There are those who are great scroll saw masters who can make works of art using any scroll saw......then there's me.

After trying the Ryobi and the Shop Fox scroll saws, I was beginning to think I could never scroll saw. Ryobi vibrated very badly (I have messed up hands and the vibration wreaks havoc) and the Shop Fox's easy pinless blade change system was a nightmare for me (again, bad hands).

LOML just blessed me with the DeWalt DW788. This saw is amazing. Here's my review:

Ordered from Amazon and delivered within 3 days undamaged. Upon opening the box, the bag with the wrench, blades, screws to mount the table, and the manual were missing....rats.

I called DeWalt and spoke to a very nice rep who set up a mailing to get the items sent to me. Unfortunately, will take 7-10 days...so.....I decided not to wait. I have a hex wrench, some leftover blades from previous attempts. The manual was online and Lowe's had the M8 16mm screws to mount the table.

Set up was easy: Just push the table into the pin at the back of the saw, screw in the 2 mounting screws underneath, and adj the zero mark for setting up the table 90 degrees to the blade. Took just a few minutes.


The blade holders use two large thumb-type screws to clamp in the blade. Very easy, no tool necessary. Even with my hands, I was able to do this effortlessly. I could see the bottom clamp through the table and access to the lower clamp is easy while sitting at the saw. Didn't have to lean over and look underneath. The unit uses pinless blades.

The on/off switch is on the top of the arm at the front, easy to get to if you need to in a hurry. The speed control is up there as well.

The blade tightening lever (not a knob) is at the very front face of the upper arm and it's numbered to make it easier to remember where I set it.

The manual says that when changing the motor brushes, let the the motor run for 10 min under no load to seat the brushes properly. I went ahead and did this even though it's not mentioned in set up.

I waxed the table well, but may take some fine sandpaper to it later on.

I clamped the saw to my project table and started in with some practice cuts. I'm not sure I felt any vibration at all (really---I'm not kidding). Cuts were easy, blade held firm (I use Flying Dutchman blades - great blades). I started with cutting 1/8" fiberboard just to see what would happen. Of course it cut that well. I also tried cuts on 1/2" oak, 1/2" pine, 1.5" pine. Had no problems whatsover (no vibration, broken blades, etc).

I'm very new at scrolling, so I really appreciated how this saw seem to work with me and not against me. I use a foot pedal (not included) which adds more control making it easier to stop the blade in a hurry as I use the saw.

This saw really makes scrolling enjoyable. DeWalt gives a 1 year svc contract and 3 year limited warranty. I bought through Amazon as they had the best price.

NOTE: DeWalt has a rebate program going until the end of April. Various rebates on selected tools. The DW788 has a $50 rebate. Here's the link to the rebate PDF:




Overall, I'm extemely happy with this saw. I've already made the main cut on a toy car I'm working on. Was really surprised how well it came out even before taking the piece to the oscillating spindle sander.