Adjustment knob turns when using Dewalt dw734 planer

[Matthew Schneider]

When I'm planning boards, with the head locked, the dw734 thickness planner's adjustment knob will turn a bit. I've also noticed that I can plane the same board multiple times at the same setting, and it might take off more material after a few times. And that the knob turns easily a fair bit with the head locked.

Is this normal behavior?

[Scott Cenicola]

I had a similar problem with a ridgid planer. I tried many different things, but sharp bladed were the answer for me. Wish i had changed the blades first.

[glenn bradley]

When is the last time you cleaned the four posts? Wipe them down with mineral spirit and then again with DNA or naphtha. You want them clean and dry.

[Matthew Schneider]

I bought it refurbished, so it's possible that the blades weren't sharp when I got it. It's started doing a thing where it'll grab the wood, put a large gouge in it, and stall the motor. Which I guess also sounds like it could be a dull blade.

Is it at least normal for the handle to be able to turn freely a bit with the heads locked?

[Matt Day]

That is not normal. The handle should be hard to turn with the head locked. I had one of this planers for about 6 years. The parts that contact the posts eventually wore out and the head would slip while planing. I replaced them and it worked like it did before. It wasn't the easiest job but it worked. I may have replaced the posts too as they had signs of wear too.

It'll stall if you take too big a cut, or a normal cut with dull blades. The blades are reversible so you might have a fresh side waiting for you.

[Matthew Schneider]

It's hard to turn eventually, but there's maybe 1/4 turn of play.

[Matt Day]

First things first - is the bolt that holds the handle tight?

Did you check the posts as Glenn mentioned?

[glenn bradley]

It's hard to turn eventually, but there's maybe 1/4 turn of play.
This was my experience as well.

[lowell holmes]

I have a 734 and I bought in preference to the 735.

When the lock is on, nothing moves, handles or anything else.

Who refurbished it? Do you have recourse?

[Matthew Schneider]

The handle's tight and the posts seem clean to me. When I turn it within the play-range, I can see the threaded rods immediately turning on both sides with a 1:1 ratio from each other. So the only thing I can imagine might allowing the play is the threads in the head being too loose.

I contacted Dewalt, and they told me to ask their service center so I guess I'll do that. The place I bought it from (brandnewengines.com) isn't listed on Dewalt's site, but hopefully it's under warranty anyways.

[Matt Day]

Is the 1/4 turn of play just backlash? I don't recall exactly how it's designed.

[Matthew Schneider]

According to wikipedia, backlash and play are synonymous. The height of the head is adjusted by two threaded rods, connected to each other by 1:1 gears and a chain. I think the play is coming from the tapped heads being a bit looser than the threaded rods. Which I guess sounds like it's not the case for everyone.

I reversed the blades, and it's running so much better than it ever has. So apparently that was the problem, and the play doesn't really matter.

[Matt Day]

Good to hear. That's a great planer you have.