Torn between two planers, feeling like a fool

[Dan Karachio]

Torn between two planers, feeling like a fool
All that I really want to do is buy the best new tool
... and so on. Catchy song isn't it. The worst often are.

On Topic: Rigid 1300 TP1300LS or Dewalt DW734. I simply can't decide. Price between them not the issue, just these two fit the budget and seem well regarded. However, is there another $400ish that is recommended.

[Mike Heidrick]

Where do you live Dan? My Buddy Steve has a brand new Dewalt 735 for $400 in Springfield IL. Stevensondrive on woodnet is his user id.

Some people reported buying the 735 for $270 at Lowes?? Not around here though - Lowes wants north of $600 for them here.
PM me for his email address.

[Dell Littlefield]

Fine Woodworking Magazine had a comparison test a few issues ago. As I recall, the Dewalt 735 got the best review followed by the Ridgid. The Dewalt 734 was also tested but I don't recall its rating.

[Bill Huber]

Can you still get a 1300 new, around here they have been gone for ages.

I can not talk to the Dewalt but I have had the 1300 and now have the 4330.

The 1300 had 2 blades and the 4330 has 3, I really don't see much difference in the out put of the 2. The dust collection on the 1300 was better then on the 4330.

The 1300 has a head lock where the 4330 does not. The 4330 just uses friction on the lift chain to hold the head, this works very well unless the chain gets loose. But you can tighten the chain right up if need be.

[glenn bradley]

I've had the DW734 for years. It has been a real little trooper. It served double duty with a planer sled for face jointing and acted as my planer for a year and a half while I was saving for my jointer.

Dad has the DW735 which is real nice as well. The tables are a little finicky on the 735 but it does have the second speed. I don't really notice the absence of the second speed on the 3 knife 734 in practice.

[Alex Leslie]

How about a new Festool EHL 65E? It has one blade for a really smooth surface and dust collection is nearly 100% with the appropriate extractor. The planer is $390.

The Festool HL 850E is wider, at 3-15/64" and costs $490. Different blades (2-9/16" wide) and heads are available for special effests as well as a bench mounting unit.

[Dan Karachio]

Thanks Mike, but I am in Jersey - a little too far to swing by. If I could find a 735 on sale, I think that would be a no brainer. Oh and Bill you were right - it is the 4330 I meant.

Still no closer to a decision, but maybe looking for that 735 is the way to go. Spend a little more and the initial pain will fade.

Alex, I have Festools and love them, but that won't do for what I need.

[David Freed]

How about a new Festool EHL 65E? It has one blade for a really smooth surface and dust collection is nearly 100% with the appropriate extractor. The planer is $390.

The Festool HL 850E is wider, at 3-15/64" and costs $490. Different blades (2-9/16" wide) and heads are available for special effests as well as a bench mounting unit.

Surely you misprinted the planer widths. $500 for a planer that won't even plane a 4" board would be outrageous as well as almost useless.

[Myk Rian]

Surely you misprinted the planer widths. $500 for a planer that won't even plane a 4" board would be outrageous as well as almost useless.
Not a misprint. He was referring to the hand helds. Yes, the prices are outrageous.

[Dan Karachio]

I have Festools and I love them, but I'm not sure I understand the purpose of those electric planers. For all that money why not buy a LN instead? Seems like you would have far more control.