Dewalt 733 or Delta Two speed Planer

[Gary Hupp]

I have narrowed my search down to these two. The Delta is about 420.00 plus more for the dust hood. The Dewalt has the dust hood, spare blades and a 50.00 rebate until 3/31 bringing the price to 299.00. Which would be the best? One week to decide.

[Bob Lasley]

Gary,

I have the Dewalt and have been pleased with it. It has done an admirable job, however the Delta is a nice machine and scored high in Wood Magazines recent test. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Bob

[Howard Barlow]

I went through the same thing a few months back. Lowes had a sale on the DW but I waited too long. I went ahead and bought the Delta 2 speed. I love it.

Of course, the price dropped from $449 to $399 a couple of months later. But I see it's back up somewhat.

I think you will like any top model. I don't see anyone bemoaning the one they bought, of any major brand. However, for $299, I think I would go DW today.

Don't second guess yourself after the purchase. You will be happy either way.

[Ken Salisbury]

Gary,

I just recieved my May issue of Wood Magazine yesterday. On page 68 there is a review of 10 different portable planers. Unfortunately the Dewalt is not included in the review. Delta models 22-580 and TP400Ls are, along with other brands. The article makes for interesting reading. The Delta 22-580 is rated either A or -A in all categories. I don't know if this issue has reached the magazine racks in the stores yet. Get a copy and maybe it will help you make your decision.

[George Summers]

Wood Magazine has claimed, in the article and to me personally, that DeWalt told them that they will have a new model coming out later this year and the 733 will be discontinued. It might be interesting to see what DW's new model has, Will it be two-speed? What will be the price point?

George

[Chris Oakley]

I too went through the same thing. I decided on the Dewalt, largely in part to the rebate (although I got the jig saw instead of $50). I love it, after adjustment there is rarely any snipe. Both Wood and American Woodworker (I think) gave the Delta high marks.

[JayStPeter]

I would go Delta. There's a simple reason, figured woods.

I have a Ridgid planer. So far, I have only used figured wood once, but had tons of tear out. So, I changed to a fresh set of blades and it planed out reasonably well. Then I cleaned and put back the semi-dull ones that work fine in normal wood. My plan is to always keep a set of nice new sharp blades around for figured woods. Since it only takes a few minutes to change the knives, no big deal. I don't think I any DW owners would want to change blades to plane 1 board. I've never done it, so I don't know what it's like to change blades on a DW. But, I've read/heard it is much more difficult.
I think the Delta has indexed knives, plus a slower feed speed. With a slower speed and a fresh set of blades, I may have gotten even better results.

[Ron Taylor]

... so can't give you a good review yet, but this is my first experience with a planer and I was impressed that I took it out of the box, installed a couple of handles, set the depth, and fed a piece of wood. I got a beautifully planed surface. No snipe (or any other bird for that matter).

My main point of reference is that my brother has a DeWalt and he's had to replace the motor. I think DeWalt furnished the parts, but still a hassle. I don't know if this is typical or not.

I got my Delta 22-580, 2 speed, 13" at Lowes for $447.

[Bud Duffy]

My bro bought the dewalt and i tried it out while visiting a few weeks agao , i have a rigid i bought a couple months agao and i dont really see to much diffrence in them so iguess it would boil down to personal prefrence and price. I like the idea of a full lifetime warenty on my rigid for 70 dollars more than the dewalt , there again personal preferance. I have run about 100 bf of nice figured cherry and about 50bf of walnut andabout 100bf of realynice curly /birdseye maple and about 300bf of some spectacular juniper thru mine with no problems atall. And thats my.02 worth.ps havent changed blades yet and still cuts like new.

[Lynn Sonier]

I have the DeWalt and really, really, really like it. I have no experience with any other planer. Did I say I really, really, really, liked it??? I use it more than I ever thought I would.