Thread: New deWalt Thicknesser- 3 blade

MAT,

I ordered one at the Sydney show for $1150 plus a set of replacement blades. It should arrive in the next few weeks. They told me the RRP will be at least $1400. Where did you get the RRP from? :confused:

Oh Damn! It is not that I am unhappy with my purchase. I just don’t like to be lied to.

I think it is a wonderful machine though.

Wongo

I got that RRP from deWalt 1800654155
What made you decide on that machine vs others which are half the price?

Originally Posted by mat

Wongo

I got that RRP from deWalt 1800654155
What made you decide on that machine vs others which are half the price?

I was going to buy either the Makita or DeWalt 734($1200 and $995 and they were a little bit cheaper at the show). I knew about the new DeWalt 735 from US magazines and websites. There are a lot of good comments on this machine.

I like it because it looks strong, it has 3 knives and with an extra $200 I get another set knives and a new model. Why not!

Wongo

Have you ordered the 734 or the 735? - I believe both have 3 blades but the 735 has 2 speeds.
The RRP I quoted was for the 734

Originally Posted by mat

Have you ordered the 734 or the 735? - I believe both have 3 blades but the 735 has 2 speeds.
The RRP I quoted was for the 734

Sorry Mat, I meant 2 speeds (not 3 knives). It was model 735 I am talking about.

Originally Posted by mat

deWalt 3 blade thicknesser arriving in the country in a few weeks RRP$1140

Oh, isn’t already in the country?? and $1140 from model 734 is way too much. It is around the $1000 mark. If fact it was down to $850 at the end of the Sydney show.

I am a bit confused now! :confused:

Wongo

Thats the 735 you have a picture of there. Very nice looking machine. I didn't get a RRP on that one.

I've seen the one Wongo posted the picture on (735) in operation. They ran a 1"x8"x6' plank through it. It came out with virtually no snipe on it.

I've got a small planer I can take onto sites, I'm thinking about replacing that one with the new Dewault.

I think there was a review in Wood Magazine this last year on planers, might be worth a look.

The aspects of this machine that I worry about are the cost of replacement blades (dewalt specific) no extension tables supplied (a costly option) no cutter head lock - unit held by springs only and popular woodworking's recent review showed it had more snipe than the Delta model. Out of 7 machines tested only the Ryobi had worse snipe.
The dewalt 734 may be better value for money. It also has 3 blades.

I presume that those who bought it were after the 'portability'. Else, why would you spend that sort of money on essentially a 'power tool' on steroids.

If I were about to fork out over $1000 for a thicknesser, I would be getting a 15inch model (ie carbatec CTJ-680 or similar). U get an induction motor (universals are very noisy, limited life due to speeds they run at, burn out easier), 3 knives that are of a universal nature (ie they can be readily sharpened, universally available (not locked into buying from a single company), outfeed and bed rollers, infeed/outfeed tables etc. Overall a far better, sturdier unit. The only thing you are not paying for is $500 for the brand name.

OK - I am now dismounting the soap box ...

Originally Posted by mat

The aspects of this machine that I worry about are the cost of replacement blades (dewalt specific) no extension tables supplied (a costly option) no cutter head lock - unit held by springs only and popular woodworking's recent review showed it had more snipe than the Delta model. Out of 7 machines tested only the Ryobi had worse snipe.
The dewalt 734 may be better value for money. It also has 3 blades.

Ok Mat, lets get this right mate. I have a copy of “Popular Woodworking Feb 2004” here.

DeWalt 735 is in fact the editor’s choice out of 7 machines. A few quotes here:

“DeWalt eliminates snipe by adding strong springs to remove the backlash tendency of the head. The result is a glass-like finish with virtually no snipe and no head lock to engage”

“there are no standard infeed or outfeed tables, but the 19 1/2“ table is larger than the more-standard 9 -13“ deep beds”

“Rather than being immobilized, the DeWalt’s head is under constant pressure to counteract the movement that causes snipe. It’s always on and it really works.”

Wongo
I don't dispute what you are saying but the comparison chart at the end of the article clearly states a snipe of .002 inches for the 735 and less than .001 for the delta - perhaps this is not of practical significance.
The 735 may well have a bed of 19.5 inches compared to the standard bed of 9-13 inches for the others but this is far less than the 30 inches produced when the infeed and outfeed tables are added. Support on the infeed and outfeed sides is extremely important in reducing snipe.

Thanks Mat,

I did not read the chart carefully (they are usually some boring stats ). Isn’t it interesting? On one hand they say “virtually no snipe” but on the other hand the figure shows the opposite. But we are still talking about the difference between 0.001” and 0.002” here. As for the bed, I think if DeWalt designed it and the editor didn’t have any problem with it then I assume that it is OK.

In fact I was so impressed by it when I saw it at the show. I think it is a great machine and I am happy with my decision to buy it.


Thanks again.

Wongo

Have you got your machine yet? Any comments/views would be appreciated.

Hi Mat,

It is coming tomorrow. Unfortunately I would not be able to use it for at least another 6 months (same as my JET supersaw). It is a long story.

I just found out that the “extra set of blades” is already part of the package. So it is not a bonus, not something extra like the smooth salesman promised me at the Sydney show. It shows that you should never trust a salesperson. :mad:

Have anyone else got this machine? I’d like to hear some feedback too.

Regards