Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - 10" Band Saw

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl.
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	10"
Submitted By:	Brian Kachadurian

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	10" Band Saw
Date of Manufacturer:	1930s
Serial Number:
Last Updated	1/16/2007 9:39:26 PM

Comments:

In 1992, I was getting the itch to own a bandsaw. I hadn't done much research yet, but I was looking at Delta's 14" open stand and their 3-wheel machine at the time. One day I was at an automotive supplier's prototype shop, for work reasons. I noticed a bandsaw in an upper storage area, sitting with a bunch of scrap. I inquired about the saw and they told me it was targeted for scrap. I offered to buy the machine and they insisted on giving it to me. When they brought it down, I could see the upper wheel cover label that
said "The Delta Specialty Co", etc. The machine looked like a miniature version of the 14" model. It was mounted to a piece of plywood and driven by an old GE 1/3HP motor. The blade length measured about 66". I brought the machine home and looked it over. It
basically needed some cleaning and new guide blocks and one wheel. There was no model number to be found except Delta 10" Band Saw.

I called Delta and described it to them. Initially, they couldn't ID the machine. They turned me over to a specialist, at the Service & Distribution center in Memphis. The specialist (Steve Rhodes) wasn't sure what I had so he asked me to send photos (I believe his exact words were "you've got a what?"). After analyzing the photos, he called me. He said that the saw was discontinued in Oct 1937 and parts were not available. I groaned and he said don't worry, we want that saw. I was confused. He said that he works on special projects. The old restored machines shown in Delta catalogs are his work. He said he spoke with his management and if I send him that bandsaw, they will give me a new 14" open stand machine in trade. (Excitement at this point would have been an understatement.)

After discussions on crating and shipping, I decided to drive the machine to Delta. I borrowed a minivan from work and left on a Friday evening. Saturday afternoon I arrived at the Memphis center. Steve and a coworker unloaded the 10" machine and replaced it with a NIB 14" bandsaw, as promised. He gave me a tour of the facility and showed me the restored machines from the catalog pages. I drove all night and arrived home on Sunday morning (~36 hrs driving--no sleep).

I kept in touch with Steve for about 1-1/2 years, tracking his restoration progress. Then he sort of dropped off the radar screen. Every year I quickly open the new Delta catalogs, hoping to find a picture of the restored machine.

[Update, 23Aug06]:
In January 2005, I was contacted by Tom Murrah, who informed me that he had the saw.
Tom stated that the motor was restored and the saw was still in-process. Tom worked for Delta for 23-1/2 years and now works for WHM Tool Group. He rescued the saw from the scrap bin during the consolidation move of Delta-Memphis to Porter-Cable's facility in Jackson TN. Tom also stated that he plans to finish restoring the saw.

[Saw Info Update, 16Jan07]: lower casting number-SBS1, upper arm casting number-SBS2

Photo 1:

Comments: Front 3/4 view
Source: My 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 Bronica

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Photo 2:

Comments: Upper arm & tension crank
Source: My 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 Bronica

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Photo 3:

Comments: Back side
Source: My 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 Bronica

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