Just got a Rockwell / Delta Contractor's Table Saw

[Jackman]

I got this for free yesterday. I am pretty excited about using it. Runs very smooth. It is a 9 ". I know they don't make 9" blades anymore, but I figure I could find new old stock on ebay or elsewhere. I also could just use smaller blades unless I needed to cut anything bigger.

What are your thoughts on this saw? Seems like good quality. Kind of new to the table saw world. Spoke to friend who said I should invest in a high quality blade. Any suggestions? Looking for a general purpose blade I would think. Or should I get several specific types? And which ones?

Thanks.

 

[Packard V8]

Congrats - Free is the best of all possible deals. But without a photo, it didn't happen.

Are you sure it's a 9"? Most Deltas were 8" or 10". In any case, it's not what today is termed a "contractors saw." That is a larger, heavier 10" saw with a larger rip fence. The older Delta 8" and 10 are nice little homeowners bench saws. Whatever, we can help you without a photo and a model number.

Go over to http://owwm.org/index.php?sid=1af99e1e1a3d5cc4cf07836c80f3319c and do some reading. Then, once you're familiar with your saw, put a WTB ad on their BOYD classifieds. Since everyone wants carbide tipped blades these days, no one uses the 9" steel blades anymore, so they're actually easy to find. The BOYD ad and looking closely in thrift stores and estate sales should turn up several 8" and 10" steel blades. Delta, Atkins, Simmonds and Craftsman all had a variety of high-quality blades. You'll want a crosscut and a rip and a planer or a combination. Have them professionally sharpened and you'll be good to go.

In fact, once we determine what you have, I'll look through my stack and see what I can spare for you.

jack vines

 

[Jackman]

Thanks for the info. I am excited about building some stuff. And I will post some pics tonight.

So a crosscut, rip, planer and a combination. 4 blades? What would good quality 9 " blades cost in your opinion? Preferred brand? I definitely would like to get good blades I can sharpen and use for years.

 

[Packard V8]

As I said, let's confirm what you have. Give us a photo as soon as convenient, but you should be able to easily find the plate with the model number. I've never seen a 9" Delta, but they did make some small 10" saws.

jack vines

 

[Jackman]

It is definitely a 9 ". Seems pretty old. Runs like a dream though. I'll post pics this evening. and check out the model # too.

 

[rsanter]

what you have is old and obsolete....
with that said, if all you are going to use it for is for general use around the house then it will work fine for 99% of what you do
for general use I would use an 8'' blade but pick up a few 9'' just to have when you need the added depth
in fact I likly have a few spare 9'' blades
often the local saw shop will have old/used blades that they have already resharpened and are ready to go
for most things you do just go with a carbide blade with the highest tooth count you can afford and you will rarly swap it out

bob

 

[KenC]

There is very little difference between your saw and the current 10" Delta. Great saw. I've seen 9" blades recently but don't remember where. But, 8 1/4 are fairly common, I have a Skil circular saw in that size.

 

[Jackman]

Rockwell #54-603 with a Balder Industrial Motor #L3509M.

Called a Delta Rockwell Deluxe 9 ". I am trying to figure out how to post pics.

http://s1186.photobucket.com/albums/z365/jackman245/?action=view&current=photo20.jpg

http://s1186.photobucket.com/albums...5/jackman245/?action=view&current=photo21.jpg

http://s1186.photobucket.com/albums...5/jackman245/?action=view&current=photo19.jpg

 

[cowboy73]

I found a whole bunch of 9" saw blades on Amazon. Freud and Vermont American still make them.

 

[Jackman]

Nice. Ya I haven't really looked around yet. What price would I pay for a high quality blade? Pretty new to saws and rather unsure of what to look for.

 

[Packard V8]

Very nice saw, but a much later model than I was thinking. Good that you got the extension wings, miter gauge and a much larger motor than was the original.

And no, IMHO that saw is definitely not "what you have is old and obsolete." It will do anything a current big-box store Rigid or Ryobi table saw will do and you've definitely got their price beat.

Go over to http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106555&p=718838#p718838 for some more info and sign up as a member.

jack vines

 

[Slip_Kid]

For my 10" table saw I use a high quality Freud 60 tooth carbide blade. Works for most jobs, great all around blade.

 

[Jackman]

Very nice saw, but a much later model than I was thinking. Good that you got the extension wings, miter gauge and a much larger motor than was the original.


Go over to http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106555&p=718838#p718838 for some more info and sign up as a member.

jack vines

Thanks. I will head over and check it out. Any idea on the year?

 

[dasophoto]

I bought the same saw complete at a thrift store for $40. Seems built incredibly well. Does anyone know where I can get brushes for the motor. Can't seem to find a part number. Thanks for your help.
David

 

[gungatim]

I had a Rockwell 9" but was much newer than yours, ran with an enclosed motor and wide short cogged belt that was impossible to find. I cut off the pin that stopped you from using a 10" blade and used that for a while but it was underpowered for that large of a blade.

8 1/4" blades were MUCH cheaper than the 9" and available most hardware and box stores so I switched to that before getting rid of it. if you use it a lot, maybe go that route.

 

[woody 73]

This place has nine inch blades for sale:

http://www.toolstoday.com/p-5287-ge...rind.aspx?&variantids=10228,0&keywords=692400

 

[My Old Tools]

Forest has 9" blades.

 

[gungatim]

yeah they are available, just not for $10-$20 at a local store. before I spent $100+ on a blade like that I would be upgrading the saw...the smaller blade will get you going much cheaper without waiting on an online order and investing more than the saw is worth...