Define the preparation or joinery task
DW734 offers a 12-1/2-inch thicknessing format with three knives and folding support tables. It is a workshop stock-preparation comparison, not a general tool every carpenter needs to carry. Its value depends on how often prepared timber fails to meet the required thickness. Purchasing ready-prepared material can remain the simpler option for occasional fitting work.
Model limits and alternatives
The manufacturer lists a carriage lock, removal gauge and 96 cuts per inch. These specifications identify the machine; they are not our demonstration of a snipe-free finish. Stock condition, support and the permitted removal per pass remain important. A planer follows its reference arrangement, so a warped first face needs the appropriate preparation method rather than an assumption that thicknessing fixes every board defect.
When the specialist purchase pays its way
Compare the total station with DW735, including knives, dust hood connections and material support. Do not spend extra on two feed options unless the recurring timber work makes them useful. For fitting an allowed door edge, Makita KP0800K is a different handheld category. Keep machine roles clear: a smaller benchtop price does not turn this into a portable onsite fitting kit.