Topics

1

General Scroll Saw Talk / Troubleshooting DeWalt 788 Blade Movement

« on: June 10, 2018, 05:24:47 pm »

I have a new DeWalt 788 that I've been learning some basics on scroll sawing.  I'm exploring a blade movement issue, that of the blade moving forward and backward through the stroke.  I've determined that the blade moves forward about 1/32" from the top to near the center/just below center of the stroke and then back again the bottom of the stroke, but not as far as at the top.  Here is a video documenting that movement.  The blade is essentially traveling in an arc, which I would have thought would not be the case, given the complex mechanics and geometry of the machine design.
https://vimeo.com/274311836

In this setup, a piece of brass 1/32" wide is held in the blade clamps upon which the indicator needle is riding.

I've read the DeWalt Tune-Up material on Rick Hutchenson's site (http://www.scrollsaws.com/) but what I am seeing does not seem to be the same thing.  I believe I read somewhere early on that the DeWalt has a design "feature" of the blade moving back away from the cut on the up stroke.  But as I'm learning by trying to make tight turns and from reading that such a blade movement is not conducive to making nice tight, sharp turns, such as at sharp points in patterns.  The blade is moving forward almost the distance of the blade width (#7 Olson PGT) and back again a little over half a blade width.  I can see how that is not good for making tight, crisp turns.

Has anyone observed this motion/behavior and is there anything that can be done about it?

If there is no fix for this, I am not wed to this saw and wonder if there are other saws out there that do not have this problem.

Rick

2

Introduce Yourself. / New Guy From NE Oregon

« on: June 10, 2018, 04:38:01 pm »

Hi, Rick here, just joined after getting a DeWalt 788 so I can make puzzles for my granddaughter.  She is loving everything I do with it, even the practices pieces and the tiny pieces of scrap that come out. 

I've been a metal and wood worker for a long time, but never much considered scroll sawing.  As could be expected, there is quite a wide world in scrolling.  I've studied a lot of online stuff, watched some videos and am reading/working through some books.  The bunny puzzle was my first go at it (1/8" Baltic birch plywood), before reading or viewing much. 


Most recently, I've been exploring some issues with blade movement patterns with the 788.  I've read some online stuff on how to fix a couple know problems, but what I'm seeing doesn't seem to fit.  I'll post separately on the general forum to elaborate and seek feedback.

Rick