Scrollsaw Workshop Community -Please register to enable posting.

General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: WigWag Workshop on September 11, 2010, 03:08:15 pm

Title: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 11, 2010, 03:08:15 pm
Good Day Folks!

I am Trying to get the finishing touches on the new saw, Dewalt DW788, however I can't seem to get the blade centered (See Picture). Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Steven
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: dgman on September 11, 2010, 03:30:42 pm
Steven, First or all, get rid of the hold down foot. It will just get in your way. Just file it in the waste can.
As for centering the blade, first make sure you have tension on the blade. Now, look under the table.  there are two screws that mount the table to the tilt adjuster. Loosen the screws and you will be able to adjust the table to center the blade.
Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: termite on September 11, 2010, 04:08:33 pm
on some 788 the hole is drilled off center. mine was. measure in from both sides & check. i
called dewalt & they sent me a new one, took a couple of days. i dont have their number handy.
sorry
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 11, 2010, 05:17:44 pm
Steven, First or all, get rid of the hold down foot. It will just get in your way. Just file it in the waste can.
As for centering the blade, first make sure you have tension on the blade. Now, look under the table.  there are two screws that mount the table to the tilt adjuster. Loosen the screws and you will be able to adjust the table to center the blade.
Hope this helps!

Your suggestions were very helpful, I got rid of the the hold down foot, I adjusted the set screws, both top and bottom, all is good now.

Thanks Again for responding to my question,

Steven
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 11, 2010, 05:20:07 pm
on some 788 the hole is drilled off center. mine was. measure in from both sides & check. i
called dewalt & they sent me a new one, took a couple of days. i dont have their number handy.
sorry

I measured both sides, I guess I am lucky, cause they are equal.  Thank You for responding with your suggestion.  It's greatly appreciated!

Steven
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: GrayBeard on September 11, 2010, 05:57:56 pm
Time to quit a fiddlin' and git to cuttin' ! ! !

~~~GrayBeard~~~
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 11, 2010, 06:07:07 pm
Time to quit a fiddlin' and git to cuttin' ! ! !

~~~GrayBeard~~~

 ;D Have to make a run and get some wood
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: dgman on September 11, 2010, 06:47:48 pm
You been waiting for that saw for a week and you don't have any wood ready to go??? :o :o :o
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: sp_343 on September 11, 2010, 07:01:40 pm
I agree with Dan...when I ordered my DeWalt I had wood and patterns ready to go...get to the wood store and get a cuttin!!  Ha Ha!  Enjoy the new saw!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: GrayBeard on September 11, 2010, 09:40:23 pm
Steven....

We are behind you and are almost as happy about your new saw as you are!

Just remember that if we stop kidding you we have likely forgotten about you....

Grab a scrap of wood and Let 'er RIP! and Crosscut and .....

~~~GrayBeard~~~
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: MadHatter on September 11, 2010, 10:42:57 pm
mine wasnt centered either when i got it earlier this year, i cut a few things with it as it was, and thanks to this forum i found out how to center it. great forum we have to share tips and advice.  :) :)
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: julief on September 12, 2010, 07:19:55 am
NO WOOD?????  I'm with GB - I would have had everything ready to go so I could play with my new toy.  Can't wait to see what comes next.  Have fun.
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: GrayBeard on September 12, 2010, 10:01:03 am
Very first thing I cut after assembling my 788

~~~GB~~~
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 12, 2010, 11:07:27 am
That's a great idea, I will have to make that.
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: northie66 on September 12, 2010, 12:32:54 pm
My arm stays up when I put it up.  Is that a bad thing?
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: dgman on September 12, 2010, 12:42:48 pm
Actually Janet the upper arm of the DeWalt saw is designed to not stay up on its own. This is an advantage for us top feeders. When feeding from the top, I lift the arm with my right hand wile aligning the blade to the next hole with my left hand. Then let gravity lower the upper arm and the blade into the hole. If this is what you would like to do, then yes, this is wrong. However if you are a bottom feeder, then it would be advantageous for the arm to stay up by itself.
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: yyyyyguy on September 12, 2010, 02:33:53 pm
I"m getting so jealous with you guys talking about your Dewalts, (I'll have one some day) I considering buying some yellow paint for my Dremel ;D
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: dgman on September 12, 2010, 03:27:54 pm
Hey wise guy, It's a rule here that when you make it to full member you have to have a top tier saw!! ::) ::)
Just kidding! I started on a Dremel, so I know what you are dealing with! :(
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: julief on September 12, 2010, 05:19:17 pm
I like the fact that my arm stays up.  I can place my wood and bring the arm down when I'm ready and not have to prop it up.
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: northie66 on September 12, 2010, 05:23:48 pm
I'm a bottom feeder.    :P ;D
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: Marcellarius on September 13, 2010, 12:43:23 pm
I heard about feeders, didn't know the came in two species.
now I know, top feeders and bottom feeders.  8) ;D :D ;D

I hope that feeding behind the saw doesn't give us overweight  :D
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 13, 2010, 04:57:56 pm
I did a few practice cuts with some scrap wood I had laying around, I think I am going to be a bottom feeder.  I also ordered a supply of FD blades, and drill bits.  I also have a few patterns ready to go, work is going to busy for the next few days.

Steven
Title: Re: Centering the Blade
Post by: WigWag Workshop on September 13, 2010, 07:06:18 pm
I just ordered the following Baltic Birch in 12" x 12"
6pc of 1/8
4pc of 1/4
3pc of 3/8
1pc of 1/2

Hopefully that will keep me busy, for a few days.