Dewalt DW735 Planer Elevation extremely difficult to adjust...

[Mark Bolton]

Since your machine is new, I would seek a replacement. Unless you know specifically what is wrong and it is an easy fix, you should have complete assurance of a fully functioning machine with a full warranty.

Good luck,
David

Straight to return/replace? With no diagnostics?

[Ian Scofield]

The manual states there's a turret stop to set it to common thicknesses. I don't have this planer, but maybe this is engaged?

[Robert Hayward]

Straight to return/replace? With no diagnostics?

That is what I would do. No diagnostics, nothing but return it. My DW735 is several years old and is still silky smooth both up and down.

[Bill Dufour]

Any real planer should have a lock so it does not changer thickness during a cut. I would expect it to be locked down for shipping. Do you mean there is no lock so the height does not change?

[Mark Bolton]

Any real planer should have a lock so it does not changer thickness during a cut. I would expect it to be locked down for shipping. Do you mean there is no lock so the height does not change?

One of the features of the 735 is that it is "supposedly" self locking. There is suppose to be no need for an external lock. That doesnt mean there wasnt a shipping lock of some sort.

[Steve Demuth]

I would agree with those who suggest returning it. If you try to fix it, you just make exchange harder.

That said, the one thing that I've seen cause the problem you have is having the four height gears not adjusted to co-planarity. Not hard to fix if that's the problem, but no way it should be necessary on a machine new from the box.

[Jon Nuckles]

Mine was smooth out of the box and remains smooth years later. Unless DeWalt can diagnose and fix it, I'd return and replace.

[Randy Heinemann]

Any real planer should have a lock so it does not changer thickness during a cut. I would expect it to be locked down for shipping. Do you mean there is no lock so the height does not change?

No lock on the Dewalt 735 and, when the infeed/outfeed extension tables are set correctly, not noticeable snipe either. While I now use an add-on digital gauge to determine the wood thickness, I just used the original depth gauges on the planer. Never had one problem with getting a board out that wasn't the thickness I intended. It is a great planer. Mine is about 10 years old and still does a great job.

[Randy Heinemann]

Unless the manual indicates that there is some packing that locks the head in place during shipping, I'd just return it like others have said. Raising and lowering the head has always been easy and smooth on mine.

[Nick Decker]

Who did you buy it from? Just curious why a replacement would take weeks.

I wouldn't fool with anything, just call the vendor or Dewalt and go from there. Any number of things you might try could void the warranty.

[Mark Bolton]

That is what I would do. No diagnostics, nothing but return it. My DW735 is several years old and is still silky smooth both up and down.

Thank heavens for no retail. It'll be interesting to see if there is some internal packing stop or some other issues. Good lord.

[Larry Canterbury]

Mark: Yep brand new s of yesterday… “Does the head move when you rotate the wheel?” I’m not sure what the head is (new to wood working and this is my 1st Planer) but if your referring to the main body where the cutters and rollers are, yes it moves with the elevation wheel. I was able to adjust and plain a 1x5 pine board down to just a tad over ½ inch.
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Jerry: Lubed the corner posts yesterday and that may have helped a bit but still need 2 hands to adjust elevation. Will check chain tension tomorrow. Thanks
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Steve: Good thought on the 4 corner threaded posts. I will check that out tomorrow also. They are only held in place by a 6 mm allen head bolt. Worth a try...
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To all those who suggested returning it that is definitely an option but would be without for weeks until another arrives and then no guarantee it won’t have troubles also. Since all else seems to work flawlessly I’d rather fix it, but alas if I can’t fix it I’ll have to send it back.
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Thanks for all your suggestions. Great bunch of people here.
Larry