DeWalt DW788

Travis Type 2 has 1.3 amp motor no dust collection  16 x 24 inch table and it tilts both ways and is supposedly a top and bottom feeder But I don't know how people can feed from the top but the difference is does the top arm swivel up or is it stationary  Oh its a direct drive.

This should finish your results for the Dw788

Travis Type 2 has 1.3 amp motor no dust collection  16 x 24 inch table and it tilts both ways and is supposedly a top and bottom feeder But I don't know how people can feed from the top but the difference is does the top arm swivel up or is it stationary  Oh its a direct drive.

This should finish your results for the Dw788

Updated.  Thanks!

Travis

Not sure it makes any difference but I would note the DW788 has a teardrop table with the widest point being at the blade and I cannot measure now but it might be interesting to add a category for how far the table top extends in front of the blade.

I say this because I like the rectangular table on the EX21 better than the teardrop on the DW788 but having said that I still wanted more table and had a friend with a machine shop make a new tabletop for my EX21 which is four inches wider and four inches longer in front of the blade.  The greater table area is wonderful.

It probably depends on locale but I have found my local authorized DeWalt service centers do not know how to repair a DeWalt scroll saw.

Thanks for the obvious effort which you have put into this project.

I have owned 4 Different saws and the DW 788 is all around the best

I have owned 4 Different saws and the DW 788 is all around the best

I've had about a dozen and the dw788is the best! William is correct!

My DeWalt died after 20 months.   A great operating saw but not durable. My good friend had to replace the motor on his five times over five years.  He finally tossed it.  We both are cutting 3/4" wood or thicker and this saw cannot take that kind of use for long.

I had this saw for just over 2 years,and everything started going bad. The bearings wore out, making a loud banging noise. The last straw was the motor and speed control went out.

it did work well though when I first bought it.

I have owned my 788 since January of 2012. I have had no problems with it. Having upgraded from a Ryobi, I can't make any comparisons to other comparable saws. I believe I got and excellent saw for the money. At this time, I have no desire to change brands.

Jim

I think I've owned mine for at least 8 years and it's never had a repair. It's been used a lot and traveled for three years in the back of the truck while we toured the US, CA and MX! During that time it often sat under an awning that was my temporary shop where we were camped. It's definitely a type 1 so don't if that matters or not. I've used the high end saws and they are smoother and quieter but think I can do anything on the DeWalt that the other saw do. I have no complaints. 

Novice here - I like my DW-788 - dust collection would be a nice feature.

Why didn't you guy rate it on the chart at the begining. Many of you have had plenty of experience.

Why didn't you guy rate it on the chart at the begining. Many of you have had plenty of experience.

Yea!!!  At the top of this page is an interactive POLL. You can actually select...

You like, you hate, but you won't rate????????????????

And that goes for your brother scrollers too, Hawks, EX's...etc

I bought a VERY old type 1 off of Craigslist last year after my Craftsman had problems.  After cleaning up the table, I had some knocking at the higher speed.  Found Rick Hutcheson's website and did a couple of easy fixes.  The saw runs great now.  I think someday I will need to replace some of the bearing, due to the age of the machine, but I am very happy with it now.  

I have been extremely pleased with my DeWalt 788 for many years. It cuts precisely, has the best features which should matter, and the blades change in a snap.

The biggest drawback, IMO, is that the motor feels a little tired when cutting thicker stock, but does the job well. This might explain the longevity issue some folks bring up. I cut mostly thin stock, however, and it cuts like a champ.

If you plan on cutting thick wood frequently, this saw will still be a great choice, but you might want to invest in an even costlier saw with a step up in Amperage.

Dewalt 788 is THE saw to use for scrolling. Although on the pricier side, (especially for teens) you get what you pay for and can often find one of these for sale on Craigslist.

Dewalt 788 is THE saw to use for scrolling. Although on the pricier side, (especially for teens) you get what you pay for and can often find one of these for sale on Craigslist.

Spoken like a seasoned scroller !

WELLLLL... My wife has been looking over my shoulder as I have been looking around this site, including downloading GIMP and reviewing how to use it in the university.

She also has been looking at the reviews of the various saws.  She told me to look on Craig's List for local saws, and lo and behold, a local pawn shop had a Dewalt for sale for $299.00.  I drove up there an got it for $250.00 out the door.  So I am now playing with my new toy. woohoo

I started out with a Task Force. It was loud and vibrated so much my fingers would actually go numb. Found my DeWalt on Craigslist last year for $325. It's a '98 year model I believe. I love it and haven't had any problems with it.

Go Ward! DW788!

My dewalt 788 type 2 for 2 years I have in the repair shop after 11 months and it was fixed under warranty. it now has been making a noise when I turn corners and the blade tightening is not working correctly and every once in a while it blows fuses I am takenig it in for repairs next week in the mean time I bought a type 1 and it runs quieter and smoother than the type 2 ever did. I will get it fixed and the next time I will get rid of it and buy a better machine. 

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