DEWALT DW735 Planer:

Have you ever tried to complete a project with less than perfect timber? We have…and surprisingly, the results were anything but perfect.

From working with older, rough-sawn pieces of timber, to sacrificing and using wood that wasn’t the same thickness across its entire length, or that wasn’t the correct thickness altogether – we’ve experienced it all.

Thankfully, if you have a wood planer to hand, there’s no reason why you need to make the same sacrifices.

Wood planers come in so handy, in fact, that we believe that if you’re in any way serious about woodworking and trying to achieve the best possible finish, they’re an absolute must-have in your woodworking arsenal.

There certainly isn’t a shortage of wood planers available on the market, including handheld and benchtop models that are intended for smaller projects, and much more heavy-duty options that are designed for permanent installation in a workshop to handle much larger pieces of timber.

Today, we’re going to be looking at the DEWALT DW735 wood planer, a benchtop model featuring very respectable maximum width and depth capacities, three blades and high cutting speed for smoother finishes, and even a two-speed feed mechanism that you use to prioritize speed over the quality of finish, and vice versa.

So how does it stack up?

And more importantly, is it the right choice for you and your woodworking needs?

Let’s find out by looking at everything you need to know about this DEWALT planer…

The DW735 is probably best suited to the likes to a keen DIYer, the professional that handles infrequent, smaller-scale jobs, or for the contractor looking for a semi-portable backup for on-site work.

With features like the 13-inch width and 6-inch depth capacities, the three blade cutter head, dual speed gearbox, and its durable aluminum table and plastic body, the DW735 certainly is very close to being an entirely professional-grade option, but it isn’t quite there in our opinion.

You see, if you regularly plane wood in large volumes, especially in over-sized sections of timber, it probably isn’t the best choice. In these cases, you’d be better off with a permanent, heavy-duty planer with a more powerful motor, a larger width capacity, and a larger table.

For everyone else, however, there’s no reason why the DEWALT DW735 shouldn’t meet and probably even exceed your needs.

As with the majority of wood planers, the DEWALT DW735 is well-suited to performing the following types of task:

One of the most important criteria to look at when choosing a wood planer is the power output of its motor, as the more powerful it is, the tougher, rougher, and also the larger the pieces of timber it can accommodate.

In the case of the DEWALT DW735, it features a 15A motor capable of 20,000 RPM (which equates to 10,000 RPM directly to the cutter head), giving you the peace of mind that it’ll handle the bulk of whatever you throw at it.

The motor’s power and speedy output, when combined with the planer’s large frame, give it a very respectable width and depth capacity of 13-inches and 6-inches respectively, one of the largest capacities available from a benchtop planer. As a result, the DW735 is capable of planing timber for even the largest of projects with ease.

Just as important when it comes to performance is the number of blades and the overall cutting speed of whatever planer you are considering, as the general rule of thumb when it comes to thickness planing is that the more blades there are, and the higher the overall cutting speed, the smoother the finish that is possible.

It makes sense, as the more cutting surfaces there are, and the faster the blades spin, the more times they collide with the timber you are planing to leave the smoothest surface possible.

You’re well-covered in this regard with the DEWALT DW735 thanks to its three-blade cutter head and its very high cutting speed of 30,000 cuts per minute (which is significantly higher than the DW734 that it sits just above in DEWALT’s range of wood planers which is capable of only 18,000 cuts per minute).

All told, this drastically reduces the amount of follow-up sanding that is needed to virtually zero, saving you both time and hassle.

Another positive is the fact that the blades feature a double cutting face, making them reversible. They have a longer lifespan because of this, meaning you can enjoy sharper, better quality cuts, and ultimately much smoother timber over a longer period versus comparable, non-reversible blades.

That’s not all though, as the DW735 comes packed with a few other performance-boosting features.

It comes with a dual-speed gearbox, for example, letting you prioritize productivity or quality of finish depending on your needs. The higher speed (setting 2) delivers 96 cuts per inch and is ideal for removing material as quickly as possible, while the lower speed (setting one) slows down the feed rate to deliver 179 cuts per inch and the best quality finish possible.

Just as impressive is the DW735’s ability to eject wood chips and cuttings away from the cutter head to prevent it clogging. This is all thanks to its fan-assisted chip ejection vacuum that exhausts them out of the dust ejection port as shown in the image above.

Finally, a problem that thickness planers are synonymous with is snipe, which refers to when the planer removes too much material at both the start or end of a piece of timber. Snipe occurs due to the weight of the wood outside the planer pivoting the ends and causing more pressure in these areas when they enter the cutting blades, leading to more material being removed.

The DW735 helps to overcome this issue thanks to its automatic carriage lock mechanism that reduces the type of movement that leads to this issue, all without any input from the user.

DEWALT knows that your planing requirements will change from one project to the next, and so they’ve made the DW735 highly customizable to make it easier for you to pick the settings that will best suit your needs.

We’ve already discussed the dual-speed gearbox that it comes with, and this is selectable via the handy speed selection switch on the front of the planer’s body as shown in the image below.

When it comes to changing the height of the planer’s cutter head (to a minimum of 1/8″ and a maximum of 6″), the handy depth adjustment crank makes this quick and easy.

Turning the crank clockwise lowers the cutter head to your desired finished thickness while turning it clockwise raises it. It’s capable of micro-adjustments too, with a single full rotation changing the height by 1/16″, and a half rotation changing it by 1/32″.

There’s no need to second-guess what height the planer’s cutter head is set at, or how much material will be removed ahead of each pass, all thanks to the DW735’s easy-to-read gauges as shown in the images below.

The depth adjustment scale, for example, automatically adjusts to show the updated value as you turn the crank to raise or lower the planer’s height.

Just as helpful, the DW735’s material removal gauge changes as a result of the pressure of the planer’s cutter head pressing against a piece of timber to show how much material will be removed, from 0″ to a maximum of 1/8″ with each cut.

The planer also comes equipped with an extra large turret depth stop dial to let you return to the most frequently used planing thicknesses with ease.

Probably the best use of this feature is when you need to plane repeatedly at various pre-set depths, with 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, and 1-1/4″ being selectable by turning the dial to the required setting.

Simple!

Power, performance, and customizability are just some of the things that make a wood planer truly useful and usable.

Just as important are the various features that minimize mess, reduce maintenance headaches, boost portability, and improve the overall safety of the tool.

Here are a few other standout features of this model:

We wouldn’t blame you if you overlooked these features to focus on the headline power and performance benefits of the DW735.

They are, however, an excellent example of DEWALT’s intense focus on the little details that go a long way to improve your experience of using their tools, and how they’re focused on creating power tools that meet the entirety of your needs, not just those in a few select areas.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that planing pieces of timber up to 13-inches in width and 6-inches in depth can lead to a lot of stress and strain on the machine.

To overcome this, DEWALT has chosen to manufacture the DW735’s base from cast aluminum to boost durability, a decision which has lead to it displaying 200% more rigidity versus a comparable standard 10-inch base with folding tables.

The case itself too, while not made from metal, is formed from sturdy plastic that is more than capable of withstanding the wear and tear of regular usage, and the bulk of knocks, bumps, and scrapes that it’ll come across in the workshop or job site.

The DW735 also comes with DEWALT’s industry-leading three-year limited warranty for additional peace of mind, and because it’s a tool that was first released in 2003 and is still on sale today, you can have the confidence that it’s thoroughly tried and tested and something that you can rely on to handle your planing needs for years to come.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the DW735 is expensive, but we feel that the price is justified for a few reasons.

Firstly, there’s no denying DEWALT’s reputation for quality when it comes to producing power tools of any kind, and the DW735 more than lives up to this.

Next, there’s the innovative variable speed function that lets you vary the feed speed to increase or decrease the number of cuts per inch to either boost productivity or improve the quality of finish, with this massively differentiating the DW735 from the competition.

Finally, the large capacity helps you handle large pieces of timber with ease, while the reversible blades will keep you planing for longer given their extended life versus comparable models with non-reversible blades.

Nothing’s perfect though, and this model is no different. The main drawback in our opinion is the size and weight, and this massively impacts portability even though it features side and bottom carry handles. As a result, it probably isn’t the best choice for anyone regularly needing to transport their wood planer to and from the worksite.

Despite this, however, we still think that it offers excellent value for money.

So, if you’re in the market for an almost professional-grade wood planer that will handle the bulk of what semi-regular users can throw at it, all from a company like DEWALT that is renowned for designed and manufacturing quality power tools, the DW735 is a great option.

Still not convinced? We’ve included a summary of the various advantages and disadvantages of this DEWALT planer below to help you make up your mind.

DEWALT DW734 vs DW735

While there are probably more similarities than differences between the DEWALT DW734 vs DW735, the latter sits higher in DEWALT’s lineup of wood planers, and hence it comes with some added benefits.

Firstly, the width capacity of the DW735 is ever-so-slightly bigger at 13″ (versus 12.5″ in the DW734), helping it accommodate wider pieces of wood, though both models feature the same 6″ maximum depth capacity.

Another major difference is the variable speed option that comes with the DW735, and this allows you to choose between two different feed speeds during planing. The faster speed delivers 96 cuts per inch, while the slower speed delivers 179 cuts per inch. The DW734 by comparison comes with a single speed only of 96 cuts per inch.

Aside from this, other differences include the fact that the DW735 is capable of a much higher maximum number of cuts per minute of 30,000 (versus only 18,000 with the DW734), and it is also slightly larger and heavier too.

Here is a summary of the key details of the DEWALT DW734 vs DW735:

(Scroll table if needed)

Model Number:	DW734	DW735
Manufacturer:	DEWALT	DEWALT
Tool Type:	Wood Planer	Wood Planer
Planer Type:	Stationary	Stationary
Motor:	15A	15A
Power Type:	Corded Electric	Corded Electric
Variable Speed:	No	Yes
No Load Speed (RPM):	20,000 (Motor) / 10,000 (Cutterhead)	20,000 (Motor) / 10,000 (Cutterhead)
Max Depth of Cut:	1/8″	1/8″
Depth Capacity:	6″	6″
Width Capacity:	12-1/2″	13″
Number of Blades:	3 Blades	3 Blades
Cuts Per Minute:	18,000	30,000
Cuts Per Inch:	96	96 or 179
Feed Rate:	14 Feet Per Min	14 / 26 Feet Per Min
Dude Port Diameter:	4″	4″
Warranty:	3-Year Limited	3-Year Limited
Tool Dimensions:	24″ x 17″ x 21″	24″ x 22″ x 19″
Tool Weight:	80 LBS	92 LBS
	Read Reviews	Read Reviews

Here are a few popular accessories for the DEWALT DW735, including folding tables to extend the planing surface, a sturdy mobile stand, and replacement blades to keep you planing for longer:

DEWALT DW7351 Folding Table for DW735 Planer

The DEWALT DW7351 folding tables are designed specifically for the DW735 planer and feature a lightweight design made from sturdy aluminum for maximum durability. They’re both detachable and foldable for added convenience, and they measure 13-inches in length each to extend the planer’s surface. Fitting kit included.

See It on Amazon

DEWALT DW7350 Planer Stand with Mobile Base

Provide support and mobility to your wood planer with this DEWALT planer stand. It features sturdy steel brackets that are more than capable of holding the DW735, plus the MDF fiberboard top comes predrilled for securing your DEWALT planer. It also comes with wheels that you can engage/disengage for maximum portability.

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DEWALT DW7352 Replaceable Knives for DW735

A quality planer requires quality knives. The DEWALT DW7352 replaceable knives for the DW735 will help you get the job done well. Made from M2 laminated high-speed steep, they’ll stay sharper and last longer than conventional planer knives, and they’re also double sided for even better long-term performance.

See It on Amazon

1. What is the difference between the DEWALT DW734 vs DW735?

2. What is the difference between the DEWALT DW735 vs DW735X?

3. Does it feature a variable speed?

4. Does it come with foldable infeed and outfeed tables?

5. What size of wood can the DEWALT DW735 accommodate?

6. What is the minimum board thickness that you can plane with this model?

7. What range of depth adjustment is available with the DW735 planer?

8. Does it have a vacuum port?

9. Are the blades reversible?

10. Does it come with spare blades?

11. What material is the base constructed from?

12. How long is the power cord?

13. How long is the warranty period?