What would you pay for this DeWalt scroll saw?

[lakeview2628]

The DeWalt dw788 scroll saw retails for about $475. I can probably get one from a neighbor for $200. He claims he's used it only four times and still has the original box and manual. However, the saw is 12 or 13 years old. If the saw were only a few years old I would have already pulled the trigger. I want a good quality scroll saw but not sure what could go wrong with these scroll saws as they age. It was stored in a garage and it looks like it was well cared for but concerned that some of the rubber and plastic parts may not be as reliable from all the heating and cooling over the years. He's firm on the $200. What does this group think? Good buy?

 

[Higgins]

If it was my neighbor, it would be in my garage already!!!

 

[LeeG]

I just sold that same saw on CL, in about the same condition for $275. $200 is a pretty good deal.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Why not ask to try it out. If it suits your needs I'd buy it. Look on ebay, used ones are more than that. $200 is a great deal.

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[bubinga]

The DeWalt dw788 scroll saw retails for about $475. I can probably get one from a neighbor for $200. He claims he's used it only four times and still has the original box and manual. However, the saw is 12 or 13 years old. If the saw were only a few years old I would have already pulled the trigger. I want a good quality scroll saw but not sure what could go wrong with these scroll saws as they age. It was stored in a garage and it looks like it was well cared for but concerned that some of the rubber and plastic parts may not be as reliable from all the heating and cooling over the years. He's firm on the $200. What does this group think? Good buy?

I have that saw. If like new, worth $200.00 lMO

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[rkevins]

If it is the age he says it could be a better quality saw than those sold today, I believe at that time they were built by Excalibur and are a more precision saw I would take that chance in a minute.

 

[JimH74]

I too think the older DeWalts are better. A type 1 is more desirable than a type 2.
Good luck!

 

[neophyte]

When that Dewalt saw originally came out, one professional Marquetry professional I meant raved about the quality, especially for the price.
Also, I’m not sure how much can go wrong with most Scrollsaws, other than maybe the blade clamps and normal stuff like switches.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Yes 7, No 0...you buy it yet?

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[lakeview2628]

Sorry for the late follow up, guys. Thanks for all the input. Just came home with the saw! It is a type 1 made in Canada so I guess that makes it Excalibur-made. Ran smoothly when we tested it but I'll let you know if I run into any issues after I try it out more thoroughly.

 

[lakeview2628]

One more update. When I started reading the manual I found it odd that it was printed in 1997. I Check the date code on the saw and it was made in 1999. So I guess it is a 20 year-old saw not a 12 year old saw. really looks like it hasn't been used much so not sure it matters. I'll pull the brush cover off tomorrow to see how the brushes look. Hopefully they tell the same story.

 

[mike93lx]

Saw you bought it, but for anyone else reading this and considering one, Scroll saws take up a bunch of space, aren't particularly fun to use and are only really useful for detail work. Do you really want one or are you considering it just because it is a good deal?

 

[lakeview2628]

Saw you bought it, but for anyone else reading this and considering one, Scroll saws take up a bunch of space, aren't particularly fun to use and are only really useful for detail work. Do you really want one or are you considering it just because it is a good deal?

I hope most folks reading this aren't just buying tools because they are a good deal. In my case, I've been searching Craigslist for a good scroll saw at a good price for about a year. seeing some really amazing fretwork piqued my interest a while back. After reading some forums, it seems like the perfect saw to use in the evening after a long day at my office job just to relax. It's quiet, creates very little mess. Seems somewhat cathartic or meditative. I can set it up in my basement so I don't have to go out to my humid garage. additionally, my fifteen-year-old son is finally starting to show some interest in power tools. I thought this might be the perfect power tool to start with given that chances of cutting a finger off are slim to none. Who knows, maybe he'll even enjoy it.

 

[rkevins]

I hope most folks reading this aren't just buying tools because they are a good deal. In my case, I've been searching Craigslist for a good scroll saw at a good price for about a year. seeing some really amazing fretwork piqued my interest a while back. After reading some forums, it seems like the perfect saw to use in the evening after a long day at my office job just to relax. It's quiet, creates very little mess. Seems somewhat cathartic or meditative. I can set it up in my basement so I don't have to go out to my humid garage. additionally, my fifteen-year-old son is finally starting to show some interest in power tools. I thought this might be the perfect power tool to start with given that chances of cutting a finger off are slim to none. Who knows, maybe he'll even enjoy it.

This is the same way I started out in the shop not in the basement but making Christmas ornaments for friends and family, I make Mom one every year with the date and others , now she decorates a tree just with my hand made ornaments.

 

[metaldad]

One more update. When I started reading the manual I found it odd that it was printed in 1997. I Check the date code on the saw and it was made in 1999. So I guess it is a 20 year-old saw not a 12 year old saw. really looks like it hasn't been used much so not sure it matters. I'll pull the brush cover off tomorrow to see how the brushes look. Hopefully they tell the same story.

dont bother. i have rarely had brushes wear out. and im a contractor, with multiple tools, and crews.
is there a grease bearing cavity? id check that.
you bought a slightly used old saw, for a great price. enjoy!

 

[mike93lx]

I hope most folks reading this aren't just buying tools because they are a good deal.

Ha! This site might as well be a support group for people that do exactly that.

Either way, glad you found what you were looking for

 

[lakeview2628]

This is the same way I started out in the shop not in the basement but making Christmas ornaments for friends and family, I make Mom one every year with the date and others , now she decorates a tree just with my hand made ornaments.

That's a great way to put a scroll saw to use. My first project is going to be cutting out some wooden dinosaurs for my two younger kids. Some larger ones for the walls in their room and some smaller ones to play with.

 

[lakeview2628]

dont bother. i have rarely had brushes wear out. and im a contractor, with multiple tools, and crews.
is there a grease bearing cavity? id check that.
you bought a slightly used old saw, for a great price. enjoy!

Ok I'll check. Thanks for the tip.

 

[rr1963]

Ok I'll check. Thanks for the tip.

You might want to check the service videos by Gwinnett Woodworkers on You Tube. They have some good videos on servicing that saw.

 

[lakeview2628]

You might want to check the service videos by Gwinnett Woodworkers on You Tube. They have some good videos on servicing that saw.

Wow. Just took a quick look. Great channel. Thank you

 

[rr1963]

Wow. Just took a quick look. Great channel. Thank you