DW 788 arm bushings - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

bubbantenn · 06-12-2009, 12:52 PM

About 4 years ago I bought my dad a DW 788 and he just absolutlely loves it. Me, I'm a dedicated Exclaibur man.
Anyway, the other day he told me the blade quit going up and down on his saw...just kinda stuttered a bit. When I took it to the repair shop they told me there was a set of bushings in the arm that needs to be replaced. The cost would be around a $100.00. I thought, considering the price of a new saw, that was worth it.
Has any other Dewalt fans had this problem? If so, is there anything you can do in the way of preventive maintenance (my Excalibur has a grease fitting to grease the bearings) as I couldn't find anything in the operator's manual?
Just wondering. Other than that, Dad's saw has done him a great service over the years. If I wasn't such a died-in-the-wool Excalibur fan, Dewalt would be my next choice of scroll saws.
Thanks for listening...ummmm...reading...well, you know what I mean.

Bubba

miniwoodworker · 06-12-2009, 01:21 PM

Bubba, so far I haven't had any problems with mine. I've read somewhere about those wear points being of some concern with this saw's design. Check out this site. Lots of great info that can be of help. Rick's Scrollsaw

BTW, personally the repair is worth it for sure. When you average out the $$$ that's only $25 per year. I'd pay that much each year for an extended warranty, if it was offered.

Just 2-cents that may be helpful.

azbison · 06-12-2009, 04:10 PM

I actually just took my DW788's arms apart and cleaned and lubed the bushings. They look like they could be susceptible to moisture and any rust in the bushings will wear them out in a heartbeat. So my quarterly Preventative maintenance now includes taking these apart cleaning and lubing them, along with the table pivot and blade clamps.

Janette · 06-12-2009, 05:06 PM

I wish I had the nerve to take mine apart. It's been going full tilt for probably 7 or 8 years and creaks and groans all the time. ...but it's still going.

mytoya · 06-12-2009, 06:22 PM

Rick's Scrollsaw

If you go to this site and email or call Rick he can help you .
He knows Everything!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is an expert on scroll saws and scrolling.
Just try calling him he answers when he is there.
Give him a try.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick Hutcheson is the Gentleman's name
Rick Hutcheson

Rick's Scrollsaw

Fran1942 · 06-12-2009, 06:25 PM

When the bearings wore out in the arm of my old Delta, I ordered the bearings took the arm to a local machine shop and let them do it. Sure was a lot cheaper.
Fran

bubbantenn · 06-13-2009, 04:40 AM

As always, lots of good advice and excellent information, all duly noted.
Thanks so much to all of you who've responded and I will certainly be checking out Rick's site.

Bubba

06-12-2009, 12:52 PM	#1
bubbantenn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 676	DW 788 arm bushings About 4 years ago I bought my dad a DW 788 and he just absolutlely loves it. Me, I'm a dedicated Exclaibur man. Anyway, the other day he told me the blade quit going up and down on his saw...just kinda stuttered a bit. When I took it to the repair shop they told me there was a set of bushings in the arm that needs to be replaced. The cost would be around a $100.00. I thought, considering the price of a new saw, that was worth it. Has any other Dewalt fans had this problem? If so, is there anything you can do in the way of preventive maintenance (my Excalibur has a grease fitting to grease the bearings) as I couldn't find anything in the operator's manual? Just wondering. Other than that, Dad's saw has done him a great service over the years. If I wasn't such a died-in-the-wool Excalibur fan, Dewalt would be my next choice of scroll saws. Thanks for listening...ummmm...reading...well, you know what I mean. Bubba __________________ "The worst evil that could be inflicted upon the youth of the land would be to leave them without restraint and completely at the mercy of their own uncontrolled inclinations." ~Calvin Coolidge~

06-12-2009, 01:21 PM	#2
miniwoodworker Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 497	Bubba, so far I haven't had any problems with mine. I've read somewhere about those wear points being of some concern with this saw's design. Check out this site. Lots of great info that can be of help. Rick's Scrollsaw BTW, personally the repair is worth it for sure. When you average out the $$$ that's only $25 per year. I'd pay that much each year for an extended warranty, if it was offered. Just 2-cents that may be helpful. __________________ Lee in NC Als Ik Kan DW788 1975 Dremel (labeled Craftsman) Scroll saw w/3" pin blades

06-12-2009, 04:10 PM	#3
azbison Jr. Sawdust Taster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 494	I actually just took my DW788's arms apart and cleaned and lubed the bushings. They look like they could be susceptible to moisture and any rust in the bushings will wear them out in a heartbeat. So my quarterly Preventative maintenance now includes taking these apart cleaning and lubing them, along with the table pivot and blade clamps. __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jim DW788 My scrollin' blog The worst day scrollin' is better than the best day o' workin'

06-12-2009, 05:06 PM	#4
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,078 Blog Entries: 3	I wish I had the nerve to take mine apart. It's been going full tilt for probably 7 or 8 years and creaks and groans all the time. ...but it's still going. __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

06-12-2009, 06:22 PM	#5
mytoya Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mojave Desert Posts: 117	Rick's Scrollsaw If you go to this site and email or call Rick he can help you . He knows Everything!!!!!!!!!!!! He is an expert on scroll saws and scrolling. Just try calling him he answers when he is there. Give him a try. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick Hutcheson is the Gentleman's name Rick Hutcheson Rick's Scrollsaw __________________ Mytoya See my art @ myspace.com/mytoya2 Dewalt 788, Forever!!!!!!!!!

06-12-2009, 06:25 PM	#6
Fran1942 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 369	When the bearings wore out in the arm of my old Delta, I ordered the bearings took the arm to a local machine shop and let them do it. Sure was a lot cheaper. Fran

06-13-2009, 04:40 AM	#7
bubbantenn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 676	As always, lots of good advice and excellent information, all duly noted. Thanks so much to all of you who've responded and I will certainly be checking out Rick's site. Bubba __________________ "The worst evil that could be inflicted upon the youth of the land would be to leave them without restraint and completely at the mercy of their own uncontrolled inclinations." ~Calvin Coolidge~

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