I’ve wanted to upgrade to a better scroll saw for a long time so I can make more detailed projects. Recently, the stars aligned and with the help of a store sale, some gift cards, and a little extra cash, I was able to order the DeWalt DW788 Scroll Saw. Watch as I unbox the saw and make my first project on it using Steve Good’s Bear Cubs Silhouette Pattern.
The saw was packed well and arrived in new condition; however, I did encounter one minor electrical issue. The speed control dial was working intermittently. I noticed if I moved the plastic casing that it was attached to, it would affect the speed. I removed the screws and found that a wire connector was not properly seated. After fully plugging it in, the dial worked fine. This was really no big deal and an easy fix.
The saw was easy to assemble by attaching the table top with two bolts. That was it! It came with two blades so I could get started cutting right away. I am really happy with the performance of the saw and it is very easy to insert and remove the blade. I recommend finding a solution for holding up the arm temporary while you insert the blade into starter holes. I was blown away by how easy it was to make the detailed cuts in Steve Good’s Bear Cubs Silhouette Pattern.
One of my buddies sells Scroll Saw Comfort Knobs that slip onto the standard DeWalt knobs and tighten with a set screw. The knobs come in small and large sizes. The large one slips on easily; however, the small knob requires that you sand the ends of the standard knob a little in order to get it to slip on. I highly recommend these knobs as they are much more comfortable to use than the standard knobs, especially if you have arthritis or other hand grip issues. For more information, email scrollsawcomfortknob@gmail.com. (Note: I understand that the Excalibur scroll saw knobs have the same threading, so you could add Comfort Knobs to your Excalibur if you order some of the DeWalt knobs too.)
If you are in the market for a scroll saw, I highly recommend the DeWalt DW788 Scroll Saw. I plan to make a stand for mine, but you might also want to consider getting the DeWalt DW7880 Scroll Saw Stand and DeWalt DW7881 Work Light. Stay dusty my friends!
SOURCE: The Carmichael Workshop – Read entire story here.