Thickness Planers: Which One Should You Get?

Which of these thickness planers would you buy for your woodworking?Or would you buy something else? I bought a new 13" Dewalt DW735 planer to help thickness stock and to replace my Ridgid R433113" wood lunchbox planer. In this video, I'm putting them head-to-head to see where they are similar and where they differ and which one you might like for your woodworking shop. In my small shop, space is at a premium, but I love my wood planer!
If you prefer the lunchbox-style planer as an alternative to the Ridgid planer, I would suggest the Dewalt budget planer linked below.
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00:00 Introduction
00:47 Unboxing the DW735 planer
01:07 Planer table assembly
01:31 Planer testing
02:46 Comparing Ridgid to Dewalt

[@parson8582]

Excellent video

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thank you very much!

[@clint983]

Had a 3 blade rigid for 12 years or more, good unit no complaints except the snipe u mentioned.

[@windfirewoodwork]

For sure. It's a solid machine 👍

[@employed1000]

I have a similar story. I got my Christmas present to myself with the Dewalt planer from Canadian Tire same price as yours but cached in my CTire points. My wife bought me the Ridgid planer 20 years ago when it was a 2 blade model. It's earned its keep for sure. I'm now 75 years old and the thought of getting it to my work shed was daunting. Fortunately many many years ago, well at least 9 months ago I made a small work bench for working outside that I sized to the height of my tailgate. Drove it up to the shed door, slid it off onto a catered stand I'd pre made and job done. I rough size with the old Ridgid and finish with the Dewalt. No problems so far with static but I've seen a few comments relating to it. I was already subscribed, glad you posted this though. Best wishes from just east of Port Perry.

[@windfirewoodwork]

It’s always nice when you can cash in the CT money! Having a tailgate height workbench is a great idea 👍

[@Shirlbw54]

I have personally been eyeing the Wen with a helical head for about $400. I have seen some good reviews on it too. Not ready to buy just yet, but leaning in that direction (as soon as I can afford it : )

[@windfirewoodwork]

I wonder how it compares!

[@MADMANmakes]

Same. I'm done with straight blades.

[@paulwaldrop]

I just lamented upgrading my Dewalt 734 lunchbox planer to the Dewalt 735. After comparing pricing, and other issues, I decided to just upgrade the 734 cutterhead to a helical cutter. Cost was $370, and will be so worth it. Just couldn't justify 700 to 1000 for the dewalt 735, and then another $400 for a helical cutterhead on it. I also replaced the stainless steel insert, inside the planer, that the wood rides on, as it has become quite scratched up, over the years, and marks the wood. Plus a new dust port. Sometimes cheaper/better to keep an older tool running. Good luck with the new planer.

[@windfirewoodwork]

I hear you. I went back and forth. The $600 plus shipping (Canadian problems) for a helical head for the Ridgid was a hard sell, but when the 735 came around for such a good price, I figured I can sell the Ridgid to offset the cost and decide later about a helical head. It is nice no longer having tons of snipe…

[@NWGR]

Doing the same for my 734 soon. It's been a workhorse over the years.

[@windfirewoodwork]

@NW Let us know how you like it after the upgrade!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Mr. Waldrop. Nice to see you.

[@KyleBruns]

I ran the WEN planer for a couple of years and could never avoid snipe on that thing. I hated it. I just picked up my DW735x and I'm excited for my next project. I will say that I plan on upgrading to the Shelix head soon (yes their wait time is 3-4 months, so soon is relative). I think that just like choosing Cheesecake, you can't go wrong choosing the DW735.

[@windfirewoodwork]

haha, I've come so close to upgrading to the shelix head so many times. I have issues parting with my money 3-6 months before I get what I paid for! 😬

[@ProudAmerican1962]

I’m going with a 2 speed Wen that comes with a spiral head that can use 4 sided carbide cutters. Cutech and Wen are the same. Cutech is the OEM brand of the manufacture and a bit higher in price for nearly the same machine as the Wen.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Nice! 👍

[@milkod2001]

Changing blades is a huge pain,takes forever to setup and can get expensive. Get the one with helical head at the same price. Just in the process to upgrade my metabo hc260 with helical head.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for the input!

[@matthewcleveland577]

Run a copper wire and ground the 735 to prevent shock. That's what I did when I had one. Neither really compare to a floor standing model though, but neither does the price. As a pro, the 735 couldn't keep up, so I got the powermatic 209hh (20" shelix). The biggest issue I had with the dewalt is the straight knives, once they dull, and they were dulling pretty quickly with everyday use, it loses it's power pretty quickly. The pm w/ the shelix has been running 3+ years no issues and plenty of power. I'll sometimes miss a nail or something when planing and the carbide knives just eat it up like it wasn't there. Occasionally it might knick I blade, but you get 4 sides

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for the tip. I have no doubt that there are benefits to a floor-standing model, but this does everything I need for now as a hobbyist. The Shelix head is tempting, though...

[@matthewcleveland577]

@@windfirewoodwork I guess I should specify. I wrapped a copper wire around the top of one of the metal posts that the head rides and then grounded it to a grounded plug-in box. But you're right, most people probably don't need a floor standing model planer, I was just pointing out that there is a big difference between an industrial model and a lunchbox planer.

[@michaelwillcutt2619]

I don’t have snipe on dewalt but do on Rigid

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for the info!

[@MemelordSupreme]

Hercules from harborfreight is pretty dang sweet in comparison to the Ridgid. Currently $329 US

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for the tip! We Canadians don't get to take advantage of the unreal Harbor Freight prices, but hopefully this can help some of you in the States. Thanks for watching!

[@TiccingTomBomb]

im in the UK the dewalt is over £1200 here. I haven't actually got a planner yet in dia need of one just so much money here for a decent one

[@windfirewoodwork]

Ouch! I thought things were expensive here in Canada!

[@TiccingTomBomb]

@Wind & Fire Woodwork yeahh pretty mental here haha

[@darpajian]

I’ve been looking at the DW735x for some time now… and keep delaying, wondering if I should just wait and save for a 15 inch grizzly or Harvey. I have an old Dayton lunchbox style 12in planer right now… after a blade change, my snipe got horrible. (I think I need to revisit my blade depth… I tried to use a generic depth jig as the factory jig was lost before I got the unit.) obviously, if I don’t buy anything new, I can afford more cheese cake.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for watching to the end! I’ve never had to deal with setting the planer knife depth: the Ridgid has pins that lock the depth in automatically. It’s a tough call. At full price, I would’ve definitely kept saving my pennies.

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Personally, DW735 all the way. Even if you consider the cost and cutter head upgrade down the road compared to a big floor-standing machine. It’s so ubiquitous because it is the in-between of the lunchbox units and bigger machines. The space compromise before going to a big 240 volt machine is worth it too. The sweet spot of cost for value and size in hobby shop. Worth it again for how much wood you can send through it without it dying prematurely. I have seen some very cheaply made lunchbox machines and to me the DeWalt is rugged enough to survive thousands of boards or at least a decade sitting around between projects. Cheesecake.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Well said. Unless you absolutely need one of the 15 or 20” machines, the Dewalt feels pretty future proof. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@NWGR]

My brother in law makes a killer cheesecake! Personally, I instead would have invested in a helical cutterhead for the ridgid if one is made for it. Years ago, I bought the DW734; I caught it on sale for $349. It's been a workhorse. Snipe is very minimal; I used the "nickel method" to set the tables. If there is any snipe, it's miniscule enough to be removed with routine sanding. Now, at this point, the only thing I'd do (and probably will soon) is upgrade the cutterhead to a shelix/helical with carbide inserts. If I'm dropping DW735 money on a planer, I'm going for a 15" unit. Keep up the content. Subscribed to see how this journey goes. 🙂

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for watching. What’s the nickel method?

[@NWGR]

@@windfirewoodwork You need two nickels and a straight edge; you set the nickels on the outer edge of the planer bed (the built in one) and then set the straight edge on top of the nickels. Alternatively, any scrap of 2mm would work fine (nickle thickness = 1.95mm). From there, just raise the end of the auxiliary planer tables to just touch the bottom of the straight edge, then lock the tables in place. The idea is the the auxiliary tables' outer edges are 2mm higher than the main planer bed and can help minimize snipe by very slightly "lifting" the ends of the boards.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Ah, I see. I do something similar by eye, but I like the idea of having a more specific metric. Thanks!

[@NWGR]

@@windfirewoodwork No problem. When you do it, make sure you do it on both sides of the planer so one side isn't higher than the other. 👍

[@windfirewoodwork]

Makes sense!

[@rjcustomcreations]

I've got the DeWalt 734 planer but would love to upgrade to the 735 eventually. Those boys are heavier than a thick slice of cheese cake 😅

[@windfirewoodwork]

Haha, yes they are. You definitely want the 735 on a cart if at all possible!

[@Alexander0011]

Bout to make a purchase, but I can’t make up my mind. Have you seen the WEN planer with the spiral cutter head? it’s not priced bad on Amazon. Decisions 🤔

[@windfirewoodwork]

I’ve never used the Wen. I think the DeWalt has better bones for upgrading to a helical head down the road and for lasting a good long while. I also believe a spiral cutter is not as good as a helical cutter, so watch out on that!

[@LivingTheLifeRetired]

I wish I had some cheesecake right now as I decide which planer to buy - the Ridgid or the 735. I don’t have much room, will be putting it away when not in use, and likely, I’d hardly use it. Home Depot had the Ridgid for $399 right now, I think it’s a good buy. After buying the infeed and out feed the Dewalt is nearly double in price, on for $650 plus $100 for the feeds. Can upgraded cutters be purchased for the Ridgid or just the Dewalt?

[@Blah-blah-sure]

Thanks for the video. Help me out as a new wood worker. I don't have much experience but I was considering getting a Dewalt 635 planer. But a co- worker who worked at a professional job. Told me that it's no needed b/c most wood has been run through a planer. And that a planer is for rough lumber?

[@windfirewoodwork]

The problem is that wood moves. I’ve found that unless you pay at the hardwood dealer to have them joint a face, edge, and plane the other face (S3S) you will not have a board at the thickness and as flat as you may want. Some projects may allow for taking a board straight off the shelves and going for it (eg, the stuff by @SteveRamsey), but many others will not. I will say, I would not get a planer until you have a basic set of tools: jig saw, circular saw, table saw, random orbit sander, drill, driver, tape measure, combination square, clamps, etc. hope that helps.

[@Blah-blah-sure]

@@windfirewoodwork Thanks for even responding. And yes, I have all the above tools. And more. The problem is that when I'm trying to do dove tails using the Keller 1500; is that often the wood is bowed often. As a result I can't get a decent squared up box. And to tell a truth, I'm practicing using Homedepot & Lowes wood. Again for getting used to making things

[@windfirewoodwork]

A planer could be a help to you, for sure. It will make the wood thinner (obviously), but using a planer sled and shims, you can get one face completely flat and then flip it over (off the sled) and run it through to get the other face coplanar. Then you won't have that bow. Check out this video I did to see how I use my planer to do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppTCo56PgcqVmqc

[@Blah-blah-sure]

@@windfirewoodwork Thanks for the response & video. I knew I wasn't crazy about how a planer could help.

[@windfirewoodwork]

any time!

[@lfernandplopsa3627]

If you still not know this: if you want NO "snipe" feed a board of equal thickness in the front of you're main board and one behind it . I have the TRITON one and is as good at that Dewalt thingie .😁😁👌👌

[@windfirewoodwork]

I'm not sure I'd find it practical planing down a sacrificial board every time I mill lumber for a project...

[@embreevalcourt4496]

I thought this was the upgrade...what are you talking about $1600-2600...thats a big difference!!!😳

[@windfirewoodwork]

This is the upgrade. The next step up though…

[@louislandi938]

The Rigid warranty is useless unless you live close to their warehouse, repair facility etc. Not practical to ship a planer. If you read user reports, the Hercules planer from Harbor Freight is considered a winner.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Fair. For us here in Canada, Harbor Freight isn’t an option, unfortunately.

[@louislandi938]

Sorry, I didn’t factor that in.

[@dennismbrandi]

How’s the noise level compared

[@windfirewoodwork]

They’re similar, but I feel like the dewalt may be a little quieter. I don’t have the tools to go beyond a subjective comparison.

[@monteglover4133]

Cheesecake I’ve had the DW755 for at least 10 years, other than blades no failures, still a great tool. One caveat on mine when the shop is cold it will not feed correctly

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for watching and for sharing about the longevity. That’s weird about the cold shop! Maybe the rubber rollers get too hard and don’t grip well at those temperatures?

[@monteglover4133]

@@windfirewoodwork That is my thought. The shop was probably in the 40’s t

[@AngelVids7]

Mmmm cheesecake 🤤

[@windfirewoodwork]

The best. Thanks for watching.

[@louislandi938]

Many of the reviews while good are many months old. I’ve been doing my research and will most likely get the new Hercules from Harbor Freight. There are a lot of excellent comparisons between it and the other popular planers. Before you make a face, do your homework.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Very interesting. Here in Canada, we don't have Harbour Freight, and they won't ship up here, either. So it's not really an option for me. Hope it works well for you!

[@orrinkelso9295]

The Ridgid runs to fast. The Dewalt on slow is a much better speed to run your stock at. When run on slow, the Dewalt leaves a very smooth finish. The Ridgid is always going to have way more snipe because there is only ONE screw on each side to adjust the height. Which is going to cause the cutter head to rock when the stock is being held by only one roller. The Dewalt has 4 screws, 2 on each side. Much better design.

[@windfirewoodwork]

I completely agree.

[@sandman2651]

Nothing like a new toy, cheese cake all the way

[@windfirewoodwork]

For sure! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@mrscience1409]

Not just you, the planer shocks the crap out of you.

[@windfirewoodwork]

Have you found any way to fix that?

[@mrscience1409]

@@windfirewoodwork you can run a ground wire through your hose.

[@mrscience1409]

@@windfirewoodwork I’m sorry, I was busy. Let me further elaborate. The static is not from the machine. It is from the dust moving through the hose. In nature there are actually lightning sometime in dust storms. If you have copper wire flex hose, just take a small copper wire and attach it to the wire in your flex hose and ground it (attach to metal part) of your dust collector. That should work.

[@themeat5053]

Cheese cake and De Walt. It is a superior machine. I've been using that model for a decade, or so. I looked into the helix head it was way too expensive for me to justify so i buy the new knives when needed. I get pretty good life out of the blades and they are two sided. If you are so inclined, the blades can be sharpened. If one takes care of this machine, the machine will take care of them. Eh...

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for the info!

[@nelsvantoor5159]

Eh.... The cost-difference in knife-replacements is hardly a point; after all; what's that 30-40 dollars over the lifespan of those blades? Peanuts! However: the real-estate it takes, portabillity and DeWalt's notoriously lousy customer service are better arguments to take into account, methinks. Also: I still can't get over the fact that DeWalt has the looks of a Toys-Are-Us-reject....

[@windfirewoodwork]

I love that: never thought of the dewalt looking like a Toy…but it does kinda remind me of the yellow tonka dump truck I had growing up!

[@ericerf6837]

Please lose the music. If you think woodworkers who are watching can’t hold their attention while you work a machine they are probably interested in without hearing the natural music of that machine, then……

[@windfirewoodwork]

Thanks for watching.

[@the_semi_competent_woodworker]

The music's fine.

[@plumbum6558]

I’ll sell you my dewilt nothing but a noisy toy with helical head 👎

[@windfirewoodwork]

The helical head made it a toy, or you prefer a different machine?

[@plumbum6558]

@@windfirewoodwork sorry you didn’t like the comment I’ll add this I’d advise anyone that is serious about their wood working not to go down the rabbit hole and save their money for a more substantial planer buy once cry once this not the area to go cheap and not that a dewilt $600 to $750 is cheap planer anymore and then try to doctor it with a $500 helical head by then you are getting close to the price of a more substantial planer wish someone had given me the same advice !

[@sandman2651]

Nothing like a new toy, cheese cake all the way

[@windfirewoodwork]

🙂