90s Delta "Green" Power Tools

[Nick_Wa]

Hello everyone, it all started when I was looking to buy a used bench grinder to replace a crappy Craftsman plastic "block" style grinder I picked up. I came across a 90s era Delta bench grinder and immediately fell in love.

It runs great, lots of power, nice and heavy, everything I like about power tools. Since then I have managed to find a drill press of the same year (manufactured within a month of the bench grinder) and am looking for more.

I plan to replace my table saw and miter saw with similar era "green" Delta models and maybe pick up a band saw and scroll saw in the future. I'm also considering finishing the matching color and using it to paint cabinets and such in my garage instead of the standard blue/red most people prefer.

What about everyone else? Anyone using the 90's green Delta power tools? Anything good/bad to say about them? Here are mine now.

 

[454ragtop]

If you like that stuff, you should take a look at the older made in USA stuff, that was when Delta/Rockwell made stuff to be proud of.
Jim

 

[scw1991]

I restored vintage Delta/Rockwell machinery for 10 years varying from 1930's to mid 1970's vintage and it was built to last. All constructed of heavy cast iron. By mid 70's the quality started to tank. Delta/Rockwell had a select Made In USA pieces of machinery left up until the mid 80's but after that, it was all outsourced overseas.

For home workshop stuff, the Delta machinery you have should suffice just fine. The stuff I restored was typically found in school wood shop applications and perhaps small cabinetmaker shops or light industrial woodworking facilities.

 

[LXCam]

I think I have the scroll saw you want buried in a storage area. If I do, cover shipping and you can have it. But it'll be a while before I go digging for it.

SC, that's a very impressive collection you've amassed and restored. Excellent job bud!

 

[Nick_Wa]

I think I have the scroll saw you want buried in a storage area. If I do, cover shipping and you can have it. But it'll be a while before I go digging for it.

SC, that's a very impressive collection you've amassed and restored. Excellent job bud!

Really!? That would be great. Just let me know if you do come across it!

 

[LXCam]

Really!? That would be great. Just let me know if you do come across it!

I have a hard time throwing away tools, so stuff like that just gets put someplace. Darn shame you're in Canada, shipping might cost you more then just buying one. But like I said, you're welcome to it if it's still around.

 

[gungatim]

what do you mean by green? I have a lot of 80's through 2002 tools and they are all grey. My Unisaw is '84, Lathe '86, morticer and drum sander from '02 are all excellent machines. The only non-grey Delta tools are my planer and chop saw, both from '00's but in the black/blue color scheme. I have seen White Unisaw's and I bought a motor cover for mine off ebay that was NOS in silver. Never seen green though...

as far as quality, 90's had a lot of cheaper homeowner models of tools to stay away from, like 3 wheel bandsaw, cheaper chop saws, etc. but your stuff looks like the good stuff...