My Delta 768

[chrislehr]

Decided to make a new thread on this one cause its a cool story.



I had a Delta 14" W/M saw.. it's good, but temperamental and everytime I got it dialed in, a week later it was cutting crookeder than a Brit's teeth.



So I found the Judge.. my 1906 32" Crescent bandsaw. Nearly a dream come true. So good that I didn't delete my craigslist "bandsaw| band saw" search. And then this little 10" Delta came up... FOR FREE. With a motor. And a homeowner built stand (not pictured)



I RAN to the car when the guy said I was first but he got a ton of dibs behind me. Of course he did, that's a beautiful (and working) saw!



Unfortunately, the 32" saw took much of my attention, and the kid, and a 8" jointer, and and and you know how these things can go.



I found a stand for it. Restored it. Was the wrong height. I contemplated a home built riser, but ultimately waited and found the stand... in a totally crudded up condition. Electrolysis, wire brush, sanding, acetone, primer, and paint later.. I HAVE A STAND.



Unfortunately, the motor pictured was too large to fit centered and aligned. Too bad, its a 1/2hp Wagner motor complete with little oil pots for lubrication. I have a Delta/Milwaukie 1/2hp on standby, but it's arguably too new for the saw, so I will be keeping an eye out.



Now, I just need to figure out what power switch and where to throw the power switch (thinking on the arm support above and left of the table)



And then, ultimately, I will need to decide if I will paint/restore the saw. The stickers are all fairly intact. Might just return the covers to original and call it done.

 

[Packard V8]

WOW! you got a $250+ freebie. The 768 is one of the least common (1939-41) and most sought-after of small bandsaws. I have an original owner saw/stand/motor in the basement shop and love it. They came with buyer's choice of 1/4 hp sleeve or 1/3 hp ball bearing motor. Mine has the 1/4 hp and is OK for light work.

The factory switch is just a straight 3/16" rod with a finger loop on the top and a Z-bend at the bottom, held to the front of the stand by a small bracket. The switch box is mounted directly on the motor.

jack vines

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Congrats on all those saws. And the jointer. And the kid! I hope someday to come across one of these early 10" Delta band saws.

Mike

 

[chrislehr]

The factory switch is just a straight 3/16" rod with a finger loop on the top and a Z-bend at the bottom, held to the front of the stand by a small bracket. The switch box is mounted directly on the motor.

jack vines

As much as I love those old vintage switches, I have a young one, so don't want it down low. Might buy a Cutler Hammer Stop/Start to still capture closer to the right look and feel without a $20 chinese power paddle on it.

 

[chrislehr]

Welp, done.


New:
Urethane tires
Link belt
New/Used:
switch
motor
motor cover (was from the original switch, removed)
retirement light

 

[Packard V8]

Very nicely done.

After a year of use, let us know how you like the link belt. I had a brief flirtation with them but went back to cogged v-belts.

jack vines

 

[chrislehr]

Very nicely done.

After a year of use, let us know how you like the link belt. I had a brief flirtation with them but went back to cogged v-belts.

jack vines

Jack - so far I LOOOOVE them for vibration reduction. took my old lathe and gave it a new life. much smoother off the tool now, less sanding my mistakes down.

Also, I buy link belt on ebay in bulk - 12 feet if like 40-50$ and can set up 2-3 machines depending on length. Plus.. no more getting sizes right is REALLY nice. too loose? remove a link.

But now that I blabbed all the virtues, I need to know what made you go back? slippage in harder woods? curiou.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I really like your band saw and the switch and light you modded for it ! Wondering where you got the switch and light ? I have a vintage 50's craftsman table saw and drill press that could use some switches and a light! You are located in Portland and so am I... I would love to see them in person some time ! Nice work


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[chrislehr]

I really like your band saw and the switch and light you modded for it ! Wondering where you got the switch and light ? I have a vintage 50's craftsman table saw and drill press that could use some switches and a light! You are located in Portland and so am I... I would love to see them in person some time ! Nice work


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the switches go on ebay for 40-60 depending on shape. The lights.. phew. They are called "Retirement lights" cause if you have a box of them somewhere, you might be able to retire earlier. They are.. cringe.. $30-$120 each depending on condition.

Saw was free, and I have about $150 into her now maybe?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I really like your band saw and the switch and light you modded for it ! Wondering where you got the switch and light ? I have a vintage 50's craftsman table saw and drill press that could use some switches and a light! You are located in Portland and so am I... I would love to see them in person some time ! Nice work


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Smoke,
Obviously, I'm not the OP but I'm pretty sure I saw those "retirement lights" for sale on OWWM last week. A couple got bought real quick and I think he got them there. These are old lights that you could get from Delta for their wood and metal working machines from the '30s into the '60s and '70s I believe. I've got one that came with a 1946 Delta-Milwaukee 14" band saw I bought last year. They're highly desirable. Prices are generally in the range of $50-$85 each for them. The new cord on it isn't original or really even close to what would have been original but it does look good. I hope someday to have one of these little 10" Delta band saws.

Mike

 

[txlonghorn1989]

the switches go on ebay for 40-60 depending on shape. The lights.. phew. They are called "Retirement lights" cause if you have a box of them somewhere, you might be able to retire earlier. They are.. cringe.. $30-$120 each depending on condition.

Saw was free, and I have about $150 into her now maybe?

Chris,
I answered for you. Too bold I know. Did you get those last week off OWWM? They sure look like two of the five (?) that someone put up for sale there. I also wonder if you were the original poster of a question there about using the cloth cord. That was a great thread. Regardless, nice job with the saw and the lamp!

Mike

 

[Smokeshow69]

Chris,
I answered for you. Too bold I know. Did you get those last week off OWWM? They sure look like two of the five (?) that someone put up for sale there. I also wonder if you were the original poster of a question there about using the cloth cord. That was a great thread. Regardless, nice job with the saw and the lamp!

Mike

Thanks for the replies, both of you ! I know the old lights are expensive but given how cool the are I don't think they are super expensive as you can't put a new light on an old machine ! I will keep an eye out on the 'bay for a light and some switches ! I would really like to find some vintage craftsman power bronze switches and a light to match my machines but I know that stuff is also big bucks! I am digging the cloth covered wiring as I too have done several projects with new reproduction cloth covered wiring! I get mine from sundial wire !


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[chrislehr]

Chris,
I answered for you. Too bold I know. Did you get those last week off OWWM? They sure look like two of the five (?) that someone put up for sale there. I also wonder if you were the original poster of a question there about using the cloth cord. That was a great thread. Regardless, nice job with the saw and the lamp!

Mike

Hey Mike.

I did buy them off OWWM - Mike Thompson is local to PDX for me and gave me a deal on two of his five.

I didn't make the wiring thread, but have posted in there, and that wire is indeed from the http://vintagewireandsupply.com/ place. The bummer.... it's 18ga only. So OK for lights, not for motors.

 

[454ragtop]

Nice job. As to the link belts, I think they're tough on aluminum pulleys. My first lathe, an Atlas came with a link belt from the motor to the countershaft, the sheave on the motor pulley was completely worn out. I much prefer the AX and BX cogged belts.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Hey Mike.

I did buy them off OWWM - Mike Thompson is local to PDX for me and gave me a deal on two of his five.

I didn't make the wiring thread, but have posted in there, and that wire is indeed from the http://vintagewireandsupply.com/ place. The bummer.... it's 18ga only. So OK for lights, not for motors.

Cool! If I'd seen those before you they might be in my shop right now! ;-) Love that band saw of yours!

 

[bmwrd0]

Looks good! I have a Delta scroll saw that has one of the lights, sort of in the middle of being refurbished (got sidetracked). Need to find a good switch for though. I am just an hour south of you in Albany, might need to swing up there soon!