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DW7352 Replaceable Knives For DW735 13" PlanerOne Size16.2 x 4 x 0.4 inches0.32 poundsCheck on Amazon
DeWalt DW735 vs Makita 2012NB: Comparing Knife Changes and Maintenance
Knife changes are one of the practical differences between the DeWalt DW735 and Makita 2012NB. Both are portable 12-inch-class thickness planers, and both use disposable, reversible knives rather than a conventional permanently sharpened cutterhead. The job is not difficult on either machine, but the DeWalt makes routine knife service more structured, while the Makita rewards careful setup and a lighter touch during removal and installation.
Knife design and expected service life
The DW735 uses three knives on its cutterhead. Each knife has two usable edges, so you can turn the knives once before replacing them. The three-knife arrangement gives the DeWalt a relatively smooth finish and spreads wear across more cutting edges. It also means six cutting edges are involved every time you install a new set.
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The 2012NB uses two reversible knives. That reduces the number of parts to handle and generally makes a replacement set less expensive. The trade-off is that each knife represents a larger share of the cutterhead’s cutting action. Dull knives can show up quickly as rough grain, raised fibers, or increased motor strain.
Knife life depends heavily on the stock. Clean pine and other softwoods may allow many hours of work. Reclaimed lumber, plywood glue, abrasive species, and boards with hidden grit can damage an edge almost immediately. A planer knife is not a substitute for checking boards with a metal detector or removing nails and staples.
| Feature | DeWalt DW735 | Makita 2012NB |
|---|---|---|
| Cutterhead knives | Three reversible knives | Two reversible knives |
| Usable edges per set | Six | Four |
| Knife-change advantage | More even wear and a supplied setting gauge | Fewer knives and a simpler parts count |
| Maintenance trade-off | More screws and edges to inspect | Alignment is more sensitive to dirt or uneven seating |
| Best fit | Frequent use and users who value repeatable setup | Lower-volume work and buyers focused on compact size and cost |
Changing knives on the DW735
Unplug the planer first, remove the dust hood if it blocks access, and turn the cutterhead until a knife is accessible. The DW735’s knife-retaining screws are loosened with the supplied tool or the correct Torx driver. Do not use a rounded bit; damaged screw heads turn a routine change into a cutterhead repair.
Each knife has two edges. If one edge is dull but the knife is otherwise undamaged, clean the knife pocket and rotate the knife to its unused edge. The DeWalt’s supplied knife gauge helps position replacement or rotated knives consistently. Even so, wipe resin and chips from the cutterhead before seating a knife. A small chip trapped under the knife can create a ridge along the entire board.
Install the knives evenly, tighten the retaining screws in stages, and check that each knife sits flat. Do not overtighten aggressively. The screws need to clamp the knife securely, not crush or distort it. Once all three knives are installed, rotate the head by hand and confirm that nothing contacts the housing.
A DW735 replacement knife set costs more than a two-knife Makita set, but the gauge and three-knife layout reduce the chance of uneven projection. That matters when you want to return to work quickly without chasing ridges or snipe caused by inconsistent setup.
Changing knives on the 2012NB
The Makita change is straightforward but less forgiving of debris. Disconnect power, open the cutterhead area, and rotate the head to expose a knife. Loosen the knife-retaining screws with the proper driver, then remove the knife carefully. The edges are sharp even when they no longer cut wood well, so wear gloves while handling the loose blade, but keep hands clear when rotating the cutterhead.
Clean the knife seat and retaining hardware before installing the fresh edge. The knife must sit fully against its locating surfaces; a shaving or resin lump under one end can leave the blade uneven. Tighten the screws gradually from the center outward if the design and manual specify that sequence, then verify that the knife is level and secure before moving to the second knife.
Makita’s knife-setting procedure relies more on correct seating and careful alignment than on the DeWalt’s dedicated gauge. That is not a serious problem for an occasional user, but it makes rushed changes more likely to produce a visible line in the workpiece. If you regularly change knives, keep a clean work surface and a small brush beside the planer.
For modest workloads, 2012NB replacement knives can be the cheaper maintenance route. The Makita is a sensible choice when you plane furniture parts, trim, or small batches rather than processing rough stock all day.
Maintenance beyond the knives
Both planers need more than occasional blade replacement. Keep the infeed and outfeed tables clean and waxed with a suitable planer-table wax or paste wax. A dry, dirty table increases feeding resistance and can worsen snipe. Do not use a heavy oily coating that can transfer to wood or collect dust.
Clear chips from the cutterhead housing and dust port after use. Packed chips can restrict extraction, raise heat, and interfere with knife seating during the next change. Inspect the drive belt, rollers, and feed mechanism periodically. Glazed or dirty rollers can slip, leaving uneven feed marks even when the knives are sharp.
The DW735’s automatic carriage lock helps reduce movement during a cut, but it does not eliminate snipe. Support long boards at the same height as the planer tables and take a light final pass. The Makita also benefits from careful support, particularly because a compact portable planer can move or rock if it is not firmly mounted.
Replace knives rather than trying to sharpen disposable reversible knives unless you have the correct equipment and know the manufacturer’s geometry. A poorly sharpened knife can be thinner on one end, unbalanced, or set at the wrong height. For most owners, a portable planer knife replacement kit and a clean setup area are better investments than improvised sharpening.
Which planer is easier to maintain?
Choose the DW735 if you plane frequently and value predictable knife changes. Its three knives cost more to replace, but the supplied gauge and three-edge cutting system make routine service comparatively repeatable. It is the better fit for a small shop processing a steady stream of boards.
Choose the 2012NB if lower running cost, smaller size, and fewer knives matter more than the fastest possible change. The cheaper option is entirely adequate for occasional woodworking, especially when you buy clean, kiln-dried stock and inspect every board before planing.
In either case, the biggest maintenance savings come from preventing damage: remove metal, avoid dirty reclaimed wood, keep the table clean, and change knives when the cut quality declines instead of forcing a dull edge through the work.