Delta 768 10in Band Saw

[dngrmse]

Picked up this Band saw with a General Electric 1.5hp motor about two weeks ago at a garage sale. Seller had a $25 tag on it, and I really didn't want it, so I offered $20 kind of hoping he would turn it down. In hindsight, I was glad he took my offer. After all, I had a retirement light I bought last fall at another GS laying around that needed a home. All the paint / prep work was done by my father, who is up visiting from Florida. Have to keep him busy so he doesn't get into any trouble.

Here is the saw as purchased:

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Here are a few shots during the disassembly / cleanup:

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A pic of the retirement light:

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The base being stripped:

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And here is after some cleanup / paint:

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I wasn't able to use the motor that came with the saw I didn't notice that was 3450rpm until I got home. So I cleaned up an old Westinghouse 1725 rpm motor I had laying around, and will use that.

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[Packard V8]

Very nice work.

You stole one of the most sought-after of smaller band saws. That 10" Delta 768 was only built around 1939-42, so are rare and are built as strong as the very strong 14". A 1.5hp motor would be way overkill, as most came with 1/4 or 1/3hp motors. (Are you sure it's a 1.5hp? Most Delta 1.5hp of the pre-war era would be twice that diameter.)

In restored condition with the light, I'd estimate it would sell on eBay for at least $350.

jack vines

 

[FJ 432]

Very nice work.

In restored condition with the light, I'd estimate it would sell on eBay for at least $350.

jack vines

Yep. I would be a buyer at $350.

 

[dngrmse]

Yes, the motor that came with the saw is not the original one, it was thrown in with the saw - it's a newer GE motor, 1.5 hp. luckily I had a spare Westinghouse 1725rpm 1/3 hp motor laying around. I still need to find a new blade and belt for it, hopefully this weekend.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Nice work! I use the same exact stand that had an old delta table saw on it. Now the stand holds my Craftsman 12" bandsaw. Wanna trade?

 

[rsanter]

Be glad he took it, that was a great deal
I would have paid the $25 and not negotiated with him

Bob

 

[travisn1]

That looks amazing. What paint did you use on it? Spray or brush?

 

[gungatim]

you have a Yuba Saw Smith? aside from my old one, I've only ever seen one other one in the wild. unless that's just the name plate in the background...

 

[dngrmse]

Be glad he took it, that was a great deal
I would have paid the $25 and not negotiated with him

Bob

I wasn't exactly looking for one, and I had some other projects ahead of it. In the end, I'm glad it worked out, it was the second day of his sale.

That looks amazing. What paint did you use on it? Spray or brush?

Krylon Smoke Gray in spray can from Ace Hardware

you have a Yuba Saw Smith? aside from my old one, I've only ever seen one other one in the wild. unless that's just the name plate in the background...

I did- I purchased it for the base a while back. I tried giving it away on Craigslist, but had no takers. So I ended up stripping most of the parts from it including the motor and tossing the rest of it. The motor is really impressive, I like the variable speed on it.

 

[Packard V8]

Yep. I would be a buyer at $350.

Unfortunate you're a couple of long states over and I'm too lazy to want to crate it. I've got a very nice 768 (without stand) I'd allow to go to a good home.

you have a Yuba Saw Smith? aside from my old one, I've only ever seen one other one in the wild.

Add one more to the list of interesting woodworking machines I've never seen or owned. I did a cursory look and seems like a good machine.

jack vines

 

[gungatim]

I wasn't exactly looking for one, and I had some other projects ahead of it. In the end, I'm glad it worked out, it was the second day of his sale.


Krylon Smoke Gray in spray can from Ace Hardware



I did- I purchased it for the base a while back. I tried giving it away on Craigslist, but had no takers. So I ended up stripping most of the parts from it including the motor and tossing the rest of it. The motor is really impressive, I like the variable speed on it.

I did the same thing with mine, couldn't give it away so I saved most of the parts and scrapped the rest. it was a decent machine for a while but I upgraded and just didn't have room or the need for it anymore. it was an interesting machine for sure, but I was copnstantly adjusting the table for square...

awesome job on the bandsaw, BTW!!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Congrats on the nice pickup! You a member over at OWWM.org? I didn't see a recent post of the bandsaw there.

 

[FJ 432]

Unfortunate you're a couple of long states over and I'm too lazy to want to crate it. I've got a very nice 768 (without stand) I'd allow to go to a good home. jack vines

After our message exchange last year you just like teasing me, don't you?

 

[Packard V8]

After our message exchange last year you just like teasing me, don't you?

Nope; the short-term memory is the first thing to go in GJ. ;>)

PM me one more time and let's git 'er done. You've been patient enough and it can ******** a small pallet.

jack vines

 

[Lynden]

Nice restoration. Ask your father if he'd like to spend a couple of months in sunny coastal California working on some of my tools.

 

[rrich1]

Excellent job!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Packard V8]

Interestingly, this thread sent me back to a 1940 Delta catalog. The 768 and stand, with available optional 1/4 hp split phase motor, switch rod and lamp I'm using today, was $47.68, or $833.45 in today's dollars; definitely an investment in a quality machine.

The catalog actually recommends a 1/3 hp motor, either sleeve or ball bearing. The 1/4 hp motor was $8.50, the 1/3 hp version was $13.85 and the ball bearing repulsion induction motor was $19.95

jack vines