Any comments on the DeWalt DW788 scroll saw?

[aj43]

I have to replace my Craftsman 16" saw that I have had since 2007. I am looking at the DeWalt DW788 as a mid price quality scroller.

Other than the usual blurb from the manufacturer, does anyone have any experience with this saw? and any likes/dislikes, raves or negatives? Is it worth the money. (No, I can't afford an Excalibur.)

I am not a heavy user, but I do enjoy my scroll saw for a number of projects. It's the only saw I  have  other than a circular saw, so it gets used for some heavy projects.

Any and all comments appreciated. 

Edited February 21, 2023 by aj43
typos

[kmmcrafts]

I had a DeWalt that I used a lot for several years.. they are for the most part good saws.. or at least were good saws back when I had mine, not sure if they've changed at all since then or not.. Mine was a 2008 model Type 2 and I used it commercially for a few years. The one thing I would have to say is a must if you have one is a arm lift support of some sort, there are different brands and versions of them, the one I had was called a "Jim Dandy Easy Lift " I'm not sure if he is still making / selling them or not as it says sold out. https://jimdandy.com/products/easy-lift-system-for-dewalt-scroll-saw-dw788

I know a lot of hype about the Excalibur types saws as they are quite a lot more saw than the DeWalt.. but one saw that doesn't get mentioned a lot and is basically the same saw is the Jet.. The smaller 18" Jet isn't very much more than the DeWalt if you buy from Home Depot.. the last I knew they was about $700.. 

Personally can go wrong with either saw but, don't exclude a good used saw either.. many times you can get a good used high end saw such as a Hawk, Hegner, or even used Excaliburs, and Jets etc.. for less money than the new deWalt.. 

[don in brooklin on]

Our club has 7 DW788 and they are real work horses.  They are over 12 years old as they were there when I joined.  Since they are used by multiple members they get rough use and so require a lot of maintenance . Recently, one of the members as done a complete over haul on all of them and they are almost like new. 

Steve Good has a write up on the DW788   https://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/search?q=dw788

He also watches the price on Amazon as the price fluctuates a lot.

If that is all your budget allows it is a good buy.

All that being said I am of the club as  to "Buy the best and cry only once" so when I started 12 years ago scrolling I bought a EX-21 and loved it ever since. 

 

 

 

[Freddie]

I have had the Dewalt for several years. I started with this saw due to budget so it is the only saw that I know. I have been pleased with it for the limited scrolling that I have done. It doesn’t vibrate and it is quiet. Of course the shop vacuum that I have rigged to it makes up for the quiet operation. It has a nice cast iron table and good steady frame. I bought the light kit and replaced it with LED light due to heat. I do not have to item to hold the arm up. I have a block of wood I keep on the back of the table when I change the blades. I like the variable speed but I pretty much keep it on one speed and use a foot switch to turn on off, which is a must in my opinion. The frame allows you to tilt the saw. I have mine level but after reading comments on this site, I will probably incline the saw to help with fatigue. I saw a post from Travis on this site that it was recently on sale at a very good price. In short I would recommend the saw but I don’t spend as much time sawing as most of the others on this site. I would think if you are an occasional scroller like me it is a good saw. If you are going to be sawing every day, you probably need to go with the professionals on this site. Hope this help

[scrollingforsanity]

I had a Dewalt for a few years and put a lot of hours on it, no complaints. Also been hearing about the New Wen 21in scroll saw, have not seen one though. As Kevin said check craigslist and local ads. A lot of nice saws come up on there from time to time unless you have your heart set on a new. Steve Good posts the Dewalt when it gets down to a decent price on Amazon. Last month it was $ 369.00 or close to that with no stand. Good luck on your decision. 

[Roberta Moreton]

I love my DW788. I recently sold my “high end” saw and bought a new DW788. 
No I will not go into details. I just never got used to the new one. I don’t know if I was fighting it or it was fighting me. I just know that I am now happy. 

[Denny Knappen]

I started with the DeWalt 15 years ago.  In fact I still have it and use it to cut projects to size.  The only problem was the on off switch.  I suggest a dead man foot switch to bypass the switch.  The blade clamps are soft metal and after time may be replaced.  I sell Pegas clamps that fit the DeWalt.

[Joe W.]

I bought a used 7 year old DW and used it for 2 more years before buying a Pegas.
Soon after buying it, it started making a loud noise when in use.
I received good advise from the Forum and, using online videos and postings, was able to disassemble it and replace the connecting arm.
It worked well for those couple of years and then started making noise again, with what I would call heavy use.
That's when I got the Pegas.  I still have the DW - in pieces - got it disassembled and need to inspect more to see what is worn. Bearings, I suspect, as I haven't replaced any of those the first time I worked on it.
I did use some suggestions I found on the forum:
1.  Cover and tape the on/off switch with a piece of clear plastic bag to keep the dust out.
2.  Do the same thing with the foot pedal switch if you use one.
3.  Got the "Easy-Up" as Kevin mentioned.
4.  Bought a couple small magnetic sewing machine lights and put one on each side of the arm to eliminate shadows while cutting.

Cutting - no complaints.  Like many tools/machines, I found the DW cut true and well.  

As to maintenance, parts (bearings, connecting rod, etc.) are likely still available as the machine is still being made. (unlike an old bandsaw I bought last year at a yard sale and quickly resold after discovering replacement parts were no longer available).

 

 

 
 

[Bill WIlson]

I had a Dewalt for several years and liked it a lot.  I think that design is very user friendly and ideal for hobbiest scrollers.  If you are cutting every day, for several hours each day then you might want to upgrade to something else, but my Dewalt held up well for me, as a casual scroller.  I have since replaced it with an EX-21 (before manufacturing moved to China).  I chose the EX because it has the same user friendly design, with a couple added features and is a little more robust.  The King or the Pegas saws are probably the closest things to the pre-Chinese made Excaliburs.   There are other choices, if you want to step up to that sort of premium price range, but for the Dewalt price, I don't think you can do much better.

I also agree that the aftermarket Jim Dandy Easy Lift and a footswitch are practically necessities for that saw.

[Scrappile]

A Dewalt was my first good scroll saw, it followed a craftsman, the really deserved the name torcher machine as apposed to scroll saw, had to get on my knees and use two tools to change blades!  The thing I really notice about the DeWalts, above it is a good saw, is they, in my opinion, have the best resale value.  A new $500 DeWalt can get $300+ resale, a used top of the line saw that cost upwards of $2000, can have difficulty selling for $500+ resale.  So, I would not discourage anyone from a DeWalt.

[scrollingforsanity]

48 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

A Dewalt was my first good scroll saw, it followed a craftsman, the really deserved the name torcher machine as apposed to scroll saw, had to get on my knees and use two tools to change blades!  The thing I really notice about the DeWalts, above it is a good saw, is they, in my opinion, have the best resale value.  A new $500 DeWalt can get $300+ resale, a used top of the line saw that cost upwards of $2000, can have difficulty selling for $500+ resale.  So, I would not discourage anyone from a DeWalt.

You are right Paul, Dewalts are good saws. Truth be known there are probably as many Dewalt saws out there as any other saw.

[kmmcrafts]

That was the reason I went with a deWalt instead of a Excalibur back in the day.. I got my DW on sale from Grizzly with stand and light for $350.. same price as used saws was going for.. figured if I didn't like it I'd get my money back out of it.. The EX's were around $650ish at the time and back then they struggle to find a used one and if you did it was still as much or more than a new DeWalt. 

I really like the 3 legged stand for the DeWalt as it fits perfect in a corner of the shop and just the right width so you can sit at it comfortably.. Same goes for the Hegner stand.. Excalibur and hawk should take notes on the stands they use / make.. LOL. 

[aj43]

Thanks for all the comments. Overwhelmingly positive and confirm my initial thoughts.

At the time I thought I had found a real closeout deal from one of the big box stores, but eventually found out that the "deal" was actually a misprint. Now my hopes are dashed. At 80 years old and being just a hobbyist, I am having trouble justifying the cost vs. maybe just a few years future use (and none of my sons are interested). I'm hoping now for something on Craig's List, Amazon, classified ads, and yard sales, etc. Something used or rebuilt/refurbished. I think I have surveyed all of the cheaper models of scroll saws - even the better ones - and I don't think I would be happy with any of them. 

And if anyone should hear of something in the Greater Cincinnati/Southwest Ohio region, I'd be interested in hearing from you. Just post me a pm or email me at ajsrdf01 (at G-Mail) dot com.

Thanks again for all your input.

aj43

[Scrappile]

Check craigslist and facebook market in your area,  may find a used one in good shape

[Jim Finn]

I had a DeWalt saw, and it only lasted 20 months for me.  I used it to make pine toys cutting thick wood.  For fretwork it is great, I think. ( I do not do fretwork). I switched to a hegner in 2008 and still use it.  I run my saws about 5-6 hours a day.  Hegners may not be as good for fretwork. It kinda' depends on what you plan to use the saw for.