Please forgive me,,but trust you all's input...

[stipes]

I been makin alot of things frm my milled wood,,but nothing big,,,small projects,,,and this table saw is crap I bought last spring...I was lookin at a Hitachi c10fl new for under 600.00 or a used Delta 36-717 for 200.00 more...I been readin and readin,,but just dont know what would be better...
I'm sorry I posted this in the milling section,,but as I said,,I trust you all and feel like I can get some good advice without all the BS...

 

[ROOTSXROCKS]

My first instinct would be to go with the delta. as long as it is in good condition.
I prefer to buy used older tools and refurbish as needed. but what I love the most is really old industrial type tools with machine knurled knobs and heavy cast iron. I prefer to not rely on most modern safety features, as the open blade tends to make me more careful on the setup and actions.

No matter how smooth a fence rolls and adjust I never ever trust them to be accurate, I always measure to the blade on both sided to assure square and accurate cuts. and most often use a scrap to test before cutting a dedicated piece that is matched to the project. so as long as the blade don't wobble and the motor is strong enough,any saw will do.

ETA. I would also be looking out for a 12 inch used for under 600.00.

 

[mtngun]

I'm in the same boat. Started out with a Ryobi table saw, BT3000 I think, for weekend projects, and it worked well when it was new. However, now I am using it to build a house and all the stuff that goes inside a house, and the Ryobi is not aging well. Too many light duty parts that wear or get out of adjustment.

I'm not familiar with the two saws you mentioned, but my plan is to watch craig's list and want ads for an old table saw with stout table and fence. Maybe even a used cabinet saw instead of benchtop/contractors. They are out there, just gotta be patient.

 

[ROOTSXROCKS]

You reminded me Of a place I have not visited in a while, thanks for giving me a reason to look it up. http://www.owwm.com/

The Old Woodworking Machines web site is devoted to information on the history, restoration and use of vintage woodworking machinery. This site has been developed through contributions by many enthusiasts of antique iron

the forum is a different URL and you have to register separate, I don't know why but the Forum is http://www.owwm.org/index.php

 

[gemniii]

Go with an old Delta. My grandfather bought one about 1964, we built a duplex, full cabinetry and then he used it in his cabinetry business till he passed about 1980. I inherited it, have had to replace one part and it still is true and solid. When you can get a good 45 years out of a piece of equipment it's paid for itself. I do buy saw blades and belts

 

[BlueRider]

It really comes down to what you plan to do with the saw. for ocasional projects either saw you mentioned will be fine. If think you will become a lifelong furniture maker even as a hoby then you will be disapointed with either saw. the Delta will meet you needs for a long time but it is a hybrid saw designed for the hobbist and a serious user will out likely out grow it. It is not as heavy duty as the Unisaw which it resembles. Also $800 for a used hybrid is a bit on the steep side of the price range.

I have a Jet cabinet saw with a 52" biesmeyer fence and a 3 hp motor. When I bought my saw I was looking for a used Powermatic 66 but could not locate one and my old saw took a dump and I needed a new one right away because I use it in my business. I am very happy with the Jet and it has held up very well fior 10 years. I paid $1400 for it and at the time it was a couple hundred less than a unisaw and I think a new powermatic was about $2200. I have worked on Uni's and 66's and the Jet is in the same catagory.

My table saw is by far my newest power tool. Most of my stuff dates from the late 50's with the oldest being my mortice machine dating from the mid 20's(all original and working just fine by the way). these old machines hold up well and usually only need to be taken apart so you can remove all the old stiff grease, add some paint and maybe a bearing or two, a belt, new cord and you will be set for a life time of use. OWWM.com is a great place to hang out and learn about old arn.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

what I love the most is really old industrial type tools with machine knurled knobs and heavy cast iron.

That's the stuff! :agree2:

 

[BIG JAKE]

I had an old cast iron table saw-very heavy and a good saw. But I needed portability, better ease of use, and accuracy. I get that with this:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S5S5CW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000S5Q7AE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Q7H0QERFW6GEKN3YSJX

I'm a licensed contractor and I've run this saw pretty hard-never and issue. The older one I had only one issue with-no miter T slot. So when they came out with that I bought that one. With either saw I've had zero issues. It has the power, portability, and accuracy I need. The gravity rise stand is very good. I've even made cabinets with this saw. Another nice thing with this saw is when I'm at home, I can easily move outside the shop to cut and I avoid dusting everything(I don't have a dedicated woodshop)-no cleanup either. When I looked at all the other options this is the one I wanted. If I had to buy a new saw today I'd get another Bosch-I'm that happy. There are alot of good saws out there and I've used quite a few. The main thing is to look closely at the knobs. Check all the functions and also fence, miter, blade, and cord storage. Play around with them and see how well things function/convenient things are, etc. If something looks or feels hokey it probably won't work well for long. Having said all this, what you need in a saw is the way to go. High end cabinet saws with big motors are great if you're going to plunk down and leave it in one place. Also, there is a lot of digital crap out there now too-one more thing to go wrong IMO. Anyway, sorry for long winded post here-just intended to throw out some considerations that may help you end up happy with what you come home with.

By the way, I got no use for the riving knife/anti kickback safety device so I can't comment on the functionality of that. They just get in the way.

 

[oldsaw]

I bought Dad's 1977 Craftsman. Needed a lot of tuning to make it right, but it's pretty sweet now. Gotta agree on the Biesemeyer fence, best investment I made. Arbor was a bit out of true, went to segmented belt and machined pulleys, straightened the table to the blade, the fence to the table, put a good blade on it, and it's a winner. There's a bazillion of them out there that you could get in this same state of tune with a new fence for not a lot of cash. I'm into mine, with everything, for less than $500, 2/3 of which was the fence. He was asking $100 for the saw, sold it to me for $50. I find them all the time for around $100.

They don't make them like that anymore, unless you spend the BIG bucks.

 

[Brmorgan]

I'd take an older Delta against a Hitachi anyday, if for no other reason than price and availability of parts if the need ever arises.

Personally I have two old Rockwell/Beaver tablesaws, one of which I paid $50 for at a yard sale, mostly just for the 1hp motor on it, and another which was given to me with a buggered motor, which I haven't fixed up yet. Neither are what you could call ideal, but so far I've gotten by with the one I paid the 50 bucks for, with some minor modifications to spruce it up a bit.

Since everyone's talking about their old saws, here's a thread I started back in March in the milling forum when I found a circa-1930s Champion Blower & Forge tablesaw at the dump:

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=92588

It's still sitting in my shop taking up space and is just being used as a general work table for now.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Like was already said, you really need to figure out if you want a "life time" saw, or plan to upgrade in the future.

Anything you buy from Sears today, will need to be replaced, fairly soon. The NEW name for their tools these days is, "Crapsman".

The small tablesaws that are portable, make their hp with high rpm's. Then they gear the motor down to give it more torque. They also are VERY noisey in a shop setting, and are really better for someone who needs their saw "portable".

Most new tablesaws are now made in china, and not up the standards they use to be. They don't hold up like the old line of saws "use to" either...

Many of you know i use to have my own custom furniture/cabinet shop, and have always loved "good" tools. Before starting my shop, i had a Sears best T.saw, and went through it in a couple years. I then bought a Delta contractors saw. It went several years, but was never was quite what it should have been, so about 1980 i bought a new Delta Unisaw. Wow, what a saw, and well worth what i paid for it. I still have it today, and it still works perfectly, and has never needed even one replacement part. I've since bought a second Unisaw for cheap, ($200.00) that was made before i was born. I'm the third owner, and it looks all origional to me, and still works perfectly.

Old heavy "industrial" tools are great, if you have the room, and want to change them over to single phase, as most of us don't have 3 phase. I also have an Huss Tsaw too. It's a brute of a saw, and will last forever! BUT, it's not what i'd want in my shop for a general purpose Tsaw.

Given the choises you have listed, i'd take the Delta, KNOWING that it looks the "Unisaw part" but really isn't. If you stay with wood working, you will at some point have to replace it.

My REAL first choise, would be a used Unisaw, as there were so many of them made, i see them used fairly often. Also, in this day and age, many are now switching to "Sawstop" Tsaws. They are a good saw, that is a bit safer, (although very expensive) so many shops are tradeing into them, putting a lot of used saws on the market.

Rob

 

[oldsaw]

A used uni is very cool. My buddy just picked up a "fixer".

 

[dustytools]

Jesse, for just hobbying around in your shop either saw should do fine for you. I am and always have been a big fan of Delta tools, especially the older ones and that would be my choice. I have my grandfathers old Craftsman tablesaw now and its hard telling how old that thing is and it is still in perfect working order, I will be upgrading the fence soon though. Mark would you mind posting a link to the fence that you went with?

 

[DRB]

This is the tablesaw that I decided on a couple of years ago. I would have bought a used one but I could not find what I was looking for in my area. The economy was strong and there did not seem to be saws for sale. Now there seems to be lots for sale. I think that I paid about $700 taxes in for this saw.

http://www.general.ca/site_general/g_produits/saw/50-175_185.html

I know its not portable but it just sits outside in my lean to so as not to make a mess in my shop. I have it set up for ripping so I spent the money on the largest motor, cast iron table and a good fence. The Biesemeyer type fence was really worth the money. The tape measure part of the fence is actually correct I have been happy with my purchase and I have not broke anything yet. I mostly use it for ripping rough cut lumber to size wet or dry.

A sales person had told me that most contractor saws motors are similar to a chopsaw motor at best. There seemed to be something to this when I was looking.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Old heavy "industrial" tools are great, if you have the room, and want to change them over to single phase, as most of us don't have 3 phase. I also have an Huss Tsaw too. It's a brute of a saw, and will last forever! BUT, it's not what i'd want in my shop for a general purpose Tsaw.


Rob

I have an old Delta table saw that my Dad acquired used when he started his cabinet business in 1949. It's got a 3 phase motor. I would like to change it to a single phase but don't know how. Have had a couple of people try and explain it to me, but their explanations caused my eyes to glaze over.

Can you give me a simple explanation on how to change the motor over from 3 to single phase?

 

[ROOTSXROCKS]

I have an old Delta table saw that my Dad acquired used when he started his cabinet business in 1949. It's got a 3 phase motor. I would like to change it to a single phase but don't know how. Have had a couple of people try and explain it to me, but their explanations caused my eyes to glaze over.

Can you give me a simple explanation on how to change the motor over from 3 to single phase?

you can make a phase splitter, however it is not a simple task, definitly not for glazed eyes, you can Buy a converter,http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/phase_inverter.htm
but really it is less than 100.00 more for a your best bet would be to bite the bullet and buy a new 220v http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/woodwork_motors.htm

 

[Brmorgan]

I don't know if they'll ship to the US or not, but Princess Auto here in Canada can absolutely destroy those prices on motors. Here's their selection:

http://www.princessauto.com/farm/electrical/motors/list-all

I bought my 240V 3HP compressor motor there a couple years ago on sale for $169. It was an unbeatable price. Even still at their regular price of $269 you're saving over $100 outright, not to mention that those prices are in Canadian dollars. It's an actual AC Century Smith motor, not some cheap Chinese knockoff. Even the guy at the local motor rewind shop told me to get anything small I needed from Princess Auto because it was impossible for him to compete, and that their motors were top-notch, just cheaper because of volume sold. That company supplies a huge number of the farmers and a significant amount of industry in at least Western Canada, so things like motors and hydraulic fittings are incredibly cheap there. Not to sound like an ad for the store, but I would be remiss to not mention it.

Phase converters or variable-frequency drives are useful if you have a few 3-phase tools and no 3-phase supply, but if you only have the one saw that needs it, IMO it would be a lot easier and probably cheaper to just switch the motor out.

 

[Andrew96]

Seems you have every suggestion to your question here. I looked hard and long to find a good used saw. I found a 1972 Delta uni. Took it all apart and loved it more once I saw how nicely it was made. Replaced the belts and put it all back together. I'll never have to replace the saw.
So...my suggestion....if you need something NOW...go and buy whatever you can afford or the colour matches your calendar, you'll replace it later anyway. If you want your last saw, or one that is quiet, makes a very nice cut (no vibration), is accurate, start looking, ask your local wood workers guild members and find a pre 1980 anything (well...a good brand..there were a few). If it's 3 phase (doubt it), buy a new motor and cut away. If the table looks nice (Not all dented/rusted) then everything else can be replaced very easily. Used is better than new these days.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have an old Delta table saw that my Dad acquired used when he started his cabinet business in 1949. It's got a 3 phase motor. I would like to change it to a single phase but don't know how. Have had a couple of people try and explain it to me, but their explanations caused my eyes to glaze over.

Can you give me a simple explanation on how to change the motor over from 3 to single phase?

There's only ONE simple way... Buy a single phase motor made for the Unisaw, and install it. It will bolt right up in place of the 3ph.

Unisaw's have the mount on the motor, so you need a motor for a Unisaw, but if you buy the genuine thing, it will out last you. 2hp is plenty for 99% of all cabinet work, but you can get more hp if you want it.

The other option is to buy a "rotary" or "static" phase converter, and that's not simple, nor will you end up with as good of system when your done.

Buy the new motor, and enjoy your Unisaw for the rest of your life!

Rob

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't know if they'll ship to the US or not, but Princess Auto here in Canada can absolutely destroy those prices on motors. Here's their selection:

http://www.princessauto.com/farm/electrical/motors/list-all

I bought my 240V 3HP compressor motor there a couple years ago on sale for $169. It was an unbeatable price. Even still at their regular price of $269 you're saving over $100 outright, not to mention that those prices are in Canadian dollars. It's an actual AC Century Smith motor, not some cheap Chinese knockoff. Even the guy at the local motor rewind shop told me to get anything small I needed from Princess Auto because it was impossible for him to compete, and that their motors were top-notch, just cheaper because of volume sold. That company supplies a huge number of the farmers and a significant amount of industry in at least Western Canada, so things like motors and hydraulic fittings are incredibly cheap there. Not to sound like an ad for the store, but I would be remiss to not mention it.

Phase converters or variable-frequency drives are useful if you have a few 3-phase tools and no 3-phase supply, but if you only have the one saw that needs it, IMO it would be a lot easier and probably cheaper to just switch the motor out.

There's NIGHT and DAY differences betweern the cheapo and a genuine Unisaw motor. One you will buy a few times before you die, and not be happy while you are alive, the other will make more torque and last your lifetime. And, yes i know the cheapo isn't from china.

Rob