Delta 385 Bandsaw

[Maui]

I originally bought this Delta 385 bandsaw at an estate sale in Perry, NY late last year. To say it looked rough would be an understatement. It was going to take a LOT of work to restore it. There is a buddy of mine who also restores vintage machines and he and I have bought machines and parts from each other over the years. I still have a very old portable air compressor I bought from him years ago that I use to this day. He had stopped by to purchase some equipment from me and I ended up selling the saw to him. He mentioned that he probably wouldn’t get to it until the spring. Well, he found the time to work on it, and it looked so nice that I bought it back from him! That was the only time I ever did that with a machine that I had sold. It might need a little tweaking yet to get it just right. Does anyone know what type of on/off switch would be correct for this machine? And I question whether or not the guides are original. The rubber tires should be glued on correct? Any suggestions or guidance in how to do this? Here is the info Delta released in the early 1930s.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1141/12632.pdf

 

[acer66]

Nice looking saw and I am happy with urethane tires from carter not sure what I have on the other one but both are non glue and I never had an issue.

I have a little bit newer one 14“ but not by much with a very similar looking stand and it also has one wooden guide like yours.

I think the most important thing is to learn how to set a bandsaw up properly.
I like this guy.

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[nutjob]

Does anyone know what type of on/off switch would be correct for this machine? And I question whether or not the guides are original.

Not sure where the switch was originally but here is a guy that has one solution. This seller has a lot of reproduction Delta parts and at one time he was selling refurb machines on CL. He may help with your other questions

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264572328257?hash=item3d99bd5941:g:PIcAAOSwDYZd-8GK

Kevin

 

[Roberts210]

The original motor had an on/off switch on the side, and a steel rod went up from the on/off switch to the top of the splay leg stand, where it ended with a ring bent into the top of the rod. You grabbed the ring and pulled up to turn the saw on and pushed the ring down to turn it off.

 

[wiley77]

I have the same saw. Maui, does your friend have a source for parts. I'm not looking for period correct set up
but a solid little band saw. I live about 40 miles from Perry. TIA John

 

[Maui]

Hi John, he mostly works on drill presses, and once in a while band saws and other equipment. I mostly work on bench vises and metal lathes, although I do restore drill presses, milling machines, surface grinders, etc. Depending on what you need, I may have some of the parts you are looking for. Feel free to PM me.

 

[wiley77]

Hi John, he mostly work on drill presses, and once inn a while band saws and other equipment. I mostly work on bench vises and metal lathes, although I do restore drill presses, milling machines, surface grinders, etc. Depending on what you need, I may have some of the parts you are looking for. Feel free to PM me.

Hi Maui, there are a couple of things I'm looking for. The first are the rubber "boots" that go over the spindles on the lower wheel. Next I'm looking for the fiber discs that go between the wheels and the frames. Lastly, my oil cup on the top wheel keeps tightening to the point the wheel will not turn.

 

[wiley77]

what kind of other equipment do you work on ,home owners or commercial?

 

[Maui]

Both. I restore milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, metal lathes, wood lathes, vintage American built bench vises and American built electrical motors, etc.