DEWALT DW735X Thickness Planer

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A thickness planer earns its place in a workshop when rough or uneven timber needs bringing down to a consistent thickness with clean, repeatable results.

The DEWALT DW735X is a substantial benchtop planer built for serious workshop use, with a three-knife cutter head, two feed speeds and support tables that make handling longer boards more manageable.

Why it makes sense in the workshop

The DW735X makes sense for anyone regularly working with rough-sawn or oversized timber that needs bringing down to a precise, consistent thickness before joinery or finishing.

Its two-speed feed system gives some flexibility between faster stock removal and a finer finishing pass, while the three-knife cutter head is designed to cope with repeated workshop use rather than occasional light trimming.

The included infeed and outfeed tables are also useful on longer boards. They give the timber more support as it enters and leaves the machine, helping the planer feel more controlled when processing larger pieces.

What it should feel like to use

The DW735X should feel solid and planted once it is positioned on a sturdy bench or stand. At roughly 100 lb, this is not a machine that will move around easily while timber is being fed through it, and that weight should help it feel stable during use.

The controls are straightforward, but the machine still demands a deliberate setup. Long boards need proper support, depth adjustments need to be made carefully, and dust collection matters because planers can produce a surprising volume of chips in a short time.

The two feed speeds should make the machine feel more flexible in day-to-day workshop use. Faster passes suit heavier stock removal, while the slower setting is there for a cleaner finish when surface quality matters more than speed.

The drawbacks

The biggest drawback with the DEWALT DW735X is its size and weight. At around 100 lb, it is portable in the technical sense, but most users will not want to lift it on and off a bench regularly. A dedicated stand or permanent workshop position makes much more sense.

Noise is another consideration. Thickness planers are inherently loud machines, and this one is no exception. Proper hearing protection is essential, particularly during longer sessions.

Chip and dust management also needs attention. The DW735X moves a large volume of material quickly, so it really benefits from a proper extraction setup. Without one, the workshop can become messy very quickly.

The three-knife cutter head is effective, but the blades are consumable parts. Regular users will eventually need replacements, and anyone processing abrasive or reclaimed timber may go through them faster.

Finally, this is probably excessive for someone who only buys prepared timber or does occasional DIY work. It takes up valuable workshop space and only really earns that space if you regularly need to thickness rough or uneven boards.

Who it suits best

The DEWALT DW735X is best suited to serious workshop users, cabinetmakers, furniture makers and experienced DIY users who regularly prepare rough-sawn timber.

It makes particular sense for someone who wants control over final board thickness rather than relying entirely on pre-dressed timber.

It is less suitable for occasional users with limited workshop space, or anyone who mainly works with timber that already comes planed and dimensioned.

Is it worth the workshop space?

For anyone who regularly prepares rough timber, the DEWALT DW735X can justify the space it occupies. Its strength is consistency: once set up properly, it gives the workshop a reliable way to bring boards down to a controlled thickness before the next stage of the job.

The compromise is that it is heavy, noisy and demands proper chip extraction. It also takes up valuable bench or floor space, so it makes far less sense in a small workshop where it would only be used occasionally.

For serious woodworking, though, it is the kind of machine that can become part of the regular workflow rather than something that sits unused in a corner.