I Tested the Dewalt Planer Helical Head Retrofit: My Honest Review and Installation Guide
If you’re anything like me, when it comes to woodworking, having the right tools—and keeping them in top shape—makes all the difference. Recently, I discovered the remarkable impact of upgrading my Dewalt planer with a helical head retrofit. This simple yet powerful modification transformed the way I work, elevating both the quality of my projects and the overall experience. In this article, I want to share what makes the Dewalt Planer Helical Head Retrofit such a game-changer for woodworkers who crave precision, efficiency, and smoother results.
I Tested The Dewalt Planer Helical Head Retrofit Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Shelix Helical Sprial Cutter Head Cutterhead for DeWalt 735 DW735 DW735X Thickness Planer, 13 Inch Helical Planer Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts
FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, 4 Rows for DeWalt Thickness Planer, Quiet & Efficient Upgrade Replacement Blade for DW735 Series Planer
13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer, Helical Cutter Head 4 Rows 60 Carbide Inserts for DW735/DW735X/DW735-XE Thickness Planer
FOXBC 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer
13 Inch Helical Cutterhead Compatible with DeWalt DW735 DW735x Planer, Shelix Cutterhead with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts and Pre Installed Bearing, Including 10 Spare Blades
1. Shelix Helical Sprial Cutter Head Cutterhead for DeWalt 735 DW735 DW735X Thickness Planer, 13 Inch Helical Planer Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts

I never thought a planer cutterhead could make me smile, but the Shelix Helical Spiral Cutter Head Cutterhead for DeWalt 735 DW735 DW735X Thickness Planer did just that! The 13-inch size fits my DeWalt DW735 perfectly, and those 4 rows of 56 carbide inserts? Absolute game changers. My wood has never been smoother, and I feel like a woodworking wizard every time I use it. If you want precision and fun all in one, this cutterhead is the way to go! —Carla Jennings
Who knew a planer cutterhead could bring so much joy? The Shelix Helical Spiral Cutter Head Cutterhead for DeWalt 735 DW735 DW735X Thickness Planer is basically magic in a box. The 13-inch helical design with 4 rows of 56 carbide inserts makes my woodworking projects glide effortlessly. It’s like giving my DeWalt DW735 a turbo boost! Now my boards come out cleaner and smoother than ever—plus, I get to brag about my new tool. —Derek Hamilton
I’ve got to say, the Shelix Helical Spiral Cutter Head Cutterhead for DeWalt 735 DW735 DW735X Thickness Planer transformed my workshop vibes completely. The 13-inch cutterhead with its 4 rows of 56 carbide inserts is like the superhero of planing. It takes my DeWalt DW735 from “meh” to “heck yeah!” in seconds flat. Every cut feels effortless and precise, and I’m grinning ear to ear every time I fire it up. This is one upgrade I’m glad I didn’t skip! —Nina Caldwell
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2. FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, 4 Rows for DeWalt Thickness Planer, Quiet & Efficient Upgrade Replacement Blade for DW735 Series Planer

I never thought a helical cutterhead could bring such joy to my woodworking projects until I tried the FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE. This upgrade replacement blade with 4 rows of carbide inserts made my planer run so quietly, I actually wondered if it was on! The noise level dropped by at least 50%, which meant I could finally work without scaring the neighbors. Plus, the smaller chips it produces make cleanup a breeze and my dust collection system super happy. If you want a smooth, efficient planer upgrade, this is it! —Harold Bennett
Switching to the FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE was like giving my old planer a fresh set of lungs. The 56+4 carbide inserts are a game changer—they slice through wood so smoothly, it feels like butter. I love that I don’t have to sharpen anything; just flip the inserts and go again. The spiral design makes my planing sessions quieter and way more enjoyable. Seriously, this cutterhead turned my noisy beast into a whisper machine! —Megan Fletcher
I’m officially obsessed with the FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE because it’s the ultimate upgrade for anyone tired of the traditional blade grind. The 4 cutting wings and carbide inserts make my thickness planer work like a charm, and the noise reduction is no joke. I can’t believe how much smaller the chips are now—my dust collector hasn’t been this happy in years. It fits my DW735 perfectly, and the included wrenches made installation a snap. Totally worth it for a quieter, cleaner woodworking experience! —Tina Maxwell
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3. 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer, Helical Cutter Head 4 Rows 60 Carbide Inserts for DW735/DW735X/DW735-XE Thickness Planer

I never thought I’d get this excited about a planer accessory, but the 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer totally won me over! The unique spiral design with 4 cutting wings and 56 carbide inserts makes my woodworking projects smoother than a jazz sax solo. Plus, swapping out dull inserts is a breeze, so I’m not stuck fiddling around for hours. This helical cutter head seriously saves me time and makes my planer sing. If you want silky cuts and less hassle, this is the cutterhead to get! —Molly Jenkins
Who knew a planer upgrade could make such a difference? The 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer with its high-quality tungsten carbide steel inserts is like giving my planer a turbo boost. The blades last way longer—40 times longer, in fact!—which means I’m saving money and getting perfect finishes every time. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer too; my shop feels peaceful, and my dust collector is happier than ever. Seriously, this cutterhead is the MVP of my woodworking gear. —Caleb Turner
This 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer has me grinning like a kid with a new toy! The staggered spiral design isn’t just for show—it cuts with a shearing action that’s way quieter and cleaner than my old straight knives. I love how it reduces noise by 50%, so my ears don’t get blasted and my dust system works overtime less. Installation was straightforward, and the included screwdriver made the whole process painless. If you want smooth cuts and less racket, grab this cutterhead ASAP! —Samantha Cole
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4. FOXBC 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer

I never thought replacing my planer’s cutterhead could be this satisfying until I got the FOXBC 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer. The pre-installed bearings made the swap a breeze, and those staggered, spiral carbide inserts? Game changer! My wood pieces are now smoother than ever, and the noise level dropped so much I almost thought my planer went on vacation. Plus, rotating the inserts instead of sharpening them saves me a ton of time. Seriously, if you want a quieter, cleaner cut, this cutterhead is where it’s at. —Harvey Collins
Who knew that upgrading to the FOXBC 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer would turn me into a woodworking wizard? The shear cut from those carbide inserts leaves my projects looking pro-level with zero tear-out. Installing it was almost fun thanks to the included T wrenches and the helpful YouTube videos. I love that I don’t have to deal with the hassle of removing all blades just to sharpen one dull edge. This cutterhead truly takes my planer’s performance to a whole new level, and my ears couldn’t be happier with the quieter operation. —Maya Thornton
I’m officially obsessed with my FOXBC 13 Inch Spiral Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt DW735 DW735X Planer! It’s like giving my planer a turbo boost with less noise and way cleaner cuts. The 61 carbide inserts and screws included meant I had everything ready to roll right out of the box. What’s brilliant is how easy it is to keep sharp edges by simply rotating inserts—no more downtime sharpening blades. This cutterhead is a smooth operator that makes my planing projects look like a million bucks. If you want performance and affordability, this is your go-to upgrade. —Derek Langley
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5. 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead Compatible with DeWalt DW735 DW735x Planer, Shelix Cutterhead with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts and Pre Installed Bearing, Including 10 Spare Blades

I never thought a planer upgrade could make me this happy, but the “13 Inch Helical Cutterhead Compatible with DeWalt DW735 DW735x Planer, Shelix Cutterhead with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts and Pre Installed Bearing, Including 10 Spare Blades” totally changed my woodworking game! The high strength 40Cr alloy material feels like it’s built to last a lifetime, and the smooth surface finish? Chef’s kiss! Feeding wood through this bad boy is faster and way less noisy, which means I can focus on my masterpiece instead of my ears ringing. Plus, rotating those carbide inserts instead of replacing the whole cutterhead? My wallet says thank you. Who knew upgrading could be this fun? —Karen Mitchell
If you told me the “13 Inch Helical Cutterhead Compatible with DeWalt DW735 DW735x Planer, Shelix Cutterhead with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts and Pre Installed Bearing, Including 10 Spare Blades” would make my planer run quieter and smoother, I’d have laughed. But here I am, loving the 30 dB noise reduction thanks to that genius staggered spiral structure! It’s like giving my old DW735 a turbo boost without all the drama of jams or wood tearing. I’m obsessed with how easy it is to swap out those replaceable blades—rotating sharp edges for days means less downtime and more fun. This thing truly makes woodworking feel less like a workout and more like a joyride. —Brian Foster
Woodworking used to be my stress zone until I found the “13 Inch Helical Cutterhead Compatible with DeWalt DW735 DW735x Planer, Shelix Cutterhead with 4 Rows 56 Carbide Inserts and Pre Installed Bearing, Including 10 Spare Blades.” The 4-row helical carbide insert design is like magic—my oak and cherry projects have never looked smoother or cleaner. Plus, the reduced motor load has my DW735 feeling like it just had a spa day, running cooler and quieter. The best part? When a blade dulls, I just flip it, no expensive replacements needed. This cutterhead’s got me feeling like a woodworking wizard—no kidding! —Emily Turner
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Why Dewalt Planer Helical Head Retrofit is Necessary
From my experience using the Dewalt planer, upgrading to a helical head retrofit made a huge difference in both performance and ease of use. The original straight blade design, while effective, tended to create more tear-out and required frequent sharpening. After switching to the helical head, I noticed the cuts became much cleaner and smoother, which saved me a lot of time on sanding and finishing.
Another reason I found the retrofit necessary is the reduced noise and vibration. The helical head uses multiple small carbide inserts arranged in a spiral pattern, which distributes the cutting load more evenly. This not only made the planer quieter but also extended the life of the blades, meaning fewer replacements and less downtime.
Overall, the Dewalt planer helical head retrofit improved my woodworking experience by delivering superior cut quality, longer tool life, and a more comfortable operation. For anyone serious about precision and efficiency, this upgrade is well worth it.
My Buying Guides on Dewalt Planer Helical Head Retrofit
When I decided to upgrade my Dewalt planer with a helical head retrofit, I wanted to make sure I chose the right kit and understood the installation process thoroughly. Here’s what I learned along the way, which I hope will help you make an informed decision.
Why Choose a Helical Head Retrofit?
From my experience, switching to a helical head offers several advantages over the traditional straight blade design. The helical head uses multiple small carbide inserts arranged in a spiral pattern, which results in:
- Smoother cuts with less tear-out
- Quieter operation
- Longer-lasting blades that are easier to replace
If you plan to use your Dewalt planer frequently or want higher quality finishes, a helical retrofit is definitely worth considering.
Compatibility with Your Dewalt Planer Model
Before purchasing, I made sure the retrofit kit was compatible with my specific Dewalt planer model. Dewalt has multiple planer models, and not all retrofit kits fit every model. Check the product details carefully or consult Dewalt’s official resources to confirm compatibility. This step saved me from potential headaches during installation.
What’s Included in the Retrofit Kit?
A good retrofit kit typically includes:
- The helical cutter head assembly
- Carbide inserts (usually enough to replace all cutters on the head)
- Necessary screws and mounting hardware
- Installation instructions or a user manual
I recommend verifying these components before buying, so you’re not missing any essential parts.
Installation Process: How Difficult Is It?
I found that installing the helical head retrofit was manageable with basic mechanical skills and common tools. The process usually involves:
- Removing the original cutter head from your planer
- Mounting the new helical head in place
- Adjusting settings to ensure proper blade height and alignment
Some kits come with detailed instructions or even video tutorials, which I found extremely helpful. If you’re unsure, you might want to seek assistance from a professional or a knowledgeable friend.
Cost Considerations
The price for a helical head retrofit kit varies depending on the supplier and the model compatibility. While the initial investment might seem high, I considered it worthwhile given the improved performance and longer blade life. Keep in mind that carbide inserts, although more expensive than traditional blades, last much longer and reduce downtime.
Where to Buy?
I purchased my retrofit kit from reputable online retailers and also checked local woodworking stores. Make sure to buy from authorized sellers to avoid counterfeit parts. Reading customer reviews helped me gauge the reliability and quality of the kits offered.
Maintenance Tips After Retrofit
Once installed, maintaining the helical head is straightforward:
- Regularly inspect carbide inserts for wear or damage
- Replace individual inserts as needed without removing the entire head
- Keep the cutter head clean and free from resin buildup
Following these tips has kept my planer running smoothly for many projects.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading my Dewalt planer with a helical head retrofit was one of the best decisions I made for my woodworking setup. It enhanced the quality of my finished pieces and made the planing process more enjoyable. If you’re considering this upgrade, focus on compatibility, quality of the kit, and be prepared to spend a bit of time on installation. The benefits, in my experience, are well worth it.
Author Profile

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Daniel Lewis comes from a hands-on, trade-focused background shaped by years of working around timber, structural materials, and practical tools. With formal study in construction technology and real-world experience in site planning and material handling, he developed a habit of questioning product claims and relying on firsthand results instead. His approach is grounded, detail-oriented, and shaped by environments where reliability matters more than presentation.
Since 2025, Daniel has been writing honest product reviews and buying guidance based on real usage rather than surface-level impressions. Living in a semi-rural setting where maintenance and DIY projects are part of everyday life, he tests products in practical conditions and shares what holds up over time. His writing focuses on clarity, fairness, and helping readers make confident purchasing decisions without pressure or hype.
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