Replies

1. 
   Dan1120 | Dec 15, 2006 10:34pm | #1

   I have the DW 734. It's an excellent machine. No snipe, blades last a long time. Only complaint is that the hood for the dust collector is kind of flimsy. Mine broke where the screws mount it to the planer. But no regrets with this machine!

2. 
   GRW | Dec 16, 2006 01:00am | #2

   10saw,

   I've owned two DW734's. I only bought the second one because I had so much invested in the knives...I couldn't get either one to last more than 3 years. The second one only 2 years. I'm a part time woodworker and didn't work them hard. It will be along time before I think about another DW.

   I just bought the Makita12"... Works great. I've only had it a couple of months so I don't have alot to say about it yet.

   Spend some time looking at the cost of knives...The DW734 was about $50 per set last I knew.

3. 
   JMartinsky | Dec 16, 2006 01:28am | #3

   Dear 10,
   I can't say enough about the Makita. Very good machine. I am a contractor and use it commercially. I have planed miles of stuff from Ipe, cherry, maple, oak, you name it. Very reliable, sort of quiet. Well, OK, not really, but the blades are simple to replace, and the whole thing is just bulletproof. I have had mine for at least six or seven years, now and with no maintenance, it has never let me down.

   Best,

   John

4. 
   art | Dec 16, 2006 03:05am | #4

   I've had a Makita for 15+ years. Lots and lots of bf of hardwoods and it just keeps going (change the blades occasionally). Mine doesn't get moved very much so I can't comment on the portability. Art

1. 
   bones | Dec 18, 2006 08:46pm | #8

   I've had my makita about as long. No problems at all, just a few blade changes. Even that was not painful.  I like the disposable blades. Relacements were $35.00 with two sides so that's $17.50 / side, not bad.  I would buy another makita in a heartbeat. 

5. 
   brownman | Dec 18, 2006 11:28am | #5

   Sounds like you've already done your homework! In case you haven't already figured it out, get the Makita! Unless you want to buy my new Dewalt so I can go and purchase the Makita.

1. 
   10saw | Dec 18, 2006 07:44pm | #6

   Dang it!!I thought I'd done my homework! I finally located a Makita and it LOOKS good, appears much more solid than the similar DW.But there was one returned at the same time. The owner said the rollers weren't gripping the wood. Salesman said it's because they are uretahne not rubber and take time to sorta brake in as he put it. He convinced me no problem then I asked about the DW and he said hands down the DW is a better machine...no question....d'oh!I think I'm gonna go in and take some lumber see if they will let me try the Makita. I need smaller as I'm considering a relocate this summer and a small Tacoma has only so much room. That DW 735 takes up a bunch...!Thanks,10saw

1. 
   brownman | Dec 18, 2006 08:26pm | #7

   Dont get me wrong 10saw I like my Dewalt , it's just that I'm miffed that the blades dulled with the first knot I hit. The planer itself is wonderful,it's just that the blades are inferior.

6. 
   forestgirl | Dec 18, 2006 09:11pm | #9

   "Most of the trip over bumpy ground so the heavier DW 735 is almost eliminated despite the fact I have owned one in the past and loved it."  Don't let that stop you!  Buy the Rigid miter saw stand!  I put my planer on it, using a sub-base of plywood, and it works great!!

   Look here for pics.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   10saw | Dec 20, 2006 04:05am | #10

   Forest Girl..Ya talked me into the DW735...then I saw your photos and it's the smaller Delta..I don't know if I'd hang the DW735 like that. But I'm gonna pick up some wheels or even a cheap wagon and drag it over.Another turning point was Lowes price match +10% off deal. They sell it for $559, and I found it for $499 elsewhere so got it from Lowes for $449. Plus a free DW sander which goes on craigslist.org the second it arrives so figure about $400 for the tool...not bad.They are a sweet planer though. I've seen some complaining threads about the blades and hope they haven't changed the metal as on my other DW735 I planed 1000's bdft of white oak and aside from dinging easily there was enough side to side to keep moving one then another then flip one etc...Bottom line I never changed the blades on the planer in 6 months of regular use.Thanks again,10saw

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 20, 2006 10:00pm | #11

   "I've seen some complaining threads about the blades...."  Check around on the blades -- you can probably get replacements of better quality (if the OE blades are crappy).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)