Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - Model 880 Wood/Metal Cutting Bandsaw

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:	14"
Submitted By:	Carl Bukowsky

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model 880 Wood/Metal Cutting Bandsaw
Date of Manufacturer:	1944
Serial Number:	31-1142 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	6/3/2024 11:37:05 AM

Comments:

A week ago, on Friday April 26th, I received a text message from a good friend with a photo of what appeared to be an old Delta Band Saw. She had been out doing local Garage Sales and texted, “Do you want to buy this, it's $92 and I don't know if it even works.” I immediately text back, “Buy it NOW!!” and she did. I got in my old truck and drove 30 minutes to the address she sent to me. I wondered what it would be; Treasure or Trash?

Well, we struck Gold! I now own a Delta-Milwaukee 14” Wood and Metal Cutting Band Saw, and my friend actually only paid $72 (Amberly was presented with a healthy $$$ finders fee...Encouragement!) It has a Serial Number tag with 31-1142 which, according to the sequence of serial numbers on VM.org, puts it as vintage 1944.

This Band Saw has been neglected and there are sign of abuse, but it's not bad. It needs tires, two of the bearings are dry, and it's covered with gunk and old saw dust. The good news is the gear box functions normal, the wheels are true and smooth (good bearings there). The lower wheel guard is hacked at the bottom (?? for a DIY sawdust port maybe??) and the upper wheel, back cover has a large chunk cut out too (?? maybe to allow running shorter length blade – clearance for the Hinge for Upper Wheel to pivot lower than normal??). Oh, the Lower Wheel had no rubber tire at all, and the Upper Wheel had what was a rubber tire, but it was all dry-rotted, falling off in chunks. New rubber tires are on the way!

Both Blade Guards were there (well, sort of there); the Sliding Bade Guard was kinda chewed up, top and bottom. Apparently from bad tracking or aligning the blade while running (it happens, but this was excessive to the point of damage to the guard, creating sharp, jagged edges). The Wooden Guard was missing, but there was a squared section of aluminum, fashioned as a blade guard, held in place by the left-upper and left-lower Hand Knobs. It sort of worked, but not ideal; fortunately I do have a complete Wooden Guard, with mounting clips and hardware, in my Secret Stash of Delta-Milwaukee Band Saw parts!

The Blade Tension Screw was a length of brass all-thread, with a Z bend up top to use as a crank (Star Wheel was gone, again, it's clever, but ugly). The Sliding Bracket for Upper Wheel was also broken where the Coil Spring rests. The large thumb screw (used to secure the Upper Blade Guide Assembly to the Hex Guide Post) had been replaced with an Allen head set screw – now that's not user-friendly at all !! And of course, the taper pin for aligning the table blade slot was gone, no surprise there. Also missing was the Removable Table Stop Rod and threaded stud (for locking 90 degrees and / -10 degrees). All of these little things are minor in nature, but the collective amount ends up a lot of work.

The motor is huge old 1-1/2 HP Dayton Farm brand enclosed frame that was mounted to a plate with a pivot to allow belt adjustment (clever, but ugly). So, its turns out to be a “Good” Band Saw that needs some work; there are parts missing, parts needing replacement, and it all needs cleaning. Overall, it can be refurbished to its old, original condition. I'll get it cleaned and back into full functional condition first, and then I'll consider where I go next. I may sell it as-is, and offer the buyer a restoration option for a price. I just want to see it back in service, doing the work its meant for.

Photo 1:

Comments: In the wild, at the Garage Sale
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Big Ol 1-1/2 HP Dayton
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: DIY Blade Guard....
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: DIY Blade Tension Screw...
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 5:

Comments: Hacked Cover for Lower Wheel
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 6:

Comments: Original Serial Number Tag
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code