I'm in the market for a budget-friendly surface planner and have heard a lot about the DW735 model. However, I'm aware there are other alternatives available as well. Should I go ahead with the DW735 and switch it to a helical blade right away, or should I first use the stock knives it comes with? Are there any other recommendable options out there?
4 Answers
The DW735 is often considered the top choice in the prosumer category. I got one too with plans to upgrade to a Shelix. I had a couple of nicks on my blades, and decided to do the upgrade instead of buying new blades. Just a heads-up though, Shelix heads are backordered and could take a couple months to arrive. Also, recently I had an issue where the belt got chewed up—could be due to the upgrade or just bad luck. I'd recommend looking at alternatives too, like the Grizzly planner with a spiral cutterhead if you're considering an immediate helical.
I recently snagged the DW735 which comes in a kit (DW735x) with in/out feed tables and extra blades for around $600. Those feed tables are super useful! I'm planning to upgrade to a Shelix eventually, but I'm just going to use the stock blades until they dull. It's definitely worth considering if you're looking at the DW735.
I've had my DW735 since around 2004. It's been a workhorse for me! I did wear out the bottom plate after running tons of wood through it, and I just got a new one. I still use the old one for early passes. I don’t think a helical head is necessary, especially since changing blades has become pretty quick for me. Hope that helps!
I'm curious about this too since I'm also looking for a surface planner. I've seen some Rigid 4850 models on sale—probably leftover from Black Friday—so that could be an option. As for blades, I've heard mixed things about whether to stick with the stock ones or upgrade to helical right away. It'll be interesting to see what others recommend!