DeWalt DW734 12.5-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer vs Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer
| DeWalt DW734 12.5-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer | Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer | |
|---|---|---|
| From | $449 | $550 |
| Tier | Hobbyist | Serious Hobbyist |
| Motor HP | — | — |
| Cut Height | — | — |
| Cut Width | — | — |
| Table | — | — |
| Weight | 80 lbs | 62 lbs |
| Dust Port | 2.5" | 3" |
| Voltage | 110V | 120V |
DeWalt DW734 12.5-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer
The DW734 is a strong three-knife benchtop for a hobbyist who wants a clean finish and buy-once durability without stepping up to the two-speed DW735. Its 96-cuts-per-inch head and long cast tables give smooth, stable results on hardwood. If you want the finest finish and better dust handling, the DW735 is the step up, and if width matters, note this one caps at 12.5 inches.
Buy at Amazon $449Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer
The Makita 2012NB is the quiet one, a 12-inch benchtop that owners pick when noise and low snipe matter more than raw width. Its Interna-Lok head clamp measurably reduces snipe and it's the lightest machine in its class. The trade-offs are a 12-inch width, only two straight knives, and an odd dust port, so figured-grain and helical fans should look at the Cutech or a Shelix-upgraded DeWalt.
Buy at Amazon $550Specs sourced from manufacturer documentation. Owner feedback reflects community reports from r/woodworking, Sawmill Creek, and Amazon verified reviews. Prices may vary by retailer and change over time.