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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: crusty59 on March 08, 2011, 08:51:57 am

Title: Fixed the switch
Post by: crusty59 on March 08, 2011, 08:51:57 am

My dewalt stop working yesterday. the fuse was good, the motor turned freely, so I took the switch out and bypassed it and the saw ran. I was going to buy a new switch anyway so I took the switch apart. There is a little flat piece of metal in the switch, you can tell that over time it bends. I straightened it out and put it back together. I was back cutting in know time.

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: Dawie on March 08, 2011, 09:15:39 am

Well done Crusty. Glad it wasn't a major problem, though for me even that would be ;D.
David

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: dunk on March 08, 2011, 11:32:40 am

The switch seems to be an inherent problem with the 788.  That is why the majority of us who use the 788 use a foot switch and turn the saw on and place tape over the switch to keep the dust out.

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: cameronj on March 08, 2011, 12:10:20 pm

I haven't had any problems with the switch on my dewalt.  So, I'll have to keep this idea in mind for when I do.  Thanks.
Jim

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: Russ C on March 08, 2011, 01:02:19 pm

I am also glad you got it fixed with little trouble.  :)

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: GrayBeard on March 08, 2011, 01:48:23 pm

On mine there are two holes, one on either side of the switch housing so I just turned it on and ran a 'cable tie' through the holes and locked the switch in the ON position and then covered it with YELLOW Duct Tape!!!

~~~GB~~~

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: Marshall on March 09, 2011, 01:53:48 am

Quote from: GrayBeard on March 08, 2011, 01:48:23 pm

On mine there are two holes, one on either side of the switch housing so I just turned it on and ran a 'cable tie' through the holes and locked the switch in the ON position and then covered it with YELLOW Duct Tape!!!

~~~GB~~~

I had heard that the switch was a problem also , and on other scroll-saw sites they said to leave the switch turned on and cover it with plastic and tape too keep the dust out of it -- and use the foot switch only . Well never the less this what I have done , I'm not one to learn the hard way anymore ............

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: ups34 on March 09, 2011, 04:55:19 am

Same for  me. One of the first things I found when joining this site. Tape the switch. I was using the foot pedel.

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: crusty59 on March 09, 2011, 09:36:33 am

I'll just have to struggle threw with my switch. I can't use a foot peddle due to my feet don't work very well anymore. But it is good advice for all you others out there with a dewalt

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: tux_linux on March 09, 2011, 09:47:48 am

I don't know how they sell the tools in USA - but in Germany we have safety switches in electrical tools.
Those switches prevent the saw from running when general power is turned on.

regards
Torsten

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: Crabbyboater on March 09, 2011, 11:17:16 am

Crusty, if your feet won't allow you to use a foot switch, consider mounting it on one leg of the saw and using your knee to activate it.  Just a thought, if that would work for you.

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: nickchalker on March 09, 2011, 08:30:39 pm

good to hear this info.  I've had my dewalt since August 2010 with no trouble yet.  I have thought about getting the foot switch, now I think I will pick one up next trip to Harbor Freight so I might avoid that problem. 
Nick

Title: Re: Fixed the switch
Post by: mrsn on March 09, 2011, 09:02:23 pm

I had to replace the switch on my Hitachi a couple of months ago. I was worried something more serious was wrong with the saw and was glad it was as easy as the switch.