Shopsmith Forums

Just seeking a little advice as I look at planers and expand the capabilities of my shop.

I found a local pro planer that is quite reasonably priced. For a while I've been intrigued by the pro planer, but I never see them around me. I have also been thinking about a Dewalt 735. Does anyone have any points of comparison between the two units?

I'm not yet sure about the age of the pro planer or it's condition. I'm going to look at it tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

jschmitz1949 wrote:Just seeking a little advice as I look at planers and expand the capabilities of my shop.

I found a local pro planer that is quite reasonably priced. For a while I've been intrigued by the pro planer, but I never see them around me. I have also been thinking about a Dewalt 735. Does anyone have any points of comparison between the two units?

I'm not yet sure about the age of the pro planer or it's condition. I'm going to look at it tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

Lets see:

Dewalt 735:
Smaller size with internal motor allows you to store it under a bench and pull out when needed.
Has a shelix head available for it.
If going used, you might be able to get the dewalt cheaper than the SS

SS Pro Planer:
Single cast iron table is probably better than the dewalt.
Variable speed for feed rate
There are a variety of upgrades that it may/may not have, like a knurled infeed roller, upgraded pulleys, upgraded dust collection, etc.

I think the Shopsmith Pro-planer is the most underrated tool in woodworking. I buy most all my lumber in the rough. My Shopsmith planer is around 20 years old and only have replaced a set screw in that time (Except blades)

The Dewalt gets good reviews from woodworkers who use it. I don't know first hand, never used one.
The Shopsmith is so easy to work on if needed. If you ever had to replace the motor it could be done in 20min or less. Can you even replace the motor in the Dewalt ???????

Then there is the higher noise level of the Dewalt(so I understand).

Noise level? What noise level? When surface planing with the Pro Planer I don't hear anything - except the Pro Planer. It is not quiet by any means.

Cincinnati is correct. The Pro Planer has never received the attention that it deserves.

If you can purchase a used Pro Planer at reasonable cost this is definitely your best option. I purchased a MK5 mounted planer in 1984 and it has only needed to have the blades sharpened. I originally used it on the Shopsmith but it is now mounted on it's own stand. Maintenance is simple, oiling the chain and jack screws and cleaning out the chips. The outfeed roller needs to be replaced about every 10 years or so. Thanks to Shopsmith's conical disk sander and the sharpening jig I'm my own sharpening service. This is a very reliable tool.

There isn't any other planer that offers the variable feed rate, which can be slowed to a "craw" to finish hard to plane woods like curly maple. I've also found that the Pro Planer produces little to no snipe.

The Dewalt 735 and planers in this class are powered with universal type electric motors which are very noisy and inferior to induction type A/C motors. You can expect noise levels up to 95 dBA with universal motor powered planers. They use disposable knives that cost around $60 a set.

The jury is still out on spiral head cutters. Many woodworkers report that the planed surface is not as smooth, requiring more sanding.

Thanks guys for the feedback. I am going after work tonight to see it, but I'm hopeful it's in good shape. I've seen one small picture of it so far, and it looks decent. The price is very attractive on the unit - I'm not sure I can find a low use 735 for a similar price.

Are tehre any updated parts that I should look for, or maybe better said, are there any upgrades to a possible older unit that I should try to ensure are there?

jschmitz1949 wrote:Thanks guys for the feedback. I am going after work tonight to see it, but I'm hopeful it's in good shape. I've seen one small picture of it so far, and it looks decent. The price is very attractive on the unit - I'm not sure I can find a low use 735 for a similar price.

Are tehre any updated parts that I should look for, or maybe better said, are there any upgrades to a possible older unit that I should try to ensure are there?

See post #2 this thread.

Also there was a manual feed(hand crank) version as well as the Mark V mount and stand alone version.


If this is the one, go get it before the seller comes to his senses!!!!!!!]14383[/ATTACH]

If JPG has the correct picture (only one I saw in the Buffalo area), then it appears that you might be looking at a Mark V mounted planer on a power stand. It appears as though the table top is stainless steel as opposed to cast iron. You will want to check the power stand motor to make sure it is at least 1-1/2 horsepower. The Pro Planer stand motor is 1-3/4" horsepower.

The SS medalion is in the 'closed' position so it does not appear to have the dust collection upgrade. Not sure of the market in Buffalo, but around here the Pro Planer has been purchased on at least three occasions for around $250. The ad notes new rollers, hopefully the infeed roller is the segmented serrated steel type. As far as possible upgrades, I would be looking at casters and dust collection.

Hopefully, it is new enough to have or has been upgraded to the newer pulleys. You can print out the tables found here (Mark V mount) and here (Pro Planer) if you want to be able to date the machine.

Good luck.

dusty wrote:Noise level? What noise level? When surface planing with the Pro Planer I don't hear anything - except the Pro Planer. It is not quiet by any means.

I owned a Dewalt 734 and I can tell you that you would not hear the Pro Planer if the Dewalt was planing at the same time. The Pro Planer is 'quiet' compared to the Dewalt 734 with its universal motor.