curlyoak Posted June 18, 2023 Report Share Posted June 18, 2023 I have a 10" 3hp single phase Delta Table saw. Bought it new about 30 years ago. Now it is difficult to raise and lower the blade and tilt also. Any thoughts on what is wrong and how to fix it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 I have an old Rigid TS, same symptoms appear when dust has started clogging the works. Sometimes it packs into the threads of the trunion screws, but more often it packs into the guide tracks of the trunion. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 Yep, compressed air and a dust mask will take care of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 On 6/18/2023 at 10:46 PM, Coop said: Yep, compressed air and a dust mask will take care of that. Been there and done that. Didn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 Is it tight through the entire range of travel? And does the screw squeal when turned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Von Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 My saw had similar issues and I ended up cleaning various threads inside the body with an old toothbrush and then lubricating. This helped quite a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 On 6/19/2023 at 7:07 AM, wtnhighlander said: Is it tight through the entire range of travel? And does the screw squeal when turned? full travel and no squeal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 On 6/19/2023 at 8:51 AM, Von said: My saw had similar issues and I ended up cleaning various threads inside the body with an old toothbrush and then lubricating. This helped quite a bit. I did that. Helped a little at first. that little gain has faded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 If needed, where can you get parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 ereplacementparts might have some https://www.ereplacementparts.com/delta-parts Just enter your model number and see what they may have. You might also contact Vintage Machinery and see if they have any ideas or parts sources. http://vintagemachinery.org 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 On 6/19/2023 at 12:15 PM, Chet said: ereplacementparts might have some https://www.ereplacementparts.com/delta-parts Just enter your model number and see what they may have. You might also contact Vintage Machinery and see if they have any ideas or parts sources. http://vintagemachinery.org appreciated! Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coop Posted June 20, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 20, 2023 “Well Honey, I’ve exhausted all of the guy’s suggestions and parts are not available. She gave me 30 good years. Time for a new saw!” 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted June 20, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 20, 2023 It is possible something has failed but, a good cleaning would be my first effort. Older saws were not great at providing little doors or panels to reach areas for maintenance. That didn't bother me when I was younger. If I were doing a full cleaning and lube on something like an older cabinet saw today I would just pull the top as opposed to squat, reach, lay on my back, etc. I've aligned enough saws that I don't fear the process. If you decide to go this way: - Remove the fence and fence rails - Remove the wings if you have them - Pull the top ***NOTE*** keep track of any shims or washers between the top and the cabinet. These are used for alignment of your blade-to-miter-slot during bevel cuts. It's much easier to put them back where they came from than to go through a full alignment. - Soften hardened grease, spoil, or whatever. I use mineral spirits in a spray bottle. Spray and let soak. - Brush out all gear teeth, bushings, guide-rods, whatever with stiff a brush so that they are clean, clean, clean - Lube with your preferred lube. I have been using marine grease for years with good results.\ - Reassemble the saw and realign your fence 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2023 Thanks gee-dub! I've copied and printed your step by step instructions to keep near while doing the work. On 6/19/2023 at 10:19 PM, Coop said: Well Honey, I’ve exhausted all of the guy’s suggestions and parts are not available. She gave me 30 good years. Time for a new saw!” I have contemplated that. But in fairness to my wallet I need to see if I can revive this saw. Everything else works. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted June 20, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 20, 2023 On 6/20/2023 at 1:53 AM, curlyoak said: But in fairness to my wallet I need to see if I can revive this saw. Everything else works. I am not opposed to opening my wallet if required. I always feel better if I have gone through the effort to fix something before I wish it a fond farewell (or celebrate its demise if it is something that has been a thorn in my side ). That saw has given you many good years and newer machines have features that make things safer and easier. Give it a shot, it may give you another decade of service. If not you can feel good about doing what was reasonable before throwing money at the problem. I'm not preaching . . . just rambling about how my mind works. The coffee will kick in a few and I will wonder what I am talking about. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post curlyoak Posted June 20, 2023 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 20, 2023 If the saw was not delivering it would be an easy decision. It is true all the way around. Otherwise I'd be in the market and not make an effort to revive. I have a neighbor that is as good a mechanic as you are a woodworker gee-dub and several others. He works on giant diesel motors and their hydraulics. Like big Cats etc. A while back I asked him if he knew any mechanics that could work on my thickness planer. He said he could fix it. I ask if he has worked on any woodworking machines. He said no but he knew he could do it. He said he never met a machine he couldn't fix. He had it torn down in 45 minutes and told me what parts to get. It would have been less time but his phone kept ringing. People begging him for help. He runs 3 crews and has more work but no one else with the ability. Put the parts in the planer and all good. That's year ago. He said he would take a look soon. If he will work on it my gee-dub notes will be very helpful. My guess is a bushing or bearing at the ends of the shafts needs a deep cleaning. My biggest concern is getting the top exactly where it was. Before any bolts are loosened I will make sure of marks on the bottom of the top. Several pictures along with the gee-dub check list. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post curlyoak Posted July 21, 2023 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 The saw is back to good. The mechanic I spoke of could not find the time. I hired the authorized repair man for Jet and powermatic. He repaired my Jet drum sander several years ago.The saw needed a deep cleaning. 2.5 hours of focused confident effort. I never could have done this. He has been doing this kind of work since the 80's. His confidence is obvious. He knows the saw too. It cranks tilt and up and down real smooth. FYI his geographic range he works in the East Coast of Florida from Vero Beach south to the keys. I don't recall any members in that area that might need him. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted July 21, 2023 Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 On 7/21/2023 at 11:26 AM, curlyoak said: The saw is back to good. The mechanic I spoke of could not find the time. I hired the authorized repair man for Jet and powermatic. He repaired my Jet drum sander several years ago.The saw needed a deep cleaning. 2.5 hours of focused confident effort. I never could have done this. He has been doing this kind of work since the 80's. His confidence is obvious. He knows the saw too. It cranks tilt and up and down real smooth. FYI his geographic range he works in the East Coast of Florida from Vero Beach south to the keys. I don't recall any members in that area that might need him. Mines around 25 years old. At some point I’ll have to get inside and really clean it out. Before I tilt for angles I alway clean it out good and do it again half way.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post curlyoak Posted July 21, 2023 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 It is clear to me that at my current age and physical well being, I should not do what was needed that the mechanic did this morning. Besides experience since the mid 80's and knowledge and experience with this model saw, he was contorted in many directions to get at the cleaning. His knowledge guided him to slip the shafts without removing them on his back. At my late stages I could contort to get to a spot for about 30 seconds. Any longer then muscle spasms. I do remember a few decades ago I could and did contortions like retro fitting drawer slides. And other work for the young. Now any work that requires contortions is for someone else. The old saw is back. Well powered 3hp, and an accurate and reliable fence. With my incra 5000 my accuracy on cutting 24 x 34.5 cabinet bulkheads is as good as it gets. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 Glad it ps working out for you. I hope I don’t have to do anything to mine. I tilted to 45 a month or so ago and it all worked great. Every time I swap /change blades I blow out everything it will reach around the blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted July 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 This serious maintenance has never been done before. It is 24 years old. So if I get half the years past this clean up by then I might be out of the woodwork business. And if I am still at it by then I will just buy a new one if inclined and still above ground. i have not been in my shop to enjoy the improvements to the saw. I'm recovering from shoulder surgery. That was a little more than 2 weeks ago. I expect 3 or 4 more weeks until I get back in the shop. This is a perfect time to recover for me because the hot weather makes it undesirable . Keeps me in the AC for now. doing my home PT and 3 times a week with an excellent Phisical Therapist. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted July 29, 2023 Report Share Posted July 29, 2023 You heal up okay. I never know how I will feel when I come off the machine. I got up this morning not feeling well, but my wife is off work today to watch the grand daughter and I did not want to lose the day.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post curlyoak Posted September 9, 2023 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 Made some poplar saw dust for a repair for neighbors cabinet and the saw is good! Nice to have the saw back and nice to have me back too! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 10, 2023 Report Share Posted September 10, 2023 On 7/21/2023 at 9:26 AM, curlyoak said: The saw is back to good. Excellent. Enjoy your saw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted September 10, 2023 Report Share Posted September 10, 2023 Great to hear you’re back on the saw @curlyoak, nothing like being back in the shop 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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