New DW788! Question though...

[new2woodwrk]

My new DeWalt DW788 Type 2 arrived 2 days early. Put it together and boy is it quiet and cuts through my stuff like butter!

Anyway, there is this piece on it, described as the "Lower Guard" in the diagrams, here's a pic...

Is this needed for anything?  Can I just remove it without creating a problem of any sort, balance, adjustments etc.?

It gets in the way of loading the blades on the lower chuck or at least makes it uncomfortable to do so.

Thoughts?

Thanks as always in advance

 

[OCtoolguy]

Toss it!

 

[kmmcrafts]

Yep, I agree with Ray.. LOL.. That was the second thing I took off the DW I had when I first got it.. first thing was the hold down foot.. thought I could work with that guard on there but kept getting in my way so like before the first project was completed I had to remove it, LOL

[dgman]

Take it off and toss it. It serves no purpose other than to get in your way!

[John B]

I agree with the common consensus, Ditch it.. It's as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

[NC Scroller]

By all means take it off BUT DO NOT TOSS IT.  Should you have to return it because it dies you will need to put it back on.  Some companies void the warranty if you make any changes to the original. 

[Bill WIlson]

I may still have mine...someplace.  But I sold the saw 5 years ago.  

[TAIrving]

Congrats on the new saw!  I hope and trust it will give you many years of happy scrolling.

New saws always cut great - that is until the first blade gets dull.  But then you can always put in a new blade.  I seem to recall a Steve Good comment when testing a new at that time brand/type of blades to the effect that it was like getting a new saw.  

[Roberta Moreton]

I think they are guards that they have to have on there so they can’t get sued if you should cut your finger. 

[dgman]

1 hour ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I think they are guards that they have to have on there so they can’t get sued if you should cut your finger. 

I used to tell my students that it was possible to cut your finger off with a scroll saw, but you would probably have to change the blade at least once!

[OCtoolguy]

14 minutes ago, dgman said:

I used to tell my students that it was possible to cut your finger off with a scroll saw, but you would probably have to change the blade at least once!

I wasn't paying attention one time and ran the end of my thumb into the #5 mgt blade. It did cut a very nice clean kerf in my thumb. Lesson learned: pay attention!

[dgman]

5 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

I wasn't paying attention one time and ran the end of my thumb into the #5 mgt blade. It did cut a very nice clean kerf in my thumb. Lesson learned: pay attention!

The only time I cut myself on a scroll was when I told myself if you do that, you are going to cut yourself. I did it anyway, and I cut myself. I don’t remember what it was, I just remember saying “don’t do that”.

[Jim McDonald]

I was doing some really tiny work and had my fingers close to the blade--sneezed and drew blood on that one.

Now, I HAVE nicked my fingernails several times.

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, dgman said:

The only time I cut myself on a scroll was when I told myself if you do that, you are going to cut yourself. I did it anyway, and I cut myself. I don’t remember what it was, I just remember saying “don’t do that”.

At our age, you'd think we had better sense. But, alas, we don't. Maybe now we do though.

[new2woodwrk]

I've cut myself more than once. I'm afraid to admit.

However, I know exactly how it happened every time and exactly the same way LOL

I try hard not to do that and haven't cut myself in a very long time.

[new2woodwrk]

Thanks all for the advice on the guard - it's coming off tomorrow!

And yes, the hold down foot was the first to go!

[barb.j.enders]

As you have done - remove it but don't toss it.  If you buy the Scrollnado dust collection system it is required.  

[CharleyL]

If I took that off, I would have nothing to tie-wrap my vacuum cleaner hose to.

Charley

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

As you have done - remove it but don't toss it.  If you buy the Scrollnado dust collection system it is required.  

I've heard that they don't really work that well.

[barb.j.enders]

2 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

I've heard that they don't really work that well.

They don't.  I have gone back to my Seyco dust collection system and put up with the sawdust on the top.

[Bill WIlson]

I'll just say that I've never cut myself on my scroll saw.  But, I will say this;  If I were going to cut myself on any saw, I would want it to be the scroll saw.

[OCtoolguy]

18 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said:

I'll just say that I've never cut myself on my scroll saw.  But, I will say this;  If I were going to cut myself on any saw, I would want it to be the scroll saw.

Amen!

[rjweb]

I agree if you have to get cut scroll saw is the best, that’s why I have a Sawstop table saw, I need all my fingers, when I leave this world I want all the parts that I came in this world with, RJ