dewalt 788 vs delta 40-680 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

axial2008 · 08-09-2008, 04:39 AM

Hello Everyone!
I'm new to the forum and wanted to say hey to all you scrollers!!!
I'm in the process of upgrading to 20" scroll saw, and can't seem to decide between dewalt 788 and delta 40-680. Can anyone out there give me some information, pro's-con's and/or advise on this matter?
Thank you so much!
Axial

greatdane2 · 08-09-2008, 04:43 AM

I don't know about the Delta, but I racked up several thousand hours on my Dewalt. Just bought a new one and its just as good. I relly like the controls up front. I mainly do intarsia and adjust the speed and tension on the fly.
Alan.

sawdustus · 08-09-2008, 11:11 AM

I have a delta 650 that is ten years old. The only thing that I have replaced is the on-off switch...three times so far. It seems to wear out after 10 or 12 thousand on-off cycles or so. It is much more aggressive than my Hawk but is great for thick or very hard wood as long as you do not want to use extremely fine blades.

sawdustus

GrayBeard Phil · 08-09-2008, 12:19 PM

The Delta 40-680 is also known as a P-20. Delta no longer manufactures any scroll saw for now. Any 40-680 is either a floor model, left over stock, or a used machine. Limited parts will be available in the far future.

The P-20 is a belt driven machine, you change speeds by moving the belt between pulley positions. The concept here is the motor runs at full speed all the time and it will last way, WAY, longer. Also the power, or torque, does not decrease with lower speed selection (in fact the force goes up.) You can guess that the weak link is the belt itself. If the belt breaks, you are out of luck until you get a replacement. Oh, wait... that's right,-- parts will become hard to come by......

The P-20 uses a blade chuck developed by Delta (before they were assimilated into the B&D collective) called the Quick Set II. Trust me, either you like the Quick Set II blade chuck, or you absolutely hate it. Call it a 50-50 chance on if you will be able to like it.

There are lots and lots of users with the DeWalt Scroll saw. Easy to use, maintain, and great all around saw. Some users report that after many months of almost constant use, the motor accumulates saw dust and has problems. Repairable by mechanically inclined users.

There is an after market add on by a third party to help with the upper arm on the 788 for when you top feed a blade into fretwork. Don't cost a lot. Many users on this forum like the 3rd party add on.

The DeWalt dust blower is better than the Delta's dust blower.

There are some other differences also.

Phil

PS: Welcome to the Forum. That should have been at the top of my post, sorry.

Marsha · 08-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum.
For the most part, I agree with everything Phil has said. I started scrolling with a Delta, although not a P-20. I became so frustrated with the blade clamping system that I almost gave up scrolling. The dust blowing system was so bad, I attached my own dust blowing system using a fish tank pump. A friend of mine offered me a Dewalt at a price I couldn't refuse and I've never looked back. The Dewalt is a great saw, requireing very little maintenance. I've had a couple issues with my saw, the tension mechanism turned bad and had to be replaced, and the fuse pops loose periodically and needs to be reset, but overall it's been a good saw. My only other choise for a saw would be a Hawk, but for now they're a bit too expensive.
Good luck with your choice and happy scrolling
Marsha

f250 · 08-09-2008, 04:35 PM

Well, I read Phil's post and I just can't figure out which saw he'd buy LOL

I started with a 16" Delta and now have a Hawk.

I've worked some on a friend's DeWalt and if I had to make the choice now, I'd go with the DeWalt.

Tom

Stoney · 08-09-2008, 10:17 PM

Welcome to the forum Axial. Yes the Delta 40-680 or P20 has been discontinued. I have one I bought new in 2001 for $480. I have about a bazillion hours on it and it has been good to me. As far as I'm concerned it was a good mid priced saw. In some ways its built like a tank. I also have a Hegner 22v about a $1500 saw. There are features of the Delta that I prefer over the Hegner. Such as the size and shape of the table. I also like the blade clamps. A few modifications would have made the Delta P20 a great saw. I'm thinking variable speed, a cam over blade tensioner and a better dust blower billows and maybe ball or roller bearings on the arms. To bad Delta didn't do it but such is life. I think that is where some tool makers go wrong. Its like they think they Know better than the people that use their products.

marshall · 08-09-2008, 11:47 PM

Axial : I have been scrolling for about 12 years now and I have wore out one Craftsman scroll saw and now have a Dewalt 788 . I just never new what a good scroll saw was until I got this Dewalt , I love it. I started out with a cheaper saw because, well I didn't know that scrolling was going to be my passion> or in my blood. I am sure their are other great saws out there, so don't rush out and buy one take your time and look and price them. Good Luck Marshall

Not even thinking that this was my first post, hello everyone!!!

axial2008 · 08-10-2008, 03:05 AM

EVERYONE!!!
Thank you so much for all your kind words and advise. They were all insightful and helpful. Seems like there is a little lean towards the Dewalt. My local tool store has one for sale with the stand and light for $399, which I might take, now that I've heard all your comments. Happy scrollin!
Axial

Carter-Johnson · 08-10-2008, 12:41 PM

Wow! $399? I haven't seen that price for a few years. My DeWalt has cut almost a half-million puzzles pieces. Giiddy Yup to that store!

and have phun..... Carter

08-09-2008, 04:39 AM	#1
axial2008 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 10	dewalt 788 vs delta 40-680 Hello Everyone! I'm new to the forum and wanted to say hey to all you scrollers!!! I'm in the process of upgrading to 20" scroll saw, and can't seem to decide between dewalt 788 and delta 40-680. Can anyone out there give me some information, pro's-con's and/or advise on this matter? Thank you so much! Axial

08-09-2008, 11:11 AM	#3
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,255	I have a delta 650 that is ten years old. The only thing that I have replaced is the on-off switch...three times so far. It seems to wear out after 10 or 12 thousand on-off cycles or so. It is much more aggressive than my Hawk but is great for thick or very hard wood as long as you do not want to use extremely fine blades. sawdustus __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426

08-09-2008, 12:19 PM	#4
GrayBeard Phil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,143	The Delta 40-680 is also known as a P-20. Delta no longer manufactures any scroll saw for now. Any 40-680 is either a floor model, left over stock, or a used machine. Limited parts will be available in the far future. The P-20 is a belt driven machine, you change speeds by moving the belt between pulley positions. The concept here is the motor runs at full speed all the time and it will last way, WAY, longer. Also the power, or torque, does not decrease with lower speed selection (in fact the force goes up.) You can guess that the weak link is the belt itself. If the belt breaks, you are out of luck until you get a replacement. Oh, wait... that's right,-- parts will become hard to come by...... The P-20 uses a blade chuck developed by Delta (before they were assimilated into the B&D collective) called the Quick Set II. Trust me, either you like the Quick Set II blade chuck, or you absolutely hate it. Call it a 50-50 chance on if you will be able to like it. There are lots and lots of users with the DeWalt Scroll saw. Easy to use, maintain, and great all around saw. Some users report that after many months of almost constant use, the motor accumulates saw dust and has problems. Repairable by mechanically inclined users. There is an after market add on by a third party to help with the upper arm on the 788 for when you top feed a blade into fretwork. Don't cost a lot. Many users on this forum like the 3rd party add on. The DeWalt dust blower is better than the Delta's dust blower. There are some other differences also. Phil PS: Welcome to the Forum. That should have been at the top of my post, sorry. Last edited by GrayBeard Phil; 08-09-2008 at 12:22 PM. Reason: Add welcome to forum.

08-09-2008, 02:36 PM	#5
Marsha Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 1,403	Hi and welcome to the forum. For the most part, I agree with everything Phil has said. I started scrolling with a Delta, although not a P-20. I became so frustrated with the blade clamping system that I almost gave up scrolling. The dust blowing system was so bad, I attached my own dust blowing system using a fish tank pump. A friend of mine offered me a Dewalt at a price I couldn't refuse and I've never looked back. The Dewalt is a great saw, requireing very little maintenance. I've had a couple issues with my saw, the tension mechanism turned bad and had to be replaced, and the fuse pops loose periodically and needs to be reset, but overall it's been a good saw. My only other choise for a saw would be a Hawk, but for now they're a bit too expensive. Good luck with your choice and happy scrolling Marsha __________________ LIFE'S SHORT, USE IT WELL

08-09-2008, 04:35 PM	#6
f250 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,791	Well, I read Phil's post and I just can't figure out which saw he'd buy LOL I started with a 16" Delta and now have a Hawk. I've worked some on a friend's DeWalt and if I had to make the choice now, I'd go with the DeWalt. Tom __________________ Hawk G4 http://www.scrollsawer.com/gallery/s...00/ppuser/4243

08-09-2008, 04:43 AM	#2
greatdane2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,298	I don't know about the Delta, but I racked up several thousand hours on my Dewalt. Just bought a new one and its just as good. I relly like the controls up front. I mainly do intarsia and adjust the speed and tension on the fly. Alan.

08-09-2008, 10:17 PM	#7
Stoney Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 220	Welcome to the forum Axial. Yes the Delta 40-680 or P20 has been discontinued. I have one I bought new in 2001 for $480. I have about a bazillion hours on it and it has been good to me. As far as I'm concerned it was a good mid priced saw. In some ways its built like a tank. I also have a Hegner 22v about a $1500 saw. There are features of the Delta that I prefer over the Hegner. Such as the size and shape of the table. I also like the blade clamps. A few modifications would have made the Delta P20 a great saw. I'm thinking variable speed, a cam over blade tensioner and a better dust blower billows and maybe ball or roller bearings on the arms. To bad Delta didn't do it but such is life. I think that is where some tool makers go wrong. Its like they think they Know better than the people that use their products. __________________ Stoney aka Al Making dust with a Hegner 22v and a Delta P20

08-09-2008, 11:47 PM	#8
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro Arkansas { USA } Posts: 2,667	Scroll saws ??????? Axial : I have been scrolling for about 12 years now and I have wore out one Craftsman scroll saw and now have a Dewalt 788 . I just never new what a good scroll saw was until I got this Dewalt , I love it. I started out with a cheaper saw because, well I didn't know that scrolling was going to be my passion> or in my blood. I am sure their are other great saws out there, so don't rush out and buy one take your time and look and price them. Good Luck Marshall Not even thinking that this was my first post, hello everyone!!! Last edited by marshall; 08-09-2008 at 11:52 PM. Reason: did not say that this was my first post !!!

08-10-2008, 03:05 AM	#9
axial2008 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 10	EVERYONE!!! Thank you so much for all your kind words and advise. They were all insightful and helpful. Seems like there is a little lean towards the Dewalt. My local tool store has one for sale with the stand and light for $399, which I might take, now that I've heard all your comments. Happy scrollin! Axial

08-10-2008, 12:41 PM	#10
Carter-Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 900	Wow! $399? I haven't seen that price for a few years. My DeWalt has cut almost a half-million puzzles pieces. Giiddy Yup to that store! and have phun..... Carter

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