DEWALT DW734 Planer: Ultimate Benchtop – Best Value

For any serious woodworker, a reliable thickness planer is an indispensable tool, and the DEWALT DW734 Planer has consistently proven itself as a top contender in the benchtop category. This machine is designed to transform rough lumber into perfectly smooth, dimensionally accurate boards, making it a cornerstone for projects ranging from fine furniture to general carpentry.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve deep into what makes the DEWALT DW734 Planer a favorite among enthusiasts and professionals alike. We will explore its robust features, evaluate its performance in real-world scenarios, and help you determine if this powerful tool is the right investment for your workshop. From its powerful motor to its innovative three-knife cutter head, we’ll leave no stone unturned.

DEWALT DW734 Planer Overview

The DEWALT DW734 Planer stands out in the crowded benchtop planer market for its blend of power, precision, and durability. It’s engineered to handle a wide range of planing tasks, from surfacing rough-sawn lumber to achieving final dimensions for joinery. This model has garnered a reputation for delivering exceptional results without breaking the bank, making it a popular choice for both hobbyists and small professional shops.

At its core, the DW734 is built around a potent 15-amp motor, capable of driving its cutter head at an impressive 10,000 RPM. This high-speed rotation, combined with a three-knife cutter head, ensures a remarkably smooth finish on various wood species. Unlike many entry-level planers that use a two-knife system, the DW734’s three-knife configuration minimizes tear-out and reduces the need for extensive sanding post-planing.

DEWALT has also paid close attention to user experience, incorporating features that simplify operation and maintenance. The reversible, disposable knives are a significant convenience, allowing for quick changes without the need for intricate calibration. Furthermore, the fan-assisted chip ejection system is a game-changer, keeping the work area clean and preventing chips from interfering with the planing process, which is a common issue with less sophisticated machines.

The planer’s maximum capacity of 12-1/2 inches wide and 6 inches thick accommodates a substantial range of stock sizes, suitable for most woodworking projects. Its sturdy cast aluminum base provides a stable platform, contributing to accuracy and reducing vibration during operation. While it’s a benchtop model, its substantial weight (around 80 pounds) speaks to its robust construction, suggesting it’s built for consistent, heavy-duty use rather than frequent portability.

For woodworkers looking to upgrade from a less capable planer or invest in their first dedicated machine, the DEWALT DW734 Planer presents a compelling argument. It strikes an excellent balance between performance, features, and cost, offering professional-grade results in a package accessible to serious hobbyists. Its consistent positive reviews and long-standing presence in the market are testaments to its enduring quality and value.

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DEWALT DW734 Planer Key Features & Specs

Understanding the specific features and specifications of the DEWALT DW734 Planer is crucial to appreciating its capabilities and how it can elevate your woodworking projects. Each component is designed to contribute to its overall performance, precision, and user convenience.

Powerful 15-Amp Motor

At the heart of the DW734 is its robust 15-amp motor, delivering 20,000 RPM motor speed and a cutter head speed of 10,000 RPM. This significant power output is essential for planing challenging hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut without bogging down. The motor’s ample torque ensures consistent feed rates and smooth operation, even when taking deeper cuts.

This power translates directly into efficiency, allowing you to process more material in less time. It also helps in maintaining a consistent finish across the entire length of the board, reducing the likelihood of inconsistencies that often arise from underpowered machines. The motor is designed for sustained use, making it suitable for larger projects that require extensive planing.

Three-Knife Cutter Head

One of the most significant advantages of the DEWALT DW734 Planer is its three-knife cutter head. Compared to the more common two-knife systems found on many benchtop planers, the three-knife design offers several benefits. It results in a higher number of cuts per inch (CPI), leading to a much smoother surface finish with significantly less tear-out, especially on figured or difficult grain patterns.

The knives themselves are reversible and disposable, made from high-speed steel (HSS). This design simplifies knife changes considerably, eliminating the need for complex calibration or sharpening. When one side dulls, you simply flip them over for a fresh cutting edge. Once both sides are dull, they are easily replaced, saving time and effort often associated with traditional planer knife maintenance.

Fan-Assisted Chip Ejection System

DEWALT’s fan-assisted chip ejection system is a standout feature that significantly improves the user experience. This integrated fan actively vacuums chips off the cutter head and exhausts them out of the machine. This not only keeps the cutter head clear, preventing chip buildup that can lead to surface imperfections and motor strain, but also dramatically improves dust collection.

When connected to a shop vacuum or dust collector via the 2-1/2-inch dust port, the system effectively removes chips from the workspace, creating a cleaner and safer environment. This efficiency reduces the time spent on cleanup and ensures consistent performance by preventing clogs within the machine. It’s a crucial feature for maintaining optimal cutting performance and extending the life of the planer.

Material Capacity and Depth Stop

The DW734 offers a maximum planing width of 12-1/2 inches and a maximum thickness capacity of 6 inches. This generous capacity accommodates most common lumber dimensions used in woodworking, from narrow trim pieces to wider panels for tabletops or cabinet doors. The ability to plane stock up to 6 inches thick expands the range of projects you can tackle.

It also features an extra-long infeed and outfeed table, which provides 33-1/2 inches of material support. This extended support is vital for minimizing snipe, a common issue with planers where the ends of the board are slightly thinner than the middle. The tables help keep the workpiece level as it enters and exits the cutter head, contributing to more consistent results.

A convenient turret depth stop allows for quick and accurate setting of common planing depths. This feature is particularly useful when you need to make repetitive cuts to specific thicknesses, ensuring consistency across multiple pieces. While not a digital readout, it provides reliable mechanical stops for common dimensions.

Material Removal Gauge

The planer includes a material removal gauge, which indicates the amount of material being removed with each pass. This visual aid helps prevent over-stressing the motor or taking too aggressive a cut, especially on dense hardwoods. By monitoring the gauge, users can make informed adjustments to the depth of cut, optimizing both the machine’s performance and the quality of the finish.

Solid Construction and Durability

Built with a heavy-duty cast aluminum base, the DEWALT DW734 Planer is designed for stability and longevity. The robust construction minimizes vibration during operation, which translates to smoother cuts and reduced wear on internal components. Its substantial weight, while making it less portable, contributes to its stability on the workbench, ensuring consistent and accurate planing.

DEWALT’s reputation for building durable power tools is evident in the DW734. The internal mechanisms are engineered for demanding use, promising years of reliable service in a busy workshop environment. The overall fit and finish of the machine speak to a commitment to quality and ruggedness that woodworkers have come to expect from the brand.

Pros & Cons of the DEWALT DW734 Planer

Every tool has its strengths and weaknesses, and the DEWALT DW734 Planer is no exception. A balanced perspective helps potential buyers make an informed decision, weighing the benefits against any limitations.

Pros:

• Exceptional Smooth Finish: The three-knife cutter head, combined with its high RPM, consistently produces a remarkably smooth surface. This often means less sanding is required after planing, saving significant time and effort in the finishing stages of a project.
• Powerful Motor Performance: The 15-amp motor is a workhorse, easily tackling dense hardwoods without stalling. This power ensures that the planer can handle challenging material and maintain a consistent feed rate, crucial for quality results.
• Efficient Chip Ejection System: The fan-assisted chip ejection is highly effective, keeping the cutter head clear and improving dust collection efficiency. This feature prevents chips from marring the workpiece surface and reduces cleanup time, contributing to a cleaner workshop.
• Easy Knife Changes: The reversible, disposable HSS knives simplify maintenance considerably. Changing dull knives is a quick, straightforward process that doesn’t require complex alignment jigs, getting you back to work faster.
• Minimal Snipe: With proper technique and the extended infeed/outfeed tables, the DW734 is known for producing very little snipe. This consistency across the entire board length is a hallmark of a good planer and critical for precise joinery.
• Durable Construction: Built with a heavy-duty cast aluminum base, the planer is robust and stable. Its solid construction ensures longevity and reliable performance even under demanding use, making it a long-term investment.

Cons:

• High Noise Level: Like many powerful planers, the DW734 can be quite loud during operation. Hearing protection is highly recommended and often necessary for comfortable and safe use, especially during extended planing sessions.
• No Digital Depth Readout: While it has a turret depth stop and a material removal gauge, the lack of a digital depth-of-cut indicator can be a drawback for some users. This means relying on a tape measure or calipers for precise thickness measurements, which can be less convenient.
• Weight and Portability: At approximately 80 pounds, the DW734 is a heavy machine for a

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