Replacement Parts for Old Woodworking Machinery
Renovo Parts focuses on Delta replacements but hopes to offer more brands in the future
Jim Austin has been rebuilding, repairing, and servicing classic American-made woodworking machines for 15 years. Knowing that many manufacturers had stopped making replacement parts, Austin decided to make and sell the parts himself. So he founded Renovo Parts (www.renovoparts.com).
Renovo’s current product line focuses on Delta machinery, including parts and accessories for Delta’s popular belt and disk sanders; parts for the Unisaw, 14-in. bandsaw, and shaper; and a variety of items for Delta’s classic wood lathe. Austin plans to add products based on customer feedback. He hopes eventually to offer parts for brands such as Walker Turner, Yates, and Powermatic.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
DeWalt 735X Planer
Starrett 12-in. combination square
Veritas Precision Square
Comments
Not all of the parts are the same size as the originals. The Delta pulley P/N 909945 that Renovo is selling is smaller than the original and looks identical to other pulleys used in other machines. There is a huge price difference and customer service does not like responding to E -Mails about refunds.
Apparently Renovo is just trying to outsource parts to machine shops that in turn can try to re-engineer a replacement. My order time has turned into 2 months (and counting) of waiting for a shop to build my part. This was not revealed up front when I paid for my order. I have called four times in 2 months inquiring about my part and today the owner asked me not to call back because the machine shops were inundated and I could be waiting anywhere from a week to six more months.
Also had dealings with Renovo looking for parts for my Unisaw. First call when looking for parts dealing with the sales rep was fine and he seemed very helpful. Follow up calls inquiring about when I might get the parts and would I get a confirmation for the order - not so geat. Put on hold and when finally got through was treated like a nuisance. Think the concept of the company is a good one and could be very profitable for them and a great benefit to people having valued older equipment- if attitudes, integrity and follow through is made a company priority.
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