Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - 785

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:	JB Lenzi

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	785
Date of Manufacturer:	Mid-'30s
Serial Number:
Last Updated	7/12/2005 3:40:11 AM

Comments:

I purchased this saw on a well-known website from the Delta man himself--Mr. Keith Bohn. It survived the trip via FedEx only because Keith had built a primo shipping crate for it. They tried their best to break it and had actually punched a hole in the crate (probably to check for explosives, box-cutters or Bic lighters). The perfect decal on it kept calling my name--"Buy me, Joe...Buy me, Joe..."--so I did. Besides which, I had a proper Delta stand for it just waiting to be used. I didn't buy it to use, but to display with some other old toys--more on that when I post some more pictures. It's not one of Delta's better ideas and wasn't made for very long. It appears in the Dec. 1931 catalog for a price of $17.85. The stand, v-belt, and motor pulley were an additional $6.50. Its' last appearance is in the 1937 catalog at the inflated price of $19.50 and includes a disclaimer as follows: "This machine is not designed to take the place of the No. 768 10" band saw, or of the No. 890 14" band saw, but for the small shop will be found to handle a wide variety of work at a very reasonable cost and a great saving of time and labor." This one is probably a later (1936-37) version of the model, as it has cast alloy (aka "pot-metal") wheels and a tab for the 882 lamp attachment. The earlier 785s had steel wheels and no tab for the lamp. It is painted in the early light Delta gray, and has about 80% of it's original finish intact. The table is pressed steel, like the 700 scroll saw. Working height of the table is about two inches lower than the 890, but it seems even lower because it is so small (but handy if you want to look over the top of the saw while working..lol) The original Delta 5" drive pulley has been replaced with a modern pot-metal one, but the saw is otherwise original and complete except for the table insert and one thumb screw--kind of amazing after 70-odd years that it survived as it is, and with a near-perfect decal. The blade guides are similar to the later Homecraft 10" saw, but the thrust-bearings are different. Very few parts are shared between the 785, the better 768, and the Homecraft saw--the knurled knobs for the blade covers being the primary ones. I added the 882 lamp for show--it looks huge on this little saw.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front
Source: My Sony no Baloney

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Near-perfect Decal
Source: My Sony no Baloney

Direct Link
IMG Code