Anyone know the secret for

[henthorn]

getting the back cover off the DW788 for lubricating the tension wedge and rear linkage? I've taken out the five bolts. How do you break it apart without damaging something?

[lucky788scroller]

id suggest go to rick H website, or refer to your owners manual. Ive never had a need to tear into my saws at all since I've began scrolling. Dale

[Dragon]

Welcome Henthorn
I didn't know that you had to open the 788 to oil it???
Diane

[Mackem]

Sorry Henthorn i can't help with your problem but wecome to the forum.

[ozarkhillbilly]

Here is a link to Rick H. home page, http://www.scrollsaws.com/ scroll down on the tool bar on the left to scrollsaw reviews.

[Janette]

You're supposed to oil it!!??

[morsewk]

I've had mine for 8 years and never oiled it!

[Dragon]

Just checked my user manual and you are not suppose to open the back. Under maintenance is a section on brushes. You are suppose to inspect them once in a while. They are found on the back right hand side of the saw. But the saw itself is not suppose to be opened ever.
Diane

[henthorn]

Sorry but I have heard otherwise.

Read Rick's page more closely. The saw is just a mechanical device. Nothing magic. The tension wedge allows the saw upper arm to raise for blade changing. The wedge does become dry and that can cause hard tensioning. Greasing the tension wedge will make it easy to tension again. The rear linkages should also be lubricated after several years of use just like the font linkages should be. It will make the saw run quieter and with less vibration. I know the back cover comes off because it is shown on Rick's page. The tension wedge and rod are clearly shown as well as the linkages that should be lubricated. Any machine will last infinitely longer and run better if it is kept well lubricated and that means all of it not just the parts you can see. And last, of course they tell you not to touch the saw. If you don't understand mechanical things you can screw it up. If you have done lots of mechanical work it is a pretty simple machine. I can see how it comes apart from the drawings but the drawings are not all that clear and pretty basic. I just want to be sure there isn't something not shown in the drawings that might be damaged when I force the casing apart. But thanks, all for your concerns. I will just have to go ahead and risk it. Let you know how it comes out. Love the forum.

[Marsha]

getting the back cover off the DW788 for lubricating the tension wedge and rear linkage? I've taken out the five bolts. How do you break it apart without damaging something?

Leave it alone, the DW788 dosen't require any oiling. Especially the tension wedge, oiling will cause it to slip.
Marsha

[Pop]

It's really great to know you're willing to pull some preventive maintenance on your tools but... I can't think of any power tool in my shop or almost any normal wood shop that requires more than just cleaning out the sawdust and maybe wiping down the work table with vegetable oil or a piece of wax paper for maintenance. Most bearings are sealed and surfaces that constantly rub against each other during operation are hardened or treated to take the wear and tear. I should have had you working for me when I was in charge of maintenence and engineering for GTE's buildings. I think the guys that worked for me didn't even know where their oil cans and grease guns were.

[Andy]

To remove the back cover you have to remove the saw from the stand if you have one, remove the table, the trunion where the table pivots on the rear, all the bolts from the left side of the machine, including the ones that hold the bottom blade holder in place, (all across the bottom of the section under the table but only on 1 side), and then the bolts you've already removed. The back section is recessed into the section under the table. I'd recommend throwing some carpet on your workbench and laying it on it's right side before you remove all this. Once you remove the covers there isn't much holding the saw together but all the areas you're interested in servicing are readily available. Remove the covers carefully or you'll end up with washers you have no idea where they go. Putting the covers back on is the tricky part as you have to align them to the motor shaft bearings. Not a BIG deal, but I still have 1 washer I have no idea where it came from. LOL Good luck!

Andy

[henthorn]

Thanks, Andy

That confirms what I thought. Will give it a go.

[Janette]

My thoughts are "If it ain't broke..."

besides- with my luck, I'd never get it back together again!

[Neal Moore]

Yep...If it ain't broke....keep workin' on it 'till is!! LOL!!