Dewalt 788 Scroll Saw

[Fedido]

All,

Picked up the saw, now I am sitting at work drooling at it while waiting to go home. Came with the stand, light and separate on/off switch. Thing is built like a tank. Just thought I would give an update since you guys and gals having provided so much guidance. 

 

Hendo

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

14 minutes ago, Fedido said:

All,

Picked up the saw, now I am sitting at work drooling at it while waiting to go home. Came with the stand, light and separate on/off switch. Thing is built like a tank. Just thought I would give an update since you guys and gals having provided so much guidance. 

 

Hendo

Have fun. This is a great hobby and one you just keep growing into. Good luck with your new toy.

[OCtoolguy]

That's great news. You're gonna love it. Make sure to post some pics of your accomplishments.

 

[Fedido]

Thank you gentlemen,

I am looking forward to it. 

 

[Fedido]

Well, put a bulb in it and started it up. I could barely tell it was on!  Time for the acceptance inspection. So far, so worth it!

[Denny Knappen]

Enjoy the new saw.  This is a wonderful hobby.

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

Enjoy the new saw.  This is a wonderful hobby.

And getting better everyday.

 

[Fedido]

@JTTHECLOCKMAN, Everything you stated to check for, saw slight problems. The table is level, however; I see what you mean by the blade being set aggressive. Blade is off 90 degrees by 1/16th at most. trying to decide if I should even bother with it. Given the fact that I am going from a 13 inch one speed craftsman (1990 low end model) to this, its like going from a pinto to a Ferrari. Thank you all for the insight and while it might have been a sketchy deal, I am glad that I have acquired this. Cuts like a dream!

 

Hendo 

 

[ike]

$300 is too much $200 is more like it if it is in good shape what shapee i9s the dtable in is it rusty that will give you some ddkind of care  it is in  It has a lot of age on it..

IKE

[Oscar Myer]

I'm hoping that this question is on topic here, seeing that the thread is about the DeWalt saw.

I bought my DeWalt type 2 eight years ago.  However, it was virtually never touched until this past November.  And since November I have been using the saw for about 3 to 4 hours a day.

My question is: When should I start thinking about doing the maintenance on it that has been mentioned here?  Maintenance that will prolong my saw's lifetime?   I know that there's a few good videos that show how to do it on YouTube.  I have already done the "cover the switch and use a foot switch" thing.  I used blue painter's tape to do this and it seems to have sealed it very tight.

After reading some of the problems that some people have had or are having with this saw I'm now having nightmares about having to change it in the very near future.

/Oscar

[Scrappile]

@Oscar Myer, just a suggestion, I think more people would see you above post if you started a new thread.  A lot of people will not read to the end of this thread.

I can not answer your question on DeWalt maintenance, I had one but that was several years ago.  I do not think you need to be too concerned about having to change in the near future, if you take reasonable care of your DeWalt.  There may be more DeWalts in use that other scroll saws, and they keep a good resale value... Very popular saw.

[Bill WIlson]

30 minutes ago, Oscar Myer said:

I'm hoping that this question is on topic here, seeing that the thread is about the DeWalt saw.

I bought my DeWalt type 2 eight years ago.  However, it was virtually never touched until this past November.  And since November I have been using the saw for about 3 to 4 hours a day.

My question is: When should I start thinking about doing the maintenance on it that has been mentioned here?  Maintenance that will prolong my saw's lifetime?   I know that there's a few good videos that show how to do it on YouTube.  I have already done the "cover the switch and use a foot switch" thing.  I used blue painter's tape to do this and it seems to have sealed it very tight.

After reading some of the problems that some people have had or are having with this saw I'm now having nightmares about having to change it in the very near future.

/Oscar

I had one for close to 15 years.  Now I didn't do production cutting and it would often go for weeks or even months without being turned on, but I never experienced any of the bearing problems that are more prevalent in saws that get heavy usage.  I don't know how that translates into an answer to your question, but I doubt you  are in imminent danger of needing a major overhaul yet.

Your advantage is that you are aware of the problem and how to remedy it.  Use the saw, then when you get (or need) a break, you can do some preventative maintenance.  I think if you add grease to those bearings once in a while, you can probably avoid replacement almost indefinitely. 

[Fedido]

34 minutes ago, Oscar Myer said:

I'm hoping that this question is on topic here, seeing that the thread is about the DeWalt saw.

I bought my DeWalt type 2 eight years ago.  However, it was virtually never touched until this past November.  And since November I have been using the saw for about 3 to 4 hours a day.

My question is: When should I start thinking about doing the maintenance on it that has been mentioned here?  Maintenance that will prolong my saw's lifetime?   I know that there's a few good videos that show how to do it on YouTube.  I have already done the "cover the switch and use a foot switch" thing.  I used blue painter's tape to do this and it seems to have sealed it very tight.

After reading some of the problems that some people have had or are having with this saw I'm now having nightmares about having to change it in the very near future.

/Oscar

Oscar,

What I would do is if it is running fine, nothing. Once you start hearing a vib, look at lubing the bearings. if they appear worn, replace them. That is what I will be doing. 

 

@ike, I paid 275. Not too much, but considering there are not many options in my area. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

47 minutes ago, Fedido said:

Oscar,

What I would do is if it is running fine, nothing. Once you start hearing a vib, look at lubing the bearings. if they appear worn, replace them. That is what I will be doing. 

 

@ike, I paid 275. Not too much, but considering there are not many options in my area. 

You did good. The saw will give you plenty of fun and produce many beautiful projects. As I said about the aggressiveness most people do not even notice it and some it helps them. I would saw with it and see how you like it and go from there. Also agree about the maintenance thing I would do nothing until need be. Like my Dad always said if its not broke leave it alone. If the bearing start squeeling then time to find out why and go from there. 

[Fedido]

@JTTHECLOCKMAN, your father is a wise man. In my previous life as an aircraft maintainer, Maintenance breeds more maintenance. So far, I love the aggressiveness of the blade which is why I haven't torn mine apart like a rabid honey badger. 

Hendo

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, Oscar Myer said:

I'm hoping that this question is on topic here, seeing that the thread is about the DeWalt saw.

I bought my DeWalt type 2 eight years ago.  However, it was virtually never touched until this past November.  And since November I have been using the saw for about 3 to 4 hours a day.

My question is: When should I start thinking about doing the maintenance on it that has been mentioned here?  Maintenance that will prolong my saw's lifetime?   I know that there's a few good videos that show how to do it on YouTube.  I have already done the "cover the switch and use a foot switch" thing.  I used blue painter's tape to do this and it seems to have sealed it very tight.

After reading some of the problems that some people have had or are having with this saw I'm now having nightmares about having to change it in the very near future.

/Oscar

Now would be a good time. What grease MIGHT have been there to begin with is probably now hardened or non-existant. Finish the project you are working on and then take the time for maintenance. Head off the problems before they happen in the middle of a project. JMHO!

 

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, Fedido said:

Oscar,

What I would do is if it is running fine, nothing. Once you start hearing a vib, look at lubing the bearings. if they appear worn, replace them. That is what I will be doing. 

 

@ike, I paid 275. Not too much, but considering there are not many options in my area. 

I completely disagree. That's the same thinking that causes people to suddenly find a dead battery. Maintenance BEFORE failure is my motto.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

7 hours ago, octoolguy said:

I completely disagree. That's the same thinking that causes people to suddenly find a dead battery. Maintenance BEFORE failure is my motto.

We all have opinions. I have not touched or oiled either of my RBI saws and they are over 20 years old Should I go looking for a problem to head it off and then try dealing with RBI again.??? Same goes for my Hegner. Not an ounce of grease or oil. I believe these saws have sealed bearings anyway.   I have a ton of machinery in my shop that has bearings and what not. When it breaks I will fix it. 

But with that said there are videos on the net that show how to tear down the Dewalt saw and rip it apart and if you are handy get it back together too. I think someone even posted the videos here. 

[Fedido]

24 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

We all have opinions. I have not touched or oiled either of my RBI saws and they are over 20 years old Should I go looking for a problem to head it off and then try dealing with RBI again.??? Same goes for my Hegner. Not an ounce of grease or oil. I believe these saws have sealed bearings anyway.   I have a ton of machinery in my shop that has bearings and what not. When it breaks I will fix it. 

But with that said there are videos on the net that show how to tear down the Dewalt saw and rip it apart and if you are handy get it back together too. I think someone even posted the videos here. 

Yoda has spoken. Just kidding TJ. Always value all your guys thoughts and wisdom. 
 

Hendo

 

 

[OCtoolguy]

23 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

We all have opinions. I have not touched or oiled either of my RBI saws and they are over 20 years old Should I go looking for a problem to head it off and then try dealing with RBI again.??? Same goes for my Hegner. Not an ounce of grease or oil. I believe these saws have sealed bearings anyway.   I have a ton of machinery in my shop that has bearings and what not. When it breaks I will fix it. 

But with that said there are videos on the net that show how to tear down the Dewalt saw and rip it apart and if you are handy get it back together too. I think someone even posted the videos here. 

JT, I agree with what you say regarding those two saws mentioned but all the Dewalt style saws have known problems with their bearings and sleeves. They all have a reputation for lack of grease or bad grease from the factories. With that said, why not take the time to inspect and do a proper lube job on them before they ruin the bearings and sleeves which expensive and hard to get. When I first got my Dewalt, I had no idea what the previous owner had done or not done so once I became aware of all the pitfalls and problems that the Dewalt saws have, I said why not go through and make sure everything is in good shape. I'm glad I did because a few of the bearings were almost dry and a few of the sleeves were on the verge of wearing through the hardening. Once I did the lube service that saw ran so much smoother and quieter that I know I did the right thing. Granted, the Hawks and the Hegners don't have all that mechanical stuff to worry about. I have had both of those saws. I cleaned and oiled the arms on my Hegner and checked the pivot points on both arms and made sure they were clean and oiled. I did the same thing on the Hawk. I didn't notice any change on either of them as I did with the Dewalt. I'm not sure about what I'll find in either of my EX's but I'm hoping that they had a better quality grease in their bearings but after I get done with them I will know what they have. Like you said, "we all have opinions" and I guess that's a good thing.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Hey go for it. Have fun. 

[kmmcrafts]

9 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

We all have opinions. I have not touched or oiled either of my RBI saws and they are over 20 years old Should I go looking for a problem to head it off and then try dealing with RBI again.??? Same goes for my Hegner. Not an ounce of grease or oil. I believe these saws have sealed bearings anyway.   I have a ton of machinery in my shop that has bearings and what not. When it breaks I will fix it. 

But with that said there are videos on the net that show how to tear down the Dewalt saw and rip it apart and if you are handy get it back together too. I think someone even posted the videos here. 

Nope.. only sealed bearing in the Hawks I have is the ones in the rocker shaft ( the flat steel bar that connects the lower arm to the motor ) The bearings in the arms at the back of the saw is a open cage bearing.. also the bearings on / in the motor are sealed.. Yes I took the motor apart before too.. They're built like a tank and will last a lifetime... apparently even if you don't oil them as the manual says to do.. LOL  Not really something I'd tell everyone if I didn't ever oil my machine... but I'm glad you mentioned it because now we all know just how well they're built.. 

Bad part about Hawk is.. you can't get through to them to get parts if  / when you need them..

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

OK I saw this the other day and thought of Ray here and others who like to take things apart for maintenance. This has to be the best and most simple video of taking the Dewalt apart for doing maintenance. If you want to do this you need to watch this. Breaks things down to the simplest form. great video. This should be put in the library somewhere or on file somehow. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x42jZgEAUwM

 

[Scrappile]

1 hour ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

OK I saw this the other day and thought of Ray here and others who like to take things apart for maintenance. This has to be the best and most simple video of taking the Dewalt apart for doing maintenance. If you want to do this you need to watch this. Breaks things down to the simplest form. great video. This should be put in the library somewhere or on file somehow. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x42jZgEAUwM

 

I don't have a DeWalt but watched that..  Good video and makes even non- DeWalt owners a little more familiar with these types of saws.  Excalibur, Seyco, King, etc., are similar configuration.

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

OK I saw this the other day and thought of Ray here and others who like to take things apart for maintenance. This has to be the best and most simple video of taking the Dewalt apart for doing maintenance. If you want to do this you need to watch this. Breaks things down to the simplest form. great video. This should be put in the library somewhere or on file somehow. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x42jZgEAUwM

 

Thanks JT. I had not seen that one.