Originally Posted by
John Mark Lane
Is the DeWalt really significantly better than these?
By nearly all reports, yes. Even those tool makers we may have sour grapes with sometimes have one thing they have done well and still not managed to mess up yet.
Dad has the 735 and I have the 734; both are 3 knife machines but the 735 has the two speed option. Both do a very nice job. I haven't heard much feedback on the Griz you mention but the Delta is commonly referred to by users as "the Snipemaster". The Makita is liked by some folks but like many planers in this format, lacks a carriage lock. The Makita manual recommends always lowering the carriage to height, never adjusting up to it as (and I quote) "additional play in the screw may result. This may cause an undesired finished dimension." The Ridgid also has a good following and is reasonably priced.
All that being said, your occasional use doesn't sound like it requires a $1000 machine. However, I find that things I do occasionally are better when the tool does the job properly. I guess I mean that if I only use a thing 6 times a year, it should at least do the job well.
If I was going to buy a machine with knives again (not going to happen, I'm sold on spiral heads) I would insist on a carriage lock. Close second on the requirements list is a pair of good sized, adjustable tables to correct any snipe problems. Good dust collection follows right after that.
Good luck and enjoy the hunt.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler