Replies

1. 
   michaellc | May 28, 2008 09:57pm | #1

   There has been quite a few discussions on this question,  but to save you the effort of searching the general opinion seems to be that the Dewalt planners,  #734 & #735, and the Rigid planer are the machines to buy.   The Dewalt 734 and the Rigid are the traditional lunch box style machines with 3 blade cutter heads and good reputations.  The Dewalt 735 is generally rated the best portable planer and certainly the most expensive but the best dust collection.   There are other planers on the market but for the most part I think the Dewalts and the Rigid are thought to be the best on this and other forums.  Hope this helps.

   Mike................

1. 
   Cincinnati | May 29, 2008 12:28am | #2

   The DW 735 has a $50 rebate right now.Greg

   <!---->•••••••

   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

2. 
   Ralphhplar | May 29, 2008 01:41am | #3

   I have a DeWalt DW733K, which is probably the first one made and it is a 12-1/2" model.  I have been happy with it but today I would probably get a 13" planer.  Believe it or not but that extra 1/2" means a lot.  Ralph

1. 
   carpenter5 | May 29, 2008 07:53am | #4

   I have had the DW735 (13") for 3 years now and I can only say positive comments overall. The machine delivers all the way. If I can make one suggestion is to put it on it's own breaker with nothing else as it draws power but like I said it delivers. I have heard others here  @Knots in past discussions say they have encountered snipe, but I have not ever had that issue nor should you and if so .... return it.....

    Get in touch with the local Dewalt rep (and the store you will buy it from) to ask about snipe before you buy it. See if the answers differ and don't be led to believe, oh every palnner has snipe..... not so and you should not need extension tables for your planer... IT SHOULD PLANE WITHOUT SNIPE..... Anyways you should be happy with the Dewalt but look at others to know what the differences are. Oh by the way, look at how easy or tricky it is to change blades... The DW735 is a 10 min. job and easy peazy.

    

   REgards

   Carpenter5

2. 
   lynnroy | May 30, 2008 02:03am | #6

   I got a 13 Porter-cable and took it back.  My 12 1/2 does a much better job.  The bells and whistles were useless to me.

3. 
   BioHaz1906 | May 30, 2008 12:32am | #5

   I think hands down the DeWALT 13" DW735 planer is the way to go.  It is special because it contains a blower and this comes in handy if you have a small shop with no dust collector because you can buy a hood that covers a huge trash can and simply blow all your waste in there (I got some pictures if you want to see).  The variable speeds are great for rough lumber and then the final stage planing requires very little sanding if any. 

   The only real drawback to this planer is the disposable knives, but I was in at a DeWALT authorized service center and the technician said you can sharpen them.  I'm not recommending it, but I guess it is a possibility. 

   Good Luck!

4. 
   FAQ2 | May 30, 2008 03:42am | #7

   The DeWalt 735 costs roughly $550 for a 13'' cut. Ive used a grizzly planers before and it worked great anyway the G0477 15" planer/molder combo would be my buy for $725. That way you could produce your own molding later on down the line. 

5. 
   BrianDerr | May 30, 2008 08:09am | #8

   I recently bought the Jet closed stand 13". My second choice was the DeWalt, but I wasn't really looking for a portable planer, but a 'cabinet' planer. I like the Jet for the induction motor (quiet), EXCELLENT dust collection, ease of adjustment, built in casters and two speeds. I figured, if I was going to buy the DW, I'd also get the fancy stand, so It's really not that much cheaper than the Jet. Also, the amount of infeed/outfeed support offered by the Jet would have cost extra with the DW. I got it for $850, and have a $50 rebate coming. It'll also do molding, and runs on 120V.

   Brian

1. 
   flairwoodworks | May 30, 2008 10:56pm | #9

   The DeWalt sure is a screamer!Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

6. 
   JMartinsky | May 31, 2008 03:07am | #10

   Dear H,
   I am a contractor who does a mix of interior renovations and cabinetry. I used to burn out one Delta a year until I tried the Ridgid. It worked fairly well except that it tended to shatter the thinnest pieces. I tried to swap out the blades one day and the first bolt promptly stripped. That went back to HD with me swearing (again) that I wouldn't buy tools from there. I ordered a Makita 12" from Coastal Tool and haven't looked back. That was ten years ago or so. Hot or cold, inside or out, it just goes. Reasonably quiet for a planer, I have run miles of maple, red & white oak, Ipe, Brazilian cherry, and everything else and it just does its thing. Beautiful finish, very accurate and simple blade changes along with an ability to sit unused for a few months and then run for seven hours planing rough maple to finish. Nice tool.

   Best,

   John

1. 
   xxxxx | May 31, 2008 08:23am | #11

   Boyce Crane