Dewalt DW735 Thicknesser Problem

[justinmcf]

i bought the dewalt dw735 thicknesser in november 2008, used it for 3 hours work, it worked flawlessly. no snipe and beautiful finish.

blew the dust off it 2 weeks ago, run 6 ft shelves through it for several bookcases, it started to slow down after 3 hours work.

i changed the blades thinking this was the culprit.
fed another length of pine through it, got half way through, motor starts to lose revs/ power, i could hear the difference with my earmuffs on.
at the same time, smoke starts coming out of the motor housing, i hit the stop button fast, removed the timber and brought it back to the shop i purchased from.

that was 2 weeks ago, i am still waiting for it, i have rang the shop i bought it from, they contacted dewalt and told me the new parts had just arrived.
dewalt said the brushes were completely worn down, that i should have checked them.

i have used this machine for a maximum of 6 hours work, i did not realise i had to check the brushes twice a day when i am working on site or at my workshop.

my question is, has anyone had similar experience with this particular model or any other brand of thicknesser?
my thicknesser is still under warranty, but i am uncertain if i am covered or not.

 

[nickao]

Yes I have burned out at least 3 bench top models running them all for more than 3-4 hours at a time. It is just to much for the universal motors from what I can tell as it was three different brands. On miter box the universal motors never run long and on a router they really do not run constantly for 3 hours either. Even on a CNC the motor on a router is not getting taxed as much as with a planer.

In short I think you need to take it slower, turn off the unit every 45 minutes, take lighter cuts and let it cool down or go to the induction motor.

I went to a bigger unit with an induction motor and have run it 8 hours only stopping for 30 minutes and it did not skip a beat, it still doesn't.

 

[justinmcf]

thanks for reply nickao, i normally give the motor a chance to cool down every 20-30 mins, i was stating the total amount of hours used per day, i would not dream of running even an induction motor for more than an hour. personally, i dont think i have even broke it in yet!

i am very dissappointed that it has burnt out so soon, the last thing i would do is to push these small light weight machines too hard.

i am seriously thinking about selling it and upgrading, i cant afford to have a machine down for 3 weeks, its a complete waste of time and money.
you get what you pay for, i guess!

 

[peter halle]

I have read numerous complaints on the internet about the longevity of the blades.  I have experienced that also.  Luckily other manufacturers are planning to introduce aftermarker blades for this model planer that promise longer life.  Otherwise no problem with mine.

Peter

 

[nickao]

thanks for reply nickao, i normally give the motor a chance to cool down every 20-30 mins, i was stating the total amount of hours used per day, i would not dream of running even an induction motor for more than an hour. personally, i dont think i have even broke it in yet!

i am very dissappointed that it has burnt out so soon, the last thing i would do is to push these small light weight machines too hard.

i am seriously thinking about selling it and upgrading, i cant afford to have a machine down for 3 weeks, its a complete waste of time and money.
you get what you pay for, i guess!

Well if Peter has heard complaints I am certain he is correct. So maybe try some new blades  if you can.

I just know that I never let my bench tops cool down and was hard on them, so much so my Ridgid, which is a great bench top, started sparking and caught on fire! I still have it with the burn marks somewhere around here.

I purchased the Delta X5 the next day and never looked back.

 

[robtonya]

I have read numerous complaints on the internet about the longevity of the blades.  I have experienced that also.  Luckily other manufacturers are planning to introduce aftermarker blades for this model planer that promise longer life.  Otherwise no problem with mine.

Peter

Someone makes a helical head conversion for it too, but I couldn't find it. I'll keep looking, and if someone hasn't found it before me, I'll post a link.

 

[peter halle]

A helical head would be sweet. Hope you find the info!

Peter

 

[CharlesWilson]

I've got one of the older models, with only a two blade head. Had it for over 7 years now, and am still on the original brushes. I suppose if I was half my age, like some of you guys, I might have eaten them up, but I can only tolerate working with the beast for about 45 minutes straight. Then it is time for some hydration and recuperation before turning it back on again.

Who would've thought there was an advantage to being old and decrepit.

 

[peter halle]

By the way I found a link for carbide tipped planer blades for the DW735.  I understand from my local Woodcraft that other manufactureres are coming out with replacment blades.  Pricey, but here is the link:  http://www.infinitytools.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CPJK%2D041

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Well if I thought that carbide tipped blades for the DW735 were pricey, wait till you see the price for a helical head.  http://www.holbren.com/home.php?cat=811.

I guess that I will wait a little while.

Peter

 

[MarkF]

I've had my DW735 for a few years and use the aftermarket HSS blades from Infinity with excellent results.  I have always put my rough cut pieces through it, not long boards.  It's not made for that level of work.  Since you mentioned Pine...you will probably get better results cleaning the shiny surfaces with mineral spirits and giving them a good waxing.  The sap can build up and put a strain on the feeding mechinism.  Remember the OEM blades are double sided and they can be shifted slightly and repositioned if a chip develops.

 

[nickao]

Well if I thought that carbide tipped blades for the DW735 were pricey, wait till you see the price for a helical head.  http://www.holbren.com/home.php?cat=811.

I guess that I will wait a little while.

Peter

Peter that link does not work. I agree with you, way to expensive. That DeWalt unit would never warrant a helix cutter in my opinion, you go to a 3 hp induction motor first, then maybe to a helix if you ever even find a need for it.

If it is 495 or more why would anyone ever do that, heck you can get a used X5 delta with a 3 hp induction motor for 1000.00! I have used a planer with no Helix cutter and never had a problem, to me it is just not needed at all. I use highly figured lumber and even though a helix cutter is better for figured lumber, it is still better to use a drum sander as a thicknesses than even a planer with a helix. For the prices they are asking you could get a drum sander and planer! I saw a helix for my planer for 1395.00 I just do not see the point at all for anything I have ever seen done in a home workshop.

 

[cflansbaum]

I have the 735 which I've used for years with no problem -- probably go through 2-3 sets of knives a year.  I did look at the spiral cutterhead back when they were offering it for $339 (it's now $439) but decided that I will be upgrading to a 20" machine before the spiral cutterhead offsets the price of the blades.

Like I said, I've used it extensively on rough, heavy, wide boards w/o any problems.  I do take really light cuts with it though.

Carl

 

[Tom Ryan]

The link for the helical head has a period at the end that baffles my browser.  Copy the link, delete the period, and then it works fine.

 

[robtonya]

I've been searching for a new planer, but with the way work is slowing down, I'm going to wait. Steel City has a new lunch box planer that comes with the helical head from the factory. I think it is like $600. I like the Delta X's too. I've looked into the Dewalt a lot, and the only complaint before this one is about the blades. I wish you luck, and if you decide to sell it (after it is fixed ;D), shoot me a PM, and we'll see if we can work something out.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Look for a nice used Delta RC33 on ebay or locally and buy it in the $450-$650 price range and you will have a machine that can take 1/8" off a oak board all day long. I think the extended use is killing your universal motor probably with overheating and just more work than it is intended to do...

Best,
Todd

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Running through a set of brushes in 6 hours sounds really bogus.  I have the older 733 model, used it for about 10 years, sometimes just about all day long, and am still on the original brushes.  Does the circuit supply enough amps to the planer? 

 

[lab123]

I think the DW735 are hit and miss on quality.  Some people love them others hate them.  I used a 12 Delta lunchbox for years(7-9) with no problems, them I "upgraded" to a DW735 about 2 years ago.  IMO its a good design, but mine was almost useless.  Lots of snipe even with the extension tables, poor blade life, and ongoing problems with the lumber not feeding itself through led me to part with my DW735.  One plus is they hold their value well.

Just thought I put in my .02 and vent about how disappointed I was with my DW735

Loren

 

[justinmcf]

hi robert, i will be happy to sell you my dewalt thicknesser, i think the shipping from australia to your address might be a little too expensive though!!

jesse, i have 15 amps circuit supply at my workshop and all construction sites in australia run 15 amps.

btw, i got my thicknesser back today, the service sheet says the armature and brushes were replaced.
it seems to be ok now, but i am starting to feel buyers remorse on this purchase. ebay is looking good,
i might try a jet 16-32 drum sander next, most of the work will be 3 metre lengths of hardwood and softwood rough sawn,

can anybody recommend a brand, model number, should i upgrade to a bigger and better thicknesser or start looking seriously at these drum sanders.
regards, justin.

 

[Greg_R]

can anybody recommend a brand, model number, should i upgrade to a bigger and better thicknesser or start looking seriously at these drum sanders.

justinmcf, I was having similar problems and went with a Woodmaster combo machine (planer, moulder, drum sander, rip saw).  I'm not sure if they are available down under.  However, the key features that I've enjoyed have been the helical cutters, variable feed rates (can slow it down for a knot or other trouble spot) & the overall power (can plane everything down in 1 pass).  Switching from drum sander to planer takes less than 5 minutes. 

If you go with a stand alone planer, be sure that it has the variable feed rate... I've really found that feature useful.