DeWalt DW788 vs. Delta 40-694 Recommendations

[Jaguarguy]

My wife and kids are looking to get me a new saw for Christmas.  I read somewhere that the two saws above under were basically the same.  The Delta is under $400 - the DeWalt is between $550 - 700 depending where you looks?  Any comments/recommendation would be appreciated. 

[Jim McDonald]

I have no experience with the Delta, but I drove a DW788 for many years and thousands of feet of kerf.

Loved my 788 and only replaced it with a Pegas because of the tilting head on the Pegas.

I had installed the Pegas chucks on the 788 and they were great. My stock chucks were getting worn and needed replaced anyway. 

I believe I saw Steve Good show the 788 on sale on Amazon. Get the stand, the light was in my way more than I ever used it.

[Roberta Moreton]

Dewalt 788

[new2woodwrk]

I have 2 Delta's - one 3 years old now the other just getting to 1 year.

Both perform well for me. I use them almost daily about 3-4 hours, the wife uses the new one sometimes daily up to 6-8 hours! She's a cutting nut! l)

I bought the Delta strictly because of the price (retired on a limited budget) and after reading quite a few reviews.

The thing for me is this: For the price of 1 dewalt (not knocking it, I would like to have one) I can buy 2 deltas.

I've bought both of mine for $350 each and free shipping!

So even if the deltas only last 5 years, I can afford to keep 2 in my shop at all times.

Not so much with the Dewalt.

Edited December 3, 2021 by new2woodwrk

[kmmcrafts]

They didn't have the newest model of Delta back when I bought a DeWalt.. honestly can't remember what the other saw was.. I remember having two saws I was considering.. What sold me to the DW was that resale value seems to be quite high on a used DW.. I bought mine from Grizzly during their holiday sales event. I paid $350 with stand and light with free shipping.. ran the saw for 6 years and sold it for $200.. Oh.. didn't use the light and sold it on eBay for I think it was $30.. 

I haven't seen much for reviews on the new WEN model but it also is similar in design.. You might want to take a look at those too.. https://www.lowes.com/pd/WEN-WEN-LL2156-21-Inch-1-6-Amp-Variable-Speed-Parallel-Arm-Scroll-Saw-with-Extra-Large-Dual-Bevel-Steel-Table/5012515583