DW735x

 

I have the Makita 2012NB planer and like it. My only complaint is the dust collection adapter isn't a standard size.

 

The 735 is a good planer, and for softwoods the stock knives may be all you'll ever need. I upgraded to a Shelix head because I mostly work with highly figured qswo.
I have heard several people say they have two planers… a 735 and a larger floor model planer. They go on to say that they usually use the Dewalt, which is funny and perhaps telling in some ways.
The depth stops are handy. The 735 also has an auto cutterhead lock, so no manual locking after each adjustment like the older Dewalts.

 

The 735 is a good planer, and for softwoods the stock knives may be all you ll ever need. I upgraded to a Shelix head because I mostly work with highly figured qswo.
I have heard several people say they have two planers… a 735 and a larger floor model planer. They go on to say that they usually use the Dewalt, which is funny and perhaps telling in some ways.
The depth stops are handy. The 735 also has an auto cutterhead lock, so no manual locking after each adjustment like the older Dewalts.

- pintodeluxe

What did the cutterhead on that cost you?

I have a steel city lunchbox with a helical and if parts get to be hard to come by in the future, I would be interested in the dewalt with the upgraded cutterhead.

I'm one of those who have the lunchbox and a 20" floor model. They both have their uses.

 

Dw735x

 

735x and ear protections. Don't forget to connect a hose unless you are planing in an open field. Next step up is just over $1k and then $1.5K

 

Klick, I would look for something like this :

Jet 15in. Planer

or this :

Makita 15in. Planer

or this :

Grizzly 15in. Planer

etc.

etc.

 

If you are in the market for a 13" planer, the factory that made the Steel City units has gone direct under their own Cutech Tool label.

 

Ok, without any hesitation, I would go with a used machine, no doubt.
You can sometimes get a 15 Inch Asian planer used for about $800 (I've seen them down to $500 on CL, but they are rare).
An Old Parks Planer is a fantastic machine, and they sell for about $350-$500 used around here.
I have purchased two planers off of CL for $100 each, an old Grizzly Lunchbox (good enough) and a Shopsmith Planer Pro (Much better).
My advice is to monitor CL twice a day until you find what you want, and make first offers low.

Ray

 

If you are in the market for a 13" planer, the factory that made the Steel City units has gone direct under their own Cutech Tool label.

- MCTTS

Do you have any affiliation with this company? I ask since you have made 10 posts so far and everyone of them is to share this exact tidbit of information.

 

Dewalt 735. Killer machine.

 

The used market can yield some great deals to those willing to wait, but you mentioned you only have 120V and only need 12" capacity. I have the DW734 and it's a great machine. If I needed a new one today and had your budget it would be the same as many have already mentioned: DW735.

 

Look for used, I found this at an auction for 300.00, it is heavy, well built and should last for a long time.
It is 220 though.

 

If you are in the market for a 13" planer, the factory that made the Steel City units has gone direct under their own Cutech Tool label.

- MCTTS

Do you have any affiliation with this company? I ask since you have made 10 posts so far and everyone of them is to share this exact tidbit of information.

- AHuxley

Aldous, MCTTS had previously identified himself as a former Steel City manager.

 

A whole lot of LJ's stand behind the DeWalt. A good reputation is earned.

 

Just checked out the Cutech Tool site and they have free shipping anywhere in the US and yes they sure look like the steel city glad to see this as I have a steel city 40200H and they have parts in stock also and very reasonable pricing. I would not hesitate to purchase another 40200H as it does a nice job and I noticed on their site they have carbide cutters for the 40200H. Check it out http://www.cutechtool.com/default.asp I have no affiliation what so ever, just like the planer.

 

I got an ad from Rockler I think it was that had a Rikon planer on it that also looks a dead ringer for the old Steel City 40200H. They must have bought some sort of rights to the design as well.

I have the Steel City version and it's a great machine. I would definitely recommend it.

 

Cutech Tool's only relationship with the factory is as a customer. Cutech Tool is a company formed by another former Steel City employee that created his own brand. The Rikon more closely resembles the old Steel City 40300H. General has the 40200H. All the Cutech spiral cutterheads are a newer version of cutterhead which is quite an improvement over the segmented heads on the Steel City planers. They do stock a number of common repair parts for their machines that will fit the most of the older Steel City models.

 

"My wife set the budget".......
No negotiation, the wife just lays down the law?

Oh well…..guess what ever it takes to be happy, right?

I've had 2 lunchbox planers, would never buy another one.
For the money, I second the other posters re: look for a used cast iron planer.

 

DW735 and as BroncoBrian said… A good pair of earmuffs for protection. I went through the same decision you're going through and I decided to go for performance and reliability. I get little to no snipe and after a couple hundred bf of walnut I'm still on the first side of the first set of blades. There's a reason that so many people have recommended it already. Just my opinion though, I don't work for dewalt.

 

Very happy with my dw735x.

 

I have the Makita 2012NB planer and like it. My only complaint is the dust collection adapter isn t a standard size.

- whope

I read somewhere that Spectre makes a coupler that will fit the 3" O.D. of your planer's dust hood.

http://www.spectreperformance.com/search/search.aspx?src=couplers

 

Look for used, I found this at an auction for 300.00, it is heavy, well built and should last for a long time.
It is 220 though.

- putty

nice.