I just bought this Dewalt planer DW735 and it was only used once but over 10 years ago. when i started it up , the rollers weren't turning . this video was 100% very helpful !!! great Job!!!
Glad to hear it Scott... now that your new toy is up and running you might be interested in this NLC video showing ongoing maintenance for peak performance: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
Thanks for putting this video together. It helped me install a new carriage, basically having to take the entire planer apart. You're absolutely right about other videos not doing some of things you did. Your unfettered behavior made it that much more enjoyable.
I just joined a MakerSpace and got an introduction to the Wood Lab. One session on the Planer I was hooked. I was given a 2006 DW735 that wouldn't feed with only about 10 hours on it. Wasn't sure if I could fix it but wanted to try. This video and the Care and Feeding gave me wonderful instructions on how to take it apart and diagnose the problem. Broken sprocket on the drive chain. I ordered the part tonight and now on to the Deep Dive Cleaning. Your video is so good, even an old lady with no experience is looking good. I signed up as a subscriber right away and looking forward to a great education.
Simply the most outstanding video on maintenance for this Dewalt planer that I have seen. Thank you so much for putting this together especially having the links for the lubricants and the screws that I am also purchasing for mine!
Thanks much, a few years on, this video is still the best overview and info on this problem and some great suggestions for the process. Much appreciated.
Lots of great info and ideas here (using tape to make a label recording the maintenance, upgrading the screws, and lubricating the chains with T-9), thank you for taking the time to film and post!
Excellent video, I've had my 735 for over 10 years and between your two maintenence videos have a whole new level to attain. Its particularly gummed up with pine pitch making faux beams I saw on your other videos. I feel like a kid again watching the New Yankee Workshop! Thank you and keep the vids coming.
My husband has one of this planers and I’ll definitely show your video to him. He hasn’t done any type of maintenance so I really appreciate you sharing your experience and tips. Thank you!
Show him the 'Care and Feeding' video too Miriam... it's likely that your husband will find that video more applicable than this in the short term. ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html Planer performance can degrade quickly and lead to disappointing results that basic maintenance will help significantly. Best, Matt
Thanks to the detailed descriptions in your video, I was able to easily remove, service and replace the rollers, easily. I'm glad now I took the drive and idler chains off to inspect these, as the rear roller was gummed-up so badly, it would barely turn even when applying quite a bit of force. You mentioned that you made note of the offset in the roller blocks; The thin portion goes up toward the spring. I also noticed that there in a notch machined on the opposite side that was referenced toward the center of the roller. I also made sure to keep the blocks matched to the end they came off of, as tolerances may differ on each end. I added a small amount of grease on both sides of the thin washer that's installed between the drive sprocket on the gear box and the gear box roller shaft bushing. As the roller turns, it will (hopefully) help to prevent any further wear. My planer was given to me by my Father-In-Law who used it frequently, for over 13 years. Somehow the upper assembly had shifted downward toward the left-rear, so that the left-rear was sitting about 5/32" lower than the rest of the upper assembly. Seeing as how I had most of the machine apart to begin with - *your* video was an added step in its *deep-dive maintenance*. I'd like to also add that your tip to replace the screws with the 5mm x 10mm button head was a great idea as well! Channels like yours are always a pleasure to watch and learn from, so thank you - again.
Thanks for watching and commenting on this one... thanks as well for adding so many useful insights from your experience in getting your planer up and running like it was meant to! I'm sure you will find as I have that a little bit of TLC goes a long way in the performance of your like new dw735! 😎 Best, Matt
Quality information in a Quality video... I just replaced my straight cutter heads with a Shelix segmented cutter head. It is the second best thing I've done with that planer. the best thing I've done with it was to follow your plans for maintenance. I had to laugh when you started talking about the problem getting the rollers installed. Instead of fighting gravity, use it as a tool.
Found your video extremely helpful in fang as broken sprocket, due to a bound roller. Great “outside the box” thinking to turn it over. Went further and removed the four bolts holding the base to gain full access to the rollers and screws. Thanks for helping me salvage the planer.
Glad to provide a little insight into what you're up against for an in-depth repair like your sprocket repair... kudos on salvaging your planer! Sometimes a bit of TLC like this will prevent bigger problems later on: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html Full disclosure: I've broken sprockets in the past when I didn't heed my own advice for routine maintenance😬😎 Best, Matt
If you think I am criticizing you or your techniques, I am not. I respect your knowledge and skill and I appreciate your willingness to share. I also recognize that you make difficult things look easy because of your experience. Thank you.
It's all good Chris... sorry if any of my replies to you come across as snarky... I save that for the trolls who have it coming! Thanks for watching and commenting here! Best, Matt
Excellent session, you make it look so easy. The DW735 is a workhorse but as you demonstrated, maintenance is required. Thanks for taking us thru the steps A-Z.
Thanks! BTW this video covers more routine maintenance I do and recommend for the DW735 Thickness Planer:j ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html to minimize the need for 'deep dive' measures in this video.
All I need to say is JOB WELL DONE! You taught me how to better keep my Dewalt thickness planer in top working condition. I enjoy watching your videos.
This is the first video that ever made me even consider supporting a RUclipsr on Patreon. That's saying a lot... Subscribed and please keep up the good work.
Had an awful high pitched sound coming from somewhere on my planer. Suspected it was from the rollers or cutter head. DW735 had about 1 hour use so it was brand new. Followed your video exactly, turned it on after greasing it all and the high pitched whine sound is gone. Just the normal, terribly loud noise it always makes. Still not sure exactly what it was, but it seems fine now. Your video is awesome because you explain what all the parts do and how it works as your taking it apart. Very helpful. Also flipping it on its back made it way easier!!
I can't thank you enough for these videos. You saved me from experiencing the issues you did! Forgot to come thank you back in June when I installed my Shelix cutterhead, and your deep dive maintenance. I purchased my unit used so taking it apart for a clean and tune up was a must. I used your amazon links to purchase some of the suggested items. Grateful for all the knowledge you shared!
You're sure welcome... thanks for watching AND using those links! Glad to hear you found this helpful. You may have come across this general maintenance video already but here's a link in case you haven't : ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html The video shows exactly what I do to get peak performance out of a great planer... Best, Matt
It might be time for some brushes for the drive motor. At the end of their life, they can draw a larger load. I don't know if they are replaceable, but it's worth a shot. Love the videos! I started a workbench cabinet with drawers for my dad's old workbench. It has turned into quite a project and reminds me how much I really don't enjoy working with wood. I'm a metal guy! Every time I start a wood project, I sell all my tools when I am done. I don't have the artistic ability that one needs for woodworking but I do enjoy these videos that you work so hard to put out! Thanks again.
Thanks for doing this video. I had broken both sprockets on the transmission/gearbox side. I replaced both sprockets and drivebelt but a problem somewhere. After watching the video I tore apart to clean. I found a sized bushing on the back roller. Replaced with new roller and bushings, problem solved!
You're sure welcome Rick as your situation is a common but infrequent problem for this planer and a good part of the motivation to produce the video so I'm glad to hear it helped you out
Matt Thanks sooo much for turning that Planer on whilst upside down! I'm sure the PC police had their say, but after watching nearly every one of your video's, knowing how you operate with precision, I personally was never worried that anyone would get hurt! plus super fun to watch. thank you
It can be aggravating when you expect something to work well but it puts up a fight! I would encourage you to give your DW another chance because, in my experience, every problem I've had with mine over the years are caused by operator error, neglect and/or abuse on my part and are always worth fixing because the machine itself is a real workhorse in the shop. Hope this helps you isolate and fix the problem because I feel it is the 'best in class' for planers of this size/type/cost...
Wow, great video. Got the same exact planer, I recently switched out my thermal breaker through the switch hole. Worked, but was a finger twisting experience! I can see a full maintenance on my planer in the near future, thanks for the great content!
Lots of good info here. Thanks for the maintenance reminder... Those " #1 Phillips" screws can be loosened, usually without stripping, if you take the bit and grind off the sharp point to make it more like the tip from a #2. The bit will then seat deeper into the screw head and grip like it should. The bits/screwdrivers called "#1 Phillips" are more like the "Reed & Prince" of days gone by; a slightly steeper angle and more pointy. That's why they slip. I've been nipping off a bit of the tip for 30-ish years and haven't had much of a problem since. Cheers from Alberta, Canada.
Thanks for the additional tips and insight... definitely worth paying more attention to the fit of tip and screw to avoid the frustration I felt with a less-than-great tip/screw fit! Best, Matt
Thanks so much for helping thousands of woodworkers that own this product. I doubt I would have even thought about doing the maintenance you did if you hadn't shown us how.
You're welcome TopG... you'll find, like I do, how much better performance and results you get out of your DW735 by doing some of these steps. Have you seen this other planer video I did?: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html The more routine mantenance it shows helps extend the life and increase the performance of this venerable workshop workhorse! Best, Matt
I don't own a DW735, but watched it anyway for lessons that might apply to my planar, and while there weren't any i could see, one tip I did find useful wasto replace Phillips head screws with cap screws. Then I thought, if they are knurled, they would be even better. I will now be looking for places to use such screws. Thanks Matt.
Thanks for the tips in this video. I just put a Shelix cutter head into my dw735. It’s a terrific upgrade. I’m going to go thru these tune up steps next.
What a great video Matt!! I also have a DeWalt 735 haven't had any issues yet but after this video I will be giving it some love. I don't care what DeWalt says my warranty is up and I can do whatever I want to my machine as far as maintenance or replacing the knives to another type of cutters, we all know what happens when you walk out of the store and something happens how your treated or run around by these companies. DeWalt answer to this problem would have been well you can take it to one of our repair facilities, and then get your check book ready. You saved your subscribers hundreds of dollars. Thank You keep up the good work.
Great comment Steve... You're firmly in touch with realities in today's marketplace and how to keep them from dragging you to a standstill with 'policy hoops and hurdles'! Do you use ereplacementparts.com? They're my lifeline... I've been using them ever since I realized the local tool repair center's get all THEIR parts there so they don't have to inventory everything... Best, Matt
This is great!! I’ve been waiting for a while on a comprehensive video on the DW735, so thanks! I recently replaced mine, but the first one lasted a good 12 years+ ! Definitely worth the $$ especially if space is a premium.
What a great video! The only thing complaint I have is that the reason I found your video was because I was looking for a video that showed how to maintain the height adjustment crank. I fortunately, you didn’t cover that part. Thanks again for this video. It helped with all the other stuff.
fantastic video -- perhaps one of the best i have seen -- helped me solve the same problem you had -- planed hard maple all afternoon without a problem -- thank you
Thanks for the video, great content and pace. I have abused my 735 for 2 yrs now. Was having trouble with it, did this deep dive now it’s like new. Did find a broken idler spring. Also my new blades were junk, rollers were sticky and needed lube. Learned a good lesson, pay attention to your machines, if you’re having problems, something is wrong, don’t just call it a piece of crap, and forcing thing’s through. check it out. This was actually a easy thing to do. I’ll be doing it on a regular basis. “Find time to maintain your equipment, or it will find it for you.” Why are you going through thermal overloads? I haven’t had that problem. New subscriber.
Great saying “Find time to maintain your equipment, or it will find it for you.” you may hear me say that and, if you do, you'll know it came from you! Turns out the thermal overload failed initially from over-working the planer on long, wide boards with less than sharp blades. Subsequent failures were from the most insignificant thing: loose spade connectors! Turns out loose connectors generate heat from 'arcing'. That heat migrates into the overload and trips it. Now I tighten the connectors with pliers to the point they're hard to push on. Since discovering this problem I only have problems when actually overworking the planer. Thanks for the sub!
Looks like the same parts used on my 30 year old DeWalt DW733. Over time the rollers dried up, cracked and little chunks came off. (Over time meaning even within a few short weeks if you don't clean the rollers and wax the table.) So after 30 years still works but won't feed at times or slow feed as it slips from lack of roller friction. Couple of bushings cracked with 10 years into the machine with light use. (Heavy use for a few days then storage for a few years that is.) Good thing is parts were cheap and available, not the case with many other brands. I didn't get the DW735 due to disposable blades. My neighbor, a professional custom furniture maker, hates it as it eat knives constantly.
I found this vid looking for a reason that my rollers didn't seem to pull material through like they used to....Turning it upside down should make it easier to clean them.....I should also check and lube the chains........I did recently replace my steel blades with some carbide blades, they were just over $100.....what a difference in operation. I thought about the spiral type cutters but couldn't justify the cost at this point in my career......then again if I hit the lottery.....Since I move my planer around I was always short on reaching outlets so awhile back I replaced the cord with a longer heavier gauge one....I have a set of rollers I picked up several years ago......after watching this vid, I may tackle that job...
Sometimes the low-level maintenance tips shown in this video are all it takes to get your machine back up and running 'like it used to': ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html Best, Matt
Outstanding video Matt! I have this same planer and admit that I have not done this deep dive clean / lube. With that said and your video I am going to order the screws and get into this maintenance task! Thanks for posting, very helpful!
Thx for the very informative video; it was useful during my disassembling and troubleshooting. I contacted the Dewalt service center in Denver to find out what type of lube to use on the feed roller sleeve bearings. They simply replace the rollers and bearings every time (figures). SO, I'M STICKING WITH YOUR METHOD OF LUBING AND REASSEMBLY of the roller assemblies.
As always video packed with lots of good content. The only one issue I have with this planer is it's weight. I know that's good weight which means quality but when you have bad back it's no fun to manhandle a beast like that. Good job sir and thank you
Great video as always. I just took a deep dive into your store! My wife found me the DW 735 at a garage sale a few years ago for $125. Just needed the drive belt and a new power cord and cleaning, lube and knives. I bought a spherical head later, but have not started the install yet because I struggle every time I open up the thing. Maybe no more after watching this video. Hey great idea for you, a NLC blade changeout from straight to spherical! I would pay to see that! Thanks again for an awesome deep dive.
Luckily I watched your video before starting the maintenance on my planer. Thanks a lot for saving me a lot of hassles. I took your advice and switched screws. The Sand Flex worked great although I have no idea what it is made of. Seems kind of like a gritty eraser. The label makes it sound like it's for removal of rust/tarnish/etc from metal so it should come in handy. Turning the planer upside down is so obvious (once you think of it). Thanks again for the time saving tips.
This is a fantastic video! You’re precise and thorough in everything you do and more importantly, what you say. I appreciate the recommendations regarding fastener replacement. I’m finding it necessary to replace a sprocket on the transmission side and I may as well perform the maintenance. My DW735 has served me well for 15 years.
A big thumbs up on a detailed video! Please do an update on this video after you have put the planer through a demanding project. The part that you replaced is described as a circuit breaker on the internet and it will protect the motor and all other wiring in the machine from being damaged when the entire machine circuit is overloaded. The potential damage would come from overheated motor windings or other internal wires. I suspect that the 'deep dive' cleaning and lubrication will help a great deal by lowering the demands on the motor. The circuit breaker was just doing its job.
Your video was helpful when I recently did a deep cleaning of my 735. By accident (poor choice of words), I did a couple of things differently. My initial plan was to turn/replace the blades. As I took the blades off and started cleaning, I decided to leave turning the blades until the end for safety reasons. Second, your idea of turning the unit upside down inspired me to go one step farther- remove the base. This gave plenty of working space. It comes with a caveat. Initially, it wasn’t easy getting the posts properly aligned so the head would raise and lower smoothly. I’ll skip the details and jump to the solution. Turn each post by hand until each end is level with its housing. I used a small, metal ruler across the housing. Since the posts need to be raised to accept the base, I indexed each post using a sharpie>turned each post the same number of revolutions>set the base in place >insert the screws finger tight careful not to move the posts>used a wrench on the flats to hold the post in place while tightening the screws down. The End.
Kudos for taking this Deep Dive to a 'next level' Bob! I've never gone that deep and, frankly, have been intimidated by what might be required to get the 'timing' of chain & sprockets on all 4 columns so that the cutterhead is perfectly aligned with the platen. Your experience and explanation help reduce that anxiety though so thanks for that!
Proof is in the pudding. To test I planed a 1.5” wide board on the right side, then again on the left side. The left side planed off less than 1/128” more than right side. I had to hold myself back from trying for perfection 🤔
This was my first adventure with you. I found you because I'm thinking about getting the 735. I just had triple bypass surgery 12 days ago and I want to get started doing woodworking and art together. That was a fantastic video I just watched and I wish I could become a patreon and maybe someday I will. Thanks so much for your deep dive.
I don't have a planer, but thank you for the detailed information on servicing this planer and all the detailed explanations and projects that you make.
THANK YOU. I had to replace both rollers on mine. They were worn out. Interesting thing was that the belt was almost ready to snap, the bolt holding the drive pulley was -- gone??? and I'm REALLY glad that I did this. Through your details, I was well prepared for this nasty phillip head screws and I replaced them all as well. Cheers!
Noice, Dave... thanks for letting me know how this helped you out... I predict you're going to love having a tuned up mowsheen to work with! Best, Matt
Your video was very useful, Thank You. I had a broken main drive sproket, it was the pillow block bearing on the main drive side that was totally frozen. All fixed now!
You're welcome Bob.... sounds very much like the problem I had with my first DW735 years ago. I expected to see more sticking of the pillow blocks this time but the real culprit was loose spade connectors on the thermal protection switch. No regrets though since a thorough lube job will prevent future freeze-ups and associated problems. Best, Matt
Great video, I like the way you overcome issues, thoughtfully and creatively. Nice also to see careful and considered risk taking and mitigation in a world that safety would like to see covered in Nerf but then there’s some who don’t consider risk....
careful with the acetone my dad used to use it for everything and got lung cancer never smoked in his life, thank you for the video. I took my DW735 apart because rollers were locked in place and wouldn't feed wood through the planar. Debating just ordering new feed rollers, the sprocket's are in tact upon inspection and the chain and belt are still solid. tried manual rotation on feed rollers and noticed around 75% rotation consistently it locks into place, going to try wd40 and cleaning but not feeling lucky.
I agree that a planer is a foundation machine in the shop, as it is a joy to work with straight and flat wood. Your video inspired me to service my planer today. I took your suggestion with a slightly different approach. Once I had the planer inverted, I removed the 4 bolts that held the base to the 4 adjusting risers, and with a rubber mallet, was able to remove the base (I think two people would make that part easier). That gave me free and unencumbered access to the rollers. But as I was putting it back together, I had forgotten to reinstall the side guard plates, when I noticed that the base has a long transverse slots just behind the aluminum handles. For what could that be? I got my longboy Phillips, passed it through the slot, and with little effort, installed the guard plates using the original Phillips screws. It appears that you can also access the roller clamp retainers through the slot as well. As a subscriber, I would request that perhaps you could show how to service the gearbox (clean/lube). I did notice I had some oiliness on the bottom of the gear box. Thanks for the motivation.
Make sure to check out the Care and Feeding video too (if you haven't already): ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html thanks for watching... and subscribing!
As soon as you turned it upside down, of course it made so many things easier. Wish I'd thought of it sooner too! One thing that might not be super easy, but might work, the next time the rollers have to come out, if you could use clamps at the ends of the rollers, unless the throat would be too far - it is hard to tell from the image whether a clamp would fit far enough in, to hold the roller in place... I'm saying, if one face of the clamp jaw fits on the end of the roller, and the other face of the jaw can go all the way to be secured to the top (which is now at the bottom), maybe that would help hold the rollers down while removing the screws - but maybe it might break the (yellow) plastic cover..
Excellent video, thanks for the great info and presentation. I’ve got the 735X and it’s a Type 1 so that base plate cannot be replaced. Mine is scratched badly so I had to order a replacement base, the whole thing ... at a cost of $200. I’m going to replace it tomorrow so I started searching RUclips and found this. Instruction on replacing the base is not in this video so I will continue searching but I wanted to thank you for this great content
Wow, great content. After doing a good bit of research on portable planers, even though this planer is rated at 15 amps, when planing hardwood it can pull close to twice that. So even on a 20 amp circuit the motor tends to run hot. Using an undersized extension cord compounds the issue. This might contribute to the thermal switch tripping as frequently as you described.
I agree that using an undersized extension cord will cause any motor to run hot so it's important to size cords appropriately. It is not, however, the cause of thermal tripping I experienced here and the 'research' you describe can be a bit overly theoretical and possibly misleading because this planer always heats up to a degree during use. Surprisingly, in my situation. it wasn't lack of lubrication either. Turns out the main culprit was loose fitting spade connectors on the leads on the thermal switch... go figure.
THX MATT! Have same planer lots of board feet. No thermal switch issues but definitely need your 'deep dive' for feed roller maintenance. Will get this done this week and will upgrade screws! Avid mtn biker western mtns Maine. Big Boshield user for years and is a great product. Again thx again and keep vids coming.
Bet you've got some sahwheet singletrack in the mountains out there! Switched from Tri-Flow to T-9 this season and am thoroughly impresssed... can't believe I didn't discover this application earlier. Glad to hear your thermal switch holds but I think snipe and overall performance are improved when everything is all clean and lubed. BTW have you seen the other maintenance video I did: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html it really helps extend planer life IMHO. Best, Matt
@@NextLevelCarpentry Hey Matt ....Thx 4 link and will check it out. Don't know about sahweet rides but have plenty of skookum single track. Not much flat but all UP&DOWN. 😊Got skookum from when I lived in Seattle "great, outstanding,etc. Sahweet? Thx again and enjoy rides. Stay safe!
@@watti-yi7sw "all UP&DOWN" means we earn our turns, right? I'm guessing skookum = sahweet... it's good no matter what you call it, right? Do you do Strava? The bike shot in the video is from a trail called Victoria 15 Loop which you could find on Strava if interested... Ride hard, ride safe, have fun!
Thanks for the tips. You've reminded me that I need to break my DW735 down and give it some lovin'. I've learned the hard way - have a spare v-belt. I have a Craftman 12" bandsaw that has belts made much like the DW735, only smaller. Those belts (even the after market ones) seem to want to dry out and fall a part at the most inopportune time.
I watched this entire video - and i dont even have a DW735. Why you ask. This guy is that good. Curious to know how the new Thermal switch is holding up. Thanks for posting
Replacing the screws with something sensible, great idea, dry lube on the chains also good, maintaining damn thicknesser aw man !! by the way I clean out drill chucks with paraffin and then MEK, let it dry and blow a drying silicone lubricant into them, I don’t get any crap sticking in them any more.
This is an excellent video and reminds me of the maintenance I need to do on my DW735. Changing the Phillips screws to hex-drive screws is a very good idea. I have little love for Phillips screws, anyway. They always seem to cam out whenever you really need them to work properly. Also thinking about going with a spiral carbide cutter head, but for my "hobby" shop I am not sure the expense is worthwhile. For a production shop, I think it might be a good investment. Thanks! Keep on keepin' on!
Don't Do It! I've owned my DeWalt 735 for almost 15 years (March 2006) and have spent no more than $210 in replacement blades. On average I plane 500 board feet of rough sawn lumber (Ash, Black Walnut and Red Oak). I only buy the DeWalt replacement blades but last year I did get an off name brand to compare (so far so good). If blades are not lasting at least 500 board feet re-evaluate what your sending through the planer before spending $450+ for a shelix cutter. For example: If you cut hardwood on the 96 feed rate no wonder your blades do not last, if your sending metal through your planer or gobs of dried glue then clean it up before sending it through the planer. Again, been using mine for almost 15 years, still going strong with no complaints. Good Luck with whatever you choose.
@@jerrystark3587 No, though the thought is a nice one. The best you can do is hone the blade if you have a decent enough set up to keep the blade consistent throughout the length of the blade. To actually sharpen them would require a professional grade water cooled sharpener/grinder and again setup is key because if you don't keep the width of the blade consistent you'll have different segments of the blade engaging the wood which can be problematic at best and potentially dangerous depending on the inconsistencies. Even a solid setup on a dry grinder didn't work as the heat warped the blade. I've seen one of those fancy top of the line wet sharpeners at Rockler(Tormek T4 or T8) but for the price of one of those ($400 to $730) buying blades is much simpler and cheaper. Amazon typically has the dual DeWalt set for $80 and some change so roughly 40 ish a set. I've had good results with the Powertec blades despite all the bad reviews on them ($40 for 2 Sets).
@@timm3792 I have done this for years. Cut a 45-degree kerf about 1/2' deep in a piece of plywood as as long and wide as the planer blade (for stability) with a small block at one end of the kerf, use a Sharpie to blacken the blade bevel, put the blade into the kerf, and then gently and consistently run your diamond plate across the length of the blade taking care to study the pattern of the abrasion on the Sharpie-marked blade. Just a touch up works well. Don't overdo it. You can set up a small rest strip on the plywood sharpening base to keep the diamond plate at a constant bevel, if you like. That works. too, and you can quickly work out any angle you want. This extends the life of the planer blades by a factor of two or three in my shop. BTW: Planer blades can be cut down into great marking knives and scraper blades when they are past their useful life in the planer. This is not an economic issue for me. I just hate throwing away good steel. Regards...
Thank you so much for this video - great explanation of the process and tups to make it easier. I have this same planer and have done no maintenance to it since i got it - definately going to do it now thanks to you.
@5:23 I think that those "cheap phillips screws" on these planers are actually JIS fasteners. If you work on Asian equipment you will make your life much simpler to buy some JIS drivers, the head seats deeper and much more secure. Vessel is a great brand and easy to source on that mega online seller. Thanks for the video!
I'm used to larger, corded routers ruclips.net/user/postUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z so this was a different experience for me. Basically, this is an incredibly sweet machine, fits well in the hand, etc. It has slightly less power than I'm used to, but that's understandable. Maneuvering freehand takes some practice. These days, it's especially nice to be able to avoid power cords. This is above the level of a hobbyist but below a pro level.
Great video Matt, it makes me wish I had a planer just so I could perform maintenance on it.. Of course using it to plane would wood be a bonus. Turning it upside down is what I was thinking you should do when the first screw head got stripped. Using a quality screwdriver helps a lot too, then applying good downward pressure on the screw as you turn the screwdriver. You're method of applying pressure to the ratchet reminds me of my solution if I had a situation where there was limited side to side clearance for the screwdriver to be held in line with the screw. If it could be used I had an 18" Mac Tools screwdriver that would extend past objects limiting side to side clearance that saved many screw heads from being stripped. Automotive OEM replacement hardware is exactly the same hardware as what you remove to take off any given part, so that screwdriver has saved me many would-be trips to the parts department to get the screw that more than likely has to be ordered. A trick I use and show people when installing screws that are being stubborn, (especially those threaded into plastic, and for us woodworkers, wood that had a screw was previously threaded into it, is to turn the screw backwards slowly while applying inward pressure until you feel it drop into the threads, at that point you can turn it the correct way and it will thread in without much chance of stripping. The finer the thread pitch, the less you'll feel the drop, so it can be difficult sometimes. I learned that trick when trying to install a new part whee the fitting wasn't lining up with where it needed to go because of the way it was packaged.
Experience with auto mechanics is invaluable when maintaining woodworking equipment, isn't it?! Thanks for adding insight from your experience... good advice for those who tackle this project! Best, Matt
@@NextLevelCarpentry Yes, quite valuable. I've even used that knowledge on repairs or new projects on my house,; electrical, plumbing, closing in part of a room to make a laundry room are some examples. My comment was long enough as it was, so I decided not to add woodworking equipment that wasn't working, or working wee and repaired them. I created my own Frankenstein monster when I had two what I cal "table top tablesaws" of different brands where I removed the motor from one and installed it on the other. It took a bit of fabricating, but it works now.
Great video, valuable info. I just purchased a new DW735x Planer, but I watched this maintenance video in it's entirety anyway. Subscribed. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the sub... and for watching this video. Hopefully it will be a LONG time before you need to do any deep-dive maintenance. In the meantime you might appreciate the more routine/periodic maintenance and blade-changing stuff I show in this video: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html BTW The part about waxing the planer platen is the most frequent TLC I give to my planer... Best, Matt
My 735 is a 2005 model, type 1 that has been trouble free until I let an acquaintance use it since his planer was down; unfortunately he wound up damaging mine and stripped the sprockets on one of the screw towers(?) and now the planer head is tilted and cuts more on one side vs the other. One day I might get some time to see if I can fix it since I had never had any major issues with it until then. Great video 👌👍
You're welcome... the repairs aren't all that difficult but a bit of insight into what you're getting into is nice 😉😎 As follow up: I found that loose blade connectors on my thermal switch was the main cause of my planer tripping out but it does run more smoothly with everything cleaned up and bearings lubed... Best, Matt
Thanks Thaddeus... you might like this video too to keep your planer running smoothly on a daily basis: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html Best, Matt
Great video. I just purchased a used 2yr old 735 off of Craig’s List for $325. One side of the blades were really nicked up the boards came out rougher than when they went in! I rotated the blades and all was good. The previous owner stated that he had only about an hour of on time on it so I don’t think I need a deep dive yet but will definitely use your tips when the time comes. Hopefully it turns out to be a good purchase.
Thanks Kevin... sounds like this video might be more useful for your 'new toy': ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html It shows things I do regularly for my heavily used planer to keep keep it performing at its best.
Matt- if you are still having a problem check the planer with an ampere Probe to see if you are drawing more than 15 Amp. If you are check the drive motor bearings or the brushes on the motor for wear if it has them.
So a motor will draw more than 15amps if the brushes are bad or weak? I should check into it... the brushes look fine but are maybe 2/3 their original length which I assumed was OK. 'preciate the help on this Stephen... Best, Matt
Thank you for the edifying videos on routine and deep dive maintenance on the DW 735, Matt! I’m about to do both this weekend, and having learned from you how it’s done I’m actually looking forward to the full afternoon job. I think I’ll do the knife change and attendant maintenance in that area after the deep dive, to keep from blowing dust all over my freshly lubed chains. See? You’ve got me from becoming too late smart.
You're sure welcome Bill! BTW I wouldn't do the 'deep dive' maintenance unless there was good reason to do so. If your planer is performing well there's little need for any more than blowing dust off chains and lubing them IMHO. Unless you sense the shaft bearings are really dry or stuck for some reason I'd leave 'em alone in a 'if it's not broke, don't fix it' sense. Have fun with the TLC session regardless of how deep you dive! Best, Matt
Thx Greg... I can't wait to share how much you know about just how interesting that little tool is my friend! Spoiler Alert: anyone who happens to read this thread will be surprised to learn how much more Greg's Garage knows about that little tool than he's letting on in his comment! Stay tuned!!
I believe the reason the Phillip head screws were so difficult to remove is because the factory used RED type lock tight which should be heated before attempting to remove, a soldering gun tip should work fine. In regards to reassembly I did, int see you use Lock tight or hear you say to use it but it should be used especially in that environment -with the vibration.
I recently replaced the thermal overload switch on my 735 and didn't know about that hidden screw. Ugh! Thankfully the plastic cover is malleable enough I was able to bend it out far enough to replace the switch. Now I know for the future. Thanks Matt
I spotted the threads I mentioned in my previous comment in your video when you had the planer upside down. I see that there is nothing that goes into those threads so I believe that something was in the wood that was being planed. In other words, it appears that no parts fell off of the planer and were chewed up by the blades. However, when my carpenter tries to plane thick boards it is gouging out the wood. He is lowering the planer blades 1/2 turn (1/32") each pass, so I need to take a look at the blades which were getting dull. I had removed them, reversed them to the other side to get nice fresh cuts, and secured them back in place a couple of days ago. Maybe something isn't seated right.
Betcha a dollar to a doughnut that one of the blade retainer screws wasn't tightened enough and it came out during use and gouged the wood as it was ejected by the spinning cutterhead. Check all the screws on all three blades to see if one's missing and if I'm right. 🤯😎
@@NextLevelCarpentry I checked all the screws and they were all securely in place. So I removed each blade and I believe one of them may have been seated upside down but I’m not sure about that. Anyway, I refastened each blade securely and it is cutting with no issues. I believe there may have been a nail embedded in the wood my carpenter was planing but it’s impossible to know for sure. Perhaps he and his helper were trying to feed wood that was too thick into the planer and it wasn’t raised high enough. This morning, I reviewed the whole proper process for planing with them and we planed a few pieces together. They have been planing wood all day with no further issues.
@@EdBecnel Trying to feed wood that's too thick will just bog the machine down and/or clog it with shavings and trip the breaker. One of 3 knives upside down would make a terrible noise and leave a rough surface. I suspect it would be VERY obvious because shavings would be jammed under the knife when removed. An errant nail in a piece of lumber being planed is the best and most likely explanation for the havoc you experienced IMHO. Hopefully you'll be sailing smoother seas ahead where swapping out new knives with sharp edges and waxing the platen will be the extent of maintenance required... and for that, there's this: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.htmlsi=NTOKvsWAhy-cCX_i
Excellent video I always appreciate your resourcefulness and detail I'm getting ready to clean up my dw735, I've watched your other video on clean up before and was looking for it to watch again when I found this one. Thanks Mike
Kudos for giving your DW735 a bit of TLC Michael... I can tell you from experience that it works better and lasts longer when you treat it with attention and respect even if you work it hard... Best, Matt
That piece on the shaft you sanded they ought to have the bushing blocks with a grease zerk fittings for both. This way that roller never slows down and you can periodically grease it.
Glad you enjoyed it! Looks like you've invested a good deal of time and effort building up your channel... I wish you all the best in your endeavors! Best, Matt
Excellent video, have you ever taken the roller gear box apart and replaced the thick gear grease with something that will function better in lower temps. For cold shops in northern areas. I will do your steps to see if it helps, a bunch of raw oak to work and won't feed in this cold weather
I'd be surprised if cold grease in that little gearbox would make a difference in performance of the planer but a platen that's not smooth, a stiff drive chain, bushings that bind and/or gummy feed rollers will slow it down even in a heated shop.
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I just bought this Dewalt planer DW735 and it was only used once but over 10 years ago. when i started it up , the rollers weren't turning . this video was 100% very helpful !!! great Job!!!
Glad to hear it Scott... now that your new toy is up and running you might be interested in this NLC video showing ongoing maintenance for peak performance: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
To prevent cross threading, turn screws backwards until you hear a click, or feel the threads seat/align, then tighten as normal.
Thanks for putting this video together. It helped me install a new carriage, basically having to take the entire planer apart. You're absolutely right about other videos not doing some of things you did. Your unfettered behavior made it that much more enjoyable.
I just joined a MakerSpace and got an introduction to the Wood Lab. One session on the Planer I was hooked. I was given a 2006 DW735 that wouldn't feed with only about 10 hours on it. Wasn't sure if I could fix it but wanted to try. This video and the Care and Feeding gave me wonderful instructions on how to take it apart and diagnose the problem. Broken sprocket on the drive chain. I ordered the part tonight and now on to the Deep Dive Cleaning. Your video is so good, even an old lady with no experience is looking good. I signed up as a subscriber right away and looking forward to a great education.
Simply the most outstanding video on maintenance for this Dewalt planer that I have seen. Thank you so much for putting this together especially having the links for the lubricants and the screws that I am also purchasing for mine!
Thanks much, a few years on, this video is still the best overview and info on this problem and some great suggestions for the process. Much appreciated.
Lots of great info and ideas here (using tape to make a label recording the maintenance, upgrading the screws, and lubricating the chains with T-9), thank you for taking the time to film and post!
Youbetcha Mike... thanks for being a subscriber to the Channel! Best, Matt
That was a clever idea, having 'Chip' button up the machine while you did a bit of a commercial. A little humor and a time saver.
Excellent video, I've had my 735 for over 10 years and between your two maintenence videos have a whole new level to attain. Its particularly gummed up with pine pitch making faux beams I saw on your other videos. I feel like a kid again watching the New Yankee Workshop! Thank you and keep the vids coming.
My husband has one of this planers and I’ll definitely show your video to him. He hasn’t done any type of maintenance so I really appreciate you sharing your experience and tips. Thank you!
Show him the 'Care and Feeding' video too Miriam... it's likely that your husband will find that video more applicable than this in the short term. ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html Planer performance can degrade quickly and lead to disappointing results that basic maintenance will help significantly. Best, Matt
Thanks to the detailed descriptions in your video, I was able to easily remove, service and replace the rollers, easily. I'm glad now I took the drive and idler chains off to inspect these, as the rear roller was gummed-up so badly, it would barely turn even when applying quite a bit of force.
You mentioned that you made note of the offset in the roller blocks; The thin portion goes up toward the spring. I also noticed that there in a notch machined on the opposite side that was referenced toward the center of the roller. I also made sure to keep the blocks matched to the end they came off of, as tolerances may differ on each end.
I added a small amount of grease on both sides of the thin washer that's installed between the drive sprocket on the gear box and the gear box roller shaft bushing. As the roller turns, it will (hopefully) help to prevent any further wear.
My planer was given to me by my Father-In-Law who used it frequently, for over 13 years. Somehow the upper assembly had shifted downward toward the left-rear, so that the left-rear was sitting about 5/32" lower than the rest of the upper assembly.
Seeing as how I had most of the machine apart to begin with - *your* video was an added step in its *deep-dive maintenance*.
I'd like to also add that your tip to replace the screws with the 5mm x 10mm button head was a great idea as well! Channels like yours are always a pleasure to watch and learn from, so thank you - again.
Thanks for watching and commenting on this one... thanks as well for adding so many useful insights from your experience in getting your planer up and running like it was meant to!
I'm sure you will find as I have that a little bit of TLC goes a long way in the performance of your like new dw735! 😎
Best, Matt
Quality information in a Quality video... I just replaced my straight cutter heads with a Shelix segmented cutter head. It is the second best thing I've done with that planer. the best thing I've done with it was to follow your plans for maintenance. I had to laugh when you started talking about the problem getting the rollers installed. Instead of fighting gravity, use it as a tool.
Found your video extremely helpful in fang as broken sprocket, due to a bound roller. Great “outside the box” thinking to turn it over. Went further and removed the four bolts holding the base to gain full access to the rollers and screws. Thanks for helping me salvage the planer.
Glad to provide a little insight into what you're up against for an in-depth repair like your sprocket repair... kudos on salvaging your planer! Sometimes a bit of TLC like this will prevent bigger problems later on: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
Full disclosure: I've broken sprockets in the past when I didn't heed my own advice for routine maintenance😬😎
Best, Matt
If you think I am criticizing you or your techniques, I am not. I respect your knowledge and skill and I appreciate your willingness to share. I also recognize that you make difficult things look easy because of your experience. Thank you.
It's all good Chris... sorry if any of my replies to you come across as snarky... I save that for the trolls who have it coming! Thanks for watching and commenting here! Best, Matt
Excellent session, you make it look so easy. The DW735 is a workhorse but as you demonstrated, maintenance is required. Thanks for taking us thru the steps A-Z.
Thanks! BTW this video covers more routine maintenance I do and recommend for the DW735 Thickness Planer:j
ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
to minimize the need for 'deep dive' measures in this video.
All I need to say is JOB WELL DONE! You taught me how to better keep my Dewalt thickness planer in top working condition. I enjoy watching your videos.
This is the first video that ever made me even consider supporting a RUclipsr on Patreon. That's saying a lot...
Subscribed and please keep up the good work.
That's quite a compliment Tayo... much appreciated! Thanks for watching and commenting...
Best, Matt
Had an awful high pitched sound coming from somewhere on my planer. Suspected it was from the rollers or cutter head. DW735 had about 1 hour use so it was brand new. Followed your video exactly, turned it on after greasing it all and the high pitched whine sound is gone. Just the normal, terribly loud noise it always makes. Still not sure exactly what it was, but it seems fine now. Your video is awesome because you explain what all the parts do and how it works as your taking it apart. Very helpful. Also flipping it on its back made it way easier!!
Fantastic! I did the deep dive maintenance which fixed the poor feed by the rollers. Really appreciate the tutorial.
I can't thank you enough for these videos. You saved me from experiencing the issues you did! Forgot to come thank you back in June when I installed my Shelix cutterhead, and your deep dive maintenance. I purchased my unit used so taking it apart for a clean and tune up was a must. I used your amazon links to purchase some of the suggested items. Grateful for all the knowledge you shared!
You're sure welcome... thanks for watching AND using those links! Glad to hear you found this helpful. You may have come across this general maintenance video already but here's a link in case you haven't : ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html The video shows exactly what I do to get peak performance out of a great planer...
Best, Matt
It might be time for some brushes for the drive motor. At the end of their life, they can draw a larger load. I don't know if they are replaceable, but it's worth a shot. Love the videos! I started a workbench cabinet with drawers for my dad's old workbench. It has turned into quite a project and reminds me how much I really don't enjoy working with wood. I'm a metal guy! Every time I start a wood project, I sell all my tools when I am done. I don't have the artistic ability that one needs for woodworking but I do enjoy these videos that you work so hard to put out! Thanks again.
Thanks for doing this video. I had broken both sprockets on the transmission/gearbox side. I replaced both sprockets and drivebelt but a problem somewhere. After watching the video I tore apart to clean. I found a sized bushing on the back roller. Replaced with new roller and bushings, problem solved!
You're sure welcome Rick as your situation is a common but infrequent problem for this planer and a good part of the motivation to produce the video so I'm glad to hear it helped you out
That was an excellent video. I have the same machine and will now plan to do the same maintenance on mine, and now I know how to do it. Thanks Matt.
Matt Thanks sooo much for turning that Planer on whilst upside down! I'm sure the PC police had their say, but after watching nearly every one of your video's, knowing how you operate with precision, I personally was never worried that anyone would get hurt! plus super fun to watch. thank you
I'm a bit surprised that no one excoriated me over that stunt (yet) but it would still have been worth it for us, right?
Best, Matt
I was all set to pitch my 735 out the door and buy a Jet but you encouraged me to service this pile one more time.
It can be aggravating when you expect something to work well but it puts up a fight! I would encourage you to give your DW another chance because, in my experience, every problem I've had with mine over the years are caused by operator error, neglect and/or abuse on my part and are always worth fixing because the machine itself is a real workhorse in the shop. Hope this helps you isolate and fix the problem because I feel it is the 'best in class' for planers of this size/type/cost...
Wow, great video. Got the same exact planer, I recently switched out my thermal breaker through the switch hole. Worked, but was a finger twisting experience! I can see a full maintenance on my planer in the near future, thanks for the great content!
I feel your pain Ken... had the same miserable experience the first time before getting older and schmarter!
I love Boeshield. It works great. And, yes, I worked for Boeing for nearly 36 years!!! 😎
Lots of good info here. Thanks for the maintenance reminder... Those " #1 Phillips" screws can be loosened, usually without stripping, if you take the bit and grind off the sharp point to make it more like the tip from a #2. The bit will then seat deeper into the screw head and grip like it should. The bits/screwdrivers called "#1 Phillips" are more like the "Reed & Prince" of days gone by; a slightly steeper angle and more pointy. That's why they slip. I've been nipping off a bit of the tip for 30-ish years and haven't had much of a problem since. Cheers from Alberta, Canada.
Thanks for the additional tips and insight... definitely worth paying more attention to the fit of tip and screw to avoid the frustration I felt with a less-than-great tip/screw fit!
Best,
Matt
Thanks so much for helping thousands of woodworkers that own this product. I doubt I would have even thought about doing the maintenance you did if you hadn't shown us how.
You're welcome TopG... you'll find, like I do, how much better performance and results you get out of your DW735 by doing some of these steps. Have you seen this other planer video I did?: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html The more routine mantenance it shows helps extend the life and increase the performance of this venerable workshop workhorse! Best, Matt
I don't own a DW735, but watched it anyway for lessons that might apply to my planar, and while there weren't any i could see, one tip I did find useful wasto replace Phillips head screws with cap screws. Then I thought, if they are knurled, they would be even better. I will now be looking for places to use such screws. Thanks Matt.
Thanks for the tips in this video. I just put a Shelix cutter head into my dw735. It’s a terrific upgrade. I’m going to go thru these tune up steps next.
What a great video Matt!! I also have a DeWalt 735 haven't had any issues yet but after this video I will be giving it some love. I don't care what DeWalt says my warranty is up and I can do whatever I want to my machine as far as maintenance or replacing the knives to another type of cutters, we all know what happens when you walk out of the store and something happens how your treated or run around by these companies. DeWalt answer to this problem would have been well you can take it to one of our repair facilities, and then get your check book ready. You saved your subscribers hundreds of dollars. Thank You keep up the good work.
Great comment Steve... You're firmly in touch with realities in today's marketplace and how to keep them from dragging you to a standstill with 'policy hoops and hurdles'! Do you use ereplacementparts.com? They're my lifeline... I've been using them ever since I realized the local tool repair center's get all THEIR parts there so they don't have to inventory everything... Best, Matt
This is great!! I’ve been waiting for a while on a comprehensive video on the DW735, so thanks! I recently replaced mine, but the first one lasted a good 12 years+ ! Definitely worth the $$ especially if space is a premium.
What a great video! The only thing complaint I have is that the reason I found your video was because I was looking for a video that showed how to maintain the height adjustment crank. I fortunately, you didn’t cover that part. Thanks again for this video. It helped with all the other stuff.
fantastic video -- perhaps one of the best i have seen -- helped me solve the same problem you had -- planed hard maple all afternoon without a problem -- thank you
Thanks for the video, great content and pace. I have abused my 735 for 2 yrs now. Was having trouble with it, did this deep dive now it’s like new. Did find a broken idler spring. Also my new blades were junk, rollers were sticky and needed lube. Learned a good lesson, pay attention to your machines, if you’re having problems, something is wrong, don’t just call it a piece of crap, and forcing thing’s through. check it out. This was actually a easy thing to do. I’ll be doing it on a regular basis. “Find time to maintain your equipment, or it will find it for you.” Why are you going through thermal overloads? I haven’t had that problem. New subscriber.
Great saying “Find time to maintain your equipment, or it will find it for you.” you may hear me say that and, if you do, you'll know it came from you! Turns out the thermal overload failed initially from over-working the planer on long, wide boards with less than sharp blades. Subsequent failures were from the most insignificant thing: loose spade connectors! Turns out loose connectors generate heat from 'arcing'. That heat migrates into the overload and trips it. Now I tighten the connectors with pliers to the point they're hard to push on. Since discovering this problem I only have problems when actually overworking the planer.
Thanks for the sub!
Looks like the same parts used on my 30 year old DeWalt DW733. Over time the rollers dried up, cracked and little chunks came off. (Over time meaning even within a few short weeks if you don't clean the rollers and wax the table.) So after 30 years still works but won't feed at times or slow feed as it slips from lack of roller friction. Couple of bushings cracked with 10 years into the machine with light use. (Heavy use for a few days then storage for a few years that is.) Good thing is parts were cheap and available, not the case with many other brands. I didn't get the DW735 due to disposable blades. My neighbor, a professional custom furniture maker, hates it as it eat knives constantly.
I found this vid looking for a reason that my rollers didn't seem to pull material through like they used to....Turning it upside down should make it easier to clean them.....I should also check and lube the chains........I did recently replace my steel blades with some carbide blades, they were just over $100.....what a difference in operation.
I thought about the spiral type cutters but couldn't justify the cost at this point in my career......then again if I hit the lottery.....Since I move my planer around I was always short on reaching outlets so awhile back I replaced the cord with a longer heavier gauge one....I have a set of rollers I picked up several years ago......after watching this vid, I may tackle that job...
Sometimes the low-level maintenance tips shown in this video are all it takes to get your machine back up and running 'like it used to': ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
Best, Matt
Outstanding video Matt! I have this same planer and admit that I have not done this deep dive clean / lube. With that said and your video I am going to order the screws and get into this maintenance task! Thanks for posting, very helpful!
Thx for the very informative video; it was useful during my disassembling and troubleshooting.
I contacted the Dewalt service center in Denver to find out what type of lube to use on the feed roller sleeve bearings. They simply replace the rollers and bearings every time (figures). SO, I'M STICKING WITH YOUR METHOD OF LUBING AND REASSEMBLY of the roller assemblies.
As always video packed with lots of good content. The only one issue I have with this planer is it's weight. I know that's good weight which means quality but when you have bad back it's no fun to manhandle a beast like that. Good job sir and thank you
I'm picking my new DW735 up today and your videos are excellent! Thank you, Sir.
Matt: "My phone is always syncing so I named it Titanic." That's the best line I've heard in years. Great video(s) as always Matt, much appreciated.
I stole that from someone more clever than I but always glad to pay it forward! Best, Matt
Great video as always. I just took a deep dive into your store! My wife found me the DW 735 at a garage sale a few years ago for $125. Just needed the drive belt and a new power cord and cleaning, lube and knives. I bought a spherical head later, but have not started the install yet because I struggle every time I open up the thing. Maybe no more after watching this video.
Hey great idea for you, a NLC blade changeout from straight to spherical! I would pay to see that!
Thanks again for an awesome deep dive.
Good video, DeWalt planer up and running. Don't think you talk to much. Keep up the good work.
Luckily I watched your video before starting the maintenance on my planer. Thanks a lot for saving me a lot of hassles. I took your advice and switched screws. The Sand Flex worked great although I have no idea what it is made of. Seems kind of like a gritty eraser. The label makes it sound like it's for removal of rust/tarnish/etc from metal so it should come in handy. Turning the planer upside down is so obvious (once you think of it). Thanks again for the time saving tips.
This is a fantastic video! You’re precise and thorough in everything you do and more importantly, what you say. I appreciate the recommendations regarding fastener replacement. I’m finding it necessary to replace a sprocket on the transmission side and I may as well perform the maintenance. My DW735 has served me well for 15 years.
I love this video! Huge help but I did one thing different. I turned the planner upside down and removed the bottom. Made everything much easier!
Thanks! Good idea... probably easier than it sounds so I'll keep it in mind for future maintenance.
A big thumbs up on a detailed video!
Please do an update on this video after you have put the planer through a demanding project. The part that you replaced is described as a circuit breaker on the internet and it will protect the motor and all other wiring in the machine from being damaged when the entire machine circuit is overloaded. The potential damage would come from overheated motor windings or other internal wires.
I suspect that the 'deep dive' cleaning and lubrication will help a great deal by lowering the demands on the motor. The circuit breaker was just doing its job.
Your video was helpful when I recently did a deep cleaning of my 735. By accident (poor choice of words), I did a couple of things differently. My initial plan was to turn/replace the blades. As I took the blades off and started cleaning, I decided to leave turning the blades until the end for safety reasons. Second, your idea of turning the unit upside down inspired me to go one step farther- remove the base. This gave plenty of working space. It comes with a caveat. Initially, it wasn’t easy getting the posts properly aligned so the head would raise and lower smoothly. I’ll skip the details and jump to the solution. Turn each post by hand until each end is level with its housing. I used a small, metal ruler across the housing. Since the posts need to be raised to accept the base, I indexed each post using a sharpie>turned each post the same number of revolutions>set the base in place >insert the screws finger tight careful not to move the posts>used a wrench on the flats to hold the post in place while tightening the screws down. The End.
Kudos for taking this Deep Dive to a 'next level' Bob! I've never gone that deep and, frankly, have been intimidated by what might be required to get the 'timing' of chain & sprockets on all 4 columns so that the cutterhead is perfectly aligned with the platen. Your experience and explanation help reduce that anxiety though so thanks for that!
Proof is in the pudding. To test I planed a 1.5” wide board on the right side, then again on the left side. The left side planed off less than 1/128” more than right side. I had to hold myself back from trying for perfection 🤔
This was my first adventure with you. I found you because I'm thinking about getting the 735. I just had triple bypass surgery 12 days ago and I want to get started doing woodworking and art together. That was a fantastic video I just watched and I wish I could become a patreon and maybe someday I will. Thanks so much for your deep dive.
Thanks for watching and commenting... all the best for this new season in life!
I don't have a planer, but thank you for the detailed information on servicing this planer and all the detailed explanations and projects that you make.
THANK YOU. I had to replace both rollers on mine. They were worn out. Interesting thing was that the belt was almost ready to snap, the bolt holding the drive pulley was -- gone??? and I'm REALLY glad that I did this. Through your details, I was well prepared for this nasty phillip head screws and I replaced them all as well. Cheers!
Noice, Dave... thanks for letting me know how this helped you out... I predict you're going to love having a tuned up mowsheen to work with! Best, Matt
Your video was very useful, Thank You. I had a broken main drive sproket, it was the pillow block bearing on the main drive side that was totally frozen. All fixed now!
You're welcome Bob.... sounds very much like the problem I had with my first DW735 years ago. I expected to see more sticking of the pillow blocks this time but the real culprit was loose spade connectors on the thermal protection switch. No regrets though since a thorough lube job will prevent future freeze-ups and associated problems.
Best,
Matt
@@NextLevelCarpentry I've got mine put back together and working just fine now. And I hope that to you as well thank you
Thank you so much! I had no idea how to remove the rollers and inspect and or replace them if needed. I appreciate your efforts.
Excellent video and now I feel comfortable replacing my rollers. Too late but good luck and I hope the safety switch held.
Great video, I like the way you overcome issues, thoughtfully and creatively. Nice also to see careful and considered risk taking and mitigation in a world that safety would like to see covered in Nerf but then there’s some who don’t consider risk....
A world 'covered in Nerf...' LOL!! 😂😂😎
Thanks Matt, I just bought the same machine a few months back so this will come in handy once I get a few more boards through it.
careful with the acetone my dad used to use it for everything and got lung cancer never smoked in his life, thank you for the video. I took my DW735 apart because rollers were locked in place and wouldn't feed wood through the planar. Debating just ordering new feed rollers, the sprocket's are in tact upon inspection and the chain and belt are still solid. tried manual rotation on feed rollers and noticed around 75% rotation consistently it locks into place, going to try wd40 and cleaning but not feeling lucky.
I agree that a planer is a foundation machine in the shop, as it is a joy to work with straight and flat wood. Your video inspired me to service my planer today. I took your suggestion with a slightly different approach. Once I had the planer inverted, I removed the 4 bolts that held the base to the 4 adjusting risers, and with a rubber mallet, was able to remove the base (I think two people would make that part easier). That gave me free and unencumbered access to the rollers. But as I was putting it back together, I had forgotten to reinstall the side guard plates, when I noticed that the base has a long transverse slots just behind the aluminum handles. For what could that be? I got my longboy Phillips, passed it through the slot, and with little effort, installed the guard plates using the original Phillips screws. It appears that you can also access the roller clamp retainers through the slot as well.
As a subscriber, I would request that perhaps you could show how to service the gearbox (clean/lube). I did notice I had some oiliness on the bottom of the gear box. Thanks for the motivation.
I too have a DW735. It is ready for a deep cleaning. Thanks for the video and all the tips.
Make sure to check out the Care and Feeding video too (if you haven't already): ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html thanks for watching... and subscribing!
Excellent. Now I know what I have neglected to do for my planer and why the drive belt conked out last night.
This is the sort of lesson we only need to learn once, right? Hope you're back up and running soon and are better able to avoid future events. 😎
Im glad you done this I.had to just use mine and it didn't seem to be pulling the material through fast enough going to check sprokets.
The info in this video might be all you need Mark so I encourage you to check it out first....
ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
As soon as you turned it upside down, of course it made so many things easier. Wish I'd thought of it sooner too! One thing that might not be super easy, but might work, the next time the rollers have to come out, if you could use clamps at the ends of the rollers, unless the throat would be too far - it is hard to tell from the image whether a clamp would fit far enough in, to hold the roller in place... I'm saying, if one face of the clamp jaw fits on the end of the roller, and the other face of the jaw can go all the way to be secured to the top (which is now at the bottom), maybe that would help hold the rollers down while removing the screws - but maybe it might break the (yellow) plastic cover..
Excellent video, thanks for the great info and presentation. I’ve got the 735X and it’s a Type 1 so that base plate cannot be replaced. Mine is scratched badly so I had to order a replacement base, the whole thing ... at a cost of $200. I’m going to replace it tomorrow so I started searching RUclips and found this. Instruction on replacing the base is not in this video so I will continue searching but I wanted to thank you for this great content
I just ordered that same planer and one thing I’m replacing are those garbage Phillips head screws with a hex bolt.
Wow, great content. After doing a good bit of research on portable planers, even though this planer is rated at 15 amps, when planing hardwood it can pull close to twice that. So even on a 20 amp circuit the motor tends to run hot. Using an undersized extension cord compounds the issue. This might contribute to the thermal switch tripping as frequently as you described.
I agree that using an undersized extension cord will cause any motor to run hot so it's important to size cords appropriately. It is not, however, the cause of thermal tripping I experienced here and the 'research' you describe can be a bit overly theoretical and possibly misleading because this planer always heats up to a degree during use. Surprisingly, in my situation. it wasn't lack of lubrication either. Turns out the main culprit was loose fitting spade connectors on the leads on the thermal switch... go figure.
THX MATT! Have same planer lots of board feet. No thermal switch issues but definitely need your 'deep dive' for feed roller maintenance. Will get this done this week and will upgrade screws! Avid mtn biker western mtns Maine. Big Boshield user for years and is a great product. Again thx again and keep vids coming.
Bet you've got some sahwheet singletrack in the mountains out there! Switched from Tri-Flow to T-9 this season and am thoroughly impresssed... can't believe I didn't discover this application earlier. Glad to hear your thermal switch holds but I think snipe and overall performance are improved when everything is all clean and lubed. BTW have you seen the other maintenance video I did: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html it really helps extend planer life IMHO. Best, Matt
@@NextLevelCarpentry Hey Matt ....Thx 4 link and will check it out. Don't know about sahweet rides but have plenty of skookum single track. Not much flat but all UP&DOWN. 😊Got skookum from when I lived in Seattle "great, outstanding,etc. Sahweet? Thx again and enjoy rides. Stay safe!
@@watti-yi7sw "all UP&DOWN" means we earn our turns, right? I'm guessing skookum = sahweet... it's good no matter what you call it, right? Do you do Strava? The bike shot in the video is from a trail called Victoria 15 Loop which you could find on Strava if interested... Ride hard, ride safe, have fun!
Thanks for the tips. You've reminded me that I need to break my DW735 down and give it some lovin'.
I've learned the hard way - have a spare v-belt. I have a Craftman 12" bandsaw that has belts made much like the DW735, only smaller. Those belts (even the after market ones) seem to want to dry out and fall a part at the most inopportune time.
I watched this entire video - and i dont even have a DW735. Why you ask. This guy is that good. Curious to know how the new Thermal switch is holding up. Thanks for posting
So far so good with the new thermal switch but I have yet to really put it to the test...
Thanks for watching and commenting here!
Good input on the 3mm screws
Replacing the screws with something sensible, great idea, dry lube on the chains also good, maintaining damn thicknesser aw man !! by the way I clean out drill chucks with paraffin and then MEK, let it dry and blow a drying silicone lubricant into them, I don’t get any crap sticking in them any more.
This is an excellent video and reminds me of the maintenance I need to do on my DW735. Changing the Phillips screws to hex-drive screws is a very good idea. I have little love for Phillips screws, anyway. They always seem to cam out whenever you really need them to work properly.
Also thinking about going with a spiral carbide cutter head, but for my "hobby" shop I am not sure the expense is worthwhile. For a production shop, I think it might be a good investment.
Thanks! Keep on keepin' on!
Don't Do It! I've owned my DeWalt 735 for almost 15 years (March 2006) and have spent no more than $210 in replacement blades. On average I plane 500 board feet of rough sawn lumber (Ash, Black Walnut and Red Oak). I only buy the DeWalt replacement blades but last year I did get an off name brand to compare (so far so good). If blades are not lasting at least 500 board feet re-evaluate what your sending through the planer before spending $450+ for a shelix cutter. For example: If you cut hardwood on the 96 feed rate no wonder your blades do not last, if your sending metal through your planer or gobs of dried glue then clean it up before sending it through the planer. Again, been using mine for almost 15 years, still going strong with no complaints. Good Luck with whatever you choose.
@@timm3792 I hear you! BTW: Do you ever resharpen your planer blades?
@@jerrystark3587 No, though the thought is a nice one. The best you can do is hone the blade if you have a decent enough set up to keep the blade consistent throughout the length of the blade. To actually sharpen them would require a professional grade water cooled sharpener/grinder and again setup is key because if you don't keep the width of the blade consistent you'll have different segments of the blade engaging the wood which can be problematic at best and potentially dangerous depending on the inconsistencies. Even a solid setup on a dry grinder didn't work as the heat warped the blade. I've seen one of those fancy top of the line wet sharpeners at Rockler(Tormek T4 or T8) but for the price of one of those ($400 to $730) buying blades is much simpler and cheaper. Amazon typically has the dual DeWalt set for $80 and some change so roughly 40 ish a set. I've had good results with the Powertec blades despite all the bad reviews on them ($40 for 2 Sets).
@@timm3792 I have done this for years. Cut a 45-degree kerf about 1/2' deep in a piece of plywood as as long and wide as the planer blade (for stability) with a small block at one end of the kerf, use a Sharpie to blacken the blade bevel, put the blade into the kerf, and then gently and consistently run your diamond plate across the length of the blade taking care to study the pattern of the abrasion on the Sharpie-marked blade. Just a touch up works well. Don't overdo it.
You can set up a small rest strip on the plywood sharpening base to keep the diamond plate at a constant bevel, if you like. That works. too, and you can quickly work out any angle you want.
This extends the life of the planer blades by a factor of two or three in my shop. BTW: Planer blades can be cut down into great marking knives and scraper blades when they are past their useful life in the planer.
This is not an economic issue for me. I just hate throwing away good steel.
Regards...
Thank you so much for this video - great explanation of the process and tups to make it easier. I have this same planer and have done no maintenance to it since i got it - definately going to do it now thanks to you.
Thanks for the tip on shifting the blades and will definitely clean the pieces before running them through.
@5:23 I think that those "cheap phillips screws" on these planers are actually JIS fasteners. If you work on Asian equipment you will make your life much simpler to buy some JIS drivers, the head seats deeper and much more secure. Vessel is a great brand and easy to source on that mega online seller. Thanks for the video!
I'm used to larger, corded routers ruclips.net/user/postUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z so this was a different experience for me. Basically, this is an incredibly sweet machine, fits well in the hand, etc. It has slightly less power than I'm used to, but that's understandable. Maneuvering freehand takes some practice. These days, it's especially nice to be able to avoid power cords. This is above the level of a hobbyist but below a pro level.
Great video Matt, it makes me wish I had a planer just so I could perform maintenance on it.. Of course using it to plane would wood be a bonus.
Turning it upside down is what I was thinking you should do when the first screw head got stripped. Using a quality screwdriver helps a lot too, then applying good downward pressure on the screw as you turn the screwdriver. You're method of applying pressure to the ratchet reminds me of my solution if I had a situation where there was limited side to side clearance for the screwdriver to be held in line with the screw. If it could be used I had an 18" Mac Tools screwdriver that would extend past objects limiting side to side clearance that saved many screw heads from being stripped. Automotive OEM replacement hardware is exactly the same hardware as what you remove to take off any given part, so that screwdriver has saved me many would-be trips to the parts department to get the screw that more than likely has to be ordered.
A trick I use and show people when installing screws that are being stubborn, (especially those threaded into plastic, and for us woodworkers, wood that had a screw was previously threaded into it, is to turn the screw backwards slowly while applying inward pressure until you feel it drop into the threads, at that point you can turn it the correct way and it will thread in without much chance of stripping. The finer the thread pitch, the less you'll feel the drop, so it can be difficult sometimes. I learned that trick when trying to install a new part whee the fitting wasn't lining up with where it needed to go because of the way it was packaged.
Experience with auto mechanics is invaluable when maintaining woodworking equipment, isn't it?! Thanks for adding insight from your experience... good advice for those who tackle this project! Best, Matt
@@NextLevelCarpentry Yes, quite valuable. I've even used that knowledge on repairs or new projects on my house,; electrical, plumbing, closing in part of a room to make a laundry room are some examples.
My comment was long enough as it was, so I decided not to add woodworking equipment that wasn't working, or working wee and repaired them. I created my own Frankenstein monster when I had two what I cal "table top tablesaws" of different brands where I removed the motor from one and installed it on the other. It took a bit of fabricating, but it works now.
Great video, valuable info. I just purchased a new DW735x Planer, but I watched this maintenance video in it's entirety anyway. Subscribed. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the sub... and for watching this video. Hopefully it will be a LONG time before you need to do any deep-dive maintenance. In the meantime you might appreciate the more routine/periodic maintenance and blade-changing stuff I show in this video: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
BTW The part about waxing the planer platen is the most frequent TLC I give to my planer...
Best,
Matt
My 735 is a 2005 model, type 1 that has been trouble free until I let an acquaintance use it since his planer was down; unfortunately he wound up damaging mine and stripped the sprockets on one of the screw towers(?) and now the planer head is tilted and cuts more on one side vs the other. One day I might get some time to see if I can fix it since I had never had any major issues with it until then. Great video 👌👍
Don’t do that !
Well thought out and presented. I will be doing the deep dive maintenance procedure. Good job outta you!
Great video but have you considered replacing the cutter head with a carbide helix and spiral type cutter head?
thank you for your video it was just what i needed to fix mine , Thank you again Eric
You're welcome... the repairs aren't all that difficult but a bit of insight into what you're getting into is nice 😉😎 As follow up: I found that loose blade connectors on my thermal switch was the main cause of my planer tripping out but it does run more smoothly with everything cleaned up and bearings lubed... Best, Matt
Great video
I am from Jamaica and I have one in my woodwork and it's great. Now that see how you change your rollers weel I can do mind
Thanks Thaddeus... you might like this video too to keep your planer running smoothly on a daily basis: ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html Best, Matt
Great video. I just purchased a used 2yr old 735 off of Craig’s List for $325. One side of the blades were really nicked up the boards came out rougher than when they went in! I rotated the blades and all was good. The previous owner stated that he had only about an hour of on time on it so I don’t think I need a deep dive yet but will definitely use your tips when the time comes. Hopefully it turns out to be a good purchase.
Thanks Kevin... sounds like this video might be more useful for your 'new toy':
ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.html
It shows things I do regularly for my heavily used planer to keep keep it performing at its best.
great video and very informative. truly professionally done. dewalt should be proud.
Matt- if you are still having a problem check the planer with an ampere Probe to see if you are drawing more than 15 Amp. If you are check the drive motor bearings or the brushes on the motor for wear if it has them.
So a motor will draw more than 15amps if the brushes are bad or weak? I should check into it... the brushes look fine but are maybe 2/3 their original length which I assumed was OK. 'preciate the help on this Stephen... Best, Matt
Thank you for the edifying videos on routine and deep dive maintenance on the DW 735, Matt! I’m about to do both this weekend, and having learned from you how it’s done I’m actually looking forward to the full afternoon job. I think I’ll do the knife change and attendant maintenance in that area after the deep dive, to keep from blowing dust all over my freshly lubed chains. See? You’ve got me from becoming too late smart.
You're sure welcome Bill! BTW I wouldn't do the 'deep dive' maintenance unless there was good reason to do so. If your planer is performing well there's little need for any more than blowing dust off chains and lubing them IMHO. Unless you sense the shaft bearings are really dry or stuck for some reason I'd leave 'em alone in a 'if it's not broke, don't fix it' sense. Have fun with the TLC session regardless of how deep you dive! Best, Matt
@@NextLevelCarpentry
Thank you, Matt. I’ll do a modified “deep dive”. I agree with your thesis completely. Thanks again.
@@billballeza377 LOL... sounds like a win to me!
Just so you know that's the only thesis I've ever been accused of drafting😁
That tool you showed at the end look MIGHTY interesting! Great breakdown of planer maintenance.
Thx Greg... I can't wait to share how much you know about just how interesting that little tool is my friend! Spoiler Alert: anyone who happens to read this thread will be surprised to learn how much more Greg's Garage knows about that little tool than he's letting on in his comment! Stay tuned!!
I believe the reason the Phillip head screws were so difficult to remove is because the factory used RED type lock tight which should be heated before attempting to remove, a soldering gun tip should work fine. In regards to reassembly I did, int see you use Lock tight or hear you say to use it but it should be used especially in that environment -with the vibration.
This video is really helpful! it helped me to locate the problem I had with my planer.
I recently replaced the thermal overload switch on my 735 and didn't know about that hidden screw. Ugh! Thankfully the plastic cover is malleable enough I was able to bend it out far enough to replace the switch. Now I know for the future. Thanks Matt
Always very clear and thoughtful explanation. Thank you.
So I'm going to replace those Philips with hex socket cap screws wherever I can. Thanks for the tips!
I think you'll be glad you did!
Best, Matt
I spotted the threads I mentioned in my previous comment in your video when you had the planer upside down. I see that there is nothing that goes into those threads so I believe that something was in the wood that was being planed. In other words, it appears that no parts fell off of the planer and were chewed up by the blades. However, when my carpenter tries to plane thick boards it is gouging out the wood. He is lowering the planer blades 1/2 turn (1/32") each pass, so I need to take a look at the blades which were getting dull. I had removed them, reversed them to the other side to get nice fresh cuts, and secured them back in place a couple of days ago. Maybe something isn't seated right.
Betcha a dollar to a doughnut that one of the blade retainer screws wasn't tightened enough and it came out during use and gouged the wood as it was ejected by the spinning cutterhead. Check all the screws on all three blades to see if one's missing and if I'm right. 🤯😎
@@NextLevelCarpentry I checked all the screws and they were all securely in place. So I removed each blade and I believe one of them may have been seated upside down but I’m not sure about that. Anyway, I refastened each blade securely and it is cutting with no issues. I believe there may have been a nail embedded in the wood my carpenter was planing but it’s impossible to know for sure. Perhaps he and his helper were trying to feed wood that was too thick into the planer and it wasn’t raised high enough. This morning, I reviewed the whole proper process for planing with them and we planed a few pieces together. They have been planing wood all day with no further issues.
@@EdBecnel Trying to feed wood that's too thick will just bog the machine down and/or clog it with shavings and trip the breaker. One of 3 knives upside down would make a terrible noise and leave a rough surface. I suspect it would be VERY obvious because shavings would be jammed under the knife when removed. An errant nail in a piece of lumber being planed is the best and most likely explanation for the havoc you experienced IMHO. Hopefully you'll be sailing smoother seas ahead where swapping out new knives with sharp edges and waxing the platen will be the extent of maintenance required... and for that, there's this:
ruclips.net/video/r_yEwlsYGbU/видео.htmlsi=NTOKvsWAhy-cCX_i
Excellent video I always appreciate your resourcefulness and detail I'm getting ready to clean up my dw735, I've watched your other video on clean up before and was looking for it to watch again when I found this one. Thanks Mike
Kudos for giving your DW735 a bit of TLC Michael... I can tell you from experience that it works better and lasts longer when you treat it with attention and respect even if you work it hard...
Best,
Matt
That piece on the shaft you sanded they ought to have the bushing blocks with a grease zerk fittings for both. This way that roller never slows down and you can periodically grease it.
Phenomenal video! Thank you for posting this.
Glad you enjoyed it! Looks like you've invested a good deal of time and effort building up your channel... I wish you all the best in your endeavors! Best, Matt
Excellent video, have you ever taken the roller gear box apart and replaced the thick gear grease with something that will function better in lower temps. For cold shops in northern areas. I will do your steps to see if it helps, a bunch of raw oak to work and won't feed in this cold weather
I'd be surprised if cold grease in that little gearbox would make a difference in performance of the planer but a platen that's not smooth, a stiff drive chain, bushings that bind and/or gummy feed rollers will slow it down even in a heated shop.