Cutterhead and straight knives
Three reversible straight knives cut the top face. Use exact DW735 knife-change and seating instructions; do not substitute a generic helical-head procedure.
Power tools / Planers & Jointers / Field guide
Thickness Planer
Follow the stock through feed rollers and a three-knife cutterhead to make two faces parallel.
DW735Reference13 inCapacity2 speedsFeed
01 / Model anatomy
See the assembled tool and its components
An original educational poster groups twelve model-grounded parts and systems. The numbered descriptions remain readable below the artwork on narrow screens.
- Elevation crank
Raises or lowers the cutting carriage.
Manual controls - Top cover
Protects the upper carriage and drive.
Type 1 diagrams - Cutterhead carriage
Moves over the stationary bed.
Type 1 diagrams - Chip-ejection fan
Moves chips toward the rear outlet.
Product; manual - Three-knife cutterhead
Rotates the straight cutting knives.
Product; diagrams - Knife seats
Locate three reversible straight knives.
Manual knife change - Feed rollers
Grip and advance suitable stock.
Manual operation - Two-speed gearbox
Selects finish or dimensioning feed.
Product; manual - Switch and selector
Control power and feed setting.
Manual controls - Thickness scale
Indicates the set carriage height.
Manual controls - Guide columns
Keep carriage travel aligned.
Type 1 diagrams - Bed and base
Support stock through the machine.
Manual; diagrams
Technical references: DeWalt DW735 Type 1 instruction manual · DeWalt DW735 Type 1 exploded diagram A · DeWalt DW735 Type 1 exploded diagram B. Original educational artwork depicts verified component groups and their relationships; it is not a service sequence or a replacement for the exact model manual.
02 / Understand the tool
What it is and what each part does
A thickness planer makes a board's upper face parallel to the lower face riding the bed; it does not, by itself, flatten a warped board. The DeWalt DW735 Type 1 reference uses a 13-inch three-straight-knife cutterhead, two feed settings and fan-assisted chip ejection. Joint or otherwise establish a flat reference face before thicknessing. Longer boards need level support; accessory infeed/outfeed tables are separate from the base DW735 package and may be included in a DW735X kit.
Infeed and outfeed rollers pull stock across the fixed bed under a rotating cutterhead carried by a height-adjustable carriage. The crank changes cut height; the speed selector changes feed rate, not cutterhead speed. A fan sends chips toward the dust outlet. The poster groups Type 1 systems for teaching rather than literal service order.
Feed rollers
Rollers grip wood and move it past the knives. Let them carry stock; forced feeding or stock too short for the roller span is unsafe.
Carriage and crank
The top carriage moves over the stationary bed. Set light passes and use the model's carriage lock or automatic mechanism as specified in its manual.
Two feed settings
The selector offers a slower finish feed and a faster dimensioning feed. Follow the manual when changing speed; test the surface rather than assuming the slow setting cures tearout.
Chip ejection
The fan-assisted outlet moves a high volume of chips. Attach appropriate collection and keep the exhaust path open.
Bed and support
The lower face registers on the fixed bed. Level infeed/outfeed supports help reduce end snipe, but do not replace a flat starting face.
01 / Working relationship
How the main groups connect
02 / Setup relationship
The bottom face references the bed as the top is cut
02 / Working principle
Set, guide and control the action
These decisions make the mechanism useful at the bench.
Start with a reference face
Joint or use a suitable flattening sled before planing a cupped board; pressure from the rollers can temporarily press warp flat and let it spring back.
Set a light cut
Measure the thickest part of the board, set the carriage and respect the DW735 width/depth chart. Thin, wide or figured stock needs extra care.
Support the ends
Keep stock entering and leaving level with the bed. Allow the rollers to feed without lifting, pressing down or pulling the board.
Bring boards to thickness
After creating a flat face, take repeated shallow passes and alternate grain-appropriate orientation where needed.
Match a batch
Mill pieces of similar width and thickness together; measure after cuts and let wood movement settle before final passes.
Refine a surface
The slower feed can improve knife marks on suitable stock; a very light finishing cut and sharp knives matter too.
03 / At the bench
Setup, technique and finish quality
Use the steps for a first pass, then inspect the work before changing the setup.
- Read the DW735 Type 1 manual, check wood for metal, loose knots and unsafe defects.
- Disconnect power; inspect knives, rollers, bed, chip outlet, cord and carriage travel.
- Establish a flat reference face and measure stock thickness at several points.
- Set a permitted shallow cut and choose the feed setting with the machine stopped as directed.
- Position level supports and connect suitable chip collection.
- Feed the board with the grain direction that gives the best result, keeping hands clear of the opening.
- Let the rollers take and release the stock; measure and inspect before another pass.
Parallel is not flat
The planer references the underside. A bowed board can emerge similarly bowed but thinner; flatten one face first.
Snipe
Extra cut near board ends can follow unsupported stock or carriage movement. Keep supports level, use correct feed and allow sacrificial length when practical.
Tearout
Grain reversal and dull knives can lift fibers. Try shallower cuts, another feed orientation or stock preparation; never force a jam.
Two speeds
The two rates change cuts per inch. They do not change maximum depth or make an unsafe board suitable.
What changes by model or material
Larger floor machines may offer wider cuts and heavier tables; support, dust and knife requirements still follow exact models.
The DW735 uses three straight knives. Aftermarket cutterheads and other models differ in parts, setup and warranty implications.
The X kit includes accessories such as infeed/outfeed tables; check the purchased package rather than assuming every DW735 includes them.
A jointer makes a flat face or straight edge; a planer references that face to make a parallel opposite face.
Choosing the tool
- Match width and minimum/maximum thickness to real stock.
- Compare knife availability, feed options, chip collection, noise and the support needed for long boards.
- Budget for a jointer or flattening method when rough boards are common.
Useful accessories
- Level infeed/outfeed supports or compatible accessory tables.
- Suitable high-volume chip collector and hose.
- A verified flattening sled for boards lacking a flat face.
Consumables
- Exact DW735 reversible straight knives.
- Model-specified dust adapters and collection filters.
- Sacrificial stock for test cuts and end waste.
04 / Keep control
Care, troubleshooting and safety
Stop the tool and disconnect power before investigating a fault or changing a part.
Care checklist
- Disconnect power before knife work or clearing jams.
- Keep the bed clean and follow the manual's permitted surface treatment.
- Clear chip outlet and inspect rollers for pitch buildup.
- Replace damaged knives as a matched set per the manual.
Common mistakes
- Expecting the planer to flatten a bowed board unaided.
- Taking too deep a cut or feeding below minimum length.
- Pulling stock against the feed rollers.
- Changing knife or feed setting without following the DW735 procedure.
Safety at the operation
- Keep hands outside the infeed and outfeed openings.
- Use hearing and eye protection and control high-volume chips and fine dust.
- Never plane wood with embedded metal or loose pieces.
- Stop, disconnect and wait for full stop before clearing a jam.
When the result goes wrong
Check support level, stock length, carriage setting and feed; allow trim length if needed.
Inspect grain direction, knife edges, cut depth, stock moisture and feed setting.
Stop and check port, hose, collection capacity and blockage; never reach in while connected.
05 / Sources to keep learning
Manuals and educational resources
Use the exact tool manual for setup, limits and replacement parts. These lessons, documents and model pages teach relevant techniques or help compare real variations.
Manufacturer manuals
DeWalt DW735 Type 1 instruction manual
Official controls, feed settings, cut limits, knife changes and safety.
DeWalt DW735 Type 1 exploded diagrams
Official component diagrams used to verify cutterhead, carriage, rollers and chip-ejection groups.
Learn and compare
06 / Manufacturer directory
Manufacturers & Brands
These maker-owned links document relevant tools and tool brands. A product brand may use another company's factory; compare the exact model before choosing parts or accessories.
DeWalt DW735 two-speed thickness planerMakita 2012NB thickness planerJET thickness planersPowermatic thickness planersGrizzly planers and jointersWEN planers and jointersFelder planers and jointersLaguna PX-series thickness planersRIKON 25-135H portable planerOliver 10055 benchtop planer
Choose parts for the exact model
Cutters, abrasives, guards, guides, dust fittings and service parts vary by tool. Check the model plate and manufacturer manual before ordering or changing a component.
Compare the Planers & Jointers family →Continue through the Tools library