Update: Problems with my new DW-788 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Old Forester · 04-05-2007, 03:43 AM

It was sweet while it lasted, but now I'm waiting for my third "new" saw. It will be in by friday this week. The first saw worked great for a few days. Then on a random basis it would vibrate severely when it was turned on. After I started it again, it would work fine, but after several good starts it would startle me with another "severe vibration start". I took the first one back today and they gave me a new one. This one vibrated noisily right from the beginning getting worse as speed was increased. It was making a lot of noise near the back of the saw, but it didn't seem to be coming from the motor itself. Soooo, they were out of new saws but will have more in on Friday. I sure hope the third one is good. I'm getting tired of setting them up, taking them down, and stuffing them back in the boxes.

lucky788scroller · 04-05-2007, 03:56 AM

Wow sorry to hear that Bob.I hope your next one will be as smooth running as mine are. Dale

ozarkhillbilly · 04-05-2007, 05:58 AM

Sorry to hear that, hang in there....3rd ones a charm!

Kevin12 · 04-09-2007, 03:56 AM

Hmmmm ... Interesting story, Bob. Very similar to mine. Bought my first one about a month ago at Rockler. From the start it vibrated like crazy - no doubt about it. So I call, they'll replace it. Took 3 weeks to get in (while I was on vacation, wouldn't you know?) Exchanged it yesterday, set up the new one today. It's MUCH better, but it still vibrates like mad at the top speed. At the speed I'm used to, it's not bad, but I still want to compare it to my old Delta 40-560.

I'm probably over-thinking this, as I have a tendency to do. I might take it in, set it up, and see what the manager (who I'm told also has a 788) has to say. I heard that DeWalt changed their manufacturing site from China to Taiwan; thought that was the reason for the 3 week wait and thought that'd solve the problem, but maybe not. If it's not me overlooking something, I may get my money back from Rockler and go take advantage of WoodCraft's 788 sale.

I do have every intention of loving my 788 when I get a good one, or however I get this vibrrrrrrration thing resolved.

Old Forester · 04-09-2007, 05:43 PM

I got my third 788 last friday, late. A few interesting points......we installed the table and a blade and set it on the concrete floor in the store. It vibrated too much and made quite a bit of noise at the high speed (6-8). I cranked the tension control all the way up (it had been on 3 1/2) and the excess noise stopped, but there was still too much vibration. Since it was loose on the concrete floor, we decided to take it home and tighten it down on the stand which I have setting on a 3/8" rubber pad to see if that would help the vibration. The result is that the saw is vibration free on this set-up. Because of the holiday I haven't had a chance to use it a lot, but I did make a little sawdust and so far it seems to run fine. If it stays like this, I will love it. Right now it is a "sweet running" saw!!! Kevin, I hope this info is of some help to you.

Greenfield_Bob · 04-09-2007, 08:18 PM

I have a Delta P-20 and I had 3 of them before I got a good one.

Bob

Pop · 04-10-2007, 02:17 AM

Geez guys! This isn't a very good testimonial for Dewalts saw! Most of the folks on here that have had one for a while have nothing but good comments for them. I wonder if they're farming out the manufacture to someone else. Sears has started to handle them too. At least in the catalog. I haven't seen one at the store yet.

Kevin12 · 04-11-2007, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the comments, Bob & Bob. I don't have the DeWalt stand, but I can't imagine that would make much difference, especially with what you said, Forester. Now, if I only had a 3/8" rubber pad! If I can't find any rubber, I'll use some other things, like newspapers and towels and other etc. But first I'll make sure all the bolts are tight and maybe do some other things suggested on Rick Hutcheson's website.

Interesting that you had a similar experience with the Delta, G.Bob.

It kinda seems to me that it may take a bit of effort to avoid a lemon AND get it set up and adjusted correctly, at which time it gets rave reviews and loyal owners.

Kevin12 · 04-11-2007, 05:16 PM

Oops. Misread your post the first time, Forester. Maybe the stand did have something to do with it. I haven't bolted mine down yet, but the vibration does seem to vary depending on what I put under it, so I'm thinking that's probably it.

It seems to vibrate the most at a speed of 4-6. At speed 7-8 the table has "slowed down" but the air hose thingy is going so fast I can't see the tip.

Where'd you get a 3/8" rubber pad, Bob? And when you speak of the stand, are you talking about the DeWalt stand specifically for the saw?

Thanks!

Minnesota scroller · 04-11-2007, 05:42 PM

I have the Dewalt stand and experience vibration only at anything above 9. As far as a pad goes, carpet pad should help.

04-05-2007, 03:43 AM	#1
Old Forester Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Northern Panhandle of Idaho Posts: 90	Update: Problems with my new DW-788 It was sweet while it lasted, but now I'm waiting for my third "new" saw. It will be in by friday this week. The first saw worked great for a few days. Then on a random basis it would vibrate severely when it was turned on. After I started it again, it would work fine, but after several good starts it would startle me with another "severe vibration start". I took the first one back today and they gave me a new one. This one vibrated noisily right from the beginning getting worse as speed was increased. It was making a lot of noise near the back of the saw, but it didn't seem to be coming from the motor itself. Soooo, they were out of new saws but will have more in on Friday. I sure hope the third one is good. I'm getting tired of setting them up, taking them down, and stuffing them back in the boxes. __________________ Bob

04-05-2007, 05:58 AM	#3
ozarkhillbilly Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,229	Sorry to hear that, hang in there....3rd ones a charm! __________________ Bill DeWalt 788 A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. aut viam inveniam aut faciam

04-09-2007, 03:56 AM	#4
Kevin12 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis (Fishers) Posts: 565	Hmmmm ... Interesting story, Bob. Very similar to mine. Bought my first one about a month ago at Rockler. From the start it vibrated like crazy - no doubt about it. So I call, they'll replace it. Took 3 weeks to get in (while I was on vacation, wouldn't you know?) Exchanged it yesterday, set up the new one today. It's MUCH better, but it still vibrates like mad at the top speed. At the speed I'm used to, it's not bad, but I still want to compare it to my old Delta 40-560. I'm probably over-thinking this, as I have a tendency to do. I might take it in, set it up, and see what the manager (who I'm told also has a 788) has to say. I heard that DeWalt changed their manufacturing site from China to Taiwan; thought that was the reason for the 3 week wait and thought that'd solve the problem, but maybe not. If it's not me overlooking something, I may get my money back from Rockler and go take advantage of WoodCraft's 788 sale. I do have every intention of loving my 788 when I get a good one, or however I get this vibrrrrrrration thing resolved. __________________ Kevin Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. -- Dr. Seuss NEW DeWalt 788 and that old, Jimmy- Jerry- and Kevin-rigged Delta 40-560

04-09-2007, 05:43 PM	#5
Old Forester Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Northern Panhandle of Idaho Posts: 90	I got my third 788 last friday, late. A few interesting points......we installed the table and a blade and set it on the concrete floor in the store. It vibrated too much and made quite a bit of noise at the high speed (6-8). I cranked the tension control all the way up (it had been on 3 1/2) and the excess noise stopped, but there was still too much vibration. Since it was loose on the concrete floor, we decided to take it home and tighten it down on the stand which I have setting on a 3/8" rubber pad to see if that would help the vibration. The result is that the saw is vibration free on this set-up. Because of the holiday I haven't had a chance to use it a lot, but I did make a little sawdust and so far it seems to run fine. If it stays like this, I will love it. Right now it is a "sweet running" saw!!! Kevin, I hope this info is of some help to you. __________________ Bob

04-09-2007, 08:18 PM	#6
Greenfield_Bob Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,417	I have a Delta P-20 and I had 3 of them before I got a good one. Bob __________________ Delta P-20 & Q-3 Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

04-05-2007, 03:56 AM	#2
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	Wow sorry to hear that Bob.I hope your next one will be as smooth running as mine are. Dale

04-10-2007, 02:17 AM	#7
Pop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Felton, Pa. Posts: 505	Geez guys! This isn't a very good testimonial for Dewalts saw! Most of the folks on here that have had one for a while have nothing but good comments for them. I wonder if they're farming out the manufacture to someone else. Sears has started to handle them too. At least in the catalog. I haven't seen one at the store yet. __________________ PoP Delta 16" 40-530 What happens if you're scared half to death - twice?

04-11-2007, 03:18 PM	#8
Kevin12 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis (Fishers) Posts: 565	Thanks for the comments, Bob & Bob. I don't have the DeWalt stand, but I can't imagine that would make much difference, especially with what you said, Forester. Now, if I only had a 3/8" rubber pad! If I can't find any rubber, I'll use some other things, like newspapers and towels and other etc. But first I'll make sure all the bolts are tight and maybe do some other things suggested on Rick Hutcheson's website. Interesting that you had a similar experience with the Delta, G.Bob. It kinda seems to me that it may take a bit of effort to avoid a lemon AND get it set up and adjusted correctly, at which time it gets rave reviews and loyal owners. __________________ Kevin Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. -- Dr. Seuss NEW DeWalt 788 and that old, Jimmy- Jerry- and Kevin-rigged Delta 40-560

04-11-2007, 05:16 PM	#9
Kevin12 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis (Fishers) Posts: 565	Oops. Misread your post the first time, Forester. Maybe the stand did have something to do with it. I haven't bolted mine down yet, but the vibration does seem to vary depending on what I put under it, so I'm thinking that's probably it. It seems to vibrate the most at a speed of 4-6. At speed 7-8 the table has "slowed down" but the air hose thingy is going so fast I can't see the tip. Where'd you get a 3/8" rubber pad, Bob? And when you speak of the stand, are you talking about the DeWalt stand specifically for the saw? Thanks! __________________ Kevin Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. -- Dr. Seuss NEW DeWalt 788 and that old, Jimmy- Jerry- and Kevin-rigged Delta 40-560

04-11-2007, 05:42 PM	#10
Minnesota scroller Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SW MN Posts: 1,706	I have the Dewalt stand and experience vibration only at anything above 9. As far as a pad goes, carpet pad should help. __________________ Mike Making sawdust with a Dremel 1680. www.picturetrail.com/naturephotos

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