Dewalt saw

[edward]

 On My dewalt saw the tension handle is loose and it seems to move up and down real easy, does it need tighting, or is it the way its suspose to be.

[dgman]

Hey edward, does the saw stay tensioned? If it does then don't worry about it. If it doesn't, then something is wrong and needs to be serviced. Tell us more.

[Barry]

Edward -

The tension handle on my Dewalt is pretty tight with hardly any movement.  I am certainly no expert but it would be worth a call to a service tech.  If you go online to Dewalt's wesite you could probably get the #.  It may be something easy that you can tighten yourself.  Good luck.

Barry

[Becky]

Mine doesn't jiggle up and down like that either.  OTOH, what Dgman says makes sense.  If it still works, maybe there's no problem. 

This page http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/cgi-bin/schematic.cgi/dewalt/DW788_TYPE_1 has an exploded diagram of the Dewalt.  It looks like there is a screw (part 52) that should hold it down.  Maybe you just need to tighten that.  It'll be under that black cover on the front of the saw.  I got to see the inside of that when my power switch failed not long ago. 

I might have the only Dewalt 788 in the world that now turns on and off with a big ol' toggle switch, lol.

[GrayBeard]

My question is.....

Should I have to turn my Tension Lever all the way to 4 - 4 1/2 or even 5 all the time?

Seems to me it should give the proper tension at a much lower number.

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[dgman]

GB, I usually crank it up to 4 or five for proper tension. I will push down on the upper arm before I tighten the lower blade clamp ( I'm a top feeder) to take up any slack in the blade, then set the tension.

[sgood]

Go back and look at the parts breakdown posted by Becky a couple posts below. Item 52 has started to back out. It's easy to access by removing the cover. Just tighten it back down and the handle will be firm again. I have seen this a few times.

[dunk]

@GB,
I too use mine tensioned at about 4 1/2 - 5 for most all my blades.

[ChaplainRon]

WOW!

This is the best with great help. Where else in the world can you get specific help like this?

[Russ C]

It is like having your own on-line technician service! 

[GrayBeard]

"dgman Dan causes North Dakota Brain Fart"....details to follow!

Press down on the upper arm before tightening lower blade clamp!

Boy that is so simple that even an ol' dummy like me should have thought of it!!!
Still learning the OBVIOUS stuff!

Thanks Dan!!!!

~~~GB~~~

[edward]

 Thanks for all the information I think I will take the cover off , and hopefully will be able to tighten the screw #52.  Right now when I cut the tension is tight, but durning cutting it become loose. Thanks again  Edward

[Rapid Roger]

I have often worried that my tension lever goes to 4 or 5 before it feels right. I too thought maybe it need adjustment so that the blade would get thight around 3 or so. Guess it is just the way it is suppose to be.
And I learned to push down on the head as I tighten the upper clamp. (I'm a bottom feeder) a long time ago!
Glad we all have sorted out a few things and know that all is well.

Rog

[edward]

 Tightened the screw up works great Thanks   Edward

[dgman]

Hey GB, I hope your head doesn't explode!
Edward, sometimes the blade will slip in the blade clamp when you apply the tension.
Use some 150 grit sand paper and sand both ends of the blade to remove  the oil that will be on the blade from manufacturing. Also take the thumb screw out and sand the end to remove the shine. This should help with the blade slipping.