Product Review: Dewalt DW734 Portable Planer

The Dewalt DW734 is a 12.5 inch portable planer. The machine is perfect for contractors, DIY'ers, and home woodworkers alike. With its powerful 15 amp, 10,000 RPM motor, this $400 planer can easily handle deeper and larger cuts in hardwoods. Let's take a look at some of the features that make this planer popular.

The Dewalt DW734 features a three-knife cutter head. The cutter head is capable of making 96 cuts per inch, providing one of the finest finishes produced by any planer. The Dewalt DW734 also makes use of disposable and reversible knives. This allows the knives to last much longer than other designs. When you do need to replace the knives, it is incredibly easy and fast as you can do so using one simple tool.

In addition to getting a fine finish due to the three knives, you also will not have to worry about trimming away damaged ends like with other planers. The Dewalt DW734 features a four-column carriage lock. This will help eliminate any movement that is normally responsible for causing snipe.

The Dewalt DW734 weights a little more than 80 pounds. Although this excess weight may seem like a burden when it comes to portability, it does help to add more stability to the portable planer. Also, the Dewalt DW734 features built-in handles that allow you to carry the machine easily.

The planer offers a cutting width of 12.5 inches and a depth of 1/8 inch. The depth and thickness gauges on the Dewalt DW734 are also easy to read as they are placed in ideal locations. The planer also features a turret depth stop. The depth stop will allow you to easily return to the depths that you use most often.

The Dewalt DW734 also has extra-large infeed and outfeed tables. Combined, they provide over 33 inches of support for the material that you are working with. You can also fold the tables to conserve more space. Since planers create a lot of sawdust, the Dewalt DW734 includes a useful dust hood.