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Product Reviews
Great designed saw, January 21, 2000
Reviewer: "woodwurx"
The DeWalt saw is designed and manufactured by Sommervile
Design in Canada. They make the Excaliber Scroll saw. The
Dewalt Saw is very much like the excaliber in that it has
very low vibration and having a very smooth operation. I
had a dewalt but had to move up to the excaliber because
of the work i produced, unless you use a scroll saw for 6
- 12 hours per day, buy this saw. The only problem I had
was the motor could not take the beating i gave it, i cut
3/4 to 1 1/2 thickness wood all the time, althought the
saw handled that thickness with ease, it could not keep my
pace. If your a hobbiest cutting moderately its a GREAT
saw. It has a quick release for the blade and you can
change blades in seconds, the blade tension is right there
in front, the top arm lifts for getting work on and off
the table. Fairly quiet operation. Don't waste your money
on the light, its not bright at all and does not help.
Assembly is a snap upon getting the saw, just put the
table on and your ready to go. I have used everything out
there, besides the Excaliber, the dewalt is the next best
thing. Whats nice about the dewalt, it has the same design
as the excaliber in that like other saws that have the
full top and lower arms that ofcourse move up and down,
the dewalt like the excaliber has only tips of the arms
move, the tips that move are only about 4" long, less
moving thus less vibration. Inside the top and bottom arms
there is a flat rod that move back and forth that moves
the tips up and down. When you get your new dewalt and you
see how smooth, quiet, and just about no vibration,
imagine a saw twice to 3 times better that the dewalt and
you have the Excaliber. I think one of the reasons why the
Excaliber can take what i dish out is that it is belt
driven, this ofcouse increases the power and the strain on
the motor, if the dewalt goes belt driven I'll get another
one.
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Great Saw, Great Price, December 8, 2000
Reviewer: Byard M. Miller "Habitat volunteer"
I scroll saw wooden trivets from 3/4" red oak. In 2000 I
made almost 1,000. I spend a lot of time at my saw. All of
the cuts I make are inside cuts so ease of blade changing
is very important. I have owned a Hegner and two
Excaliburs before buying the DeWalt in December 1999. The
DeWalt costs 1/3 what the Hegner and Excalibur cost.
Hegner is by far the hardest of the three brands to change
blades and customer support is poor. DeWalt worked with
Somerville Designs (the maker of the Excalibur) to design
the DeWalt saw. The Excaliburs I have, one 20" and one 30"
saw were good but required routine oiling replacement of
the many sleeve bearings. Customer support through Seyco
was excellant. When the Excaliburs were getting to the
point that repairs were going to cost what a new DeWalt
cost I decided to try the DeWalt. I have found the saw to
be every bit as good as the Excalibur. All of the sleeve
bearings in the Excalibur have been replaced with roller
bearings which do not require any maintenance. The blade
holders are a much better design, they have required no
maintenance during the year of use. The Excalibur blade
holders would need to be rebuilt and replaced several
times a year. The Excalibur tables were made from aluminum
and remained slippery, an important feature for a scroll
saw. The DeWalt uses a cast table and the surface wears
away around the blade hole causing work to drag on the
table. DeWalt says this is caused by the red oak which I
don't believe. The table requires constant waxing to keep
the surface slippery. This is the only draw-back I have
found to this saw. If you go to a wood show or fair and
see the Hegner or RBI saws demonstrated, consider the
price before you buy. I can tell you from experience that
the DeWalt is superior to either of these and it costs 1/3
as much! I like the DeWalt saw so much I just ordered a
second one because I cannot afford to have my saw down
even for a week.
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Blade change, March 15, 2006
Reviewer: C. Meyer "Dutch"
This is a bum saw to change blades. Apparently, there was
a misdesign in a "wedge" inside that keeps the arms too
far apart and therefore, the blade is "too short". There
is about 1/8 of an inch on each end to fasten to. There
should be 3/8's or so. The earlier model Type 1 is very
good in this regard. But this later model, the Type 2, is
no good. DeWalt admits there is a "slight problem" with
blade change but so far, no cure. We are stuck with it.
Other than the blade change problem, I really like the
machine and it runs circles around all other scroll saws I
have had or still have.... once the blade is changed. It
takes quite a bit of time and patience to change a blade.
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Nice saw, March 15, 2006
Reviewer: Alton Stubblefield
I have not used this saw much, but I really like it thus
far. The blade changing is very easy and it runs very
smooth. The variable speed works very well. I accidently
ordered 2 of these saws and both had shipped before I
noticed it. I sent one back and Amazon took care of
everything. Thanks Amazon
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Dewalt DW788 Scroll Saw, March 7, 2006
Reviewer: S. Emerson
Recieved my new saw in a short time. Saw worked
wonderfully for me. Only minor problem I can find is the
need for a better system of attaching the blades in the
saw. I had some trouble with the blade slipping from under
the set screw fastener.
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Great! Until you need service!, February 24, 2006
Reviewer: The Temp (OHIO)
Yes its a great saw. However if anything goes wrong don't
hold your breath hopeing Dewalt will honor the warranty.
Now I just have a great looking yellow sculpture. If there
is one iota of moisture in the shop (above 75%) don't
count on this machine working past a few months!
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