Torn between planers

[ErikY]

I am looking into getting a new planer, I currently have a piece of junk old delta desktop which is more hastle than its worht. I bought it used for $50 and is probably not worth even that becuase of the condition.

Anyway, with the Holidays coming up, I have convinced my wife that I NEED a new planer.

I am torn between 3 planers.

The Dewalt 734
The Dewalt 735
The Delta 22-580

From what I can tell, I could get the Dewalt 734 for around the same price as the Delta 22-580 after Delta $50 rebates.

Or, do I go for the Dewalt 735 which looks like a GREAT machine?

My feeling is IF the 735 is that much better than the other two, It would probably be worth the extra $120 because I probably wont by another planer for 15 years, but I have read great reviews on the other 2 planers as well.

Does anyone have any advice they can give me, I am very torn between the 3.

Thanks,Erik

[gmagana]

I was in the same position as you... I opted for the DW735, here's why:

- I heard and read that the 735 had great quality. The 734 and 733 have a lever that you lower to lock the platform. Well, if you work with thick enough stock then raising the bar will get you a bruise on your hand as you will hit the plastic/metal above if you are not careful.

- Two speeds are better than one, here are some reasons: 1) The 179 cuts per inch (CPI) produces better quality results, 2) DeWalt claims that if you use the 179 CPI speed your work will take longer to do, but the blades will last longer, and 3) when you do get snipe at the faster speed, using the 179 CPI will eliminate it.

- I could not find anyone to say _anything_ bad about the DW735.

- Once I saw the planers in person, I fell in love the DW735. It is a sold, solid machine. The four screw, chain-driven raiser mechanism is so well made and strong that it does not require you to lock it in place. The other planers look very wimpy compared to the DW735.

- The chip ejection is absolutely wonderful. There is NO chance this machine will clog up (I do not have dust collection).

- It has a large footprint and is heavy. Under use, this has proven to be a plus for me since I do not have it screwed onto a stand, the wood just goes through with minimal support from me.

These are the drawbacks I see to the DW735:

- The last plus I listed is sometimes also a drawback: It has a large footprint and is heavy (sorry I love repetition) so unless you can lift 92 pounds with ease, you'll discover that you have to build or purchase a stand for it, like I am about to do.

- If you like low-noise machines, then you'll have a hard time with the DW735. I don't know how much noise the other planers make, but the (excellent) chip ejection fan is pretty noisy.

In closing, I wuold narrow down your short list of choices to two, both of the two-speed planers. This is because occasionally you do get some snipe with the fast speed and the snipe is eliminated (at least for me) with the high CPI speed.

I remember when I was shopping for a planer I just needed a reason to justify the DW735... I hope this gives you enough reasons to get it!

[Billy B]

Second vote on the DW735. Either one now has a three knife system, and although I have an older DW planer, I am amazed at the results.

Billy B.

Live a life of thankfulness; if for no other reason, that you have life.

[Chuck in NC]

I have the Delta 22-580.

No complaints. Works well, decent price. Swapping blades is easy, very repeatable thicknessing. Dust collection is good (until the DC bags get full and I lose vacuum). Fastened mine down to a stand adjacent to the jointer and table saw and it never moves.

I believe my next planer will be a 20 inch model but for now this one is perfect. I had a few discount coupons and caught it on special so I paid considerably less than the 400 dollars it costs now.

The Delta is certainly not industrial grade but it is holding up well over the past 15 months. I am a nights/weekend warrior and work solely with rough cut lumber, mostly cherry, red oak, cedar (drawers) and occasionally poplar (painted).

Can't speak for the Dewalt but the reviews sound good. I don't think you'd lose out either way.

Good luck.

[Brodie]

>- If you like low-noise machines, then you'll have a hard
>time with the DW735. I don't know how much noise the other
>planers make, but the (excellent) chip ejection fan is
>pretty noisy.

This isn't a drawback, it lets the neighbors know you're building something again, AND it REMINDS you to wear EAR PROTECTION.

I've seen the DW735, and while I don't own it, its on my list.

Regards,


Brodie

[rrich]

Erik,
I've used the DeWalt 735 at school for almost 6 months. It is an awesome machine. It is noisy, but HFT has ear muff hearing protectors for less than $10. The trick with this guy is cutting depth no more than 1/64" and always at the highest CPI. I've seen people put 3 & 4 foot boards through and let them fall off the outfeed without snipe.

With ear muffs, I think that the 735 is noiser than my 733 at home.

The cost is about $100 over most of the competition but well worth it. If you wait until after the holidays, you may find it for less.

Rich