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

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:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	10"
Submitted By:	Greg Coffin

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Unisaw
Date of Manufacturer:	1958
Serial Number:	112-9942
Last Updated	1/13/2008 3:22:43 AM

Comments:

I found this table saw when I was picking up a Shaper from a gentleman. He had purchased it at a local school district auction for someone else, but the buyer backed out after finding it was a three phase saw. It was in poor condition cosmetically. Institutional green everywhere, holes punched for conduit, a 4" dust collection hole in the side, all told there were over 20 holes in the cabinet, and 5 holes in each of the extension wing sides. Appearantly there was a fancy blade guard that was fitted to the saw, and the support brackets required a lot of drilling. But the internal castings were sound, and appeared to have little wear or damage, so I bought the saw for a song and carted it home.

I disassembled the entire saw and stripped the green paint off the hardware, table, wings, and plinth, and had the cabinet sand blasted. I filled the holes in the extension wings with JB Weld, and after a month of hesitating began welding the holes in the cabinet. This was my first sheet metal welding excursion, and I didn't want to mess anything up. All in all I'm very pleased with the results, and it was a lot of fun to do.

As mentioned, this is a three phase saw, so I opted to install a VFD on the side and control it with a simple switch up front. This saw appears to have a 2hp three phase motor, but that is just a guess since the data tag is missing from the end of the motor. The VFD enclosure is on the left side, behind the tilt handwheel, and there is plenty of room to crank the wheel without banging into the enclosure.

The fence is not original to the saw, but I was able to straighten and reuse the fence rails. I have the original fence, but it was bent, and the head casting didn't slide well on the rails, so I installed another fence from an 80's Contractor Saw with the extruded aluminum fence. It slides nicely and locks down well.

The motor appears to have been serviced at some point. The bearings are in excellent condition, and I've never heard a motor run as quietly as this one. The arbor bearings will need to be replaced in the near future, but they are servicable for now. The total run-out at the arbor flange is less than 0.002" after a little dressing with a file. A test cut this evening was very impressive, and the saw passes the dime test, even with bumpy belts.

I still need a few knobs and pieces to complete the restoration, but for now the saw operates very well as is.

Photo 1:

Comments: Right side of saw after restoration
Source: Greg Coffin

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Front of saw after restoration
Source: Greg Coffin

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Cabinet after welding holes
Source: Greg Coffin

Direct Link
IMG Code