Are the old (as in 1958) Delta 14″ bandsaws better than the newer ones? There is a local seller w/ one for $400, but I don’t know any details. I don’t know the condition of tires, springs, belts, etc so it could require some work, but it is from a closing cabinet shop so I assume it is working well.
I guess me real question is; do the old saws lack any features that would be found on newer saws?
Replies
The Delta design is virtually unchanged between old and new. Some people seem to believe that the current version may be subject to manufacturing glitches, but I can't confirm that. All of the wear parts that you mentioned are easily found and easily replaced. I'd go for the old ones every day, if the price is right. With a little tune up it will be as good as new. The 14" clones appear to have gotten better in the last few years, but they are still just knock offs of the Delta.
The 1958 14" in good condition would be considered by many to be a better saw. Now, about "good condition". It's likely that the saw that's being offered needs something(s), such as a belt, new guide blocks, tires, bearings, or some combination. You need to evaluate the machine and your ability level to fix it. If you're reasonably adept with tools or want to take on a new challenge, it might be a great buy (though you should probably be offering considerably less). If it's already been overhauled (and be careful of the spray-paint "overhauls" that are more common than the real thing) it might be worth the asking price.
Pete
If it has a lot of use and needs all those thing replaced $300 sounds more like it, or less. Decient tires are $60, cool blocks are another $60 I think. After spring, belt and other nick knacks you will have $200 in parts and two days (for the average person who hasn't worked on a band saw before). THese things are all very easy to check. In my opinion band saws (the smaller ones) are not like cabinet saws. A good cabinet saw will run for 20 years with out wearing out anything, not even the belts. A band saw has lots of maintinance and if parts are not replaced the problems can get worse. They are also a PITA to set up, the only machine in my shop more difficult is my Radial Arm Saw.
The new saws have a lot of improvements, but they are mostly convienenses. They have better dust extraction, a quick release lever to loosen the blade when not in use, better springs, and most have more powerful motors. Most also come with lights, wheel brushes and other accessories that are easily added to a old machine. When it comes to cutting a old Delta 14" should cut the same as a new one, the old one might have a few pounds on a new one but not enough to matter.
See if he will come down a lot. You can get a loaded grizly for $600. That saw cost less than $200 new. If it is well maintained, needs no new parts, and comes with acessories (riser block, fence, mitergauge, blades, throat plates) then $450 maybe $500 would be fair.
Mike
I'll take a good ole' Tannewitz, Yates-American or Oliver from the 40's, 50's, and 60's over any of the stuff they make today, including Laguna & Minimax. I've had the opportunity to use and own both, and I love the old american cast iron stuff.
Jeff
Let me cloud the issue a little further; I was just at a store looking at bandsaws and I have to ask; why would anyone spend $1000 on a 14" Delta or Powermatic, then perhaps another $100+ for riser block, maybe a fence if not included (Delta) and other little items vs. spending $1200 for a much bigger, welded steel frame BS like an 18" Jet or Delta?
What is the best new saw for under $1000? (that ought to be easy to answer right? ha ha)
I'm trying to buy an old Powermatic 81 (20"). It'll need some TLC but that half-ton of cast iron should provide dependable service for another four decades, which exceeds my own expected duty cycle. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
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