Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - 34-450

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" Unisaw Table Saw
Submitted By:	Brent Haydamack

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	34-450
Date of Manufacturer:	1961
Serial Number:	CU2337
Last Updated	7/23/2008 12:37:10 AM

Comments:

I recently bought a 1961 Unisaw for $125. It was not in the best of shape – no motor, no switch, lots of rust…but here’s how the story goes. I have a contractors saw that has worked well, but I have always salivated for a Unisaw. Up one came on Craigslist in Chatsworth. The seller suggested it was old and good for parts or maybe rebuilding. I gave him a call, and he told me all parts were there but it was rusty. Unfortunately, I was one among many callers and another had already been scheduled to pick up the saw. Nevertheless, I asked the kind gentleman to keep me in mind should things fall through. He warned me that he had multiple calls, one from as far away as Santa Maria (for those that know SoCal). The next day, the call comes in. The first buyer fell through (couldn’t make the pick up time) so for whatever reason the seller chose me next. Oddly, he kept asking me if I was going to rebuild or part it out. I insisted it would be re-built. I gave him a firm yes and picked up the saw the next day.

The two of us had a nice conversation for about 45 min. The seller is a retired construction manager for the Hawthorn School District. He rebuilds machinery for himself and as a small business out of his garage. He received the saw from the Hawthorne School District and decided to pass it on. The saw was not a classroom saw, but one used by the facilities team in maintaining schools themselves. He asked again if I was going to rebuild it and I assured him I would. He told me he had 17 calls on the saw and one guy offered $200 to buy it out from under me. But the seller refused. I really think he wanted to sell it to someone who would make good use of it and bring it back to life – that person, hopefully, will be me. He cautioned me to use good bearings – “grade 8s” he said. He called them “aircraft grade” bearings. He swore that they are the difference on Chinese made equipment – low quality bearings.

The seller showed me the motor that had been on it previously. It was not the Bullet but it didn’t matter. The former owner had wired the motor wrong and completely burned through the windings. The seller showed me the motor and it was a mess. How does one burn up an inch thick copper wire bundle? Apparently, by setting up a motor for 220 and plugging it in to 115…or vice versa. No matter, the motor was shot and I’d just as soon have a new one if it’s not the Bullet. We loaded the saw into my Pilot and home I went.

It is a very cool saw. Manufactured in 1961 – serial number CU2337. A neat feature of the saw is a metal inventory tag first put on by the school district. It is a tiny brass tag just above the dust door - it can barely be seen in the third pic.

Photo 1:

Comments: At home with the guts out.
Source: My own Nikon D70s

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Photo 2:

Comments: Serial Number and Inventory Sticker
Source: My Nikon D70s

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Photo 3:

Comments: The finished saw with upgraded fence, insert, and a Wixey
Source: My Nikon D70s

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