Help With Wandering Blade Please - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

jo440 · 10-22-2009, 09:01 PM

Help! I have a Dewalt 388 that I just love. Been using it for several years. Now the blade keeps
wandering all over. I can't stay on the line to save me. Lost a couple of pieces of expensive oak to blade
wander. I'm not new to scrollsawing and I can follow lines with the best of them, but this is frustrating.
Blade tension and alignment are good, but the lower blade grip seems to be loose. I've checked all the bolts,
they're tight as can be, but the the tensioner mechanism-not the clamping bolt-has a bit of play.
I'm assuming (yes, I know about assuming) that the mechanism is worn and will need a spacer
or replacement. Has anyone run across this problema and how did you fix it? Christmas is coming and
I need my saw to make gifts.

Mick Walker · 10-22-2009, 09:24 PM

jo440, go to Rick's Scrollsaw Check out the left column, you will see "Dewalt tune up". That may help you with your blade wandering problem.

jo440 · 10-22-2009, 09:41 PM

Thanks Mick. According to Rick's articles, the Dewalt has built-in play
in the blade holders, so maybe it's my imagination. Getting old does that to some people, their diminishing abilities just have to be the machines' fault-not that I'm getting old or anything. :>)

10-22-2009, 09:01 PM	#1
jo440 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9	Help With Wandering Blade Please Help! I have a Dewalt 388 that I just love. Been using it for several years. Now the blade keeps wandering all over. I can't stay on the line to save me. Lost a couple of pieces of expensive oak to blade wander. I'm not new to scrollsawing and I can follow lines with the best of them, but this is frustrating. Blade tension and alignment are good, but the lower blade grip seems to be loose. I've checked all the bolts, they're tight as can be, but the the tensioner mechanism-not the clamping bolt-has a bit of play. I'm assuming (yes, I know about assuming) that the mechanism is worn and will need a spacer or replacement. Has anyone run across this problema and how did you fix it? Christmas is coming and I need my saw to make gifts.

10-22-2009, 09:24 PM	#2
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,335	jo440, go to Rick's Scrollsaw Check out the left column, you will see "Dewalt tune up". That may help you with your blade wandering problem. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-22-2009, 09:41 PM	#3
jo440 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9	Thanks Mick. According to Rick's articles, the Dewalt has built-in play in the blade holders, so maybe it's my imagination. Getting old does that to some people, their diminishing abilities just have to be the machines' fault-not that I'm getting old or anything. :>)