Welcome any thoughts, comments on following: An aquaintance has a table saw which is probably 30-40 or more years old. He says he has had it for 25.
On the outfeed side it has a maker’s plate saying “Rockwell 84-8648. Power Tool Division.” On the front (where on-off switch is) it has a large emblem saying Delta Milwaukee.
Solid cast iron table about 36″ by 24″. Overall, kind of rough shape but still works. One of the fence rails is bent and would probably have to be replaced. I would probably replace the entire fence. Owner says motor is fine and it runs well. If I pursue this, I’ll go back with some scrap pieces of oak, etc, to see how well it cuts.
I am interested because I’ve heard that these older models with the heavy table and a good motor are still as good or better than most that are made today.
Could anybody suggest what model this is, approximate age , horsepower, and what might be a ballpark reasonable $ offer for it. Anything else I should consider?
I have a 3 year old Delta 10″ model that was about $300 at HD. It has been ok but I’ll have an actual shop and be able to do “real” projects soon.
thanks for any help here.
Phil
Replies
Look for a plate on the motor which will give you the horsepower. Or if there isn't one, given that there's other stuff bent on this machine, I'd suspect that it's seen a lot of abuse.
Is the spindle belt driven? If so, slack off the belts and check for worn bearings. Wiggle the spindle from side to side and up and down, also back and forth to check for end play.
-- J.S.
Phil - Go to this web address - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oldwwmachines/messages. It's a group of old woodworking machine enthusiasts. You'll be able to find any parts or information you want there. Great resource. Good bunch of folks. But, um, be on your best behavior. They don't tolerate much tomfoolery there.
Edited 4/8/2002 4:04:33 PM ET by jim blodgett
Phil,
I like the old Rockwell saws. I couldn't get JB's link to work but this may be it http://www.oldwwmachines.com/
KK
thanks everybody and to KK--- that link indicates the saw is a 1950 model.
It was supposedly owned/used by a cabinet maker..... so hopefully wasn't abused but probably heavily used.
If anybody else have comments, please chime in.
A good mechanical check-out (or at least the best I can do) certainly is in order.
P
Thanks, KK. I was reading last night people having trouble posting links so I just posted the address I have on my "favorites" list.
Phil - When you get over there do a search for the name "Dana Batory". I THINK that's how it's spelled. Anyway, he sells copies of parts lists and owners manuals of all kinds of old tools like that. If you can't find him over there, e mail me and I'll try a little harder...can't hardly get through the house anymore with all the tool catalogs and whatnot.
You can call Delta, too. They can tell you when that saw was made and send you a parts list. I'm pretty sure they sent me one for free a few years ago.
Make sure you don't have to replace any parts as they can add up in a hurry. I was given an old unisaw without a table or motor. Replacing those two parts would have cost me just about the price of a new saw. You can see a sample of some of the replacement parts prices at:
http://www.sawcenter.com/unisawparts.htm
So what'd you do with that saw, Casey?
It's sitting in my back yard under a tarp, Jim. If you need a somewhat used trunion or a slightly dented stand for one, I can let you have one real cheap...
Geez, Casey, you could make a melamine table and put a motor in that thing for about $300.00. Slap a Biesmier fence on it and call it a table saw. I'm surprised you haven't done it already, man, handy as you are.
I have an old Delta saw, probably at least as old as the one you have.....I paid 600.00 for it about ten years ago. It is the mainstay of my operation as I use a lot of really thick hardwood on some of my coffee tables etc. and it cuts just fine. The motor is the big bell type.....either/or, but I wired it for 220........probably just 1 1/2 horse, but it is the best saw I've ever had or used. I wouldn't hesitate buying one, if I were you.
I'd check the table for warpage....but you can always put a new fangled fencing system on it. If you're a serious woodworker it's a great tool to have.
Delta was the name before Rockwell bought them out. You can still get some parts for old equipment at phone 1-615-882-0320. Delta, Rockwell, and Porter Cable are all the same outfit now. It sound like you have the model number already. Larry
Delta Manufacturing Company created the Unisaw in 1937. In 1946, Rockwell bought Delta and made it a division of Rockwell. The machinery and tool operations of Rockwell were purchased by Pentair Corporation in 1984 and renamed as the Delta International Machinery Corporation. More details can be found at:
http://www.deltawoodworking.com/aboutus/about-history-1919.asp
Forgot to mention that there is an article on rebuilding a Unisaw at:
http://www.wwforum.com/faqs_articles/rockwell.html
Jim, I thought about doing something like that, but I bought a complete working Unisaw with a Biesemeyer fence for about the same price as getting a new motor. Still, doing something with the old incomplete is still on my "todo" list - down about 3,421... Maybe I'll just make a dining room table out of it when I get my house built...
"Maybe I'll just make a dining room table out of it when I get my house built..." hehehehehehe that's a hell of a good idea! I'm calling it a night on that one. Got a big grin on. That's the way to finish up, huh?
We did used to put a door or a few sheets of plywood on top of the Unisaw and sit on high stools and eat lunch that way. But without the wood, the Unisaw doesn't give you enough leg room, the top is kinda small, and the fence rails get in the way on one side.
I'm going to need that saw again, so I'm looking for a good motor shop to do a rewind.
-- J.S.
If I may jump on the bandwagon, we have a Rockwell 9" table saw, "series 34-570". Pretty basic looking thing about the size of Delta's contractor saw. Stamped sheetmetal table, crappy fence, etc.
I believe it was bought at Sears in the 1970s and has been sitting around in the garage all these years.
It starts up and cuts fine but it could use a better fence.
This seems to have been some sort of consumer level saw with Rockwell's name on it.
If anybody is familiar with these things, good or bad, I would appreciate any info.
Thanks !
Alan