DeWalt 788, my next situation no power - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

robinnest · 06-23-2007, 08:01 PM

Hello everyone,

Since my last visit, the rattle in my 788 was bad enough so I replaced it.

The replacement, I'll call #2 788. Doing some fret work...the saw quite, no power. I checked the fuse and the outlet, all good. Could I have burned out the switch in only one week? Need help.

JWH · 06-23-2007, 08:29 PM

I have not worked on a Dewalt Scroll Saw but I have worked on mitre saws.Most times it was brushes andif it was used lots it needed a armiture and bearingsand some times field coils. Hope this helps.
JWH

Bill Wilson · 06-24-2007, 01:01 AM

DeWalt switches are notorious for such problems. Usually it's caused by dust getting in the switch. A blast of compressed air usually takes care of it, at least for a while. Most of the time it happens when you shut the saw off to change blades or thread a fret hole, then the saw won't start up again. If yours quit while running, that may be something else, but still worth trying the compressed air. Hopefully that's the solution.

After my DeWalt started giving me fits, I bought a footswitch. Now I just leave the saw switch on all the time and haven't had as much trouble. It still will hesitate to start once in a while.

lucky788scroller · 06-24-2007, 03:37 AM

Yes, follow Bills advice.Compressed air should do the trick. Sometimes, just rocking the switch on and off a few times fixes it too. If after the air dont work, remove the couple screws and lift the switch up, and blow at it somemore.That should cure it. Also, on your tools, its always better to vacuum out the dust in switches , motors, ect rather than blowing the dust out. Blowing the dust can blow it in deeper, and can cause more damae then good. Dale

robinnest · 06-24-2007, 01:17 PM

Thanks, for the quick response. I removed the switch and pushed on the connectors, put it back together..IT works! why? The foot switch sounds good.(the saw is only 10days old)

Need advice on buying a new band saw for resawing. Name, model
($500-750range)my old one beyond repair, now the time to move up. Perhaps.

Marsha · 06-24-2007, 03:58 PM

Hi Robin, you do seem to be having your problems with the 788. The power on mine quit, just like yours, and it was the fuse. Although the fuse was not burned out, it had become loose and was not making proper contact. I took my saw to the repair shop and was told that the loose fuse is a cronick problem with the Dewalt. You must make sure the fuse is properly seeded and if it keeps coming loose, place a piece of electrical tape across the fuse box to hold it tight.
Just my 2¢ worth, hope it helps.
Marsha

06-23-2007, 08:01 PM	#1
robinnest robinnest Join Date: May 2007 Location: iowa Posts: 14	DeWalt 788, my next situation no power Hello everyone, Since my last visit, the rattle in my 788 was bad enough so I replaced it. The replacement, I'll call #2 788. Doing some fret work...the saw quite, no power. I checked the fuse and the outlet, all good. Could I have burned out the switch in only one week? Need help.

06-24-2007, 01:01 AM	#3
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 590	DeWalt switches are notorious for such problems. Usually it's caused by dust getting in the switch. A blast of compressed air usually takes care of it, at least for a while. Most of the time it happens when you shut the saw off to change blades or thread a fret hole, then the saw won't start up again. If yours quit while running, that may be something else, but still worth trying the compressed air. Hopefully that's the solution. After my DeWalt started giving me fits, I bought a footswitch. Now I just leave the saw switch on all the time and haven't had as much trouble. It still will hesitate to start once in a while. __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

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06-23-2007, 08:29 PM	#2
JWH Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Renfrew On.Canada Posts: 25	I have not worked on a Dewalt Scroll Saw but I have worked on mitre saws.Most times it was brushes andif it was used lots it needed a armiture and bearingsand some times field coils. Hope this helps. JWH

06-24-2007, 03:37 AM	#4
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	Yes, follow Bills advice.Compressed air should do the trick. Sometimes, just rocking the switch on and off a few times fixes it too. If after the air dont work, remove the couple screws and lift the switch up, and blow at it somemore.That should cure it. Also, on your tools, its always better to vacuum out the dust in switches , motors, ect rather than blowing the dust out. Blowing the dust can blow it in deeper, and can cause more damae then good. Dale

06-24-2007, 01:17 PM	#5
robinnest robinnest Join Date: May 2007 Location: iowa Posts: 14	Thanks, for the quick response. I removed the switch and pushed on the connectors, put it back together..IT works! why? The foot switch sounds good.(the saw is only 10days old) Need advice on buying a new band saw for resawing. Name, model ($500-750range)my old one beyond repair, now the time to move up. Perhaps.

06-24-2007, 03:58 PM	#6
Marsha Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 1,225	Hi Robin, you do seem to be having your problems with the 788. The power on mine quit, just like yours, and it was the fuse. Although the fuse was not burned out, it had become loose and was not making proper contact. I took my saw to the repair shop and was told that the loose fuse is a cronick problem with the Dewalt. You must make sure the fuse is properly seeded and if it keeps coming loose, place a piece of electrical tape across the fuse box to hold it tight. Just my 2¢ worth, hope it helps. Marsha