The DEWALT DW735X Planer stands as a formidable machine in any serious woodworker’s arsenal, renowned for its ability to transform rough lumber into precisely dimensioned stock with an exceptionally smooth finish. This 13-inch thickness planer, equipped with a three-knife cutter head and an innovative two-speed gearbox, consistently delivers results that exceed expectations for both hobbyists and professional workshops.
Its robust 15 Amp motor and fan-assisted chip ejection system are just a few of the features that solidify its reputation as a top-tier tool, making it a pivotal investment for those dedicated to quality woodworking.
Before diving into the intricate details of this impressive machine, here’s a quick overview of what makes the DEWALT DW735X Planer a standout choice.
Summary Box
| Feature | Detail |
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| Rating | 4.7 out of 5 stars (Based on 7452 reviews) |
| Price | ~$669.00 USD |
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Table of Contents
DEWALT DW735X Planer Overview
The DEWALT DW735X Planer is more than just a tool; it’s an essential component for any woodworker seeking precision and perfection in their projects. A thickness planer’s primary function is to flatten and smooth rough lumber, bringing it to a uniform thickness. This process is crucial for creating stable, accurate joints and ensuring that all pieces of a project fit together seamlessly.
The DW735X model from DEWALT has carved a significant niche in the market, appealing to a broad spectrum of users from serious DIY enthusiasts to small-scale professional furniture makers and contractors. Its robust construction and intelligent design address many common frustrations associated with planing, such as snipe and inefficient chip removal.
At the heart of the DEWALT DW735X Planer’s performance is its powerful 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM (cutterhead speed) motor, capable of handling even the toughest hardwoods without bogging down. This power ensures consistent material removal and reduces the likelihood of burning or stalling, which can be common issues with less capable machines.
The 13-inch planing capacity is another key attribute, allowing users to process a wide range of board widths for various applications, from cutting boards to large tabletops. This versatility makes the DEWALT DW735X Planer a valuable asset in diverse woodworking scenarios, accommodating both narrow and moderately wide stock.
One of the most praised features of this planer is its integrated fan-assisted chip ejection system. Unlike many planers that rely on gravity or basic vents, the DW735X actively expels wood chips into a collection bag or dust extractor. This significantly reduces clogs, keeps the cutter head cleaner, and contributes to a much tidier workshop environment, improving air quality and visibility.
DEWALT’s reputation for building durable and reliable tools is evident in the DW735X. Its heavy-duty design and quality components are built to withstand the rigors of frequent use, promising longevity and consistent performance for years to come. This commitment to durability translates into a tool that maintains its accuracy and efficiency over time, requiring minimal maintenance beyond routine cleaning and knife changes.
Compared to entry-level planers, the DEWALT DW735X Planer offers a substantial upgrade in terms of power, precision, and user experience. While its initial investment is higher, the superior finish quality, reduced snipe, and efficient dust management often justify the cost for those who demand professional-grade results. It streamlines the dimensioning process, allowing woodworkers to spend less time sanding and more time on assembly and finishing.
The importance of accurate lumber thickness cannot be overstated in woodworking. The DW735X ensures that your stock is perfectly flat and consistent, which is fundamental for creating strong, attractive joints and ultimately, high-quality finished products. This machine is designed to be a workhorse, making the often tedious task of dimensioning wood a much more manageable and enjoyable part of the woodworking process.
Understanding the core capabilities and design philosophy behind the DEWALT DW735X Planer provides a solid foundation for appreciating its specific features and how they contribute to its overall excellence. It is a testament to DEWALT’s engineering prowess in the woodworking tool segment, consistently delivering robust and user-friendly solutions.
DEWALT DW735X Planer Key Features & Specifications
The true genius of the DEWALT DW735X Planer lies in its meticulously engineered features, each designed to enhance performance, user experience, and the quality of the final product. Understanding these specifications is crucial for appreciating why this planer is often considered a benchmark in its category.
Three-Knife Cutter Head
One of the most significant features is the three-knife cutter head. Unlike planers with two knives, the DW735X’s three-knife system provides 30% more cuts per inch (CPI) at the same feed rate. This results in an incredibly smooth, virtually finish-ready surface, often requiring minimal to no sanding afterward. The knives are reversible and disposable, offering double the life and making changes quick and straightforward.
The design minimizes tear-out, especially on figured or difficult grain patterns, which is a common challenge for planers with fewer knives. The quick-change mechanism means less downtime, allowing woodworkers to maintain productivity. This contributes significantly to the overall efficiency and quality achieved by the DEWALT DW735X Planer.
Two-Speed Gearbox
The DEWALT DW735X Planer features a unique two-speed gearbox, providing versatility that few other portable planers offer. Users can switch between 10,000 RPM (96 CPI) and 20,000 RPM (179 CPI) cutter head speeds. The slower speed (10,000 RPM) is ideal for taking heavier cuts and dimensioning rough stock, prioritizing material removal.
The faster speed (20,000 RPM) is perfect for the final passes, delivering an ultra-smooth finish that often eliminates the need for extensive sanding. This dual functionality allows the woodworker to optimize the planing process for different stages of their project, from initial roughing to precise finishing. It’s a hallmark of the DEWALT DW735X Planer’s adaptability.
Powerful 15 Amp Motor
Equipped with a robust 15 Amp motor, the DW735X delivers ample power to handle a variety of wood types, including challenging hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut. This motor is designed to maintain consistent speed under load, preventing bogging down and ensuring smooth, uninterrupted cuts. The high power output contributes to the planer’s efficiency and reliability.
This motor is engineered for continuous use in a workshop environment, reflecting DEWALT’s commitment to professional-grade durability. It ensures that even with deep cuts or wide boards, the DEWALT DW735X Planer performs consistently without showing signs of strain, making it a reliable workhorse for demanding tasks.
Fan-Assisted Chip Ejection System
One of the most innovative and highly praised features of the DEWALT DW735X Planer is its fan-assisted chip ejection system. An internal fan actively propels wood chips out of the cutter head, into a dust port, and directly into a dust collector or large collection bag. This system is incredibly effective at preventing chip buildup around the cutter head, which can lead to clogging, dulling of knives, and an inferior finish.
The efficiency of this system helps maintain a cleaner workshop, reduces airborne dust, and improves visibility during operation. It’s a significant upgrade over passive ejection systems found on many other planers, demonstrating a thoughtful design focused on user convenience and safety. This feature alone can save considerable time on cleanup and maintenance.
Turret Depth Stop
For repetitive planing tasks, the turret depth stop is an invaluable feature. It allows users to quickly return to frequently used thicknesses without having to re-measure and adjust each time. This enhances efficiency and accuracy, particularly when working on multiple pieces that need to be planed to the same dimension.
The stops are clearly marked, making adjustments intuitive and fast. This precision control ensures consistency across all your workpieces, a critical aspect for high-quality woodworking projects. The convenience offered by this feature cannot be overstated for batch processing.
Material Removal Gauge
The DEWALT DW735X Planer includes a material removal gauge, which provides a real-time indication of how much material will be removed with each pass. This visual feedback helps prevent taking overly aggressive cuts that could bog down the motor, cause snipe, or stress the machine. It allows for more controlled and precise planing, especially when working with expensive or delicate stock.
This gauge is particularly useful for beginners learning to operate a planer, as it helps them develop a feel for appropriate cut depths. Even experienced woodworkers appreciate the added layer of control and safety it provides. It’s another example of DEWALT’s focus on user-friendly and intelligent design.
Extra-Large Infeed/Outfeed Tables (DW7350)
The ‘X’ in DW735X signifies the inclusion of the DW7350 folding infeed and outfeed tables. These tables are crucial for minimizing snipe, which is the slight dip at the beginning and end of a board as it passes through the planer. The extended support provided by these tables ensures that the board remains level as it enters and exits the cutter head.
The tables are robust, easy to attach, and fold up for storage when not in use, adding to the planer’s overall practicality. Their inclusion as standard equipment makes the DW735X a more complete and ready-to-use solution right out of the box, significantly enhancing its performance and user satisfaction.
Physical Specifications and Portability
Weighing approximately 92 pounds, the DEWALT DW735X Planer is a substantial machine. While it’s considered a
