Got the 788 set up..have a few questions

[browndog]

So, I had some time today and set up the new Dewalt 788 I got yesterday from woodcraft. Checked the flatness of the table etc and all was well. Got her all set up and did a little cutting with the supplied blades. Everything seemed ok but I do have a few questions.

The air blower hose: Does this thing seem to vibrate alot? Or, is my whole rig just vibrating too much. Table seems pretty steady but that hose bouces around too much unless I have it resting right on the work piece.

Upper and lower arms. Should they be in alignment with each other with no blade in them? After putting in a blade and adding tension, they seem fine.

Tried some olsen blades I got from woodcraft...UMMMM YEA>>>>>>>>>>>>these things are tiny. And I was using the #7 wooohooo I think I need some better glasses. I actually threw a 2 on there and tried to cut some 1/4 and YUK..then realized the 1/4 maple py was MDF core and the blade smoked in a hurry. Pretty sure I trashed the blade. The are all skip tooth...whatever that means

Tilting the base. Do you folks like to tilt the back of the stand? Seems like it would be more comfortable. The one thing I dont like about the base is it has a bit of flex in it...But then again, it's not like I'm cutting sheets of 3/4" maple hehehehehehe.

All I can think of for now..I'm sure there will be more.

Joe

[Marsha]

Originally Posted by browndog

The air blower hose: Does this thing seem to vibrate alot? Or, is my whole rig just vibrating too much. Table seems pretty steady but that hose bouces around too much unless I have it resting right on the work piece.

The air blower hose should'nt be vibrating at all. Make sure it's snapped onto the ball properly

Upper and lower arms. Should they be in alignment with each other with no blade in them? After putting in a blade and adding tension, they seem fine.

I've never been concerned about the alignment, it has never bothered me.

Tried some olsen blades I got from woodcraft...UMMMM YEA>>>>>>>>>>>>these things are tiny. And I was using the #7 wooohooo I think I need some better glasses. I actually threw a 2 on there and tried to cut some 1/4 and YUK..then realized the 1/4 maple py was MDF core and the blade smoked in a hurry. Pretty sure I trashed the blade. The are all skip tooth...whatever that means

Tilting the base. Do you folks like to tilt the back of the stand? Seems like it would be more comfortable. The one thing I dont like about the base is it has a bit of flex in it...But then again, it's not like I'm cutting sheets of 3/4" maple hehehehehehe.

I have my saw tilted. I set the back legs on a 2 x 4 to raise them up. The reason, it took the stress outta my shoulders. When the saw was flat, I felt like I was hunched over and this bothered my neck and shoulders, so I raised the back of the saw and found it helped alot.

All I can think of for now..I'm sure there will be more.

Joe

Enjoy your new saw, the 788 is a great choice.
Marsha

[lucky788scroller]

my air tube doesnt bounce at all.Most likely, if your saws table isnt bouncing around, maybe them little link-locs on your blower tube are a little looser then mine, I really dont know. As for the arms lining up...side to side I assume? They should be really close in alignment , close enough you cant see a difference with the eye.My saws are tilted forward using that little leg extension that came with the stand. Try loosening the stand bolts, and wiggle the saw some, then retighten the stand bolts.That may make a huge difference with any vibration. I do think the stands now, although the same 3 legged design, are made of a little lighter metal, but that shouldnt effect it much if bolted tight.
As for blades...practice will help you with that. I use #1 #3 and #5 for 99% of my cuttings.I rarely ever cut less than 3/8th thick at a time.If pieces are thinner, I will stack cut. I like cutting in the 1/2 to 5/8th inch thickness range.Mike M can get some blades to try out fre or fairly cheap if you need.Weve all trashed a blade or two in our time, so dont be to concerned with that!!!