Request for DeWalt 735 planer cutting head info

[adugas]

Hello All,
I recently bought a DeWalt 735 13" planner and I'm quiet happy with it despite it being slightly louder than my 12.5" dewalt. I've been reading up on replacing the regular cutting knifes with a helical head cuter and have no experience with this. I have found that the 2 standard replacements with one being the Byrd Shelix cutting head ($550) and the second being AccuHead ($250).

Aside from price difference, just curious to hear what your experiences you have had with wit these heads. I currently have 2 extra set of knifes so ill burn them up before actually making a new purchase.

The reason I'm looking at changing the head is I've read somewhere it helps reduce the noise slightly...is that so?

Thanks for you help
Cheers

 

[LarsL]

I have the Byrd head in mine but bought it at the same time that I purchased the planer so no experience with the regular knives. 

It leaves a nice surface and I have yet to have to rotate an insert despite putting at least 1500 linear feet of assorted hardwoods through.  Some people mention the scalloped finish it leaves but I don't expect a thickness planer to leave a finish ready surface, at least not for furniture.  Two light passes with my smoothing plane and it's perfectly flat and you can sand or not depending on your preference.

As far as noise it still definitely requires hearing protection but I don't think its too loud.  I think my domino xl makes about as much noise, nothing that my neighbours have ever mentioned negatively (they would). 

I would buy it again.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[jbasen]

Here is a whole thread on lumberjocks on Shelix vs. AccuHead.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/54561

 

[snodgrass23]

I had the standard cutter in mine for a bit until I needed new knives at which point I upgraded to the Shelix. I've been very happy with the change. It's still loud, but it definitely reduces the noise, especially under load. Easiest way to describe it is that when it starts cutting, the increase in volume is probably half what it was with the standard knives.

 

[grbmds]

There are a several other threads about this same subject. You might want to search for those. They all have posts within the past few days. Must be a run on Dewalt planers. I personally have no problems with the original cutter head and knives. I also have no interest in tearing my planer apart to replace the head with a  Shelix. My recommendation is to try with the original knives and, if they don't perform as you want them to, consider carbide tipped knives or the Shelix head  then. I always take the cheapest and easiest path first, then go to more expensive and difficult if the first doesn't work.