I Finally bit the Bullitt...

[madwood]

and just ordered a DW 788. Of course, I waited 'til I had to spend more for it, but hey, who's counting? After all the good Amazon deals, ToolKing and the others, I am getting mine from Grizzly. Got the leg stand and light with it for less than $500 including shipping. I bought a Delta SS250 a yr ago to replace one that I just plain wore out after 15 yrs. Unfortunately the new Delta ShopMaster series seems to have ever more vibration than the worn out one had. It'll make a decent backup saw once the bright yellow behemoth arrives and gets set up. Hope to have it by the end of the week.

How does Dewalt yellow look with Ridgid orange? I'm gonna have to get some cheap sunglasses.

John

[Minnesota scroller]

Way to go, John. I bought a used one off Ebay a few months ago and I love it. There was nothing wrong with my Dremel, but it just isn't in the same category as the Dewalt. Be sure to let us know when you get it set up and taken for a test drive.

[kerry_nf]

Excellent John. I too had the Delta before the DeWalt and the two don't even come close. I had to use the old one before Xmas while i waited for a new blade chuck to arrive for my DeWalt (threads strippped in bottom blade chuck after 1.5 years of near constant use...not bad) and it was torture. lol...I'm spoiled ... ha ha

[madwood]

A long, long time ago, I started with an old Dremel MotoShop. Graduated up to a single speed Craftsman, then an 18" Contrator Series Craftsman, then My first VS Delta, then the new ShopMaster 16" a yr ago, now the 788. Five saws in 25 yrs, not too bad. I did see a Hawk on eBay last night go for $280, and that was about 25 miles from me. But, I had already ordered the Dewally. I know I'll be happy with it, my best bud has one and I've used his several times. Now I feel like a kid a week before Christmas! Hopefully Grizzly will get it to me soon!!!

I'll sure y'all posted and will supply pix.

John

[madwood]

Dale Jarrett's favorite color of brown made a stop at my house today!
I ordered my DW788 Tuesday evening and it showed up this morning...talk about fast! I wonder if DJ drove the truck himself!?

It took me about an hour to assemble everything (with ease), then I just HAD to take her for a trial run. I cut several 1/8" diameter circles in a piece of 7/8" oak. Man, does that sucker cut nice! The table was even square and correctly aligned right out of the box. I am happy to report that Dewalt must have listened to all the complaints they got about this saw. The one I got is perfect!

To anyone cpnsidering this bright yellow behemoth, I would have to say go for it!

Thanks for listening to me ramble.
John

[cromy]

Hi John,
My name is john also. I have a Black & Decker 16" variable speed saw. Blade changes are made using thumb screws. And sometimes the variable speed changes speed. But all in all it is a good little saw. I would recomend for a first time saw which it was for me. I am going to be getting a new saw, and I was thinking about a Delta. Including the stand and work light. How do you like this saw? And would you recomend me getting one? Your opion will determine if I buy one.
John

[miamw]

Originally Posted by cromy

I am going to be getting a new saw, and I was thinking about a Delta.

Within the past month, I returned two defective Delta saws. The first's variable speed control did not work. It was stuck on full speed even if I turned it to slow. The second went back after 29 days because the top arm was moving side to side and service told me it was defective. Kyscroller was experiencing side to side movement too and had to weld his because it cracked and his saw was new too. After all this, I ordered myself a DeWalt 788 and haven't received it yet, but after reading all the reviews and opinions on it, I am sure I made the right decision. Good luck with your choice and I hope this info helps a little.

[madwood]

Hi John, let me first say welcome to the best SS board there is!

I had a 1 yr old Delta ShopMaster 250 that I am now replacing with the Dewalt DW788. This was my second Delta, they've both served me fairly well. The biggest complaint I have with Delta is vibration. The second is with the side to side motion of the upper arm. This leads to less accurate cuts. I had replaced the bushings in my first Delta, but this only helped for a short while.

Anyway, the Dewalt DW788 is a mid-priced saw @ <$500 with stand and light. I got mine from Grizzly for $488.65 w/shipping. Not a bargain, but they made it a decent deal when I got mine in less than 48 hrs of my order!

Assembly is easy...I had mine all set up and was cutting within an hour. It is a smooth runner with next to zero vibration. I like the up front controls and the large, solid table. Now if I can get out of the habit of reaching to the side to turn it on and off! The dust blower is very good...you can adjust it so the dust actually blows away from you. The light is handy, but I'm suspecting over time, it'll have a problem staying put. My 788 had none of the reported problems that many had in the last couple yrs. Made in Taiwan, I believe Dewalt had paid more attention to quality control after all the complaints since moving overseas from their Canadian manufacturer.

All in all, I think this is best saw in this price range. I don't believe that after using up several saws, I'll ever have to buy another one. Check in with me in another 20 yrs or so!

John

[Greenfield_Bob]

Welcome to the group John.

Bob

[tcleckler]

Originally Posted by madwood

Hi John, let me first say welcome to the best SS board there is!

I had a 1 yr old Delta ShopMaster 250 that I am now replacing with the Dewalt DW788. This was my second Delta, they've both served me fairly well. The biggest complaint I have with Delta is vibration. The second is with the side to side motion of the upper arm. This leads to less accurate cuts. I had replaced the bushings in my first Delta, but this only helped for a short while.

Anyway, the Dewalt DW788 is a mid-priced saw @ <$500 with stand and light. I got mine from Grizzly for $488.65 w/shipping. Not a bargain, but they made it a decent deal when I got mine in less than 48 hrs of my order!

Assembly is easy...I had mine all set up and was cutting within an hour. It is a smooth runner with next to zero vibration. I like the up front controls and the large, solid table. Now if I can get out of the habit of reaching to the side to turn it on and off! The dust blower is very good...you can adjust it so the dust actually blows away from you. The light is handy, but I'm suspecting over time, it'll have a problem staying put. My 788 had none of the reported problems that many had in the last couple yrs. Made in Taiwan, I believe Dewalt had paid more attention to quality control after all the complaints since moving overseas from their Canadian manufacturer.

All in all, I think this is best saw in this price range. I don't believe that after using up several saws, I'll ever have to buy another one. Check in with me in another 20 yrs or so!

John

John, not to worry about the light, had mine for a about three years now & haven't had a problem yet & I move it around on almost every project. Love my DW788.