Dewalt or Griz for a planer

[ictoos]

I was thinking of upgrading my planer and jointer sometime soon.

I had always thought that when I did I would get the Dewalt 13" planer, but at $600, not quite a steal.

www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=221858-70-DW735&lpage=none

Then I looked over at the GRizzily page

www.grizzly.com/products/13-2-HP-Planer-with-Dust-Collection/G0689

For 375(+Shipping and all) I get a 13 inch planer.

Thoughts?

[TDHofstetter]

I usually give the nod to Grizzly (which explains why most of my shop is either green or white), but...

It's not apples-to-apples here. The Griz in this case has a two-knife cutterhead, while the DeWalt has a three-knife cutterhead. The three-knife will give you a much better surface than the two-knife will, all other factors remaining the same. The Griz will give you about 66 cuts per inch, while the DeWalt gives you a choice between 96 and 179; the higher the CPI the better the finish (but the sooner the knives need resharpening or replacement).

Have you also looked at the Ridgid? I've used one, and been solidly impressed with how well it did its job.

[Joe Lyddon]

Last year or so, when I was looking at the DW735, I started looking on eBay... Found a super deal (pictures wern't very good, scared off most)... I asked some questions, got good answers, so I bid on it, won it, and got it delivered to my door for about $400...

A friend looked at it when I got it... "Didn't they USE it?! Looks great!"

Has worked very well... I'm very happy with it!

[Beamer]

Kerry,

Have a look at the DW734 - i've never been convinced of the 735's value, either. The 734 is a FANtastic planer for its $$$ - especially if you can get it on sale with free shipping

[rrich]

Kerry,
I have a DW-733. At school I've used a DW-735.

The 733 is a great planer but only 2 knives. A 734 is probably a better choice if you can find one.

The DW-735 is one loud planer! It is in the "Hearing Damage" range. At school, even with Peltor 105 ear muffs, I don't want to be near the 735 when it is running.

For use at home I would NOT buy a 735 due to the noise issue even though almost all of my woodworking is done during daylight hours.

[wisardd1]

I think you can find the d35 in the $400 range if you keep looking.

[Joe Lyddon]

Haven't had any complaints with my 735...

... but, I'm not using it everyday either... and not for long periods of time...

... and I use it in my driveway just outside of the garage.