Vintage Bandsaw Purchase Advice Requested

[bdogChicago]

All,

I'm seeking to pick-up a reasonably priced bandsaw. In general, a bandsaw is a nice to have for me. Not something I'll be using regularly hence I'd prefer not to make a large financial investment. That being said, I have a current project for which I could use one - building corbels for our fascia. The key is I need one that has a tilting table for angled cuts. In this case 30 degrees. Ideally I'd also be able to make a 10" cut; e.g., 10" from table top to the top of the corbel (90 degree).

I found a few vintage options locally, a Delta/Rockwell 76-3570 and a Craftsman. I'm waiting to hear back from the Craftsman seller regarding the model number. Regarding the former, I tried to search for info on the Delta but can't find anything regarding this specific model.

Does anyone have experience with either of these, know if they would fit my needs and/or have thoughts regarding the asking prices?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jlanciani]

The Delta shown is a 28-300 wood-metal saw with 14" wheels and 6" cutting height under the guides. It is missing at least the direct-drive pulley, possibly indicating that it is stuck in low range (not uncommon for these). The Craftsman is a 12" saw with approximately 4" of cutting height.

 

[bb29510]

i notice there a lot of copies in the world, especially with the delta/rockwell/craftman. mine is an HF and its identical to the delta picture above.

now HGRINC.com has a lot of bandsaws and drill presses, some very old, but the shipping will kill you

 

[Slowboat]

Here is the table adjustment on my delta. I have a 6” riser block installed and have around a 12” cutting height.

 

[RoninB4]

-If you're in the Chicago area there a several used machinery dealers to visit/call. Don't know what your budget is but I've seen a couple on CL that seemed decent. You may get a vintage model for a decent price but you'll be doing a lot of hunting. Most of the time a low priced machine will have problems that need sorting or it's just a flimsy, poorly constructed POS.

I understand working within a budget but you could consider temporarily raising the budget, getting a machine that will produce good results, and then sell the machine after your project is finished. I'm not advocating spending thousands of dollars, I'm saying that cheaply made machinery for the homeowner market is often poorly constructed and can be frustrating to produce good results.

If the budget is already tight consider buying good handsaws to do the roughing. Plenty of great work was done for the centuries before power tools came along.

 

[crguy]

That Delta wood/metal saw is far superior to the Craftsman.

 

[jar944]

Based on the size of your corbels I would expect you will need a 20"+ saw. You don't need a tilting table, a wedge fixture will work better.

36" crescent for $550

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/535585638756130/

 

[Kuma601]

That Delta is pretty, it's going to need some loving and $ to the purchase price to get it sorted.

Here is a thread from one of the GJ members:

Delta Rockwell bandsaw 28-300

Finished up my Walker Turner drill press restoration project and have been looking for a while to pickup an old bandsaw. Walker Turner bandsaws are rare and pricey. Bearings are also unique. So I decided on getting this Delta Rockwell since parts seem to be easier to find and it was close by...

www.garagejournal.com

An outside rebuild thread:

Yet another Rockwell/Delta metal/wood bandsaw restore

I have asked some questions during my recent rebuild (thanks Rich for your help), and am now almost finished the effort. Posting my rebuild of a 28-300 / 28-380 / 28-390 bandsaw. Different documents show the enclosed base version of the 28-300 basic saw as 28-380 and 28-390, so not sure which...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[bdogChicago]

Thanks to everyone for all of the info and advice! As always seems to be the case when I start looking into a tool, the first one gets away as I'm learning about it... Yep, the Delta is gone. The Craftsman is still available but based on the feedback received, i'm going to pass on that one.

 

[Kuma601]

Those Deltas are pretty desirable. The many imports are copies of that Delta so aftermarket parts can be adapted/used. Happy hunting for a bandsaw!

 

[trents99]

One of the rules for old machinery is while you are asking others if you should buy it there is someone already there handing over the cash. There are also multiple vehicles in route to the same machine to hand over their cash.

Check out the vintage machinery, owwm and the vintage subforum here to get an idea of the type of machines to look for along with common repairs, issues and capabilities of said machines.

I also agree on buying a 20 inch for your needs versus a 14 inch with a riser.

 

[Zeke]

No matter what shape the Delta was in that is a very desirable model with the gear box. If sold for a normal wood cutting saw price someone stole it. The CM is average.

AFA cutting corbels, ask at the real lumber yard. Having a band saw is nice, but it should be on the long list for woodshop tools. Not that long of list though.

If you get the CM, change that switch!

 

[jar944]

No matter what shape the Delta was in that is a very desirable model with the gear box. If sold for a normal wood cutting saw price someone stole it. The CM is average.

AFA cutting corbels, ask at the real lumber yard. Having a band saw is nice, but it should be on the long list for woodshop tools. Not that long of list though.

If you get the CM, change that switch!

Op posted pics on smc. A lumber yard with a millwork shop could do it, but the average "real" lumber likely cant build a rake corbel, around here they couldn't build a regular corbel, unless it could be ordered.

 

[Zeke]

PM sent but I found the pics on SMC. Looks to me like the bevel could be added with the aid of a template on a router table that tilts. the center section may be too wide for a follower bit.

Some type of drum sander would be handy.

The pics are very deceiving. Yeah, forget the lumberyard. That's full on mill work.

However, someone on SMC suggested laminating 2 widths to make the center. They were using exterior MDF but wood would be fine.