Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 26, 2003 05:54am | #1

   My impression is that Delta has kind-of split their line in two:  There's the "new" X-line (5-year warantee, all that good stuff) and the "Shopmaster" line which has their home hobbyist tools in it.

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   uncommontree | Nov 26, 2003 07:41am | #2

   Don,

   Not to long ago the CRIB sent me my new DELTA X 6" jointer, the catalog say's it is a 3/4 hp but it is a 1.5 hp with lots of nice large chrome handles. I also had DELTA send me the free mobile base also very nice. So far I am very pleased with this tool. Rick.

3. 
   jc21 | Nov 26, 2003 07:44pm | #3

   I agree with FG, the X tool line is Delta's attempt to separate their industrial and hobbyist lines. To my eyes, fit and finish is much better than what they had a few years ago. The 5 year warranty can't hurt either. The 14" bandsaw has some nice new features. The X tool line costs a little more than the tools they replace. No experience with the Shop Fox G0515 20" planer which looks to be an upgraded version of Grizzly's G1033 planer. More power and features, two year warranty instead of one, and $300 more expensive.

4. 
   mlbfreestyle | Nov 26, 2003 08:08pm | #4

   I saw the X-5 version of the DJ-20 jointer at my local tool shop.  It sat right next to the DJ-20.  I could not perceive anything significantly different in the way it was built.  Of particular interest to me was the fence.  They are both a big pile of dog #@%&. 

   The handles on the fence did not match the threading in the castings and thus could not be tightened at all!  The semi-circle relief cut in the bottom of the fence (that provides clearance for the cutter-head) was cut so poorly that it was very difficult to move the fence inward because the rough edge cuts into the guard casting.  On both machines, the iner edge of the guard was chewed up badly just from the being adjusted on the show-room floor.  I think the fence system on the PM 60B, 54A, Grizzly, et. al. is much easier to operate.

   I was hoping that the DJ and X-5 variant would be an all around better machine, but I could not see spending that much money for something that is not complete.  I do like the long infeed table and good overall length without having to resort to table extensions (like the Grizz 0500).  I do like the paralleogram table system.  It is elegant; eliminates un-needed weight; and provides for adjustability down the road.  Too bad they don't put a respectable fence on it.