Vintage Delta Band Saw?

[itsDROCK]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking of buying this band saw. I'm going to check it out later this afternoon. Seller is asking $250.

What can you tell me about it? The logo appears to read Delta Rockwell. From what I've seen online, this style bandsaw usually had a logo that read Delta or Delta Milwaukee.

 

[bob15]

Sorry, the picture doesn't open for me

 

[exmaxima1]

Rockwell-Delta are very common, and the next era after Delta Milwaukee. If the support arm is "solid" (not really solid, but hollow) as opposed to webbed, it is one of the good ones. And if the upper blade support is hex shaped, as opposed to round, you will have a very nice machine.

$250 is fair if the machine is in good condition. Post pics if you want better responses.

 

[itsDROCK]

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[66Caprice]

Buy it!!

 

[TLGriff]

The pre 1945 models were Delta or Delta/Milwaukee (as in made in Milwaukee). They sold to Rockwell in 1945 and very little changed design wise. Most of those 14" band saws sell for $300-$400, a bit more for the metal cutting version with a two speed gearbox. They are a good basic saw.

Tom

 

[bullnerd]

Good tool to have.

I have 3 of them (Ones a fire victim), one wood only, and one wood/metal.

I like the one in your pic better than the sheet metal bottom one, they rattle less.

 

[yeldogt]

They are decent little band saws -- worth all of the 250 they want.


Lots of people set them up with a small blade for tight work ..

The biggest drawback .. and, this is true with any vintage tool .... is the set up. Once they are set up they work very well .. it just can take a bit more work. Often, people switch out the blade holder/support with a newer type with modern glides.

The advent of better/ more modern equipment designs from Asia hurt the price ... years ago they would be 600-800 dollar tools. Why pay 600 and possibly some rehab work when you can get better for 1100.

 

[rbrock]

I have one just like it, its been in the family for 70+ years. It was my father's and my grandfather's before that. I use it at least once a week, never had a problem with it but I do need to re-wire it because it still has the cloth covered wiring.

 

[TailGunner3000]

I have one very similar. Nice saw at that price point. Mine was converted to metal cutting but was used for years as a wood saw. It's a very capable saw when tuned up, but it does lack some of the features found on modern saws.

 

[exmaxima1]

The pre 1945 models were Delta or Delta/Milwaukee (as in made in Milwaukee). They sold to Rockwell in 1945 and very little changed design wise. Most of those 14" band saws sell for $300-$400, a bit more for the metal cutting version with a two speed gearbox. They are a good basic saw.

Tom

Not sure if this is entirely correct. My Delta Milwaukee bandsaw had a 1954 serial number. I sold it recently (and it sold fast) for $500

 

[Showkey]

Purchased new in 1982 for $499. After Rockwell purchased Delta. Manufactured in Pittsburgh motor made in the USA by Leeson for Rockwell.
Thats before the Asian band Saw copies were common.



History of Delta:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Machinery

Have Delta branded jointer purchased new in 1996 made in China. Manual and documents all show Pittsburgh as the parent company. 1997 booklet shows the Delta name back on the band saw. So marketing changed as ownership changed.
View attachment 984359

 

[akrafty1]

I have the 1948 version of that saw. I repainted it and replaced the bearings and it runs fantastically. Smooth and quiet with plenty of power. I would not hesitate to purchase that one. IMHO much better than the 14" models you can purchase today that are based on that Delta model.

The one in the photo looks like it is in good condition. put it in your car.

 

[TLGriff]

Not sure if this is entirely correct. My Delta Milwaukee bandsaw had a 1954 serial number. I sold it recently (and it sold fast) for $500

Not sure what to tell you, but numerous sources confirm that Delta Machinery was indeed purchased by Rockwell in 1945. Mine is a 1952 and says Rockwell Manufacturing, Delta Division on the serial number tag, but Delta Milwaukee on the upper wheel cover.

Tom

 

[ColoMid]

That is a wood only. The missing lube cup on the casting foot gives it away.
Excellent price.
I restored a wood/metal 14" last year. Excellent saws. New wheel tires are available.
RichD

 

[itsDROCK]

Thanks for the info guys. I picked it up this afternoon for $220. The guy was selling off his father’s life long collection of tools. Lots and lots of them. I could have spent hours there. Also got a 1/2hp block grinder with stand and some other hand tools.



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[LS6 Tommy]

Good find! Most of the school districts I've worked for had similar older Delta or Rockwell woodworking tools in their wood shops. It always broke my heart to see them go in a dumpster when the wood shops got phased out or updated. I would have "adopted" all I could if I had the space (and actually worked with wood).

Tommy

 

[hop up]

Great buy and have one very similar but it’s Rockwell with a enclosed base. They also made one similar that had a gear change box to run 1/2 speeds to cut metal.

 

[jmarkwolf]

Buy it.

It blows the doors off of most any sheet metal fabricated saw you can buy today.

I have the same saw, but wood/metal variant that I inherited from my dad. It's from the war years, and I still use it frequently.

 

[exmaxima1]

Not sure what to tell you, but numerous sources confirm that Delta Machinery was indeed purchased by Rockwell in 1945. Mine is a 1952 and says Rockwell Manufacturing, Delta Division on the serial number tag, but Delta Milwaukee on the upper wheel cover.

Tom

Yes, you are right. Mine must have had a similar Rockwell SN tag as well.

 

[bullnerd]

Congrats dude! Looks good, your gonna love it.

TIP: don't put your fingers in front of that part that cuts the wood!

 

[Norcal]

Rockwell sold Delta in the early 1980’s to Pentair, they sold Delta and Porter-Cable to Black and Decker, Stanley Black and Decker sold Delta to a Taiwanese concern, and not sure what has happened since.

There is a 1939-40 Delta in my rat hole but because I have a mid 1990’s 14” Delta and a ‘76 Rockwell 20” wood metal bandsaw in my shop already not been in a hurry to do anything about it.

 

[Firebrick43]

Buy it.

It blows the doors off of most any sheet metal fabricated saw you can buy today.

I have the same saw, but wood/metal variant that I inherited from my dad. It's from the war years, and I still use it frequently.

No, no they don’t. A laguna or minimax will walk all over a 14” delta especially in the resaw department and maybe even the larger 14” Rikon. The newer saws can swap blade in a min were the old saw take 15 times that to adjust guides and such. The deltas just don’t have the throat clearance, stiffness for 3/4”-1” blades, nor the horsepower.

That being said they are decent especially with 1/8-1/4” blade for cutting curves and such.

Now the delta 20” saw, that is a saw! Right up there with a Yates or a do-all

 

[Showkey]

The older Delta needs more than 1/2 HP if your going to resaw wide stock many came with 3/4 or 1 hp as an option.

Let’s be clear a 14” Laguna starts at $1200........so the OP is already $1000 ahead.

 

[Norcal]

You can get a riser kit for Rockwell/Delta 14" saws, if more height is needed or desired.

 

[jm71lt1]

Great little bandsaw for most hobby shop projects. I wouldn't do any major resaw work on it though. Cant go wrong for that price. I own a closed base and open base version. Congratulations!

 

[brownbagg]

that delta is a nice saw, that the one that the china copied for the harbor freight saw, which is one of the items that harbor freight did correct

 

[Firebrick43]

The older Delta needs more than 1/2 HP if your going to resaw wide stock many came with 3/4 or 1 hp as an option.

Let’s be clear a 14” Laguna starts at $1200........so the OP is already $1000 ahead.

Well, yes you could put a bigger motor, after market guides, a riser and build or buy a resaw fence. And I was thinking of picking up a delta and doing just that a year or so ago. But some research online found a large amount of people online that did so and still were not happy because you can not fix the stiffness issue and a riser makes it worse.

I personally went with the 14bx(not to discount a minimax or possibly some models off 17/19” grizzly’s) and with a Resaw King blade can resaw pretty dang fast with an insanely nice finish. One light planer pass cleans it up. Seen some cheap table saws leave worse finishes.

I have thought of getting a 14”delta and leaving a 1/4” blade for cutting curves but can’t justify losing the space.

 

[niget2002]

My 14" delta is flawless for the $0 I paid for it

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[LeonardY]

I have one I inherited from my Godfather. His dad bought it in 1936. I've got the receipt for it somewhere.

Here's the thread I did on Fine woodworking when I restored it.

https://www.finewoodworking.com/forum/restored-1936-delta-bandsaw

Look for Iturra designs. He makes modification parts that really take the saw to another level.

 

[niget2002]

I have one I inherited from my Godfather. His dad bought it in 1936. I've got the receipt for it somewhere.



Here's the thread I did on Fine woodworking when I restored it.



https://www.finewoodworking.com/forum/restored-1936-delta-bandsaw



Look for Iturra designs. He makes modification parts that really take the saw to another level.

Delta really liked those combo setups. I have their tablesaw / jointer combo. I took the tablesaw off and mounted a 12" box planer there.

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[woodgeek]

Purchased new in 1982 for $499. After Rockwell purchased Delta. Manufactured in Pittsburgh motor made in the USA by Leeson for Rockwell.
Thats before the Asian band Saw copies were common.



History of Delta:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Machinery

Have Delta branded jointer purchased new in 1996 made in China. Manual and documents all show Pittsburgh as the parent company. 1997 booklet shows the Delta name back on the band saw. So marketing changed as ownership changed.
View attachment 984359

That looks exactly like mine. I can’t find a serial number anywhere on it. Do you have a ser# on yours?

 

[bb29510]

buy it, harbor freight $300, if it was me, I paint it lima bean green so all your friends think its harbor freight and would never use it

 

[csp]

As noted in post #16, from over three years ago, the OP did in fact buy the saw in question.

 

[PoorUB]

buy it, harbor freight $300, if it was me, I paint it lima bean green so all your friends think its harbor freight and would never use it

The HF band saw is $500 now!

 

[woodgeek]

Rockwell-Delta are very common, and the next era after Delta Milwaukee. If the support arm is "solid" (not really solid, but hollow) as opposed to webbed, it is one of the good ones. And if the upper blade support is hex shaped, as opposed to round, you will have a very nice machine.

$250 is fair if the machine is in good condition. Post pics if you want better responses.

Is the solid (non-web) upper frame substantially stronger than the webbed upper?

I’d like to upgrade my early 80’s to the solid upper and hex guide post and I was wondering if anyone thought it was a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[SalemSaberhagen]

i will have to post a wider shot but trying to figure out the year of this one, and what is up with the top pully? its clearly a 4 speed but cant figure out the top top pully?

 

[rlitman]

i will have to post a wider shot but trying to figure out the year of this one, and what is up with the top pully? its clearly a 4 speed but cant figure out the top top pully?

That lever switches the gearbox from the middle pulley via reduction gear to direct drive through the top pulley, where the top pulley is for wood cutting speed.

 

[Jackfre]

That is a very nice saw at a nice price. Good for you. As you get to know it do check the tires for condition and replace if necessary. The guides are also one of the things folks change out. Carter guides are commonly used, but honestly it has been some time since I’ve been down that road so don’t know exactly what the hot set-up is today. For a re-saw blade I’ve had really good luck With Highland Hardwares Woodmiser blades. I run the 1/2” on my 14” Laguna BX.

 

[karoc]

Congratulations on a good ole American made machine. You can find manuals on internet