Dewalt DW734 Thickness Planer Review

In this video, I will be reviewing the Dewalt DW734 planer. I will be taking a look at many features to this DW734 planer to give you an idea if the machine will be right for your shop! I will explain many aspects of this planer in great detail including the mechanism to raise and lower the cutter head of the thickness planer and my favorite feature the material removal gauge which allows you to dial in the correct planing height. The Dewalt DW734 planer is jam-packed full of great features and I would recommend this machine to anyone looking for an entry-level planer for their shop. I will show you several pictures, live footage, and explanation videos to give you a full perspective of the Dewalt DW734 planer and its many uses and applications. I have used this planer to cut a variety of lumber and I have also used this planer in conjunction with a planer sled that I built to plane rough sawn lumber. This benchtop planer has come in great handy in my shop over the years and I think you may find it helpful in your woodshop as well. Since this planer is a benchtop model it actually has handles on the sides in case you want to move it around the shop or take it with you as it is a very portable machine. I house my benchtop Dewalt planer on a moveable work cart that I built and have a central dust collection system routed to the dust port on the machine. I highly recommend connected the machine to a dust collection system of some sort because of the high amount of shavings the machine produces. Overall, the Dewalt DW734 thickness planer is a reliable, sturdy and durable machine that includes support wings to complete some rather large projects. The planer can run boards up to 12 1/2 inches wide and up to 6 inches thick. This very well maybe one of the best benchtop thickness planers on the market currently! I really hope you enjoy this review video of the benchtop Dewalt DW734 thickness planer and don't forget to subscribe to the Shopfix Channel if you haven't already, take care and good luck on your future woodworking projects!
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[@_Shopfix]

Hey everyone, I hope this video provides you with the information you need to decide if this planer would be suitable for your shop. If you have any questions about the features described in this video feel free to comment below. Have a wonderful day and I wish you the best of luck with your future woodworking projects!

[@jellyg.8961]

First, thanks for the review, you explained evrything consistently and perfectly. I have started to look at planers and this one is one of the lowest priced by the top brands around. However with this quarantine in place I have put my plans to get it on hold but its great to see all the pros and cons of it. Thanks and keep making good vids!

[@_Shopfix]

Hey, thanks so much for the positive feedback and I hope you can purchase it soon! This model has certainly performed well in my shop.

[@northcackalacky4694]

@@_Shopfix I just got mine set up today, just needed you to help explain the very first feed into the machine! Exactly the video I needed. It takes a long time to adjust the tables since they don't have a fine threaded adjustable bolt? I'm making up a 12"× 4' melamine piece to lay on top of the inconsistent levels of the tables. Very robust machine. I'm shooting for Zero Snipe

[@cgriesemer]

This review was helpful in learning more about adjusting the various options on this planet. I appreciate having this as a resource. I had zero clue how that turret feature worked, very handy.

[@_Shopfix]

Hello, I appreciate the feedback as it helps me create better content. I am glad that going over the features helped you to understand how to adjust the various options such as the turret stop. This planer is one of the machines that I have used extensively in the shop as I am always working with boards that are not flat. Please let me know if you have any other questions about this planer. Take care and stay safe out there!

[@johnmanning4577]

I took the sense that the turret stop was a limiting feature that allowed you to plane a number of different thicknessed boards to a single thickness, regardless of what planer setting you may have to start with for each board. I also took the sense that you could also employ this feature if you wanted to call attention to when you were getting close to your desired thickness and not carelessly over-lower the cutter.

[@Lizzylotrogal]

Thank for your review. We watched it to find out about the depth adjustment with the turret stop. The manual points it out but they don’t really have scale viewing of everything that would allow you to know what you’re looking at for this which we now know that it is in fig 11 on the manual from watching your video. Thanks again, your a big help! Glad to know about the build up of wood shavings too in the dust hood.

[@_Shopfix]

You’re welcome, glad the video came in handy for you!

[@EMWoodworking]

Thank you for the review. I’ve decided to go with this model. I looked at the 735 and for the 💰 this is the better deal for me and my needs.

[@_Shopfix]

You are welcome, I agree I couldn't justify spending the extra money on the 735 when it basically does the same job! Take care!

[@Erik-rd5dl]

Finally! A video that talks about the clogging problem with this model. I was seriously thinking I was mental or doing something horribly wrong but nope this is exactly the same thing I have happen over and over again particularly when trying to plain longboards

[@_Shopfix]

I agree, it’s a funny problem but it’s definitely an issue sometimes!

[@Harleyguy03]

Providing detail on the features of this unit makes this video more informative than most, on the DeWalt DW734. I've been going back and forth trying to decide between this unit and the WEN6552t (to save money) You've helped me make up my mind to get the DeWalt. some of the features you described help to explain why the DeWalt costs more than the WEN.

[@tinkeringeekkissimmeefl4495]

Thanks for the review, and a great job at getting right to the points (features, dislike) of the equipment. This helps a lot with deciding if the equipment is right for my need. Too many videos talk about preferences, mostly personal, and those opinions do not help.

[@_Shopfix]

Hey, thanks so much for the positive feedback, I try to stay objective when reviewing machines! I'm glad this video helped you out, take care and don't forget to subscribe!

[@markg1490]

Just ordered mine. Thanks for the awesome review

[@_Shopfix]

Glad I could help!

[@JohnHarrerHorses]

Thanks for the review. I was undecided between this and the 735. I think you helped me out.

[@_Shopfix]

You’re welcome, glad it came in handy!

[@stevemcdade4388]

Great Job explaining how the DeWalt DW734 after reading the manual and watch a lot of KZbin videos about. I feel better about starting using it. THANKS

[@_Shopfix]

You are welcome!

[@JC-hp3cx]

I loved how you talk nice and slow great video nice pic all are simple direct to the point 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@_Shopfix]

Hey thanks for the positive feedback on the video! I wish you the best of luck with your future woodworking projects, take care!

[@gregglouis2969]

Very solid review sir!

[@_Shopfix]

Thank you kindly!

[@joeygarner6333]

very clear and informative thanks

[@_Shopfix]

You are welcome!

[@GoblinsWorkshop]

Great review. Id love to see a custom dust port built! I purchased the DW734 few days ago. Even though I haven't experienced a clog I can see how a custom dust port would help overall.

[@_Shopfix]

Thanks! I’m definitely considering a custom dust port since I’ve had some issues. Best of luck with your dw734, it’s a great machine overall. Make sure to keep the rollers and table clean and it will run smoothly until you need to flip the blades!

[@trevord6385]

Extremely helpful thank you very much

[@_Shopfix]

You're welcome!

[@valeriedowis5509]

My planer clogs in the same spot. Thanks for the review, was looking to see if I had missed something in the setup causing it to happen.

[@_Shopfix]

Well I’m glad I mentioned that part about the dust collection then! One way that’s helped me not clog it so easily is making sure I don’t have too many dust collection lines running from the same dust collector in my shop. If you can increase the suction power going to the planer it will help out a ton!

[@MrRenoman2011]

Great video. Just a thought about the dust collection. I would put a fitting in the corner where the dust piles up and use a shot of air to clean the area out. Just a thought

[@_Shopfix]

Thanks for the tip!!

[@GerhardDIETRICH]

This was perfect how u make it and bring the information I need to buy a tool I hope this tool comes one day also to Europe for 240v I’m waiting think since 2y thanks alot

[@_Shopfix]

You are welcome!

[@SWheatleyOutdoors]

Damnit... Now I have to go spend money on this thing.... Nice review man!

[@_Shopfix]

If only I got a cut of the sale for leading you to the machine haha oh well at least you know you have a nice budget thickness planer now!

[@bijoysaraf650]

Great review William! Thank you for sharing. I was wondering if you ever tried using Cutech planer with spiral or helical carbide blades. Their finish is on another level! It has an anti snipe lock. By the way, what has been your experience with snipe? What is the noise level in dB of the planar DWE 734? How does it compare with 735 & 735X? Great presentation. Liked it!

[@_Shopfix]

Hey thanks! I have only had experience using the dewalt dw734, but have had interest in the helical cutter head design. I have not had a ton of issues with planer snipe on this model but it does happen every now and then. As far as the dB level I can tell you that’s it’s one of the loudest machines in the shop! With the rubber mats under the machine and sound absorbing curtains around the shop it helps out a bit with the sound level. Have a good one!

[@samuelclark8055]

This was a very good review, thank you. I just received this planer for Father's Day so I am pumped to get to spend a little time with it. What really caught my eye was your cart for the planer (and a few other things). I have a large shop, but space is not unlimited and I love having pieces that roll in and out of my "work area". Do you have plans or would you be willing to send some pix of your cart so that I might be able to reproduce it on a custom level. Thanks in advance.

[@_Shopfix]

Hey, thank you for the positive feedback, I appreciate it! The rolling workcart that holds all my benchtop machines was the best thing I made for my shop by far! I go into great detail about the portable workcart and its setup in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWXEoZprrbKBn9k

[@tdz69]

Thanks for this video! I’m deciding on this or the next model up. Question...how involved is is to remove the dust exhaust to clear out the build up? If it’s easy and quick I think I’m going to go with this model.

[@_Shopfix]

The dust collection issue isn't a huge issue. Taking the dust collection port off requires you to unscrew 3 screws not too difficult just an inconvenience if anything. I would highly recommend this model, it performs very well.

[@user-cd4eu1ob1h]

Thanks for the review. Clear and useful. It's a toss up between this or the Makita 2012NB. Does anyone have any thoughts on which is better and why?

[@_Shopfix]

Thanks for the feedback. Have fun with your new planer once you get it!

[@coledailey4280]

Great video, thanks. I just got this planer and it works great. Why do you use a planer sled?

[@_Shopfix]

A planer sled is to make the thickness planer into an upside down 12” jointer basically.

[@downingkelly8345]

Great review Thank you. Can I plane rough pieces of wood too with this planer? I have some live edge pieces that I want to use for some projects. Does the wood need to be smooth like 2x4's already? Can't find a review that has rough pieces in it. Thank you

[@_Shopfix]

Thanks for the positive feedback on the review! You can plane rough pieces of lumber but I would recommend making one side flat before using a planer. Without a jig, a planer simply changes the thickness of a board. When working with rough pieces that are not flat you will need to use a jointer, planer sled or hand plane beforehand to make one side flat.

[@grobertson2008]

I just purchased this planer. If you make a new dust collector please share I see the same thing with mine. A shoot in the middle would fix it.

[@richie1027]

I just purchased a 734 and already experienced the chips jamming on the right side. Probably because I’m planing 1x12’s that were freshly cut at a mill. If you come up with a solution or workaround as you mentioned, I’d be interested. I’m also curious the maximum cut that you feel comfortable with. Thank you for the video. Very helpful.

[@_Shopfix]

Great comments, I will definitely let you know if I find a solution for the dust collection. I never plane more than a 1/16th on a single pass. I think planing more than a 1/16th is quite a lot for the planer to cut in one pass.

[@worldwide1376]

Great review. Any problems with snipe?

[@_Shopfix]

No noticeable problems with snipe!

[@markmurto]

The latest Dewalt dw734 does not come with the 10mm/8mm wrench, or place to put it. Its called Type 20 i think as opposed to type 1.

[@Chris.Davies]

All these inches and fractions make my head hurt. At least the DW734 in NZ ic calibrated for metric!

[@Rooxie973]

united states is the largest english speaking nation so you can expect majority of content online to use imperial measurements. I'm from nz as well and I've gotten used to it. The tools we get in nz are made for the australian market (DeWalt XE)

[@user-oy8tf5hw5e]

Thanks for the video. I'm looking to buy a used one. Concerning the dust collection, does the DEWALT DW734 run if you just remove it, or is the blade exposed?

[@_Shopfix]

You can run the planer without hooking it up to dust collection and you can also remove the dust collection hood if you wanted to. However, just be advised that a planer makes the most waste out of any machine in the woodshop so it’s arguably one that you’ll want to hook up to dust collection if you are inside. Best of luck to you!

[@dagoeka]

Thanks for the tips. Did you make a new dust collector already.

[@_Shopfix]

I haven’t, its just not a big enough issue to waste the time yet.

[@jacob8242]

do you have a video on the stand you have it on? looks like a miter saw and table saw on the table also?

[@_Shopfix]

I don’t have a video on that but will consider adding one in the future! Thank you

[@stevesiefken6432]

I’ve heard people say sometimes you need to push the workpiece through the planer rather than the rollers pulling it through. What’s your experience?

[@_Shopfix]

Through my experience, the only reason you would need to push the workpiece through is if the lumber doesn’t catch the rollers. This can happen if the high spot on the board is only in one spot so you would need to push the lumber through until the rollers caught that high spot. However, once the rollers catch the lumber there is no reason to push it through. If one has to push the lumber through all the time there may be a problem with the rollers or blades. I will often guide the workpiece through with my hands to make sure it’s planing correctly but I’m not applying pressure to the back of the board unless the rollers lose contact with the lumber as in the case with a piece that has one really high spot. Great question!

[@changandy]

Great review. I was wondering what the overall dimensions of the planer are? I want to make sure it fits into the space I have for it, but I can't seem to find that anywhere. Thanks!

[@biguprochester]

Did you google it?

[@_Shopfix]

Hey, here are the dimensions that I measured. I am providing measurements for the basic planer structure as well as the measurements when support wings and top right handle are factored: Width w/o top right handle: 21" Width w/ top right handle: 26" Length w/o support wings: 14" Length w/ support wings: 34" Height w/o top right handle: 17.5" Height w/ top right handle: 20.5"

[@_Shopfix]

Hey, here are the dimensions that I measured. I am providing measurements for the basic planer structure as well as the measurements when support wings and top right handle are factored: Width w/o top right handle: 21" Width w/ top right handle: 26" Length w/o support wings: 14" Length w/ support wings: 34" Height w/o top right handle: 17.5" Height w/ top right handle: 20.5"

[@StreetKingz4Life]

nice review brother am thinking of getting this planer how is it holding up today?any problems at all?

[@_Shopfix]

This planer is very good for the money! If you do end up purchasing this planer I would highly recommend making sure you clean the rollers, the table and the dust port often to ensure that it stays in proper condition!

[@Mm-jo3cm]

I'm borrowing a 733 and seems to work fine however, the depth adjustment handle moves only with effort. Doesn't turn nearly as easily as in the video. What can I do to make it easier to turn? I am using the head lock as directed.

[@_Shopfix]

I’d recommend making sure nothing is locked in, also there is a depth turret stop on the side of the machine which would prevent the movement of the handle. So check those two things first and if that fails I’d say clean the machine and make sure there’s no debris blocking the movement. And then maybe wd40 haha

[@jonathanmiller3613]

Good review. Been thinking about making the investment. How was the snipe?

[@_Shopfix]

This Dewalt planer has such minimal snipe that I didn't even understand what snipe meant until recently haha

[@patrickcleburneuczjsxpmp9558]

I'm thinking about getting a planer to use outside without a dust collection system. How do you think this planer would work without dust collection? Would it work just to do without the part on the back where you've had the trouble with shavings/sawdust building up? Where would the shavings wind up if it weren't hooked up to a dust collection system? Thanks!

[@_Shopfix]

So to give you some insight I’d first tell you that you’ll want to make sure if you use a planer outdoors and are making sawdust/ wood shavings that it’s an area that you don’t care about and can let decompose for awhile. I dumped sawdust in my backyard thinking it would just get mixed in with the mulch and decompose and it ended up being a horrible idea. So back to your question, yes you can use the planer not hooked up with dust collection and the shavings will simply shoot out the back of the planer. There will be a considerable amount of shavings as the planer is one of the machines that creates the most waste. If you remove the black dust hood you’ll just end up with shaving all over the immediate back of the machine I’m assuming.

[@patrickcleburneuczjsxpmp9558]

Thank you!

[@Chris.Davies]

Nah, just drill a 38mm hole in the back of the corner which clogs up, and glue in a vacuum socket, and attach a second extractor line to the machine, one with a small diameter, as it won't have to clear much wood. Thanks for the review.

[@_Shopfix]

Hey, thanks so much for the suggestion, I'll give it a try! I have had a problem with the dust port clogging up since I started using the machine.

[@johnmanning4577]

@@_Shopfix Good review. Straight from the shoulder and straight to the point(s). Did you try the dust collection workaround @Chris Davies suggested? If so, thoughts??

[@markjarman7819]

The dust extraction is a problem. Place a piece of ply inside and it sorts the problem with chips getting stuck.

[@_Shopfix]

Thanks for the tip!

[@erick6102]

With 8 months past, how has this planer performed?

[@_Shopfix]

Excellent, still performing as it did right out of the box. I have kept up with maintenance like cleaning the sap from the tables and making sure I clear the dust completely out periodically. I have also rotated that planer blades.

[@paulusx11]

What dust protection mask is that you are wearing?

[@_Shopfix]

It’s a 3m reusable half-piece respirator. They have a few different models to choose from I got one of the 6500 series. It’s worked great, I use the pink particulate filter for the wood dust and then switch to one of the higher filters when I’m finishing. You can reuse the filters for awhile as well.

[@wolfinthewoods7639]

Can you get a shelix spiral cutting head that fits this model ?

[@_Shopfix]

I am not personally aware, I have never had an issue with the straight blades as it comes manufactured.

[@mksmks2630]

i bought Dewalt 733 and i dont know how leveling two or more pieces with thickness and size defferent .. any 1 help me plz

[@_Shopfix]

Start with the thickest piece of wood and work down from there to get two or more boards the same thickness. You can also use the turret stop on the side of the planer.

[@gdrittah7829]

Do you have the plans for the cart that you made for it?

[@_Shopfix]

I do not currently but will consider adding some!

[@jimbowang6046]

@@_Shopfix please do. Thanks for the great video!

[@danielrhodes7594]

How long a board will be able to be planed by this. I see you doing up to about 4 foot. I will be doing about 12 foot boards.

[@_Shopfix]

You can plane long boards you’ll just want to have some way of supporting the weight of the board. The wings on the planer can support about a 3ft board completely on their own and you can easily do 3ft to 6ft long boards by using your hands as support. However, anything longer than 8ft you’ll want something else to help support the boards other than the planer wings and your hands themselves.

[@danielrhodes7594]

@@_Shopfix thank you for the quick response. I take it that the planer also only planes one side as a time?

[@_Shopfix]

Correct, the cutter head is at the top so it will plane the top side of the board you send through. Just remember that a planer won’t make your board flat it just changes the thickness of the board. You’ll have to use a planer sled jig to be able to flatten boards with a thickness planer.

[@jeffmiller9711]

Why do you use a “planer sled?” Why not just push the board through on the in feed and out feed tables? I’m new to planers and don’t understand the necessity of the sled.

[@groobus]

A planer sled allows you to put shims under a warped board so that the board doesn't flex or bow as the roller heads push down. This allows the planer to plane one side of a warped board completely flat, so that you can use that new flat side as reference to bring the other side of the board perfectly parallel and flat.

[@emm_gee1294]

@@groobus Well now i too learned something new. Thanks.

[@_Shopfix]

Simply put a planer sled turns your planer into a jointer so you can flatten boards on a planer like you would with a jointer.

[@larams2813]

My experience wasn't so great. The blades are garbage and chip easily. The outfeed can't be folded up because it's blocked by the dust collection shroud. And honestly the dust collection on this couldn't be worse. Chips go every where except thru the dust collection.

[@_Shopfix]

I find the blades adequate and the outfeed table to be very useful but I agree the dust collection could be much better. Best of luck to you on your future projects!

[@markmurto]

What? No snipe comment? Big miss.

[@_Shopfix]

I haven’t had huge issues with snipe so I didn’t include it. The only time I’ve had any issues with snipe is when planing thin, short pieces of lumber.

[@michael.knight]

Good video but the audio seems a little funny. Your voice sounds like a voiceover, even though you're actually talking in the video? Not sure how to explain it.

[@JulianA-tr6pt]

He probably has a mic on him, so you expect room sound and noise picked up by a camera mounted mic, but there is none. That, and the video featuring him talking acts as a voiceover during the action shots.

[@_Shopfix]

I used a shotgun mic on set in the woodshop for the audio for this video.

[@lathamwoodman5939]

Mic volume too high all I hear is your mouth sounds. Good review other than that

[@_Shopfix]

I know, I goofed up on mic placement and the levels but it happens sometimes.