Dewalt DW734 Maintenance

The Dewalt DW734 benchtop planer is an exceptional tool that has earned a solid reputation among woodworking enthusiasts. However, similar to other power tools, it demands regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Recently, I made a point to dedicate some time to clean and wax my planer, which helps maintain its finish and functionality. Additionally, I replaced the dull knives, a straightforward process that can greatly improve the quality of cuts. Both tasks are quick and simple, yet they play a crucial role in extending the lifespan of your planer. After using my DW734 for over 10 years, I can confidently say it’s still operating like new, demonstrating its remarkable durability and reliability in any woodworking project.

In addition to cleaning and waxing, here are a few more tips for maintaining your sizer planer:

• Check the drive belt regularly: Inspect the drive belt for signs of wear or cracking. A damaged belt can affect the performance and may need replacement.
• Keep the blades sharp: Dull blades can lead to poor results and stress the motor. Consider rotating or replacing them when they show signs of dullness.
• Clean out dust and debris: After every use, clean out any sawdust and wood shavings to prevent buildup, which can affect performance and cause wear over time.
• Lubricate moving parts: Make sure to lubricate the gears and rollers periodically to keep everything running smoothly.

If you’d like more information, I’ve written a detailed review of the Dewalt DW734 where I go over more specs and my experience with it.

Maintenance

	To get started with my planer, I began by thoroughly cleaning it, removing all the sawdust from the tool. After that, I applied Johnson’s Paste Wax to the surfaces where the boards slide. I put on a few coats, wiping the wax on and off. This makes the boards glide more smoothly during planing, ensuring better results and reducing wear on the machine.
	Next up I wanted to replace the knives that are in the planer.  To get to these you first need to remove the tool plate cover.
	After removing the blade covers, you’ll need to take out all the screws to access the blade. Dewalt provides a tool for this, and as a bonus, it has a magnet built into the handle, making it easy to pick up any dropped screws.
	After the screws are removed.  You can use the back of the tool with the magnet to pick up the blade cover.
	With the blade exposed, use the magnetic side of the tool to easily lift the blade. The blades are double-sided, so if this is your first time changing them, you can simply rotate the blade and use the other side. If both sides are dull, you’ll need to replace the blade. You can find replacement knives on Amazon at a reasonable price.
	After changing my blades, I replaced the covers, screws, and resecured the tool cover.  The planer is ready to go again for more use.