Done Scroll Sawing for a few days

[Spartan scroller]

Well I'm afraid I did it this time.  Was having trouble with blades slipping out of the blade clamp on my Dewalt 788.  Soooo I started tightening my thumb screw more and more until suddenly it just started spinning around in the clamp chuck  assembly.  When I removed it black dust fell out of the screw hole.   Assuming I stripped the threads on the thumb screw.  Ordered  new one (actually 2) from replacement parts along with new set screws as well. Was wondering now, did I damage the threads in the screw hole of the chuck assembly as well.  Tried to remove chuck assembly but could not budge the screws.  Any thought's other than I'm an idiot for tightening the thumb screw too tight  and stripping the threads?

Regards,
Terry
terrysscrollshoppe.com

[scrollgirl]

No, Terry - You probably have lots of company. I did the same thing myself a few years back. I could never for the life of me understand why they would make the blade holder housing ALUMINUM when the screw was metal. It was just a disaster waiting to happen, in my opinion.  I am not a big girl and I have "girl strength" and did it, so don't feel too bad.

Do what I did - get some extras to keep on hand when it happens again ( and it probably will!)

Then at least you won't have down time. When I did mine it took two weeks to get the new parts. (UGH!!!) 

Take care, and catch up on your reading. (Or PAINT!   )

Sheila

[tbolt]

Never hurts to have a backup saw don't think I could go 2 weeks without a scrolling fix

[pddesertrat]

Did you get the parts the fir the chuck clamp?  I would think the aluminum threads would strip before the steel screw threads.  At a minimum, you should get a thread chaser to clean out the aluminum threads before trying to put a new screw through them.  What you did has to be pretty common with aluminum and steel being put together.  I worry about doing it all the time. 

[Spartan scroller]

yeah I'm pretty sure it's the aluminum threads in the chuck.  I did not order that part yet but probably will have to soon.  Problem is I can't get the old one off.  I could not budge the screws that hold it on the upper arm.  Has anyone else had this problem?  Is there a trick to getting the thing off that I am missing? Funny thing...while I was fretting (scroll saw pun intended) over that last night my eye caught the thumb screw used to hold the blade guard hold down in place (you know...the first thing every scroll sawyer takes off his new saw). It looks just like the screws for the blade clamp so what have I got to lose by trying it.  Long story short...it worked beautifully so I am back in business for now.  I' sure that this is only a temporary solution and that blade chuck is going to have to be replaced.  Just tell me how to get the old one off. On another note I have had real good luck with eReplacement parts.  The usually ship in one day and I have never had to wait more than a couple of days for anything.

Regards
Terryh

[termite]

 not to long ago  country scroller had a post where he got his 788 blade clamps from Ray at Seyco
he said they were better made than regular dewalt clamps. way back Merlin had a post about
 what he did to his 788 clamps. i think he said you would never  have to buy another clamp. i
hope i have this right. termite

[Spartan scroller]

Well I finally went online to the Dewalt website and located a service center just two and a half miles from here. Took the saw over there and explained my problem. Service guy tried every type of wrench and torsion bit he had and could not budge the screws in the blade chuck.
So he went medieval on it and used vice grips and low and behold the screws finally let go! I said "how much do I owe you".  He said "nothing man. Glad I could help. I thanked him profusely and went home and order a new blade chuck and new screws from ereplacement parts.com.  Should be scrolling again by early next week. Hope this story is helpful to any one else who might have this problem.

Regards, Terry

[Rapid Roger]

Just goes to show you, "When all else fails, get a bigger hammer!". 

Rog