How thin will a Dewalt 735 planer cut?
On the Dewalt DW735 13-inch portable planer, the minimum planing height is 1/8 inch, so that is the thinnest stock we recommend running through the machine. For material up to 6 inches wide, the maximum depth of cut per pass is 1/8 inch (use lighter cuts for wider boards). See the DW735 owner's manual for the full specifications and depth-of-cut guidance.
Key specs that affect “how thin” you can plane
- Minimum planing height: 1/8 inch
- Maximum planing width: 13 inches
- Maximum depth of cut (per pass): 1/8 inch (boards 6 inches wide or less)
- Feed speeds: 14 FPM or 26 FPM
- Input power: 120V AC, 15A
Practical tips for planing thin stock safely
Thin boards are more likely to chatter, flex, or snipe. We recommend these steps:
- Use very light passes (small depth-of-cut) as you approach final thickness.
- Keep the board flat and fully supported entering and exiting the planer to reduce snipe.
- Plane both sides to reach thickness (for example, remove half from each face for a cleaner result).
- Avoid stock with loose knots, severe warp, twist, or bow.
- If you must plane narrow pieces, group several pieces together to make one wider “panel.”
Depth-of-cut guidance (quick reference)
| What you are trying to do | Best practice on DW735 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Remove a lot quickly | Multiple passes, not one heavy pass | Less tearout, less strain |
| Plane wider boards | Reduce depth-of-cut as width increases | Smoother finish |
| Minimize snipe | Support infeed and outfeed, keep board level | Flatter ends |
Why it matters
Staying within the DW735’s minimum height and using lighter cuts on wider stock helps prevent snipe, reduces motor load, and improves surface finish. It also lowers the chance of kickback or damage when planing thin material.
If you need replacement parts for your DW735, start with the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
Can Dewalt 735 planer blades be sharpened?
Yes; Dewalt DW735 (TYPE 1) planer knives can be sharpened, but most owners treat the DW7352 13-inch knives as replaceable because sharpening changes the edge geometry and can make it harder to keep all knives cutting evenly. For the correct knife-change procedure, use the owner's manual.
What sharpening changes on a DW735
Sharpening removes material from the cutting edge. On a thickness planer like the DW735, that matters because all knives must sit at the same effective height to avoid ridges, snipe, and vibration.
- A sharpened knife can cut fine, but it must match the other knives closely.
- If only one knife is sharpened or sharpened more than the others, you can get lines in the board.
- Dull knives are a common cause of overload trips; the DW735 has an 18-amp circuit breaker and dull knives can contribute to tripping it.
- If you sharpen, keep the set together and sharpen all knives equally.
- After any knife work, reassemble the top cover correctly; the planer will not operate if the top cover is not placed correctly.
Sharpen vs replace: quick comparison
| Option | Best for | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpen the existing knives | Light touch-ups, you have a reliable sharpening method | Keeping all knives even; increased chance of cut lines if heights differ |
| Replace with new knives | Fast, consistent results | Higher ongoing cost, but predictable finish quality |
Tips to get better results (either way)
- Inspect knives before resetting the breaker after an overload; dull knives often cause the trip.
- Clean or clear the chip ejection fan periodically; poor chip flow can make cutting feel harder.
- Avoid heavy passes; take lighter cuts to reduce load and improve surface finish.
- If you notice repeated breaker trips, address knife sharpness first, then check feed and chip ejection.
Why it matters
Knife condition directly affects cut quality and motor load. Keeping the DW735 knives sharp and matched helps prevent ridges in the workpiece and reduces the chance of nuisance breaker trips.
To find the correct replacement parts and accessories for your DW735, start with the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the pros and cons of the DW735?
The Dewalt DW735 13" portable planer is built for fast stock removal and repeatable thicknessing; its two-speed feed, fan-assisted chip ejection, turret depth stops, and automatic carriage lock are major strengths. The main tradeoffs are chip collection setup needs and routine knife and chip-path maintenance (especially on heavy cuts).
Pros (what we like for DW735)
- Two-speed feed control: Use the slower speed for hard or figured wood to reduce tear-out and knife wear.
- High cut quality at slow feed: The manual notes speed “1” delivers 179 cuts per inch, which helps surface finish.
- Fan-assisted chip ejection: Helps move chips out of the cutterhead area and supports connection to a dust collection system.
- Automatic carriage lock: Designed to minimize movement that causes snipe during planing.
- Turret stop for repeat thicknessing: Preset stops at 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1", and 1-1/4" make repeat passes faster.
Cons (common tradeoffs to plan for)
- Not shop-vac friendly: The manual recommends not connecting a typical shop vac because chip volume can clog the hose and stop chip flow.
- Maintenance access matters: Chip buildup can require opening the fan housing for cleaning; reassembly must be correct before use.
- Consumables and setup costs: Knives and optional accessories (like infeed/outfeed tables or a stand) add ongoing cost and setup time.
Quick comparison: what these features mean in real use
| Feature | Benefit | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Two-speed feed | Better finish on difficult grain at slow speed | Slower throughput when you prioritize finish |
| Fan-assisted chip ejection | Less clogging at the cutterhead | Needs proper dust collection; shop vacs often clog |
| Turret stop | Fast, repeatable thickness settings | You still need careful depth-of-cut planning |
Why it matters
Most planing complaints come down to tear-out, snipe, and chip management. On the DW735, the slower feed setting, automatic carriage lock, and chip ejection system directly target those issues, but you get the best results when you follow the setup and cleaning guidance in the owner's manual.
For parts and accessories for your DW735, start with the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
