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For a Wood lover, buying ready-made planks may feel like cheating. There is something incredibly satisfying about taking a rough piece of wood and creating a perfectly smooth plank ready for your project. That being said, for the perfectionist, a benchtop planner is going to get the right result.
We are going to compare two benchtop planers from different brands, the Ridgid R4331 vs DeWalt DW734. We will look at their cutting abilities, their accuracy and value for money. You will be able to find a comparison chart for a quick review as well as some pros and cons of each benchtop planer.
There are a few similarities between the Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734. We will start with these.
Ridgid R4331 vs DeWalt DW734 – Similarities
Quick Glance
There are lots of specifications to consider, so the side-by-side chart below will help with a fair comparison.
Reversible Knives
Both the Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734 have a 3-knife cutter head system. These knives are reversible for longer use and you save having to buy extra blades.
Making Adjustments
To adjust the benchtop planers so that they cut the exact size you need, the Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734 have crank handles.
Infeed/Outfeed Tables
Each benchtop planer has an infeed and outfeed table which are foldable for better storage. The Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734 have extra-long infeed and outfeed tables but the DeWalt DW734 lists the tables as providing 33 1/5 inches of support.
Dust Removal System
With the dust removal system, you can attach the Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734 to a hose for a cleaner workspace.
There are still plenty of differences between the Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734, so we will move on to these now.
Differences Between Ridgid R4331 and DeWalt DW734
Appearance
The only similarity in their appearance is the fact that they are benchtop planers.
Ridgid R4331
This is an orange and black benchtop planer. The actual size isn’t in the product information we know it weighs 73 pounds.
DeWalt DW734
Most of this tool is the recognizable yellow of DeWalt. It is 24 x 17 x 21 inches with the tables folded. It is rather heavy at 80 pounds.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Motor/Power
Most benchtop planers have an average power rating of between 8 and 15 amps.
Ridgid R4331
This has a powerful 15amp motor. This allows for a cutter head speed of 9000 RPM and 96 cuts per inch.
DeWalt DW734
This too has a 15amp motor with 20000 RPM. The cutter head has a speed of 10000RPM and again, 96 cuts per inch.
The Winner Is- The DeWalt DW734
Planning Height and Width
Probably one of the most important features as you will want to make sure the planer can cut stock to your required size. This difference is literally half an inch.
Ridgid R4331
The planning height is up to 6 1/8 inches. For the width, you can cut up to 13 inches. This benchtop planer has a nice feature called Repeat-A-Cut with 8 adjustable depth stops to repeat the same dimensions.
DeWalt DW734
You can cut from 1/8 of an inch to 6 inches in height and planks up to 12 ½ inches. Here you have a turret depth stop so you can also return to your favorite setting.
The Winner Is- The Ridgid R4331
Carriage Lock
The carriage lock is what keeps the wood firmly in place for both accuracy and also to prevent snipe at the ends of your planks.
Ridgid R4331
The Sure-Cut carriage lock system from Ridgid allows for the wood to remain stable from start to finish.
DeWalt DW734
There is a 4-column carriage lock which makes a massive difference to the stability and reduced chance of snipe.
The Winner Is- The DeWalt DW734
Value for Money
The price of both of these benchtop planers is within the average range, however, towards the higher end. They do come with excellent warranties.
Ridgid R4331
Some outlets offer this at a cheaper price but generally speaking, it is slightly more expensive. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
DeWalt DW734
While the price is similar, you will receive a 3-year limited warranty, a 90-day money-back guarantee and also a 1-year free service.
The Winner Is- The DeWalt DW734
Pros and Cons
Before the final verdict, we have added some pros and cons of the Ridgid R4331 and the DeWalt DW734 to add to our decision.
Ridgid R4331
Pros:
- It’s good for a wide variety of different woods
- Minimal snipe and smooth finishes
- Very detailed manual for easy setup and maintenance
Cons:
- There have been too many issues with quality control
DeWalt DW734
Pros:
- Superior cut quality and finish, even on hard, rough wood
- Great infeed rollers
- Surprisingly quiet with the dust vac set up
Cons:
- You may have to make slight adjustments out of the box
The Final Verdict
There is a clear winner today and many people agree. The DeWalt DW734 is the better benchtop planner and even better than many others on the market today. It is solid, well-built and easy to use. There are just enough features to provide incredibly smooth, precise cuts but not so much going on that it becomes hard to use. It’s more reliable and even hard-working. The DeWalt DW734 is excellent value for money for a powerful tool and a safe investment for hobbyists and professionals.