DeWalt DW788

I love my Saw after the rickety Harbor Freight model.  But there is an issue with the table.  A) It is not level 0-setting and B) the coating of the table is coming off, making it sticky.  I have had it only for 6 weeks or so, so that is disappointing.  If I wasn't so keen on scrolling, I would let hubby take it to the dealer. 

But I took Photos of the surface and sent it to Dewalt.  Hope there will be response from them. 

I notice you are fairly new here, so just in case you didn't know, a lot of us wax our scroll saw tables every so often.  Fact I was all the tables my tools have.  I use Johnson's Paste Wax.  Others use other brands/types.  Do not use on that contain silicon in it.  Can't remember why, but I have always read/heard that.

Waxing does several things.  Helps prevent rusting, make the table slick so things move on it easier and helps prevent build up of pitch from the wood.  May help with the wearing of the table coating also.  

Yes, thank you - my hubby has waxed it from day one, but noticed that the coating was already chipped, when the saw was delivered. 

Hubby took it back to DeWalt Factory Store last Monday.  Waiting for their verdict on whether they will reimburse my money.  Today he picked up my new Excalibur 21.  Can't wait to play with it, but have to finish my work for work yet - so much left to do. 

I have owned one more than 10 years, The first of December 2015 mine started making a lot of noise. I purchased another one and will go through the older saw soon and replace anything I fine that needs it. it is a fun saw to use and I am very comfortable with it. It is also easy to repair anything that may be wrong with it. So because of all that I like about this saw, I purchased another one. I had too many Christms projects to wait for any parts and found a new one on E bay for $319 including freight. had in on the 3rd day after i ordered it. 

Dick

heppnerguy

I'm new to this site, but not new to scrolling. I have been scrolling for about 25 years now. The DeWalt 788 type 1 that I have was bought off Craigslist about 3 years ago and it has become my preferred scroll saw, because of it's easy blade changes and smooth speed control. Shortly after buying it I replaced many of the bearings with higher quality tighter tolerance bearings and the operation of the saw improved significantly from this. It has seen some relatively heavy use in the later half of 2015 making mostly compound cut Christmas gifts, ornaments, and jewelry. My estimate for the saw's running time for this period is about 450 hours with no problems, but it's beginning to sound like it needs some new bearings again. Last September I added 2 goose neck type LED lights, one on each side of the upper arm of the saw, and these have eliminated the blade shadows and the upper blade grip strobe flickering shadow from around the blade cutting area that has always affected my cutting accuracy. I'll be adding these lights to my other scroll saw, a Delta Q3 40-650 soon.

Charley 

Hubby took it back to DeWalt Factory Store last Monday.  Waiting for their verdict on whether they will reimburse my money.  Today he picked up my new Excalibur 21.  Can't wait to play with it, but have to finish my work for work yet - so much left to do. 

Yesterday I received my check from them, full price reimbursed, no questions asked.   Good customer service then.

I have the Type II. It is "on loan" to me from my nephew. I have been using it for the past three years. I have done quite a bit of compound sawing using 1 1/2 inch wood. I have no complaints at all about machine. Sure it's a little tired, but aren't we all. (big smiley face). I would recommend this saw to anyone.

My DeWalt is a second upgrade for me and I have abused all three saws.  The DW has been a rugged performer for me.  I bought it from DW refurb and had to get some bushings replaced and have replaced the blade screws, but it has never hesitated to do what I asked (demanded). 

I had my first Dewalt scrollsaw for 13 years. Was a very dependable saw cutting every thickness.Then finally the motor went and checked ito fixing it and found out motor is three quarters of the price of new one so decided to buy a  new one  same as the other dewalt  and this one has been good other than replacing the chuck holder for the blades. All in all the saw is great for the price.

I am new to scrolling, but not to all woodworking. I bought a DW788 and I am overall happy with it. Two major gripes: I think Dewalt really passed the buck when it came to not building in a lifter. I installed one last week and it has markedly reduced my irritation level. The other issue is the light that came with mine as part of the package. Why would a major tool company supply a non-LED light in this day and age? About the 3rd time that I broke a blade cutting out some dense wood the ensuing vibration shorted out the bulb.I ordered a LED replacement bulb that is due in Monday. I'll let you know how it works out. Meanwhile, I am designing a new light system.

A quick follow up to my comments regarding the Dewalt 788 worklight. I received the LED bulb yesterday from Amazon.It is a 25 watt replacement bulb that draws 4 watts. The LED is a brighter light than the stock bulb, and because it has no filament, there will be no issue of it shorting out from vibration. It is 25w replacement LED bulb with an E17 Intermediate base, R14 Reflector Shape. It looks just like the original. Triangle Bulbs, the manufacturer claims  a 25,000 hour life expectancy. Though I just got it in and only used it to test it out and to make one cut, I give it 5 stars.

A quick follow up to my comments regarding the Dewalt 788 worklight. I received the LED bulb yesterday from Amazon.It is a 25 watt replacement bulb that draws 4 watts. The LED is a brighter light than the stock bulb, and because it has no filament, there will be no issue of it shorting out from vibration. It is 25w replacement LED bulb with an E17 Intermediate base, R14 Reflector Shape. It looks just like the original. Triangle Bulbs, the manufacturer claims  a 25,000 hour life expectancy. Though I just got it in and only used it to test it out and to make one cut, I give it 5 stars.

Joe for the life of me i can't change the bulb in the factory light kit of a dewalt.I don't use them on the dewalt but other machines.thare's no room to grab the bulb and turn it ,"What a design"

Joe for the life of me i can't change the bulb in the factory light kit of a dewalt.I don't use them on the dewalt but other machines.thare's no room to grab the bulb and turn it ,"What a design"

HA! How many scrollers does it take to change a light bulb?

It is a dumb-a##$$** design. Try Gorilla Gloves from Home Depot, or some other of the rubberized grip gloves and push up on the face of the bulb while twisting. They don't make it easy!

I'm new to this site, but not new to scrolling. I have been scrolling for about 25 years now. The DeWalt 788 type 1 that I have was bought off Craigslist about 3 years ago and it has become my preferred scroll saw, because of it's easy blade changes and smooth speed control. Shortly after buying it I replaced many of the bearings with higher quality tighter tolerance bearings and the operation of the saw improved significantly from this. It has seen some relatively heavy use in the later half of 2015 making mostly compound cut Christmas gifts, ornaments, and jewelry. My estimate for the saw's running time for this period is about 450 hours with no problems, but it's beginning to sound like it needs some new bearings again. Last September I added 2 goose neck type LED lights, one on each side of the upper arm of the saw, and these have eliminated the blade shadows and the upper blade grip strobe flickering shadow from around the blade cutting area that has always affected my cutting accuracy. I'll be adding these lights to my other scroll saw, a Delta Q3 40-650 soon.

 

Charley

Charley Im new to scrool saws and bought a used 788 dewalt type 1.Read lots of reviews about differrances between 1 and 2. When you find some time can you please send me info on where you found and bought bearings. My saw runs and sounds find for know but Id like to in the future be prepared. My email adress fdonez@sbcglobal.net

Hi All,

I have owned a DW788 for about 3 years and find it a joy to use because

there is virtually no vibration or noise.

There is a comparison table here for some of the best scroll saws people might find useful:

Scroll Saws Comparison Table

Ged

I bought a DW788 type 1 at a yard sale for $150, it runs good. It's nice having a DW 788 as a back up saw.

IKE

I just got a DW788 v2 for my birthday and I LOVE IT!!! It is soooo much better than my old Craftsman. Blade change is a breeze, it is so quiet when I'm scrolling, and feeding the blade and adjusting the tension is my favorite part. I do mostly fretwork, and being able to set the tension every time with the tension bar in front saves me a TON of time, and I haven't broken a blade yet, which is saying somthing because I probably broke about 2-4 blades per project on my Craftsman... Did I say - LOVE IT!

I have had this saw for about 3 years. I had it in the shop after 2 months and thy fixed the problem under guarantee period. Then after 11/2 years I took it in again

This cost $125. Then again last spring This time it was $50. Now it is in again It's the motor I will not take it in again I will up grade to something. The durability of the Dewalt 788 is not good. i was very pleased with it at first but times change

IKE