For carpenters, contractors, or DIYers, having the right wood planer means smooth, even cuts and a great finish. When buying a tool like a wood planer, it’s important to get one that meets your needs. Whether you need something for a one time job or that will last a lifetime, when looking for the perfect planer, DeWalt will be a brand that will definitely come up. They have three models, the DW735, DW735X, and the DW734 and it’s not always really obvious what the differences between the three models are.
Comparison Table
DeWalt 734
First, let’s take a look at the DeWalt 734 planer.
The DW734 is made to be portable and small when compared to other planers, but it’s still a powerful tool. It has a three knife cutter that is capable of spinning at 10,000 rpm and can do 96 cuts per inch. The knives are disposable, reversible, and about one third longer than other disposable options at 12.5 inches. It’s designed for quick blade changes, too, so there’s no need to spend time sharpening anything.
It can handle a variety of different kinds of wood thanks to its thickness adjustment and feed tables. The feed tables fold up so they don’t take up a lot of space when not in use and are able to support an additional 33.5 inches of material. The DW734 can handle up to 6 inches of depth and 12.5 inches of width in varying cuts from 0 to ⅛ inch.
A dust hood comes included so you can attach it to a vacuum cleaner or dust collector, but the tables cannot be folded up when the dust hood is attached. Although it’s supposed to be portable, it weighs 80 pounds so it’s not really going to be all that easy to move around, despite the handles on the top and the cord winding system. A cart is available that acts as a stand for the tool, which is probably the best way to go if you’re looking for real portability.
Latest DW734 price on AmazonDeWalt DW735
The DW735 is a bigger planer than the DW734 and has some features that also make it better equipped. It has a cast aluminum base and is strong and sturdy plus an automatic carriage lock to control movement when using the tool.
A big upgrade is the dual-speed gearbox which provides the same 10,000 rpms as and 96 cuts per inch of the DW734 and also adds an additional option of 179 cuts per square inch. The DW735 also has a 6 inch thickness capacity, but you get an extra half inch of width, increasing from the 12.5 inches that the DW734 can handle up to 13 inches. The blades are also 13 inches, a half of an inch longer than the blades on the DW734.
Something that is significantly improved from the DW734 to the DW735 is debris management. The DW735 has a chip ejection system that makes smaller chips so there’s less chance it will clog. It also sucks chips up like a vacuum and forces them down a 4 inch wide collection chute. It also comes with two dust shrouds to make cleanup easier.
While these are all great improvements, they also increase the weight. The DW735 is twelve pounds heavier than to 80 pound DW734, weighing in at 92 pounds.
Latest DW735 price on AmazonDW735 vs DW735X
The DeWalt DW735X offers all of the same specs at the DW735, it comes will the addition of infeed and outfeed tables and an extra set of disposable knives for the cutter-head. Everything else is identical to the DW735.
Since these two models are essentially the same, you just need to decide how important the spare knives and tables are to you in the work you’re doing. If you feel you need them, then the DW735X is a good buy, but if they’re not significant to your work, it might be better to stick with the DW735.
Because the DW735 and DW735X are so similar, let’s compare the DW734 to the DW735 now that we know that the DW735X is the same as the DW735, but with the addition of the features above.
Latest DW735X price on AmazonDW734 vs DW735
Here’s how these two models compare:
Blade size – The DW734 uses a 12.5 inch blade, the DW735 a 13 inch blade.
Carriage Lock – The DW734 has a manual carriage lock, so you’ll have to manually turn a lever to get it to lock in place. The DW735 as an automatic carriage lock, so you don’t have to worry about locking in place yourself.
Weight – If you’re at all concerned about portability, the DW734 will be easier to move. It weighs only 80 pounds while the DW735 weighs 92 pounds.
No matter what model you choose, DeWalt is one of the best, most well known brands out there and you’ll be satisfied with your machine’s performance. It’s really all about finding the one that fits you needs and works best with the job you have to do.
Reader Interactions