Comments on: Delta Unisaw Rebuild Part VI

By: gilbert

gilbert — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:01:46 +0000

Many of us just can’t afford to buy the latest and greatest equipment, much as we might drool over it. I recently rebuilt a 66 model that was in much worse condition than the one in the video. In spite of that, I wound up with a very good saw for less than the cost of a cheap contractor saw. After using lesser saws most of my life, I feel I am safer with the old Delta than a newer cheaper saw, even without all of the latest safety gimmicks. I would however paint the throat plate bright orage, it’s a cheap bit of insurance. I couldn’t find anyone who would sell me a Bissemeyer fence, so I went with a Jet Exacta II. An excellent fence. I also added a magnetic switch and a modern 3hp motor.

By: Kirk Brinker

Kirk Brinker — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:45:07 +0000

Steve will put the saw to use. Improvements will make the saw that much more fun to use. I would add the other upgrade items that the guys listed above.

By: Andrew Gieselman

Andrew Gieselman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:14:37 +0000

Up-grade the fence, by all means, but Biesemeyer is not the only choice. I have retro-fitted both the Biesemeyer and the Vega to vintage Unisaws and I prefer the Vega. It has smoother action when moving the fence to a new position.

By: Darrin Snyder

Darrin Snyder — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:14:06 +0000

You bought it, do what you want with it.

As far as the new Unisaw, very disappointed. I have put two of them together, and on both saws, the wings did not mate well. The front and back of both wings were flush. The middle was almost 1/32" lower on both sides. This happened with both saws. For the money they are charging for this saw, it needs to be better than that. I will stick with my PM2000.

By: Gordon Birdsall

Gordon Birdsall — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:28:57 +0000

I just finished upgrading my unisaw with a Biesemeyer today.Next is the switch.If you plan on using your saw,it makes a big difference.

Gordon Birdsall

By: Duane Peters

Duane Peters — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:16:03 +0000

If it’s going to be a working machine, the new fence is a useful upgrade. I, too, would like to see a riving knife added.

By: Paul Stine

Paul Stine — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:53:47 +0000

In the words of guitarist Joe Walsh, "You bought it, you name it."

By: Alfred Poor

Alfred Poor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:36:41 +0000

Add another vote with Tom’s. If it’s a museum piece, keep the old fence. But if you’re going to use it, get a modern blade (as already done in the video), upgrade and maybe move the switch, and if you’ve got the budget, get a better fence. The purpose of a tool is to get a job done; why handicap yourself just for the sake of historical accuracy?

Alfred

By: Stephan Larson

Stephan Larson — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:17:29 +0000

First off who is the guy in the flowered panties in the background at the end of the video to the far left behind the vertical wood? I like Joel would rather have a working efficent tool than something that is less that optimal

By: Joel Jacobson

Joel Jacobson — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:55:32 +0000

Old tools can be either collector’s artifacts or "users". That’s up to the owner. We see this with hand tool collectors who pay much, much more for something in the original box.

Rather than be a purist, I’d rather have a working, efficient Unisaw than a conversation piece.