JMB

PROBLEM SOLVED! I got a can of 3M77 last night at Home Depot and found it wasn't as expensive as I was expecting. Less than Wal*Mart at $9 for the big can. I tried it today and it is wonderful. It is plenty sticky where the Elmer's was not and I did some cutting to make sure it would stick and cutting is fun again. Don't have to hold the pattern on with my spare fingers as I cut. Since lifting of the pattern was the problem, I have filed the Elmer's in the bottom of a trash can and will use 3M in the future. I will also get some of the peel and stick shelf paper as that seems to be a universal solution. I pay less than $3 per roll for 3M blue painters tape at Sam's Club so that isn't an issue. The peel and stick sheets sound like they would be easier for some pattern sizes. Thanks for all the comments. My life is much better now.

WOW! 23 responses in the first 8 hours. And all helpful and thoughtful. It looks like the main problem is that I am using a product that has a brand name, and should be a quality product, but isn't. I see many responses detailing problems with Elmer's and nobody saying that they like it. I will quickly change to 3M and discard the Elmer's. Easy enough. It is $3.99 a large can in our area and the 3M is about three times as much but if it works, it is well worth it. If I still have some problems, there are several other good suggestions I can try. So far, I have been happy with the rest of the system I use and if I can get the paper pattern to stick to the tape, I think I will be happy.

Thanks for the prompt responses. Isn't it interesting how something works for one and the same method doesn't work for another? That's part of the frustration as I try to find what will work for me. Sounds like 3M 77 may be a more reliable product than the Elmer's I have been using. I have air conditioning in my shop so assume that humidity is not a problem. I assume that the shelf paper replaces the blue tape and the pattern is then spray adhered to the shelf liner. Is the benefit that the spray adhesive sticks better to the self liner than the blue tape?

I have been using the popular method of covering my wood with blue painters take and then spraying the back of a paper pattern to affix to the tape. I am having problems with the pattern coming loose, a lot, while I am cutting. I have tried spraying one side, spraying both sides, putting the pattern on when the adhesive is still very wet and allowing it to dry for a minute or so to get tacky. I can't figure out any way to do it differently and the pattern is not fastened very securely using any of those ideas. I am using Elmer's multi-purpose spray adhesive. I have done some searches and haven't found any specific complaints so assume that is it as good as the other brands. Any suggestions? It is pretty frustrating. The patterns loosens and I have to put glue from a glue stick under it and then let it dry. Then I start again and another area pops up. The pattern appears to be fastened and isn't coming loose until I start cutting. Thanks for your help. John Birrell

Randy, Thanks for the encouragement. I have spent countless hours on YouTube and the forums, trying to learn and am much more comfortable now than I was a couple of months ago. Just got the notice that my saw has been shipped. I'm anxious to try it out and see the benefits of a better saw.

Was sitting at my computer, wondering what to do about the saw, and Rockler sent me a flyer with an advertisement for the 788 with stand for $499 including free shipping. Ordered it. Should be sawing at a much higher level in a few days. Thanks for the comments and information.

Still $523.94 shipped with stand and light at Grizzly. That seems the best current price.

Getting more conclusive.

Thanks for the helpful comments. To begin, the price difference is $150, per Amazon, and that is why I am asking the question. However, if they are not identical, then the money is much less of a factor. I did search for the WOOD article and cannot find it anywhere. I keep seeing reviews that claim that the two are the same and use interchangeable parts. Not sure who the corporate parent is but it was Black and Decker for both companies recently. I do like the much longer warranty (assuming Delta stands behind it) and I like the arm action on the Delta. And the $150. I guess I am hoping to run across somebody who has both in their shop or has used them both and can help explain any other differences. Or what parts are less expensive on the Delta. Some parts would be critical and others might not be. I hope to do this only once so am trying to do it correctly.

Thanks Jerry. I know that both saws are good and the 788 certainly has a long and favorable reputation. I am looking to save the $150 difference in purchase price if I can. I bought a Porter Cable saw last week and took it back 24 hours later. It solved some problems I knew to look at but created several new ones. I'd like to make a decision and be able to live with it.

I have been reading about how they are now made by the same manufacturer and that you even have to get the Delta serviced at the DeWalt service center. But are there any significant differences that would make one preferable? I see that the Delta has a five year warranty where the DeWalt is 90 days and the Delta has a catch so that when you raise the bar, it stays. I know you can add that as an accessory on the 788 so there are at least two advantages to the Delta and there is about $150 difference in price. Anything else I should know before I get the wife to free up some money? Thanks for your help. I am using an old two-speed Delta that came off Craig's List for $40 and wanting very much to improve my equipment.

Thanks for all the kind comments. I have been trolling several forums and chose this because of the positive comments and general attitude of helpfulness. Looking forward to learning and sharing more.

Spending time in my shop, trying to avoid going out and braving the weather this week. I'm a recent convert, having picked up an old 2-speed Delta on Craig's List. I wanted to try something cheap to find out if I would enjoy spending time on the saw. I have spent a lot of time on YouTube and watching a variety of videos and reading comments on the forum. I have made some progress and am doing better than I was when i started. Lot's of Christmas decorations, trivets and some clocks. I am about ready to get my next saw and am studying the options and trying to determine how much i need to spend to be happy with a saw for awhile. I have benefited greatly from all the people on the forum and am very thankful for the helpful attitude so many have. It is quite an interesting hobby and seems to be somewhat addictive.