If you have the extra money, get the 735. If not, the 734 will work fine, but not as nice.

 

Get the 735, the dual speed is really nice and one day you will want that extra inch. I made my own extension tables.

 

The price difference is usually a lot larger, making the 734 an appealing value for a tight budget…but not in this case. For that difference in price, I'd definitely go with the 735. The 735 has the built in chip ejector, should hold value better, has 2 speeds, great track record, etc.

 

I have the 734 and if I was doing it again right now, I'd get the 735. Surprisingly I've found the blades are usually cheaper and more readily available for the 735. Many times I've wished for another 1/2" but if I had it, I'd still want more. There is more to go wrong with the 735, but it's no less reliable and the two speed feed is nice for making ultra fine finishes if the blades are sharp. Most of the time the 735 doesn't come with the extension tables (they're built into the 734) and they're usually expensive, but I wouldn't do without. That price difference is little compared to what I'm used to seeing, how much more are the extension tables?

 

The extension tables are $75 CAD and the 735x with the tables and spare blades is $679CAD. thanks for the input so far!

 

I just bought the 735 from Max tools. I got the 735x. It has the extension tables and extra set of blades. Free shipping, no tax….$599. I just tried it 2 days ago. WOW! amazing.

 

Buy the DeWalt stand for it also. Very sturdy and mobile.

 

Funny you should mention this comparison - the current issue of Fine Woodworking has a benchtop planer tool test.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/benchtop-planers.aspx

The DW735 won best overall. The Rigid lunchbox planer won best value, the DW 734 received good reviews.

Pros for DW735 = best final surfaces of the group. Has an internal blower to help with chip collection, easy to attach 4" dust hose. Knife change process is well thought out - comes with a magnetic wrench to help you.

Price difference in US is $250, so if the difference is even less in Canada, seems like a steal (if not already obvious - I own the 735x and love it.)

 

I've used both and the 735x is a nice kit. I have an older Delta X5 15" 3HP planer and I often wish I had a 735x with helical head for the fine/small stuff. It's only real limitation is the width of stock as it performs as well as big old iron for most things.

 

I have the 735x and its awesome. the chip ejector can inflate the filter bag on my harbor freight dust collector by itself. for the minimal price difference i would go for the 735. the indeed and outfield tables are nice to have. I've never used mine without them so I have noting to compare it to. Never had any snipe either.

 

I have no experience with the 734 as I bought the 735. I like it a lot. However, I paid about 525 USD and it came with the extension tables and a spare set of blades. It wasn't an internet purchase or even a sale price, just the price my (somewhat) local woodworking supply store was selling it for. Evidently, I got a good buy.

 

I have a 735 and really like it. Good power, very low snipe and easy change blades. My only complaint is that it is REALLY loud. I know, all planers are loud, but this one really screams. I don't know much about the 734 except it looks more light duty then the 735. For the relatively few extra bucks, I would go larger.

 

The extension tables are $75 CAD and the 735x with the tables and spare blades is $679CAD. thanks for the input so far!

- Rainer93

If you are shopping in Canada,avoid buying your planer (or anything else ) from JCC,if anything goes wrong with the tool,you will be on your own.DAMHIKT.
The place I highly recommend is Atlas machineries ltd.
http://www.atlas-machinery.com/search.php?search_query=dw735&x=33&y=16

 

I have always found the 735 overated the blades dull quickly both planers are good for balsa wood

 

I'm still on my first set of blades (flipped once), and I haven't been easy on them. They stay plenty sharp enough for me. Probably about time to swap blades though.

 

glass - I'm curious, what planer are you using?
Thanks.

 

It's true the stock 735 blades are its weak point. I was only getting about 200-250 bf per blade change. I switched to the shelix head and problem solved.

 

I have had the 735x now, for five years . I paid $600 for it. It still works well with only occasional snipe. I plane a lot of cedar and maple down to 3/8", usually. I run it at the slow feed rate all the time.
One issue I have had is that, cedar at 3/8" is rather weak and sometimes knots or weak ends let loose and are eaten by the planer. These loose pieces eventually destroy the chip ejector fan housing and I have had to replace or repair it about once a year. Not hard to do but annoying. I really do like this planer.

 

Someone else mentioned the DeWalt mobile stand. I have it for my 734. If I were to do it again, I would certainly skip it. I would recommend you make a mobile cabinet to go under it. The DeWalt version certainly is sturdy, but doesn't lend itself to storage, and by the time you make it usable, you've spent more money than you would have with a simple cabinet base. I have a small garage shop, so I wish I had a set of drawers or something under there.

 

I like the Makita. It's quiet and portable. No need for 3 blades on these low power machines. I find the 735 cuts no better is too heavy for site work and screams. I think the Makita just works better.