edward Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Has anyone ever had to replace an on and off switch on a Dewalt 788, if so can the switch be bought at any hardware store, or have to order it thru Replacement parts, mine been acting up. even blowing the dust out. thanks OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Joe Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 I never replaced mine, but as soon as I installed a foot switch, I turned the switch to the “on” position and covered it with packing tape and left it in the on position for ever after, as there was no reason to ever turn it off. GrampaJim, Woodrush, OCtoolguy and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 My switch was acting up and installed a foot switch. Problem solved. Like Old Joe says, install the foot switch and leave the switch on. No need to change the switch. OCtoolguy and Oscar Myer 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted December 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 I Sit to far up for a foot switch, had one before and don't care for it. just saying OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Edward, I’m like you, I have never used a foot switch because of the way I sit. The DeWALT switch is not sealed. Dust gets into it and fouls up the contacts. Like was mentioned, most folks use a foot switch, but for you and me, we have to deal with the switch. You will not find the switch at the Hardware store or any store. you will have to order it from DeWALT or wherever you order parts from. That being said, I have always repaired my switch’s. If you are a handy kind of guy, you can do it too. Let me know what you want to do, and I’ll walk you through it. John B and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 I didn't like the foot switch a first either... until I found that the lower brace of the DW stand was the perfect spot to put the switch.. But to answer your question.. I think you'll need to order the switch.. unless you modify the area for a different switch.. When you get your new switch if that's how you like it... After installing it.. get a piece of rubber / latex style glove cut the fingers off ( don't use the table saw for this... scissors will work well ) and cut out a section of the palm area big enough to cover the switch.. tape it on with some masking tape.. This will keep out the dust and prolong the switch... When the glove wears out... make a new one.. Oscar Myer and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackman Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 10 hours ago, edward said: I Sit to far up for a foot switch, had one before and don't care for it. just saying I use a small stool to put the switch on. Held there with a screw. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Remember there are two types of foot switches. Most scrollers use a "deadman switch" . That is the type where the saw runs as long as you hold it down. The other is a on/off switch where you push it once for on and a second time for off. You should be able to adapt that type to your stand to be triggered by your knee or even by your hand. OCtoolguy and Jim Finn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 If you are handy enough and comfortable enough to work with electricity, make a switch controlled outlet and use a heavy duty motor rated switch and attach to the side of the saw. Flip switch on and off like a light switch. Or have electrician wire in one. Very simple to do. John B and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted December 12, 2019 Report Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) https://www.ereplacementparts.com/dewalt-dw788-type-scroll-saw-parts-c-1009_2631_2632.html https://www.fix.com/parts/power-tool/saw/scroll-saw/dewalt/ https://www.toolpartsdirect.com/dewalt-dw788-type-2-scroll-saw.html Take your pick, there seems to be a type or model 1 and 2 double check that and you should be good. RJF Edited December 12, 2019 by teachnlearn OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted December 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2019 I ordered the switch yesterday, and watched a video on it on how to install a new one. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John M Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 Mine failed and I got a replacement online for $28. The replacement failed in about a year of use, I went to a local shop and got a switch for $10. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 With a little metal added on and riveted a regular heavy duty toggle can be put in, or an industrial rocker switch. They use low quality electronics and figure they will just sell the parts anyway. Not much of consumer electronics lasts long. A lot of brands are the same taiwan or china mgr painting and stamping a name on it. RJF OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 1 hour ago, teachnlearn said: With a little metal added on and riveted a regular heavy duty toggle can be put in, or an industrial rocker switch. They use low quality electronics and figure they will just sell the parts anyway. Not much of consumer electronics lasts long. A lot of brands are the same taiwan or china mgr painting and stamping a name on it. RJF it is the constant making and breaking of a live circuit that wears the contacts on a switch. Any switch will fail over time and add elements to that switch location and it is a failure that will repeat. Protect the environment of the switch and use a heavier rated motor rated contact switch and will last longer. Those saw switches are low rated and being most people switch to foot controlled switching many people never have to replace them. You have this on lathes alot too because the constant on/off all the time. I just replaced a switch on my tablesaw and it was a 20 amp rated motor switch. Just normal wear and tear. John B and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 46 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said: it is the constant making and breaking of a live circuit that wears the contacts on a switch. Any switch will fail over time and add elements to that switch location and it is a failure that will repeat. Protect the environment of the switch and use a heavier rated motor rated contact switch and will last longer. Those saw switches are low rated and being most people switch to foot controlled switching many people never have to replace them. You have this on lathes alot too because the constant on/off all the time. I just replaced a switch on my tablesaw and it was a 20 amp rated motor switch. Just normal wear and tear. That is not what the issue is with the DeWALT switch. The issue is the switch is not sealed. Saw dust gets into it and fouls up the contacts. I know this because I have taken apart many a DeWALT switch. Once you remove the gunk from the contacts inside the switch, it’s good to go again. As a scroll saw instructor at the local Woodcraft store, I have done this dozens of times. OCtoolguy, kmmcrafts and John B 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) I had a power problem with my Delta (similar to Dewalt). I did not consider "ANYTHING" except genuine parts from EREPLACEMENT. I ordered a switch and a breaker. I think the switch was about $8.00 Anyway, it was cheap enough and genuine part PS: I scotch tape Saran Wrap around my switch. Edited December 13, 2019 by LarryEA OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 1 hour ago, dgman said: That is not what the issue is with the DeWALT switch. The issue is the switch is not sealed. Saw dust gets into it and fouls up the contacts. I know this because I have taken apart many a DeWALT switch. Once you remove the gunk from the contacts inside the switch, it’s good to go again. As a scroll saw instructor at the local Woodcraft store, I have done this dozens of times. Please read my entire post Thank you. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted December 13, 2019 Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 RJF https://smile.amazon.com/CRC-05103-Electronic-Cleaner-11/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-ZWxlY3Ryb25pY3MgY2xlYW5lcg%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-dsk00-smile-us000-gatwy-feature-SEARC&keywords=electronics+cleaner&pd_rd_i=B000BXOGNI&pd_rd_r=a371f7dd-d686-46d6-81f5-02abf03e683c&pd_rd_w=ydaJQ&pd_rd_wg=LofcN&pf_rd_p=e2f20af2-9651-42af-9a45-89425d5bae34&pf_rd_r=SSEQ3ZZDMMT21ZH71QM4&psc=1&qid=1576216798 OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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