First scroll set set for delivery today

[bstark]

My DeWalt DW788 is scheduled for delivery today... if the baby sitter hears the door and signs for it. I should have paid extra for her to sit on the porch all day. Actually... I should have been sick!

Since it didn't ship until yesterday (ordered from Amazon) and I used super saver shipping... I was not expecting it this soon. Next day delivery? Now that is service. Crossing fingers for no damage.

[wood-n-things]

Good for you and no tickets driving home from work...Better safe and enjoy your new saw than in the hoosegow....LOL

[JimSawyer]

Good for you and no tickets driving home from work...Better safe and enjoy your new saw than in the hoosegow....LOL

Hoosegow...???!?
Mike, you're showing your age...lol.

788 RULES...!!!
Not to make you more excited...But it is one amazing saw....
Good for you...!!!

[bstark]

The saw is all set up (at least I hope it is set up right) Didn't seem like anything I could screw up... it was all assembled.

The stand however (from Grizzly) show up missing 3 parts! =( Very disappointing... especially when they ask be to call DeWalt and get them to send me the parts. Sigh.

So I had a few blanks (.5 inch poplar) with some test patterns ready to go, and went at it. It was harder than I thought it would be to keep on track. I caught myself pressing sideways on the blank trying to get back on instead of turning it, but I caught on pretty fast. Started to turn the wrong way at least twice LOL.

I cut all 4 patterns with one blade... not sure how to tell if the blade is dull yet. I was very please how easy it was to install the blade... but it boggles my mind how many times it must be done on some of the fretwork I have seen in photos here.

As much as I'd love to start jumping into some projects... I think I have a lot more practice to do, but I am ready for it.

[Carter-Johnson]

Good way to start, Stark! Keep it up. Practice is the key.

I'm a big advocate of freehand practice for a newcomer. See if you can freehand cut (without a pattern) some familiar shapes like a giraffe, an arrow, a wheelbarrow, etc. The skill you gain will be a big help later.

And disconnect the blade guard on the saw and throw it away. You don't need it for safety and it just gets in the way.

Happy Scrolling and Have Phun!

Carter

[treslakter]

I agree with Carter about removing the blade guard, but don't throw it away! There is a possibility that it can be used for something later. I have an idea that will come in the forum at some time... Just need to get it completed and tested!

From your first picture it looks like the saw is well adjusted. The blade is in the center of the hole in the table, as it is meant to be. It has been some complaints about the saws not beeing well adjusted, so may be the manufacturer has learnt something from the discussions here? - Keep up the good work!

[bstark]

Got rid of the blade guard... it was kinda getting in the way anyway. The FD-UR blades arrived from Mike today... and the blades made a huge difference! The only major screw up was there was some shaking as I neared the end of the maple leaf stem and it broke. Nothing a little glue couldn't fixed.

[dgman]

Two more tips. Get rid of the guard in front of the lower blade holder. It gets in the way when changing blades, and wax the table.

[stephenD]

You are doing well. As was mentioned above, keep practicing. It gets better and better, sometimes.

[paul44224]

You are doing good! If you do wax the table top, make sure the wax does not have silicones in it. The silicones gets on the wood, and you won't be able to put a finish on it. I use Johnson's floor wax.

Paul

[fredfret]

don't feel bad. I ordered my 788 from the Orange box. it took 3 different stands to get a complete one. I still love my yeller saw 9 yrs later.
fredfret
wichita,, ks

[SteveK]

Love my DW. the saw was a snap to assemble, BUT the stand calls for five hands!

[Frank D]

That's a nice saw you have there. I have the same one. One tip I have is position your pattern on the wood so the grain goes vertical on the leaf, that way the grain will follow the stem and be stronger. Keep up the good work!

Frank D.

[capt. lucky]

good for you a new saw is the best way to start the day. the more you cut the better it looks. Ron

[bstark]

That's a nice saw you have there. I have the same one. One tip I have is position your pattern on the wood so the grain goes vertical on the leaf, that way the grain will follow the stem and be stronger. Keep up the good work!

Frank D.

Thanks Frank... that makes sense. Such a simple tip but definitely something I didn't consider. I will keep that in mind now. I did a long curly tail on a letter today with harder wood... but with the grain and it worked nicely. Thanks again.

-brad