Thicknesser Choice Trouble: Dewalt DW733 Makita 2012NB Metabo DH330 Jet JWP-12

[festoller]

I am thinking about buying a thicknesser for almost 2 years (tired of hand planes and ETS sanding) and due to the lack of Festool thicknessers I am looking at a Makita, Dewalt, Metabo or Jet.

Of course I would prefer a combo planer/ thicknesser but due to space and budget restrictions...............

Anyway I am having trouble making my choice, because they almost have the same specification and even after proper research in magazines and forums I still can't figure out the best manufacturer or model.

Of course Dewalt and Makita are probably my fist choice, although I don't have experiences with either of the Manufacturers, except seeing Mike Holmes using Dewalt and some cordless drill experience with a very old Makita drill.

Therefore I would really appreciate your opinion one these four models:

Dewalt DW733

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Makita 2012NB

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Metabo DH330

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Jet JWP-12

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Can anyone comment on either one of the four or make a recommendation?

 

[Chuck Kiser]

I had the Dewalt model you show for a number of years. It worked well. I upgraded to the newer three head version this year and have been very pleased with the quality of cut. Hook whichever one you buy to a good DC.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I have had the DW733 for about 10 years.  Its a workhorse.  Starting to be difficult to change heights, but otherwise still chugging along.  Knives are easy to change.  I do get some snipe.  It is extremely loud.  Dust collection (I have it on a 3 HP Oneida cyclone) is pretty good, but not Festool quality.  All things considered, if this one bit the dust tomorrow, I would seriously consider another DW733 as its replacement.

 

[mastercabman]

I have the Makita and i have been very pleased with it.
Cuts very smooth and minimal snipes.When hook up to a vac(with the optional hood)It does a pretty good job with the shaving.
But it is an old design.Is that really bad?  I don't know!  But i do know that it gives me good result. [wink]

 

[counterfix]

i use the dewalt everyday in my corian shop it works well i can recommend it to any wood shop ;D

 

[festoller]

I had the Dewalt model you show for a number of years. It worked well. I upgraded to the newer three head version this year and have been very pleased with the quality of cut. Hook whichever one you buy to a good DC.

Unfortunately the DW735 is not out in the UK! I'll try to find out when Dewalt will introduce the DW735 to Europe. But if it takes as long as the Makita Miter LS1012 (still no sign in Europe) I'll probably have to buy the DW 733.

Of course I could just wait for Festool to come up with a Thicknesser!

 

[TheToolPlace]

I can recommend 3 different units from my experience.

Both the DeWalt 12-1/2" and 13" are now 3 cutter head units and the 13" model has 2 speeds.  One very unique planer that just came out recently is the new Steel City 13" Portable Planer with Helical Cutter head.  If you've never used a planer or a jointer with a helical cutter head you are missing out!  They are quieter to use, can produce a smoother finish on many hardwoods without as much tear out (think Birdseye Maple), are are less expensive to operate in the long run as each cutter is 10mm x 10mm and they are indexable so you can use all 4 sides before throwing them away (they shouldn't really be sharpened).

DeWalt 12-1/2"

DeWalt 13"

Steel City 13"

Thanks,

Chad

 

[Alex2]

I have the DW735.

Pros :

Very nice finish with the 3 knives and no snipe if you do use the optional extension folding tables
Built in fan

Cons :

Extremely loud.. and I mean very loud especially when combined with a dust extractor.. Put those ear protectors on !
Stock knives are a piece of crap and you'll go through a lot of these.. I recommand using the finish speed and all the time and between 1/32 - 1/64 '' each pass no more

Plus :

There's an helicoidal head for this planer.. you will just have to shell the cash for it but in the long run your planner will cost you less in replacement blades and a little bit less noise

I have it for less than a year and its running pretty well.. Got it on sale for 500$ including mobile stand

Alex

 

[TheToolPlace]

I have the DW735.

Pros :

Very nice finish with the 3 knives and no snipe if you do use the optional extension folding tables
Built in fan

Cons :

Extremely loud.. and I mean very loud especially when combined with a dust extractor.. Put those ear protectors on !
Stock knives are a piece of crap and you'll go through a lot of these.. I recommand using the finish speed and all the time and between 1/32 - 1/64 '' each pass no more

Plus :

There's an helicoidal head for this planer.. you will just have to shell the cash for it but in the long run your planner will cost you less in replacement blades and a little bit less noise

I have it for less than a year and its running pretty well.. Got it on sale for 500$ including mobile stand

Alex

Alex,

Very well put about the noise.  It is a great planer, but it is one of the noisiest.  Was it an aftermarket company that you saw providing the Helical head for the DeWalt?  I know I've seen a few different people advertising in some of the magazines.

Chad

 

[Neill]

Alex,

I will cast my vote for the DeWalt.  I have had mine for about 10 years with no problem.  I have it hooked up to a Delta dust collector.  I am a hobbyist so I do not use it a whole lot.  Most of the lumber I buy is at the thickness I want.

I hope one day to get a better jointer.  I think that would be more useful.  I just have one of those Delta 6" benchtops.

Neill

 

[Alex2]

Chad,

Byrd tool Shelix comes in my mind.

Alex

 

[tDot]

My buddy had the Makita, and we both used it, he took it back after a week.  We weren't happy with the snipe, or the cuts.  He purchased the Dewalt 733, and he's been happy with it.  I've since purchased the Dewalt 735, and I'm very happy with it.  I'll be upgrading to either the Byrd Shelix head or the Pinnacle carbide blades. 

 

[festoller]

And here we go again!

Here's the Dewalt UK response to my inquiry about the release of the DW734 and DW735:

Unfortunately, we have no current plans to release these models here in the UK.

However, please visit our website regularly for updates: www.dewalt.co.uk

 

[TheToolPlace]

Chad,

Byrd tool Shelix comes in my mind.

Alex

Alex,

When I first saw that I figured that was the sound the DeWalt was making...  It's actually the aftermarket producer of the helical heads.

Chad

 

[AlexThePalex]

When I first saw that I figured that was the sound the DeWalt was making...  It's actually the aftermarket producer of the helical heads.

All DeWalt tools I have make an incredible noise. Especially my DW65 circular saw. I tell you, I was very surprised the first time I heard a TS55.

 

[tDot]

When I first saw that I figured that was the sound the DeWalt was making...  It's actually the aftermarket producer of the helical heads.

All DeWalt tools I have make an incredible noise. Especially my DW65 circular saw. I tell you, I was very surprised the first time I heard a TS55.

I was told that it is due to the type of motor that DeWalt uses. 

Their tilesaw is deafening.