DEWALT Scroll Saw, 1.3 Amp, 20 in Steel Blade, With Variable-Speed Trigger, For Precise Cuts (DW788)

I waited a while before writing this review to be sure I got good at using this scroll saw. Well, there's not much to learn at all. I have used several other less expensive saws in my time, but WOW is this worth the price!The tension knob has numbers on it so you can get the tension the same each time with each different blade. No guessing where to turn a knob.The blades ARE very easy to put in! Blade changing has always been a pain with other saws so I don't know why this is so easy. I barely tighten the knob (wimpy girl) (no wrench needed) and the blade is in. Maybe there is something inside the blade holder that is different and holds blades in place better than the others without the excessive tightening.The blower actually works and having a long, bendable arm, you can position it where you want.The lower blade guard was in the way so I took it off. I always turn off the power strip when I change blades so I feel safe doing this although it is certainly "not recommended".The upper arm can be raised to make it easier to insert the top part of the blade into your project for inside cuts. I cut a piece of wood to hold the arm up when I do this. Yes, Dewalt has been informed of this oversight and may put something on the arm next time to hold it up.The best accessory for this? That foot pedal. No more trying to hold my wood with one hand while the blade is going, and reach up or down to turn the machine off ! When I need a break, the phone rings, or a neighbor drops by, I take my foot off the pedal and it comes to a "dead stop" just as advertised. Great one on Amazon for about $22. Magnifying light is terrific to have too.Most scroll saw web sites tell newbees not to use the spiral blades and I don't know why. I am not a newbee, but I'm not a professional either. I make basic craft things, and do not make the intricate fret work. The "New Spiral Blades" by Flying Dutchman, (# 5's) go through my pine wood like butter and there is no need to keep turning the wood either. I am not real good at making small turns with the regular blades. With a blade that's twisted and can go in any direction, I have no trouble getting into tight areas. These blades have flat ends too, which make them real easy to install. (This saw takes only flat ended blades, no pin blades)Amazon...please look into carrying these Flying Dutchman "New Spiral Blades" soon so we don't have to search for them!Lastly, this machine runs so quietly, compared to the others, you hardly know it's on.As you can tell, I am so very jazzed that I finally got this Dewalt.

I have been waiting to acquire a decent scroll saw for ten years. Previously, I used a Delta 16" two-speed scroll saw. That saw offered basic scroll saw capabilities; however, it was very inaccurate, with excessive blade side-to-side and front-to-back blade movement. It was **O.K.** but not great for delicate work.The DeWalt is a solid performer, with very little vibration (almost none, actually), very low noise, and a great tension adjuster that allows one to adjust tension while the machine is running. I also like the generous-sized table. The blades are relatively easy to change (it is just a bit of work to load the blade into the bottom blade holder--I just clamp the blade into the top holder, then load it into the bottom holder). The manual is not available at the DeWalt site--I had to visit one of their ServiceNet sites to download an exploded view of the machine. I am still not sure how to adjust the table position in relation to the blade--the side of the blade runs through the hole in the table very close to side of the hole. It would be nice to be able to adjust the blade so that it runs through the center of the hole!!! All-in-all, the machine is a joy to use. I would definitely recommend this scroll saw above any others even close to the price range.July 2008 UPDATE: Still performing very well! The first link of the blower hose did crack where it connects to the spherical connector. I just removed the broken link and microwaved the hose to get it warmed up; it popped right back on. Also, for those who want info on tuneups for this saw, go to this link: [...]

This is a fine scroll saw. Cuts cleanly. Doesn't shake. A bit pricey though.

I was told the saw would be received in a week and I got it in about 4 days which was really nice. I also bought the stand that goes with the saw for an extra $46 and it was money well spent. The stand was very easy to assemble.I unpacked the saw (I bought a Used but New one) and could tell the saw had been openned and then repacked. The saw was in perfect condition, no scratches or blemishes at all. I picked the saw up and placed it on the stand and put the teardrop table on which was a snap. I looked for the 2 bolts to mount the table to the saw and found they were missing. These were M8 Hexhead machine screws so my local hardware store carried them, costing about $.86 a piece. When I went to insert the blades I noticed the thumbscrews were also missing. These are M6 screws so I went to the hardware store and bought 2 M6 hexhead machine screws and these worked. I superglued a allen wrench into the hexheads for a better handel to tighten the screws with. Another part, the foot which holds the material down was also missing (yes I was upset at this point but trudged on). This piece I could not purchase locally so I called Amazon and told hem via Chat what my situation was. They offered me a $25 refund but I wanted to see what all these parts would cost me, which was around $40 with shipping. So I contacted Amazon the following night via chat and expalined my situation and they gave me a %20 refund which was very nice, no questions asked etc. So even though I was missing a few parts I was still able to use the saw which cost me $400 with free shipping.Now on how the saw perfromed. I previously owned a Hitachi scrollsaw and this thing vibrated like there was no tomorrow. Hard to control and the blades kept popping out. The DW788 does not accept pin-in blades but thats fine with me. When I turned on the DW788, it was so smooth and so easy to use, I wondered why I ever bouht anything else. So easy to change and tighten the blade, you can slow the speed down very easly, I was like a kid in a candy shop. Heck I didn't want to go to bed it worked so nice. I had read about a guy who did a vobration test by balancing a nickle on his work bench to see it the vibration would knock it over. I didn't have a coin so I placed my beer on the saw table and it did not budge. WOW! an excellent saw plus a beer holder.Anyways, I would definetly repeat the purchase even with the minor hiccups, Great customer service and a wonderful saw.