New Saw

[RWEC]

I've been using a 16" Hitachi for a couple of years now. OK but wanted to upgrade. Didn't need to, just wanted to.

Found a used DW788, guy didn't know what he had I think. Got it for $150.

Everything seems fine except a little back to front motion on the blade. Not a lot, maybe 1/16" but there.

I seem to remember reading that that is caused by worn or defective blade clamps.

Can anyone confirm that?

Saw still passes the "balance a nickel on and off test" so even with the bit of blade motion it's much better than what I was using. Easier to make tight turns I find.

If my memory is right about what I read is it a pricey fix?

Thanks for any feedback.

Randy

[tux_linux]

hmm, a small amount of blade movement can be ignored I think, 1/16" is not much at all.

Have fun with your new saw - we are waiting for new enhanced results!

regards
Torsten

[dgman]

Hey Randy, Congratulations on the new to you saw! All the DeWalt saws have a little front to back movement as you describe. If you are not having a problem cutting, then don't worry about it. That price is excellent for a DeWalt!
Now that you have a DeWalt, Learn to top feed. That's is the best advantage of a Saw with a lifting top arm. Once you get the hang of it, It should take just a few seconds to change to the next cut without lifting the board off of the table.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of completed projects!

[SleepyWeasel]

dgman, I'm also a new owner of a Dewalt DW788. Could you please explain the term "top feed"? I'm new to the scrollsaw.

Thank you
SleepyWeasel

[julief]

I'm not dgman but...A top feeder feeds his/her blade through the top of the project.  In other words, you disconnect the blade from the bottom and lift you arm up.  Then reinsert the blade through the next hole and reattach your blade on the bottom.  A bottom feeder feeds the blade through the bottom of the work piece, lifting the board off the table and threading the blade through the bottom.

[dgman]

sleepy, What Julie said is correct. The advantage to top feeding is speed. With this method I can change from one hole to the next in about five to 10 seconds without lifting the board off of the table.
My old saw was a Dremel. It required blade adapters to use plain end blades. To change to a new blade it took about three minutes. To move from one hole to the next it too about two minutes each using an Allen wrench.
When you bottom feed, you feed the blade from below, you have to feel around for the hole to get it in. When you feed from the top, you lift the arm, drop the blade into the hole and tighten the lower clamp, set the tension, and your good to go!

[ShadowB6]

This top feeding sounds intriquing. I'll have to try it. I guess it'll take some getting used to attaching the blade on the bottom clamp without seeing it. Not sure I want to get off my stool and look under everytime to attach it.

Mike

[julief]

You will get where you don't have to look.  Slide the blade in and tighten her up.

[dgman]

I don't look under the table! I do it by feel. One thing I forgot to mention. On the DeWalt there is a guard in front of the lower blade arm. remove this guard. It will be easier to reach the lower blade clamp.

[RWEC]

Thanks for your replies. Esp Dgman. I tend to be a bit paranoid with new stuff.

I did some online research, slotted out the bottom screw holes for the rocker ass'y and slid it forward a tad. Blade still moves back and forth a bit but it now does it vertically, not leading with the top.

Made a new 3 leg stand from 4 x 4's angled out 5 deg. and when I screwed it down there is virtually no vibration even at top end. I don't think I'll be running it that fast though. Don't think I'll need it.

Only did some test cuts but they are way, way better than what I'm used to.

I tried my old saw both flat and tilted and like the flat better so I'm starting out with the 788 flat. May change it a bit later.

The top feed sounds like the way to go. I was wondering about taking off the bottom guard. Good to hear someone else agrees with my thinking.

Now I just have to make a new bracket to keep the dust collector hose in the right position for this saw and I'm off to the races.

Oh, one last thought. Is the lift arm support generally as useful as it appears to be?

Randy

[dgman]

Randy, I used to have an arm lift on my saw. After a while I realized it was just in the way. I use gravity to lower the top arm with the blade into the next hole. When its time to change to the next hole I release the tension, loosen the lower blade clamp. With one hand raise the upper arm and hold it up, with the other hand, guide the blade into the next hole while lowering the upper arm. Without looking slide the blade into the clamp and tighten. Set the tension, and your good to go! For me, this takes about five to ten seconds!
To change out to a new blade, you don't have to raise the upper arm. Just slide the blade into the hole in you project from the top, slip the blade into the top blade clamp and tighten, then slip the blade into the bottom clamp and tighten. Set the tension, and your ready to go again.

[RWEC]

Thanks Dgman.

I cut my first project with the new saw tonight. No big thing, some word art from Steve's catalogue.

I hadn't seen your latest reply when I did it. Fell right into the pattern you describe. I'm not up ( or down ) to 6 seconds yet with hole changes but way, way faster than the bottom feeding I was used to.

Really see why anyone who has a 788 likes it.

Thanks again for the help.

Randy

[shutterbugdm]

I got my Delta DW788 mid-March 2011 (6 weeks ago) and have only finished about 5 projects then had to take it back to a Delta service center. It had blade movement fore-aft of 1/8" and developed a knock. I took it in on a Friday and my son-in-law picked up last night (Wed) on his way home. Took it back this morning and showed the tech the problem still exists. No questions, they took it in and having a new one shipped directly from the factory to me. Guess I had a defective one; will know in about 8 days.