DeWalt DW735 13" Three-Knife Benchtop Planer Review
The DeWalt DW735 is the best benchtop planer for serious woodworkers. Its three-knife cutterhead at 10,000 RPM produces glass-smooth surfaces with minimal snipe. The 13" capacity handles most lumber widths. The two-speed gearbox lets you optimise for either speed (96 cuts per inch) or finish quality (179 cuts per inch). Fan-assisted chip ejection launches chips into a dust collection system rather than piling them on the table. At $599, it's the planer that professional furniture makers and dedicated hobbyists recommend most often. It's been the benchmark for benchtop planers for years, and nothing has displaced it.
Score Breakdown
Why Three Knives Matter
Most benchtop planers use two-knife cutterheads. The DW735 uses three. More knives per revolution means more cuts per inch of feed, resulting in a smoother surface that requires less sanding. On the fine-finish speed setting (179 cuts per inch), the DW735 produces surfaces that are close to sanded — a significant time saver on large projects.
The Chip Ejection System
Planer chips are the messiest byproduct in woodworking. Most planers pile chips on the table and floor. The DW735's fan-assisted ejection system blasts chips through a 4" port into your dust collection or a chip bag. It's the most effective chip management on any benchtop planer and keeps your workspace dramatically cleaner.
Upgrade Path
Many DW735 owners eventually upgrade to a Shelix helical cutterhead (~$350 aftermarket). Helical cutterheads use small, indexable carbide inserts that last dramatically longer than straight knives and produce even smoother surfaces. It's a worthwhile upgrade if you're planing figured or difficult-grain wood.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Cutterhead | 3-knife, 10,000 RPM |
| Width Capacity | 13" |
| Depth Capacity | 6" |
| Feed Speeds | 2 (96 or 179 cuts per inch) |
| Motor | 15 amp, 20,000 RPM |
| Depth of Cut | 1/8" max per pass |
| Chip Ejection | Fan-assisted, 4" port |
| Weight | 96 lbs |
| Table Size | 13" × 24" |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Check Current Price — DeWalt DW735
$599 — the benchtop planer benchmark
View Product →Tom is a master carpenter with 20 years of professional experience and a workshop full of tools he's bought, broken, and replaced. He evaluates every tool from the perspective of daily professional use, not weekend hobby projects.