Infinity Tools Claims its carbide-tipped replacement knives for the DeWalt 735 planer will last significantly longer than high-speed-steel (HSS) knives. We have this planer in our shop, and it sees a ton of use (and some abuse), a great testing ground for the durability of the knives. They don’t disappoint, lasting an impressive 21 months (the HSS knives supplied with the planer typically last between three and six months). I planed some test boards when I first installed the knives, and ran the same boards through (planing the opposite face) before changing them out when I was told that the boards were noticeably harder to feed. The only difference was in areas of difficult grain, where the surface was slightly rougher on the later passes. Notably, there were no nicks in the blades, a common occurrence in HSS knives.
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Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander
With five spindles sized from 1/2 in. to 2 in. and a 4 X 24-in. belt, this sander has become a staple in many a shop Fine Woodworking visits.
Regardless of the board’s grain, this jointer produced excellent results. Its fence was totally flat, worked smoothly, and locked well, staying in place even after jointing multiple edges. Getting the fence to 90° was very easy, but the 90° stop was a little tricky to set and the fence did not go back to square when using it. For those who would use it, there is also a digital depth-of-cut scale.
The DeWalt 735X produced two faces perfectly parallel to one another, with surfaces far superior to what the other machines produced, thanks to its two feed speeds. At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy, with spacious access to the cutterhead from the top and a gib screw wrench that doubles as a magnetic lift to remove the knives. The 735X also has great dust collection, thanks to an internal blower that helps evacuate chips. The port has a 2-1/2-in.-dia. opening, but has a built-in adapter for 4-in.-dia. hoses. My only complaint is the location of the dust port. It’s on the outfeed side of the machine, and exits straight back. If you don’t pull the hose to the side, it interferes with material as it leaves the machine. The top is large and flat, so it’s a great place to set material in between passes through the machine.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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