DW 788 Blade Tension

[smitty0312]

My blade tension doesn't go past 1 or 2....seems like it is getting hung up inside.....if I really force it I can't get it to go farther......I just get "ok" tension at 2 but still can cut......it moves freely w/o tension......can I spray like a silicone lubricant in there, or would that make it more sticky?  I hate 2 take it apart now....I have too much xmas stuff to cut! Help Please!

Edited November 26, 2017 by smitty0312

[OCtoolguy]

Dan, unless you have something way inside of your saw that has either come loose or broken or ???? It's a simple matter of removing the tension knob with an allen wrench and checking out the bushing that is in the tension lever housing. It's a bearing sleeve that travels within an eccentric groove and pulls on the tension rod. Has your saw always been this way? If so, it's a simple matter of "unscrewing" the rod a turn or two to give you move travel. It's really a simple mechanism. Oh, and when you have it apart, be sure to lubricate the parts with some grease, preferably synthetic grease. The main screw that holds the lever on has some blue "Lok-Tite" on it and makes removal a bit hard but not to worry. I have had mine off many times and I still haven't re-glued it yet. 

Ray

 

[Rockytime]

Just avoid WD40. It is NOT a lubricant. I get clocks for repair which have been sprayed with it. It eventually gels and gets sticky. It screws up my cleaning solution so I charge an extra $25 to replace the cleaning solution.

[smitty0312]

I played around with the allen screw that controls the tension knob......seems to have helped

[OCtoolguy]

49 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

Just avoid WD40. It is NOT a lubricant. I get clocks for repair which have been sprayed with it. It eventually gels and gets sticky. It screws up my cleaning solution so I charge an extra $25 to replace the cleaning solution.

If you ever want to see what WD40 does to metal, spray a pad of 4-0 steelwool with it and let it just sit for a month or so. It will eat the pad up.

 

[OCtoolguy]

8 minutes ago, smitty0312 said:

I played around with the allen screw that controls the tension knob......seems to have helped

Did you take it all the way off? The problem is probably under it. If it comes down to something more, just take off the switch cover/switch assy. and then the 4 screws that hold the cover over the rod housing. Once you take that cover off you can adjust the tension rod. I'd say from what you describe, two full turns counter clockwise should do it. Very easy to do.

 

[amazingkevin]

11 hours ago, smitty0312 said:

My blade tension doesn't go past 1 or 2....seems like it is getting hung up inside.....if I really force it I can't get it to go farther......I just get "ok" tension at 2 but still can cut......it moves freely w/o tension......can I spray like a silicone lubricant in there, or would that make it more sticky?  I hate 2 take it apart now....I have too much xmas stuff to cut! Help Please!

I keep mine at 1 to 2 it won't go past that and that's a good indication your saws not wore out.be happy it's that way.