Delta Saw

[Jeff R. King]

My first post on the site - I've gone through at least a hundred pages on here over the past few weeks. Great site and great people.

I have been trying to learn as much as possible from watching videos and reading posts - I think I'm ready to get a few tools to start playing around with some wood.

My problem - I don't know what old saws are good and what aren't. This is an old Delta saw - is it a decent saw or not?







Thanks for any help!

Jeff

[Chuck Isaacson]

How much does someone want for that? It looks like it has seen better days. In order for it to be really functional, you are going to need to get two extension wings. There obviously arent any on there. That is going to be an added cost. If you are feeling really handy, you could build a set of wings for it. You really need to take a closer look at it and see what condition the motor, arbor, trunnion, table top, and fence are in. I think that if you watch Craigslist, you will find something that is at least complete for a decent price. Getting into woodworking is a lot of fun. It has a tendancy to lose its fun if you have to keep repairing your tools, or are getting sub-standard result from your tools. A good saw will last a long time if it is properly maintained and take care of.

Chuck

[mickey cassiba]

Hey Jeff!
That's an oldie. Can you find a model number on it? A lot of them are pretty similar. I have prints on a lot of the old stuff, service notes and such. There should be a spec plate either on the left or right lower cabinet side. Might be painted over. If we can figure out what model and if I have it I'd be happy to scan it and send it to you.
Another resource is OWWM dot org.

[Jeff R. King]

Thanks for the comments. I'll try to get the information on the saw.

He wants $50 for it - how much would extensions wings be? Maybe I'm better off with a more complete saw since I don't know what most of what Chuck wrote about even means....?

[Carroll Courtney]

Welcome to one of the best forums on the net!!!!Being a beginner,you can either start off w/a good saw that is ideal for such,or you can jump right in and get either a PM66 or Unisaw.Then you will never have to think about upgrading.For me when I started off,I did not know if this woodworking thing was for me.So I went down to Sears and purchase a 10" saw.But after a couple of yrs,the fence was not the best and the hp was also alittle weak.Searching the "Wantads"in the local paper I came across PM66 table saw,did not know what it was or what it look like other than it was a 10"table saw.Went to look at it that day,good griff that thing is huge compared to the Sears.That was 20yrs ago and I still have that saw.I also have a 10" 1950 Unisaw that I paid 250.00 for a yr ago.If your not in a hurry,search the local CL's,SMC Want Ads,OWWM forum and like the saw you are looking at right now,you can fine a more complete saw that is not missing a thing other than a good cleaning.For me,used was the way for me to go,it fit my budget.Alot of saws are out there to fit anybodys budget.Remember the old saying"Buy quality and cry once,buy cheap and cry often.Good Luck and post pics of your saw.----Carroll

[Bill Huber]

To start, welcome to the Creek..... it is a great place to get really good info.

On the saw, the one you are looking at is a right tilt saw, I myself do not like right tilts saws but then that is just me. You can make your own extensions or you can buy cast irons one for about $80 each.

You can find a lot of older saws around for $200 or less. The things you have to watch for a the arbor bearings and rust. There are also a lot of bench top saw out there for under $100 but I don't think much of them.

If the bearing are shot you can replace them in most cases. The rust if it is deep well there is not a lot you can do.

I started out about 2 years ago with a 54 year old Craftsman, after getting it set up right it worked very well for my needs. I sold it and it is still going and doing just fine.

[Gary Radice]

My two cents: That can be a very nice light duty saw that looks like it is in pretty good shape. It is always tough to tell anyone else what it is "worth" because what might be worth it to you might not be to me and vice versa.

That said, it has a lot going for it: you have the motor and stand, the fence and the miter gauge so you don't need to look for those parts assuming they all work. You can use it as it is, but as they noted it will be more usable with extension wings. If you want to try buying them, get over to owwm.org and register, and post a WTB in their classified area they call BOYD. While you are waiting, you can also try making them out of torsion boxes. I did that for a similar saw:



and it worked out OK.

Plan also on replacing the bearings in the motor and the saw arbor. And a new belt. Not particularly difficult jobs but they will require some patience, some info, and a few tools you might not have like bearing pullers and an arbor press, but you'll have the advantage of learning better how your saw is put together. The owwm site has lots of help for you, just ask. But I realize that most folks prefer plug and play. This saw probably isn't unless you know different.

[Ken Shoemaker]

Jeff,

If it turns out you need an extension wing, I replaced one on my Delta with A Benchdog and Router Lift. I have one sitting here with a fine coat of rust that could be easily cleaned up with WD-40 and a Scotchbrite.

Trade me something for it, restore a great old saw, and post us some pictures of your first project.

Good luck!!!! Ken

[scott spencer]

All I can tell you is that it's easily worth $50. The fence, motor, miter guage, handwheels, stand, etc. all have some value that should eclipse $50. With some wings, lubrication, a good alignment, and a decent blade, it could make for a decent saw.

This website might be useful. OWWM

[Jeff R. King]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm kind of on the fence on this one since I don't know much about table saws and don't have anyone I'm real close to that does. I'll take a look at it and check for deep rust and all that - if I do get it, I'll probably need some guidance on getting it in good shape.

Jeff

[Jerome Hanby]

Great looking restore! Is that a real goose egg or a fiberglass one?

[Scott Perkins47]

Dont let these guys scare you with talk about needing extension
wings etc. As beginner starting out that saw is probaby way
more than you need. All I would ask of the seller is to let you
cut a few pieces of wood before you bought it.

I think the worst thing is that the motor could be close
to burned out or corroded and not run well etc.
Let it run a while and saw some wood.

Tilt the table and raise and lower the blade and remove
the saw blade and check for any slop in the arbor bearings
etc. I'll tell you this, I think it would cost over 700 dollars
to replace that saw today brand new.

Fifty bucks for something that seems to work is absurdly
low. JUMP ON IT.

Oh yea, re extension wings etc. heck just stick books
under cardboard boxes to jack em up to about the same
height as your table saw. or something similar. no need
to get fancy starting out.

[Rob Robinson VT]

You might also want to check out any auctions in your area. If you Google "Woodworking Auctions" you should find several as there are almost always woodshops, cabinet manufacturers, etc. going out of business. Several years ago when I was part owner of a contract speaker cabinet manufacturing facility we bought a lot of our equipment at such auctions, including several of the old U.S.-made Unisaws. In a quick search I just found a vintage Unisaw for less than $400 as well as a PM66 for less than $500 - bargains are out there if you're willing to take a little time looking. Just my $.02.