DeWalt DW788

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

From the reviews here and personal experience with a DW788 #2-- the #1 is a better saw.

I did use my #2 a little hard; but, I had an old 2speed Dremel that actually got used just as hard and took it, while the DW gave up.

The DW was replaced with a Porter-Cable 18" for right around $200,  I liked the cast iron table on the DW better and it was smoother; did NOT have as much power EVER as the PC.   Blade tension and changing are about equal. PC has a decent built in light (Better than the DW's was by far PC is LED)  PC has built in dust port DW did NOT. PC can also run pinned blades-- for some things they are excellent.

I wax the tables on my equipment anyway. So the aluminum table is serviceable.

From my experience I will buy another PC; may or may not buy another DW--a slightly used type #1 would tempt me.

Our other DW tools have been mostly excellent.  My son that I live with has a fleet of cordless DW tools. Exception is the pad sanders have declined in quality-- The one I had for almost 20 years was used extremely hard and stood up very well; when it died I replaced it with the (same model # new) it died and needed parts much sooner with a lot less work having been done. I replaced it with a Bosch and like it very well, so far.

As a beginner, it's hard to justify $1200-$1500 to purchase a scroll saw, I looked around a bit and could have gotten one for half the price, but did not want a miserable experience as a beginner. The DW788, in my opinion, has given me great results having only had it for about a month.  I did add the foot switch. I have some photos on my Lumberjocks page.   http://lumberjocks.com/projects/307058

Purchased DW788 last year. It ran fine until a month ago. Started knocking real bad and motor wouldn't turn. Took to repair facility 89 miles away. have been waiting for a month to get fixed. They finaly said motor was bad but would take 3 weeks for Dewalt to approve repairs before they could order new one. We ordered a new saw the day the first one broke so we would have a back up. It lasted for a week and started knocking realy bad and the blade would not tension. We had to pay for the replacement saw #3 and once they got #2 back they would reimburse us for it. #3 Arrived today by UPS. unboxed it and set it up. It ran for about 3 hours started knocking and Blade tension wouldn't work.

I now have over $1500.  invested in 3 broken saws and have been down for almost a month. Our customers are canceling orders and we cannot supply product to the shops that consign our stuff.

I cannot do a proper review on here for Dewalt since I an\m sure profanity is not allowed.

Their customer service is the worst I have ever dealt with.

I am delighted with my dewalt scrollsaw type 788 made in taiwan.

when life seems tough and the birds are crapping on the car again, my dewalt type 788 scrollsaw made in taiwan never ever fails to do as I wish.

she is quiet, never arguing or even murmuring in her sleep, submissive to my every wish.  she doesnt mind getting a little dirty for me, even humming sweetly when I am demanding much of her.  she is so quiet I dont think the neighbors even know I keep her in my bedroom. she is always brightly dressed in her finest yellow frock and her table really enjoys swinging out with me for beveling little toy sailboats.  I feel relaxed and comfortable when nestled in her arm.  she complained not one jot when I deflowered her of her silly little finger guard, and has never even dreamed of biting me. I only wish I knew where to lubricate her holes when she is getting dirty for me. yes, she was expensive at first (I paid 350 for brand new!) but we've spent many happy hours together already, and she never complains that I dont take her out enough.

I must admit I am worried about changing her bushings when her times comes.  there is probably a youtube video available on how to do just that.

In short, Bertha is a good and true friend, worth every penny I spent on her.  I recommend this scrollsaw most wholeheartedly.

On 3/20/2015 at 5:19 PM, GrampaJim said:

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 did the exact same thing. I bought a very old type 1 off Craigslist. It came with a tubular stand and light. It had never been serviced as far as I know. I took it all apart and lubed all the bearings with synthetic grease per the fantastic video by Bob Brokaw. I still have a vibration issue but I'm working on that. It comes in at speeds over number 5 on the dial but I don't do much at those higher speeds. I just want to get as much vibration out of it as possible. All in all, I love the saw and if I can do as much with my $250 saw as others do on their $800 plus saws, well I'm a happy camper.

Ray

My Dewalt Just died . I have had it for about 4 years and have added a new mother board and Motor  The last time either time I wasn't sure what the problem was so I had the Dewalt Service station work on it The first time it cost $250 the second time they had it 5 weeks and I had to call Dewalt and they got it to me in about 3 days they came down from Columbus Ohio to About 90 miles and didn't charge me This time I have a Delta ordered from Loews with there 4 year coverage or replacement insurance cost $100 for 4 years They promised to get it back to me in 14 days in case of breakdown. I just had bad service from the Dewalt service station.

IKE

when I first got  My Dewalt I was pretty pleased with it but after the guarantee   ran out I began to have problems with it and the Service dept wasn't very good so this time when it went out for the 5 time I decided to buy a different saw the only thing I can find in my price range is a Delta. I bought it thru Lowes with there guarentee plaln.

IKE

I bought a used DW788 2016 model 2 a couple months ago.  It had some noise and vibration to it so I replaced the connecting rod and greased all the other bearings and sleeves and now it runs smooth without knocking.  Satisfied with how it cuts, having put about 20 hours on it.  But in the spirit of full disclosure, this is my first scroll saw, so I have noting to compare it to.  Will revisit this review in a year or if issues develop sooner.