Today I am working on two Dewalt DW788 scroll saws and both have different issues. One will not start and the other is quite noisy. Lets dive in and figure it out.
Thank you SO much for all your DW788 content! As an AVID scroller, I love my Dewalt 1st Gen and intend to get as much life out of it as possible. Cheers!
These Dewalt scroll saws are turning out to be a great saw. They are lasting a long time and keep on performing. I think the weakest part on them is their switch, just changed a couple the other day. Thanks for the comment. Stevo
How's she goin'? Nice video and it shows that when tools aren't working just right, it doesn't mean they need to get tossed. A little checking and cleaning and lube and the tool can be as good as new. I hope the second one turns out to be something simple too!!! Take care!!!
You know as well as any, that if you maintain it, it may never break down. I'm trying to keep these tools going as long as I can because it costs a lot to replace them. As for the second one, bad news. Motor cannot be repaired and a new one is over $400. It will sit until another machine craters. The school has about 6 or seven of those machines and that is the second motor that has crapped out, 12-15 years old though. Stevo
I wish we could’ve seen some more closeups of what you were seeing. Im at 16:00 minutes here when you said “this bushing here is really really worn”; but seeing what a worn out bushing looks like would’ve been very helpful for someone in search of a video about why their dewalt scroll saw is making odd noises. I’m still going to continue to end here in hopes that I get to the root cause of why my machine is making the noises it is. But just for future reference, having the ability to see what you’re talking about and what you’re seeing, would be very beneficial :)
The part I was referring is the pilot rod. I though the bolt going through it was a bit loose but once tightened up should not make a difference. I will make a point on better close-ups. Thanks for the comment. Stevo
Try the ultimate DeWalt scroll saw maintenance guide on UA-cam. It shows a great method to check, test and repair Dewalt Scroll saws. As well as all materials suggested to put one in top notch condition.
That is quite true. I am fortunate that there are a few of these saws together so one can compare. Don't know how long the fix will last, it really hurts to part one out when you can get a little more out of it. Thanks, Stevo
WD 40 is an excellent cleaner but nothing else and this guy knows that. Too many people think that WD40 is a lubricant. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Good video 👍
@@stevoj8959have you ever tried using graphite? It's a dry lubricant and won't hold onto saw dust the way traditional lubricants do. I think the one I use is made by the people who make pb blaster.
Hello, is the motor really defective? The video doesn't show well how the wires go, but it looks like they go to the switch first, but it's not connected.
The motor was defective to the point where the motor repair shop could not fix it. The motor is wired into the circuit board then off to the switch. The cost of a new motor was too much to repair the machine. Thanks. Stevo
I have a DeWalt 788 it's actually a type 2 that my wife got me as an anniversary gift back in December of a 2005 it has been a trooper I have done regular maintenance on it at least two times in that 20-year. I have pulled apart repack the bearings I have replaced the bushings the blade control arms replaced both blade holders once but other than that this saw has been a trooper
Is that a synthetic grease? I use grease on bearings or a shaft that would not be exposed to dirt. Do you find dust to be a problem cause grease would be the best. Thanks. Stevo
I just use the WD40 to loosen things up then I used a silicone lubricant. I find grease grabs too much saw dust but use what works for you. Thanks. Stevo
My DW 788 just died last night in the middle of scroll sawing xmas presents. I confirmed the switch and fuse are working...so...sigh :(. Suspecting motor.
I hope that is not the problem. The only way to find out is to take it out and put power to it to see if it spins. It should not go on a newer machine.
I like the penetrating oil because it does not leave a huge residue for dust to stick to it. For a dry bearing, it gets in and loosens up the grease. I'm not married to the brand but it has worked well over the years. Stevo
Too late to the party, the windings on the motor should have a thermo switch it’s super tiny and stitch up to the windings, sometimes it stops on open depends how many time overheat ,it’s a consumer product not commercial
That would definitely help. Out of the 20 or so that I service, only 2 motors have failed and they have lasted for quite a few years. Still, that makes them unrepairable parts machines. Thanks. Stevo
Good video BUT I don't think you did your machine any good with the WD-40. As others have mentioned WD-40 is a cleaner not a lubricant. The bearings you sprayed with the WD-40 will fail in a short time. I noticed that you sprayed some oil on some which will last a while but not the ones you sprayed oil and then followed with WD-40. Sorry but you will be doing this again in a year.
I use the WD to loosen things up then I used a silicone lube. I try and avoid the oils and grease. If you have a great suggestion for a lube that work well would be great. I still try and maintain yearly to avoid things breaking down. Thanks. Stevo
Thank you SO much for all your DW788 content! As an AVID scroller, I love my Dewalt 1st Gen and intend to get as much life out of it as possible. Cheers!
These Dewalt scroll saws are turning out to be a great saw. They are lasting a long time and keep on performing. I think the weakest part on them is their switch, just changed a couple the other day. Thanks for the comment. Stevo
How's she goin'? Nice video and it shows that when tools aren't working just right, it doesn't mean they need to get tossed. A little checking and cleaning and lube and the tool can be as good as new. I hope the second one turns out to be something simple too!!! Take care!!!
You know as well as any, that if you maintain it, it may never break down. I'm trying to keep these tools going as long as I can because it costs a lot to replace them. As for the second one, bad news. Motor cannot be repaired and a new one is over $400. It will sit until another machine craters. The school has about 6 or seven of those machines and that is the second motor that has crapped out, 12-15 years old though. Stevo
@@stevoj8959 I guess it doesn't owe you anything eh!! I bet it was used hard too.
FYI, The Gwinnett Woodworkers UA-cam channel has several videos and Bob Brokaw who is an expert on Dewalt scroll repair and maintenance.
I wish we could’ve seen some more closeups of what you were seeing. Im at 16:00 minutes here when you said “this bushing here is really really worn”; but seeing what a worn out bushing looks like would’ve been very helpful for someone in search of a video about why their dewalt scroll saw is making odd noises. I’m still going to continue to end here in hopes that I get to the root cause of why my machine is making the noises it is. But just for future reference, having the ability to see what you’re talking about and what you’re seeing, would be very beneficial :)
The part I was referring is the pilot rod. I though the bolt going through it was a bit loose but once tightened up should not make a difference. I will make a point on better close-ups. Thanks for the comment. Stevo
Hi Stevo. Well at least the good one was a fairly easy fix. Hopefully a motor shop can get that motor fixed up pretty cheap
Took it in the other day, hoping for the best. Will let you know. Stevo
Motor did not work out. They are not able to repair it, something about a bridge is gone. New one is over $400.
@@stevoj8959 WOW, $400!!! That's crazy
WD 40 is MOT a lubricant. It is a water displacement product
I just use the WD40 to loosen things up then I used a silicone lube after. Thanks. Stevo
Try the ultimate DeWalt scroll saw maintenance guide on UA-cam. It shows a great method to check, test and repair Dewalt Scroll saws. As well as all materials suggested to put one in top notch condition.
Will give it a look. Thanks
Nice work. I bet you get the other one going too.
I have a good feeling that will happen. Thanks Bruce. Stevo
it's hard for me to tell if that's a normal noise of if something's wrong, some of those are noisy when they are new.
That is quite true. I am fortunate that there are a few of these saws together so one can compare. Don't know how long the fix will last, it really hurts to part one out when you can get a little more out of it. Thanks, Stevo
WD 40 is an excellent cleaner but nothing else and this guy knows that. Too many people think that WD40 is a lubricant. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Good video 👍
It is a good cleaner for sure. It is hard to find a good lubricant for wood working tools because of the dust. Thanks. Stevo
I get it. Been a finish carpenter for 30 years. Now a professional tinker of all things 👍
The perfect job. Thanks. Stevo@@garysullivan8203
@@stevoj8959have you ever tried using graphite? It's a dry lubricant and won't hold onto saw dust the way traditional lubricants do. I think the one I use is made by the people who make pb blaster.
I have used the dry graphite but it is a pain to use. If you are having luck with it I may have to give it a try. Thanks. Stevo@@KingOfTheLosers13
Hello, is the motor really defective? The video doesn't show well how the wires go, but it looks like they go to the switch first, but it's not connected.
The motor was defective to the point where the motor repair shop could not fix it. The motor is wired into the circuit board then off to the switch. The cost of a new motor was too much to repair the machine. Thanks. Stevo
I have a DeWalt 788 it's actually a type 2 that my wife got me as an anniversary gift back in December of a 2005 it has been a trooper I have done regular maintenance on it at least two times in that 20-year. I have pulled apart repack the bearings I have replaced the bushings the blade control arms replaced both blade holders once but other than that this saw has been a trooper
I Use Lukas Red Grease
Is that a synthetic grease? I use grease on bearings or a shaft that would not be exposed to dirt. Do you find dust to be a problem cause grease would be the best. Thanks. Stevo
You really shouldn't have sprayed on the WD40. Bad idea! You need a good grease on those bearings.
I just use the WD40 to loosen things up then I used a silicone lubricant. I find grease grabs too much saw dust but use what works for you. Thanks. Stevo
My DW 788 just died last night in the middle of scroll sawing xmas presents. I confirmed the switch and fuse are working...so...sigh :(. Suspecting motor.
I hope that is not the problem. The only way to find out is to take it out and put power to it to see if it spins. It should not go on a newer machine.
@@stevoj8959 We just confirmed it is the motor using your video :(. RIP 9 year old scroll saw.
You could probably rebuild that motor yourself if the shop cost is unreasonable/too high.
I will definitely give it a go. My thinking is if you take it in, they will tell you what is wrong with it. Thanks. Stevo
Why wd-40?
I like the penetrating oil because it does not leave a huge residue for dust to stick to it. For a dry bearing, it gets in and loosens up the grease. I'm not married to the brand but it has worked well over the years. Stevo
It appeared to me that you cleaned the bearings with WD 40 and then sprayed a lubricant on them. What is the lubricant?
Too late to the party, the windings on the motor should have a thermo switch it’s super tiny and stitch up to the windings, sometimes it stops on open depends how many time overheat ,it’s a consumer product not commercial
That would definitely help. Out of the 20 or so that I service, only 2 motors have failed and they have lasted for quite a few years. Still, that makes them unrepairable parts machines. Thanks. Stevo
Good video BUT I don't think you did your machine any good with the WD-40. As others have mentioned WD-40 is a cleaner not a lubricant. The bearings you sprayed with the WD-40 will fail in a short time. I noticed that you sprayed some oil on some which will last a while but not the ones you sprayed oil and then followed with WD-40. Sorry but you will be doing this again in a year.
I use the WD to loosen things up then I used a silicone lube. I try and avoid the oils and grease. If you have a great suggestion for a lube that work well would be great. I still try and maintain yearly to avoid things breaking down. Thanks. Stevo