More DeWalt issues..... - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

bearfretworks · 09-15-2007, 02:21 AM

Well I finally got the saws unloaded and set up today

on a bench I just made today......

For those of you not familiar with my DeWalt 788 woes, look at
A scroller's worst nightmare..... , then from nightmare to

The replacement saw I used a bit before moving is showing signs of the tension problem outlined by Marsha. A helicoil is in its near future! Blades just BARELY fit as the arms are a tad far apart, but they do work. The hole is not centered, but is usable as is.

The other new saw, yet to be used seriously and turned on for the first time ever today has the table hole WAY too far left. Nothing a drill press can't fix but still frustrating.

BOTH SAWS are difficult to keep level. The tables tend to rock under pressure no matter how tight you crank the handle. The left side of the table "rises" as you crank down on the knob, resulting in an out of square blade. You can get them square and level, but it takes time and futzing

Both saws work and will be used until they drop, but I am amazed at the decline in quality of these saws. I do not think it unreasonable to expect a mid-range priced saw to perform out of the box with no problems. All profits will be saved and put towards a REAL quality saw in the future - and it won't be a YELLA ONE. I just hope these hold together long enough to make that money

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HPIM1510 (600 x 405).jpg

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HPIM1512 (600 x 408).jpg

lucky788scroller · 09-15-2007, 03:16 AM

WOW, you do have bad luck dont you? Can you shift the front of that table to the left by loosening the two bolts under the table, on the angle thingy (sounds like betty typing) and moving it over. By looking at the underside of the table, can you see some markings cast into the underside of the table that indicate where the hole SHOULD be cut? I guess I better consider myself even more lucky, I have three of em, and no problems with any of them yet, but, they are all Type 1's
Thanks for posting the photos of the motors. I was curious how the time of manufacturing is displayed on the type 2's,and, didnt you use the saw some in Alaska before moving? Can you recall how the blade fit in there then? Also, when you boxed them up, did you have a blade in the saw, and tension on it during your move? I have never heard about that threads issue until Marshas, must be another case of the sweat shop manufacturing. It is a shame. Dale

bearfretworks · 09-15-2007, 03:24 AM

I'll look at the bolts tomorrow Lucky788 but it was a "snug" fit. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I noticed the tension going in Anchorage when I was cutting the sign for my church. That saw was packed upright with no blade, no tension, nothing on top of it. Other saw was "new" in box and transported that way.

lucky788scroller · 09-15-2007, 03:30 AM

UGH! good thing youve got that lil lathe to occupy you until this is sorted out. Dont run em to the pawn shop just yet, we gotta get the bugs worked out of em so you can once again enjoy scrolling!

Sawduster · 09-15-2007, 12:48 PM

Barry,
I recently acquired a used type one with the same issues with the deck hole and the " rocking "
I was able to resolve the hole problem somewhat by adjusting the screws Dale is talking about
The rocking was more frustrating and after spending a lot of time trying to resolve it , I found that by comparing to my perfectly functioning type 2 , a rubber " gasket " of sorts , glued to the front base of the saw , that seems to "trap " the angle thingy when the bolt is tightened . This gasket is missing on the used saw and bare metal will not hold it solidly . It is the only thing I could find different and seems to make sense . Is this " gasket " present on your saw(s) ?
A call to Dewalt proved ludicrous, as there is no part number for this " gasket " and no one would get off of their butt to actually look at a saw to understand what I meant . I plan to make a substitute out of something ...inner tube, etc to see if this fixes it

Mick Walker · 09-15-2007, 05:46 PM

I have some "Olson" blades that are 5 3/16" long. Longer than my other blades. Don't know if all "Olson" blades are that long or not. Maybe they would work in your saws.

bearfretworks · 09-15-2007, 09:48 PM

When in doubt....break out the hammer.

A sharp smack on the left side of the pin the table slides into did the trick! Seems the pin was a tad "bent". So, blade hole now centered.

As for the rubber gasket.......these two saws didn't have one. My original, long since dead one did and I threw it away as it seemed to do more hrm than good.

Thanks for the idea's folks, I appreciate your input.

And my Flying Dutchman blades fit, just barely in one saw, but they do fit.

minowevie · 09-15-2007, 10:50 PM

WELLLLLLLll.. not to get on anyones shi_____ list. but ,

Get a Hegner. love ya little brother. Evie

Dragon · 09-17-2007, 04:48 PM

When I got mine and we put the whole thing together it somewhat looked like that with the hole not centered. All it was is that the table was not sitting properly on the bottom seating. My husband lifted it and repositioned it and it fell right in place.
Diane

Daryl185 · 09-17-2007, 05:29 PM

all this new round of problems with the DeWalt 788s has be wondering if maybe they have changed manufactuers again, I bought mine a type2remanufactured through Amazon late Nov last year and it went together with out a hitch and has worked flawlessly since that time

09-15-2007, 02:21 AM	#1
bearfretworks Retired Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buse Township, MN Posts: 1,367	More DeWalt issues..... Well I finally got the saws unloaded and set up today on a bench I just made today...... For those of you not familiar with my DeWalt 788 woes, look at A scroller's worst nightmare..... , then from nightmare to The replacement saw I used a bit before moving is showing signs of the tension problem outlined by Marsha. A helicoil is in its near future! Blades just BARELY fit as the arms are a tad far apart, but they do work. The hole is not centered, but is usable as is. The other new saw, yet to be used seriously and turned on for the first time ever today has the table hole WAY too far left. Nothing a drill press can't fix but still frustrating. BOTH SAWS are difficult to keep level. The tables tend to rock under pressure no matter how tight you crank the handle. The left side of the table "rises" as you crank down on the knob, resulting in an out of square blade. You can get them square and level, but it takes time and futzing Both saws work and will be used until they drop, but I am amazed at the decline in quality of these saws. I do not think it unreasonable to expect a mid-range priced saw to perform out of the box with no problems. All profits will be saved and put towards a REAL quality saw in the future - and it won't be a YELLA ONE. I just hope these hold together long enough to make that money HPIM1506 (456 x 600).jpg HPIM1510 (600 x 405).jpg HPIM1511 (600 x 474).jpg HPIM1512 (600 x 408).jpg __________________ I love the smell of burnt gunpowder.....it reminds me of a full freezer

09-15-2007, 03:24 AM	#3
bearfretworks Retired Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buse Township, MN Posts: 1,367	I'll look at the bolts tomorrow Lucky788 but it was a "snug" fit. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I noticed the tension going in Anchorage when I was cutting the sign for my church. That saw was packed upright with no blade, no tension, nothing on top of it. Other saw was "new" in box and transported that way. __________________ I love the smell of burnt gunpowder.....it reminds me of a full freezer

09-15-2007, 12:48 PM	#5
Sawduster Hi-tech Redneck Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Youngsville NC Posts: 840	Barry, I recently acquired a used type one with the same issues with the deck hole and the " rocking " I was able to resolve the hole problem somewhat by adjusting the screws Dale is talking about The rocking was more frustrating and after spending a lot of time trying to resolve it , I found that by comparing to my perfectly functioning type 2 , a rubber " gasket " of sorts , glued to the front base of the saw , that seems to "trap " the angle thingy when the bolt is tightened . This gasket is missing on the used saw and bare metal will not hold it solidly . It is the only thing I could find different and seems to make sense . Is this " gasket " present on your saw(s) ? A call to Dewalt proved ludicrous, as there is no part number for this " gasket " and no one would get off of their butt to actually look at a saw to understand what I meant . I plan to make a substitute out of something ...inner tube, etc to see if this fixes it __________________ ...~Robert~ DW788 and Hawk 226 " Please let me grow to be the man my dog thinks I am "

09-15-2007, 05:46 PM	#6
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,335	I have some "Olson" blades that are 5 3/16" long. Longer than my other blades. Don't know if all "Olson" blades are that long or not. Maybe they would work in your saws. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

09-15-2007, 09:48 PM	#7
bearfretworks Retired Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buse Township, MN Posts: 1,367	When in doubt....break out the hammer. A sharp smack on the left side of the pin the table slides into did the trick! Seems the pin was a tad "bent". So, blade hole now centered. As for the rubber gasket.......these two saws didn't have one. My original, long since dead one did and I threw it away as it seemed to do more hrm than good. Thanks for the idea's folks, I appreciate your input. And my Flying Dutchman blades fit, just barely in one saw, but they do fit. __________________ I love the smell of burnt gunpowder.....it reminds me of a full freezer

09-15-2007, 03:16 AM	#2
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	WOW, you do have bad luck dont you? Can you shift the front of that table to the left by loosening the two bolts under the table, on the angle thingy (sounds like betty typing) and moving it over. By looking at the underside of the table, can you see some markings cast into the underside of the table that indicate where the hole SHOULD be cut? I guess I better consider myself even more lucky, I have three of em, and no problems with any of them yet, but, they are all Type 1's Thanks for posting the photos of the motors. I was curious how the time of manufacturing is displayed on the type 2's,and, didnt you use the saw some in Alaska before moving? Can you recall how the blade fit in there then? Also, when you boxed them up, did you have a blade in the saw, and tension on it during your move? I have never heard about that threads issue until Marshas, must be another case of the sweat shop manufacturing. It is a shame. Dale

09-15-2007, 03:30 AM	#4
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	UGH! good thing youve got that lil lathe to occupy you until this is sorted out. Dont run em to the pawn shop just yet, we gotta get the bugs worked out of em so you can once again enjoy scrolling!

09-15-2007, 10:50 PM	#8
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,398	WELLLLLLLll.. not to get on anyones shi_____ list. but , Get a Hegner. love ya little brother. Evie

09-17-2007, 04:48 PM	#9
Dragon scroller and moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chertsey, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2,421	When I got mine and we put the whole thing together it somewhat looked like that with the hole not centered. All it was is that the table was not sitting properly on the bottom seating. My husband lifted it and repositioned it and it fell right in place. Diane __________________ Dragon Owner of a Dewalt 788 PuffityDragon on AFSP

09-17-2007, 05:29 PM	#10
Daryl185 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lakewood Ranch Florida Posts: 1,162	all this new round of problems with the DeWalt 788s has be wondering if maybe they have changed manufactuers again, I bought mine a type2remanufactured through Amazon late Nov last year and it went together with out a hitch and has worked flawlessly since that time __________________ Daryl S. Walters Psycotic scroller with a DeWalt 788

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