DEWALT DW735 Review - Affordable Excellence?

4.5/5
QUALITY
POWER
FEATURES
PRICE
WARRANTY

DEWALT DW735 Review Summary

DEWALT has always proved that it is a force to reckon with, and the DEWALT planer model DW735 is no exception. It comes packed with several features that DIYers and woodworkers find useful. Its reliability and convenience make it a great home or workshop arsenal. 

This thickness planer can be used to smooth, cut, angle, and work on boards of various thicknesses, as we will see in our review. You are sure of its durability and effectiveness, given that it is a DEWALT product. 

Here’s a rundown of what we’ll provide in this DEWALT DW735 review 

  • First, We’ll let you know who the Dewalt DW735 planer is for
  • Next, we’ll share the features and benefits that you’ll find handy
  • Then, we take a look at the drawbacks you will need to know about
  • And finally, we’ll provide an overview of actual customer and independent reviews to give you full insight into the tool.

Sound good? Let’s get to it!

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DEWALT DW735 Thickness Planer Specifications

Manufacturer: DeWalt

Style: 2-speed planer 13”

Power: 15 AMP motor

Max RPM: 20,000 (10,000 RPM cutterhead speed)

Cutterhead: 3 knife

Max Cut Depth: 1/8 inch

Depth Capacity: 6 inches

Width Capacity: 12.5 inches

Chip Ejection: Fan assisted

Weight: 92 lbs.

Dimensions: 24” x 22” x 19”

Power Source: Corded-electric

Head Style: Flat

Outfeed Table: 33.5 inches material support

Warranty: 3-year limited

Who is the DEWALT DW735 for?

The DeWALT planer is meant for homeowners, DIYers, and hobbyists who are tired of using a hand planer and want to speed up their working time. This power tool best serves intermediates who are seeking accurate cuts from a portable planer.

You only get the bench planer and instructions upon purchase, which is everything you need. You will notice a three-year warranty provision, 90-day money-back guarantee, and a 1-year free service period; bonuses meant to keep the planer at its optimum for your first few projects.

What features does the DW735 have?

Video: DEWALT DW735

2 -speed setting 

The DEWALT DW735 is unique thanks to its two-speed settings, each meant for different functions. One of the speeds is intended for quick thickness planning and the other for detailed finishing. Keep in mind that most planers in this category have only a one-speed setting. 

The two-speed setting is made possible by the three-knife cutter head and the two-speed gearbox system. The first speed setting slows the automatic feed, which in return allows the blades to cut through the workpiece at a rate of 179 times per inch, giving you one of the smoothest finishing ever. 

The second-speed setting is responsible for increasing the automatic feed speed. In return, it lowers the number of cuts per inch to 96 while quickening dimensioning lumber at the same time. 

You must be wondering whether you will frequently use the finishing speed, and the answer is yes. You will need this during the last pass of the boards, saving you from after-sanding. Note that the unit must be on when changing the speed for an effective change of gears. 

Dust management 

You must have noticed that this is an important feature. Companies are always trying to outsmart each other on the dust collection features on their tools, and DEWALT is no exception. The DW735 has an inbuilt blower to clear wood shavings from the blades. 

You will be surprised by the amount of airflow that this unit packs. You need a dust collector, or else it will throw wood shavings all over the room, giving you an even messier finish. This feature also lengthens the life of your blades since it keeps off dust and shavings. 

We recommend that you use a 4-inch dust collection unit with the planner. 

Depth setting 

The DW735 is detailed. It has a material removal gauge, which helps you plane several boards to the same thickness. This is usually necessary since rough cut lumber comes in different sizes. Its depth adjustment dial comes with several incremental depth stops at given measurements, ranging from 1/8 to 1- ¼ of an inch.

This is put in place to help you plane several boards to the same thickness. The cut depth is further reinforced by a jet capacity of 6 inches and a width capacity of 12.5 inches for larger cuts.

DEWALT DW735 Planer

Blade changing 

You may need to change blades after a while. This product comes with an Allen wrench, which can be used to loosen the screws on the cutter head‘s plastic cover, which will get you to the blades. This, in itself, saves you money and time.

Whereas this is a common feature with planers, the DW735 is quite the exception. It makes planer blade changing a comfortable experience thanks to the spacious room inside the cutter head once the plastic cover is opened.

The Allen wrench also comes with several magnets on the handle, which makes the process even simpler. If you need replacement blades then we highly recommend fitting a carbide blade as it’s way more durable.

Motor and cutting power

You have to consider the motor when looking for the best planers. The DeWALT planer DW735 has a 15A motor, which is similar to products in its category. The powerful engine makes this planer a semi-professional tool, which can cut through hardwoods and softwoods easily.

This is reinforced by the two cutting speeds, 10000 and 20000 RPM, which we discussed in-depth at the start of our article. The motor offers impressive cutting power for large cuts.

Knives 

This planer has impressive knives, making it stand out from other products in its category. Its three-knives cutter head allows the respective blades 30% longer knife life than other models, meaning that you won’t need a regular change. 

The cutter head also boasts of pins that go through the knife holes, a design that makes it easy to change the knives for increased safety. Keep in mind that these knives are reversible and disposable, which complements the overall design and functionality. 

By reversible, we mean that you do not have to regularly resharpen your knife since they are razor shape and cut through any wood. 

Size 

Size is perhaps the most significant limitation of this product. The first thing you will notice when you receive your package is that it is bigger than the average one. This product also weighs 92 pounds and is thus heavier than some of its counterparts, such as the WEN 6552, which weighs 66 pounds. 

 Because of this reason, it may not be easy to carry the planer around. We thus advise that you use this product in one location until you come up with a means of transporting it. On the brighter side, it is a bit lighter for a semi-professional seat planer. 

You should consider the DEWALT DW735 if you are looking for a relatively lighter semi-professional planer. 

Price 

The DEWALT Tools DW735 is expensive. It has an almost similar price to the full professional Dewalt DW735x planer. However, it would be right to attribute this to the premium construction and bonuses that users acquire.

Warranty 

This product comes with a 3-year warranty, which is a testament that it is durable. Manufacturers only offer warranties when they are sure of their products.  

dewalt DW735

DEWALT DW735 Pros

This product can cut through any type of wood thanks to its potent motor. Users have observed that this product can cut through most hardwoods. 

  • The DEWALT DW735 boasts of sturdy support posts that offer users the level of accuracy required in their projects. This can be attributed to its entire built mechanism that provides that all the components stay locked in place, just like they should. 

 

The DW735 has been lauded for its powerful suction force thanks to the potent blower motor that helps keep your shop clean. You won’t be able to use your small dust separator.

  • The two-speed setting is one of the most notable features of this tool. Users love that they can achieve two functionalities using one device and do not have to sand a piece of wood after it has been passed through the planer. 

 

DEWALT DW735 Cons

Despite the stable construction, this benchtop planer is not easily movable. It weighs 92 pounds, which is heavier than the average planers in its category. Users are therefore advised to either buy a dedicated stand on workbench casters to ease moving around.

The edges of the DEWALT DW735 chip easily leaving behind a raised line in wood that must be sanded or scraped away. However, there are several solutions for this which you should lookup. 

  • Most users have complained that this machine snipes away the ends of the board when wood passes through it. This may be avoided by different solutions, which may be inconvenient. Snipping can also be a considerable setback when working on projects that require high precision. 

 

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Customer reviews 

We took some time and went through some of the customers’ reviews on the internet. Most reviewers seemed to agree with the things we have mentioned, lauding the planer for its two-speed setting and several features. 

However, some also highlighted some critical points that you should note before spending your money on the DW735. Most people talked about this model’s power and precision, with others using descriptive words to talk about its cutting mechanism and results. 

Other users had something to say about the overall durability of the DW735, with some having used the tool for over six months, and it remained the same. This confirms that the model lasts, giving you value for money. 

Most people complained about the dust ejection system, noting that even though the blower worked well, the shrouds were not large enough to support the amount of dust produced. 

Several users also found connecting the tool to a shop vac annoying since they observed a clog in the system, hindering their projects’ efficiency. Others went ahead to recommend creating a woodchip depositing system for better cleanup. 

DEWALT DW735 Planer

Bottom line

The DEWALT DW735 planer is a great option if you are in the market for a new wood planer.  It is extremely durable, solid, and affordable and is very easy to use.  DEWALT is a household brand name and has been making power tools for generations and they don’t disappoint. A huge variety of reviewers, from DIYers to pro contractors, recommend the DW735 – and we agree!

Further reading: 9 Best Benchtop Planers for 2021| Reviews & Buying Guide

Linked article: DEWALT DW735 Vs. DW735X – How to Quickly Spot The Difference

Compare to other wood planers

Walter Snyder