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| | From:  icjerk80 (Original Message) | Sent: 9/27/2005 10:57 PM |
Hello! I bought a reconditioned DeWalt 788 last November. I don't think the tension has ever tightened enough on it. I have had it serviced at two different service centers, three times. They have replaced parts on it. They just do not understand that it is not tightening enough. (None of them are scrollers.) Previously I have used Ryobi Saws. I could get the blade very tight. On the DeWalt, the tension arm goes to the maximum, 5 1/2, with no difficulty at all. The blade is not slipping. I cannot get the teeth to "grab" into the wood without really pushing it at an angle, it does not stay at a 90 degree for sure. I believe that DeWalt has done what they can, they just haven't came across this problem before. They have suggested they would refund what I paid for it, or try to look at it again. In the meantime, I've lost the last 6 weeks for it being at the service center. My question: Should I try another DeWalt. I find it hard to believe that it won't tighten as much or more as the Ryobi! Or am I just weird or something and the DeWalt doesn't tension enough for my use? I normally cut with 1" - 5/4" Mesquite. Should I try a Delta? It is very difficult to know what I need because I'm not sure if my DeWalt is really working correctly or not. I live in Corpus Christi, Texas and there are not any dealers that carry them in the stores. They have to be ordered so I cannot actually see one and if this is the way they really tighten. Please, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Lisa |
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I know this is not the answer you want to hear but you can always clip a little off the blade to shorten it thus tighten the tension. |
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| Thanks Scrollhead, I'll have to check that out....Dee |
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Try this, when setting the blade push the top arm down, usually there is some play in it. This will make your intial bit on the blade shorter. When I do this on my Dewalt the tension never needs to go over a 2. |
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Leo, this sounds like mine! But, I took it to 2 different service centers (3 times). I think they replaced everything but the arm. It will tighten to 5 1/2 everytime and still not tight enough. I myself even turned the rod in the arm as suggested on some other posts and suggested sights, still not right. Thanks to all for the suggestions! I returned it to the San Antonio service center (which has been very helpful) and just received a check in the mail the other day for a full refund. Now I'm still wondering whether to get another DeWalt? Other than it didn't tighten enough, I loved it. I really think I had a dud though. Most of the stores down here don't keep them in stock so that I can actually see one that is brand new. Need to buy one pretty soon though - got lots of Christmas stuff to do! Thanks, Lisa |
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Hi, A couple of years ago I worked for a tool store - one of our product lines was DeWalt. We had a customer who had cash in hand for a scroll saw and we had a tough time getting him one. Finally we were able to get in touch with our DeWalt rep and he was able to scare one up for us. If you go to one of your local tool stores - one that carries a decent selection of DeWalt power tools - maybe they can get their local rep to track one down for you. Just a thought ... - Tom |
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Lisa for what it is worth here is the continuing saga of my dewalt and this time it is a great ending. I was still having big problems with the saw, at the time I had to go to the woodworking show in Edmonton. Our club had a display there. I too my saw with me, There were lots of dewalt tools for sale there so I went to see a dewalt rep. He looked at my saw and told me to take it back to the service depot where I had bought it and where it had been repaired. I talked to the service manager there and by the time I was through he gave me a brand new saw. The saw that I had bought from them was a factory rebuild. I works great and I am a happy camper. Now I can't say anything but good things about dewalt. They also told me that when the warranty is up and you have to get the saw repaired no matter how many new parts they put in it they can not charge you more than $180.00 Cdn. and if something else breaks down on it within 90 days after their repair job they have to do the repair for free even if it is something they did not work on the first time.
Now I don't know if this all holds true in the USA but it must. So I would recomend to anyone looking to buy a saw to buy a DeWalt it is an excellent product and they stand behind their merchandise.
Leo
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I have delta p-20 and it is a wonderful saw no
vibration very heavy
with stand for amazons less than $500
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 1:17
PM
Subject: Re: Another DeWalt?
Another
DeWalt?
Reply
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| From: icjerk80 |
Leo, this sounds like mine! But, I took it to 2
different service centers (3 times). I think they replaced
everything but the arm. It will tighten to 5 1/2 everytime
and still not tight enough. I myself even turned the rod
in the arm as suggested on some other posts and suggested
sights, still not right.
Thanks to all for the suggestions! I returned it to
the San Antonio service center (which has been very helpful) and
just received a check in the mail the other day for a full
refund. Now I'm still wondering whether to get another
DeWalt? Other than it didn't tighten enough, I loved
it. I really think I had a dud though. Most of the
stores down here don't keep them in stock so that I can actually
see one that is brand new. Need to buy one pretty soon
though - got lots of Christmas stuff to do!
Thanks,
Lisa | |
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I am also a happy Delta user. I have the Delta P-20 which Delta calls a Commercial 20 inch scroll saw.
Mine is built like a rock. 400-2000 blade speed. Heavy cast table supports. Little vibration. Replaceable hole inserts.
I tried Hegner - no upper blade insertion, electronic speed control went out, replaced the upper arm.
Hawk - tried two and sent them both back. Very bad vibration.
Dewalt 788 - speed control, flimsy table, blade tension. |
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| Amazon.com has the Delta for 439.00. Free Shipping |
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Lisa, I have a 788 and love it. No tension problem. From the way describe your problem I suspect dull blade, blade upside down, blade reversed. You didn't say what size blade you are using or the brand. From the wood you describe I suspect you use a fairly aggressive blade. Regardless, just be sure the blade is correctly installed. Proper tension is best achieved by sound. Add a little tension at a time and "pluck" the back of the blade with your finger nail. If its loose it will sound dull. A middle C ping is what you're looking for. When you get that sound the blade tension is just right. The tensioner on the machine is dependent upon how the blade is installed in the clamps, the position of the upper arm when the blade is installed. Try to install the blade as far into the clamps as possible so that it takes little adjustment to add tension. You indicate that on the Ryobi you could get the blade very tight. Why very tight? Remember to let the blade do the work - do not force the material into the blade - easy does it. If the blade is sharp, installed properly and has just enough tension to hold it straight, the teeth should bite into the material. If they don't I suspect the blade. If it does bite, add just enough tension to take-out most but not all the sideways flex. There is a tendency among many scrollers to over-tension the blade. You can check the tensioner by loading a piece of very lightweight fishing line between the clamps (no blade) turn the tensioning handle and the line should either stretch or break. If it doesn't, the tensioner is most likely faulty. I am curious as to what you are creating using 1-5/4 mesquite. Unless I doing inside cuts I cut material that thick on my bandsaw because its easier. Are you doing Intarsia? Well, hope all this helps. Good luck and don't give up on DeWalt. |
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 Thanks for all the advice offered here! I have returned the saw to the service center. They have sent a full refund. They did agree it does not tighten once we compared it to another DeWalt. I believe everything but the arm was replaced on that machine. To answer some questions - I usually use 1" Mesquite or 1" Bois D' Arc on my stuff. I like the look of the thick wood and I usually buy it from a sawmill that has that thickness because they are milling boards. They just let me rummage through their "outcast" pile. Usually what they can't use for boards are the unique shaped pieces that I am looking for! I use a #7 or #9 Flying Dutchman Reverse blade from Mike. If I don't have enough tension, it does not stay at a 90 degree cut. Everything I cut is an inside cut. I am trying to attach a picture of a piece that I did, if I do it right. I am planning on buying another DeWalt. I have looked at all the others and don't like the feel. Not saying they are not good saws, I guess it is just what you get used to. Lisa |
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Good choice Lisa. I know everything will work out for you. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. You must live in Texas to find "free" mesquite and osage orange. Good luck, Warren |
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Lisa, I almost forgot. If you don't have your new Dewalt yet, check out Grizzly. They have saw, table and light for $419.98 plus about $25 shipping. Item number H7414. You also get a $50 rebate from DeWalt when you get all three items. Grizzley's web-site is www.grizzly.com. Rebate info is www.dewalt.com Grizzly sale and DeWalt rebate offer are good until 12/31/05. I believe that this is the very best deal going! Warren |
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