What's inside
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Does DeWalt Make a Surface Planer?
No: DeWalt does not currently sell a dedicated benchtop surface planer designed to flatten one face of a cupped or twisted board. Its portable thickness planers—including the 12½-inch DW734 and DW735/DW735X—make a board’s two faces parallel and bring it to a consistent thickness, but they do not reliably flatten a warped board on their own. To flatten stock, use a router sled or a jointer-and-planer workflow first, then use a DeWalt thickness planer if you need consistent final thickness.
Surface planer vs. thickness planer: the distinction that matters
“Surface planer” is used loosely, so check what a tool actually does before buying. In traditional woodworking, a jointer flattens one face and squares an edge. A thickness planer references that already-flat face and cuts the opposite face parallel to it. A router sled can flatten a face without a jointer by moving a router over a supported board.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
A thickness planer’s rollers press stock down as it enters the cutter. If the board is bowed, cupped, or twisted, that pressure can temporarily flatten it; after it exits, the board may spring back to its original shape. The planer has made the opposite face parallel to the distorted face—not corrected the distortion.
DeWalt options, compared
| Tool or setup | Published capacity or size | Best use | Flattening a warped face? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DW734 thickness planer | 12½-inch width; up to 6-inch thickness; 20,000 rpm cutterhead; 96 cuts per inch at the advertised feed rate | Small shops needing a portable planer for already-flat stock | No, not by itself |
| DeWalt DW735/DW735X thickness planer | 13-inch width; up to 6-inch thickness; 10,000 rpm cutterhead; two feed speeds | Frequent thicknessing, with a slower feed option for a finer finish | No, not by itself |
| Router sled with a plunge router | Cutting width depends on sled rails and router bit; depth depends on setup | Flattening slabs and individual boards without a jointer | Yes, with sound support and shallow passes |
| Jointer followed by a thickness planer | Jointer width depends on the machine; DeWalt planer limits apply afterward | Repeated milling of ordinary boards in a dedicated shop | Yes, the jointer flattens the first face |
Capacities are machine limits, not a promise that every board of that size can be milled safely. Check the current manual for the exact model and configuration, including minimum stock length and thickness. The DW735X is generally sold with infeed and outfeed tables; package contents can vary, so confirm what is included.
Choose by the stock you actually need to flatten
- Mostly flat boards, occasional thicknessing: A DeWalt thickness planer is a sensible choice if you can first flatten a face with a jointer, a hand plane, or a router sled. The DW734 is a compact option; the DW735 family offers a wider capacity and two feed rates.
- One-off cupped boards or a small slab: A router sled is usually the most practical DeWalt-compatible route. A DeWalt plunge router can power the cutter, but the sled, rails, bit, and support system determine the usable width and stability.
- Regular batches of rough lumber: A jointer plus a thickness planer is faster and less labor-intensive once set up. Choose the jointer width based on the boards you routinely buy; boards wider than its capacity need a different method.
- Very limited floor space or budget: Start with a hand plane and a flat reference surface, or make a simple router sled. A planer is worth adding when you need repeatable thickness across many boards—not as a substitute for flattening.
Flattening with a router sled: a reliable setup
A sled works by holding the router above the board and moving it across a flat plane. The board itself does not have to be flat, but it must be supported so it cannot rock or shift.
- Build a stable reference: Set parallel rails on a rigid base or bench. Check that they are coplanar with a straightedge. Any dip or twist in the rails will be transferred to the work.
- Secure the board without forcing it flat: Place shims under low spots and clamp the stock so it cannot move. Do not clamp a twist out of the board; it may spring back after milling.
- Set a shallow cut: Use a router bit suited to flattening and take light passes, typically around 1/16 inch or less per pass. Deep cuts can strain the router, increase tear-out, and make the sled harder to control.
- Mill one face until it is flat: Make overlapping passes across the full surface. Check the result with a straightedge and winding sticks rather than judging only by appearance.
- Flip and bring the board to thickness: Once the first face is flat, use the thickness planer if the board fits its capacity. Take light cuts, especially on figured or difficult grain, and leave the final thickness until after any movement has settled.
For a small board that fits a planer, a carrier sled can also keep it from tipping. Secure the board to a flat, rigid carrier with shims filling gaps, and use stops to prevent movement. Never feed loose shims or an unsecured thin workpiece through a planer; follow the machine manual’s limits.
What ownership costs beyond the tool
Plan for dust collection, a stable stand, and room for long stock to enter and exit. DeWalt’s portable planers produce a large volume of chips; a suitable dust collector or chip-extraction setup helps keep the cutter area clear. Knives are consumables: dull or nicked edges leave a rougher surface and can create ridges. Keep spare knives available if the machine is used often, and check the manual before changing or rotating them.
Clean pitch and resin from the cutter area and rollers as needed, with the machine unplugged. Support long boards level with the planer tables or added supports to reduce snipe—deeper cuts, poor support, and inconsistent feed are common causes. Avoid trying to remove a large amount of material in one pass; light cuts reduce strain and often improve the finish.
Bottom line
If your main question is whether a DeWalt planer will flatten cupped or twisted stock by itself, the answer is no. Buy a DW734 or DW735-family machine to thickness boards after one face is flat. For flattening without a jointer, pair a DeWalt router with a properly built sled; for frequent milling, use a jointer first and a thickness planer second.