Types of DeWalt thickness planers? | DW735x, DW735, or DW734

The DW735 is arguably a better option than the DeWalt DW734 for a couple of reasons.

Of course, whether or not these reasons will matter to you depends on the type of work you routinely do. 

First off, the DW735 has a 13-inch blade versus the 12.5-inch blade on the DW734.  

The DW735 also has an automatic carriage lock, so you don’t have to go through the trouble of locking the tool in place.

In contrast, the DW734 has a manual carriage lock that you have to turn by hand. 

In addition, the DW735 can accommodate slightly wider stock. It also has better controls than the DW734 and has a dual-speed option.

DeWAlt DW734 thickness planer

The DW735X also comes with in-feed and out-feed tables, both of which will come in handy if you routinely work with large boards and long workpieces. 

Although the DW735X and the DeWalt 735 planer are practically the same tools in all other aspects, the extra additions are nice to have.

If you can stretch your budget a little bit, I suggest going for the DW735X over the DW735. 

There are quite a few reasons why you should go for a DW735 instead of the DW734.

A bigger blade, an automatic carriage lock, and the ability to process wider stock are a few of the reasons why the DW735 is arguably one of the best wood thickness planers around.

It also has a dual-speed setting and better controls than the DW734, which makes it a more attractive option.  

The DW735X is even better, with the addition of in-feed and out-feed tables, both of which will let you work with longer workpieces.

Plus, you get an extra set of cutting knives.

If you are impressed with everything that the DeWalt DW735 has to offer, it is worth stepping up to the DW735X. 

Thickness planers or bench planers make it possible to size boards to the desired thickness with relatively little effort.

By adjusting the depth of the cuts you make, you can shave a board down to a remarkably accurate degree. 

Processing boards with a thickness planer simply requires feeding the board at one end, after which it comes out the opposite end.

In contrast, an electric hand planer requires you to pass the tool over the length of the board by hand this can be good for portable jobs though. 

Thickness planers are obviously quicker and more accurate than electric hand planers.

If you need to make quick adjustments to a pre-installed workpiece, an electric planer will come in handy.

You can get pretty impressive results once you learn how to use a wood planer. But for high volume, heavy-duty work, a thickness planer is a much better option. 

Most of the typical maintenance procedures recommended for thickness planers apply to the DW735X as well.

Possibly the most important thing to remember is to keep the cutter head clean, smooth, and flat.

Keep in mind that the cutter head cuts parallel to the table as you feed boards in, so it is important to ensure that there are no chips or dust that can impair its performance. 

It’s a first class idea to check the flatness of the table periodically using a straightedge.

Make sure to check across the table and along its length, as well as diagonally. This will help you spot warps and low spots.

How to get replacement parts?

Depending on how much use you get out of your DW735X, you may have to replace certain parts from time to time.

The good news is that replacement parts for the DW735X are readily available from Amazon and other suppliers. 

The knives are probably what you will have to replace most frequently.

You can purchase these 13-inch replacement HSS planer blade knives , which come in two sets with three knives each.

DeWalt is the best choice for a thickness planer for the following reasons: 

1. The powerful 15-amp motor drives the cutter head at 10,000 RPM. 
2. The 13” table allows for larger cuts in wide workpieces. 
3. The three-knife cutter head results in 30% longer life and makes it easy to change knives. 
4. Has a two-speed gearbox that optimizes performance according to the task.