Repair or replace?

[north wood clocks]

I have a Dewalt 788 which I have used lots. It no longer holds the blades as steady as it used to, and it breaks blades, which it never used to. It has been an excellent saw, but it is showing its age. I can have it reconditioned in a shop for about half the price of a new overseas saw. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?
The EX21 is double the price, Is it worth it? Has anyone got any hours on one of them yet?
North Wood Clocks

[Mick Walker]

Have you tried replacing the blade clamps? I don't have a Dewalt but if I had one of the older ones I would have someone refurbish it rather than getting one of the newer ones. I am sure some of the Dewalt owners will step in here and give you good advice.

[workin for wood]

I'd take it over to the Porter cable service center and have them go over it. sure you can replace the clamps, but if it's had tons of hours on it, have them give the saw a tune-up. They'll check it all over, inspect any bearings, belt, springs, whatever, and they will do it at a flat rate price. Any other repair place will charge you parts and hourly rate on top, and then it can get out of control. Check portercable.com for a location near you...btw, porter/dewalt/delta...all the same place.

Now is the time to do it too, because they get really busy into the spring when construction starts booming again.

[bearfretworks]

I'd vote for reconditioned IF the shop knows how to work on a scrollsaw.....and pick up that EX21 as a back-up/spare saw. It is kind of frustrating if a saw goes down and there is no back up around....(DAMHIKT)

[Rivari]

Originally Posted by bearfretworks

It is kind of frustrating if a saw goes down and there is no back up around....(DAMHIKT)

There is a back-up around and the offer still stands my friend...no not the hawk! lol

[lucky788scroller]

I would say also, check the place Jeff mentioned. I also agree, get this one serviced before shelling out the beans on a new type 2 dewalt, at least for the time being.Expect a couple months wait if ordering an EX21. Last I heard, the waiting list is pretty huge.It is a pretty nice saw, if your familiar with the yella saw, you could jump right on the EX21 and feel at home. If you dont get your saw fixed, dont just throw it away, theres a market for used parts, the table, the VS parts, the motor, all things that people just might need ,(the stand as well, Im on the hunt for another stand for a 788, so if you know where theres a sweet deal on one, let me know) .Keep your eyes on saws on ebay too, you never know when someone not far from you is selling one on there, you might get a bargain, Keep us posted on how things work out for you. Dale

[north wood clocks]

Hello
Thank you for all your input. We appreciate the help. We found a shop to repair, but the prices have come down so much,...We will probably repair. Complete reconditioning will be half price of new. The challenge right now is the Victorian Queen clock, with its intricate cuts. Every extra vibration or jump make a difference in the finished piece.
Thanks
North wood clocks

[intarsiabill]

It sounds like your blade clamp are out of square. I had the same problem with my saw I just made a jig out of a scrap piece of wood drill and tap a hole screwed in the blade clamps and I used my used my table top belt sander and sqared them off won't cost any money if it works it did for me I have not had that problem anymore. I found this info at www.seyco.com.

[Neal Moore]

Bill is probably correct. I also had the same problem about a year ago. I just removed the clamping screws and filed the ends flat. I had worn a bevel on the ends of the screws after several thousand pierced cuts over the years!!!

[intarsiabill]

sorry I did not include this info but when you go to seyco.com click on the links section and in there is a link that says proper care of quick clamps click on that link and all the info you need to make a jig is there.