Question 1

are you happy with this purchase? or do you wish you got the 13" model with 2 speeds for $150 more?

Accepted Answer

Am I happy, yes. Would I love to have the next model up, of course but needed a planer and was able to manage the 734 on a good deal that was over $250 less than a 735. I'd love to have both as some of what I do is barn wood that's rough on it. 
That said I can't count the feet of wood I've run but have built thousands of square feet of tables so if just 10% needed planing then that's still a lot. So yes, I'm happy. If someone offered to trade my a 735 straight up for my 734 I'd do it but not for any dissatisfaction. And yes it's a half inch bigger but haven't found any times when it was even close to mattering. I'm either sending pieces much narrower or so wide I'm wishing I had 12 more inches, not 1/2.

Question 2

Can the in-feed and out-feed rollers or carriage lock be adjusted to reduce snipe

Accepted Answer

Make the last or final pass a very minimul cut depth ie. 1/64.  This helps with snipe. The bigger the cut, the more snipe you will get. Make sure the material is support flat against the table as it begins the cut, and on the exit table as well. The pressure rollers tend to make the board 'tip' as it enters and exits (this is typical in any planer, even the big industrial ones found in mill houses).  As far as waxing the tables, i much prefer to use a table top silicon type lube usually sold in spray cans at your local wood supply. These leave a non build moisture resistant film that will not only make the table very slick, but leave no waxy residue that can transfer to your lumber and cause finishing issues. Wax that transfers to your lumber can act as a release agent when applying typical lacquer base or poly type finishes.  Last but not least, some snipe is considered acceptable from any  planer. It's just the way it is. Always start with a board thats a few inches longer than finish length and plan on cutting off the ends.  These little planers are better than most, but you can never plan on not haveing some snipe.

Question 3

My first project with this will be planing 8"-10" wide Jatoba planks. How many linear feet can I expect to get out of one set of knives?

Accepted Answer

i really can not tell you , i still running my first set of knives and i have ran many hundred of feet thru , and they still run great we run oak, pine ,maple ,ash, walnut, beech , lot of oak &ash

Question 4

Has anyone tried planning off paint on cedar with this machine? I have hundreds of feet to recycle.

Accepted Answer

yes. I've removed paint and finish with this.. not on cedar, but on mahogany and oak.  However, do keep in mind that this will greatly impact the working life of the blades.  But that's a small price to pay for such convenience.  I say go for it.  You'll love the result and it sure beats sanding or scraping with a card scraper.

Brand	DEWALT
Item Weight	36.29 Kilograms
Cutting Width	12.5 Inches
Amperage	15 Amps
UPC	028875207348
Manufacturer	Dewalt
Global Trade Identification Number	00028875207348
Item model number	DW734
Product Dimensions	60.96 x 43.18 x 53.34 cm; 36.29 kg
ASIN	B0000CCXU6

DEWALT DW734 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer

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