Tension Lever

[edward]

Has anyone had problems with the tension lever on the Dewalt, I took the housing off and the nut is tight, but still have problems, just wondering if there is any other fix.

[kmmcrafts]

Hmmm.. what's it doing or not doing? LOL.. How old of a saw are you taking about.. Maybe the wedge is worn out?  Did you recently have the saw apart? Put the sleeve back on? LOL Maybe knowing a little history would be helpful.

I've had a problem with mine once.. but it was because I had it apart and put it back together.. worked good for the first few cuts but then something slipped or moved and stopped working.. That was a long time ago.. and I don't even remember what it was that I didn't have right.. but at any rate.. Just having it start acting up on it's own seems kind of odd.. I could see if it was worn and may need to adjust the rod or something.. 

[ike]

There is several video's on the inernet telling how to adjuxt the tension. or it could be that when you stop the saw it is not at the bottom of the stroks and this could state that yu have a tension problem.

IKE

[JustLarry]

This video will help with lots of fixes for the 788,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjgSKrlt7LE

Larry

[amazingkevin]

On 2/25/2018 at 11:00 AM, edward said:

Has anyone had problems with the tension lever on the Dewalt, I took the housing off and the nut is tight, but still have problems, just wondering if there is any other fix.

I had a nut somewhere connected to the tension knob come loose . Quick fix!!!!!!!!

[bowers25]

I'm having the same issue, however I just had my apart to check the sleeves & bearings.......lube job. I just picked up a used one over the weekend, pretty straightforward disassemble & reassemble if you watch the four (4) videos on youtube by Bob Brokaw from GWA (see below). Now my tensioner goes from 0 to max with very little tension on the blade? Will have to play with it over the weekend.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNt2Y0ajDwk 

Be Safe!

 

Edited February 27, 2018 by bowers25

[OCtoolguy]

I am curious too. What exactly is the problem you are having? Did it start suddenly or come on slowly? It's a very simple mechanism so it can't be anything to bad. Did you make sure when you put the case halves back together that you got the plate back in the slots where the wedge moves against it? If that is all correct, then it's just a matter of going in to the front part where the tension lever is and doing an adjustment on the pull rod. Very easy stuff. Make sure when you put it back together that you get the bushing on the end of the pull rod seated into the tension lever housing. Nothing else to go wrong.

R

 

[edward]

It all started before I took it apart,and still have the problem, but not as bad.  edward

[ike]

Thry this when you are ready to apply thetension leverpush loosen the top set screw push down on the top and push up on the bottom lever and you may see a big difference in where you tighten the top screw. That may salve your problem Those instructions are probably clear as mud but it's best I can do.

IKE

[OCtoolguy]

37 minutes ago, edward said:

It all started before I took it apart,and still have the problem, but not as bad.  edward

When I install a blade in my Dewalt, I put it in the bottom clamp first. Then I pull down on the top arm so that all the slack is out of it. Tighten the blade clamp. Then, tension it. I usually have mine set at about 4 or so depending on the size of the blade. It sounds like you're not getting the slack out of the arms/mechanism prior to tightening the top clamp. The same goes for when I loosen the top clamp to put the blade through the next entry hole. Then do the process all over again. If this doesn't cure your problem, then it's time to take the saw apart.

R