DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer
CERTIFIED tier
The DeWalt DW735X has been the default recommendation for serious hobbyist and small-shop thickness planers since its introduction, and the reason is simple: it outperforms machines costing twice as much and survives abuse that would destroy lighter-duty alternatives.
Origin
Made in China
Warranty
3-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship; 1-year free service contract; 90-day money-back guarantee
Price
~$600 (Mid)
Community
Reddit r/BuyItForLife Approved
The three-knife cutterhead is the key differentiator — where two-knife planers leave visible scallops, the DW735X produces 96 cuts per inch at 179 RPM, yielding a surface finish that requires minimal sanding. The two-speed gearbox lets operators choose between maximum material removal and finish quality.
The 15-amp, 20,000-RPM motor handles hardwoods like maple and white oak without the snipe and stalling that plague lesser machines. The DW735X package includes infeed and outfeed tables plus replacement knives, and DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty and 1-year free service.
Replacement knives are the primary consumable, running about $30 for a set of three and available everywhere from Amazon to local hardware stores. The machine itself — motor, cutterhead, feed rollers — routinely lasts 10 to 15 years in hobby shop environments with standard maintenance.
At roughly $600, this planer costs less per year of service than most hand planes cost new.