife.

The knives are a piece of cake to remove and replace as they do not have to be set, just laid on the pins and the holder attached. Since they are sharp on both sides, they do last a bit longer but it is a heartbreaker when you nick one just after installing on some unseen obstacle. Glue will be a little hard on them for sure if you are planing something which was a glue up.

I'm still sticking with the HSS knives (or possibly going for the carbide). No matter what anyone says, I feel the helical head installation video makes it seem a little bit of a risk for at least me to install the head.

I cannot argue with one thing you posted.

 

[Jason Kehl]

Does anyone have issues with the feed rollers slipping and leaving black marks on the boards? I use quite a bit of pine and this is a major problem,  I end up pushing and pulling the boards through frequently. Any solutions?

For dust collection I built a plywood box which I fasten the planer on top of. I ran the dust hose into the box and it serves as an efficient dust collector and stand.

 

[iamnothim]

Does anyone have issues with the feed rollers slipping and leaving black marks on the boards? I use quite a bit of pine and this is a major problem,  I end up pushing and pulling the boards through frequently. Any solutions?

For dust collection I built a plywood box which I fasten the planer on top of. I ran the dust hose into the box and it serves as an efficient dust collector and stand.

Great idea on dust collection.  Heck a garbage bag under the stand might work.