Part needed for 6″ Delta jointer – or suggestions for a “fix”
I’m in need of a Lock Lever Assembly, (Delta P/N 1346751) for my 6 inch Delta Jointer, model 37-195. From a search of the web, it appears the part is discontinued and no longer available as a replacement part.
This is the lock bolt that firms up the setting of the infeed table. The lever itself on mine has stripped out – operator error, of course… To much muscle on my part over time, clearly.
Actually, the bolt itself is fine, the head of the bolt is serrated and the handle drives the bolt in or out.
If I can’t find one, I’m looking for any suggestions (short of me using a pair of pliers every time I need to adjust the infeed table height – which I can do, but would rather not, knowing eventually that too will grind the serrations themselves off) any of y’all might have. All comments welcome.
Replies
Try McMaster-Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/machine-handles
I feel your pain...I too had the same problem with respect to replacement planer blades for my Delta Planer. Why did they stop making them? Who knows. But the first chance I got to get rid of it, I did.
If none of the suggestions pans out I'd be sorely tempted to have a machinist make you a new one. Might be a little on the expensive side but it'll likely be the last one you'll ever need. Machinists are a clever lot as well, so they may be able to suggest improvements to make the locking lever a little more robust.
Good luck.
Delta was purchased by a Chinese company, 'nuff said.
Thanks for the responses. Right after I sent my first post, I thought well, I'll pull the mechanism out of the cast frame, check the threads and diameter and try a bolt from the hardware.
I wasn't surprised the splines on the assembly were worn down beyond working.
Of course, it took about 20 minutes for me to realize the darned threads (and likely the diameter) were metric... and of course my thread gauge is old-school imperial. It's a darned fine thread - something under 32 tpi but over 26...
Off to the hardware and an effort to eyeball a suitable cap screw (I could make due with an allen wrench for the handle). My guess was M6 x 1.o. Brought the screw home, and of course, no joy. I think the diameter's M6 but the thread pitch is wrong. My fear is that it's some sort of non-standard / proprietary thread that's not commonly available. I believe my unit was manufactured in Asia for Delta.
So, I hadn't thought of McMaster Carr - I liked that idea, but again the pitch is gonna be a problem after looking at their catalogue on line. It appears they've just the ticket for my need... if only I can match the thread.
I'm going to keep looking / listening for now. I suppose I could re-cut the threads on the cast housing but I've never tried cutting threads in cast iron. Certainly don't want to hose the housing as well.
Having a part made had crossed my mind... it may come to that, but I really hope the threads won't have to be hand cut (I dunno, maybe modern tech / CNC lathes can deal with that easier than I think.) Yeah, it'd be pricey too I suspect (but I also suspect you're right - the problem would be "solved.)" And too, maybe a machinist can better spec the thread for me. I may give that a try.
Last re: Delta... Love(d) their stationary tools for years, but they've got a real problem with repair/replacement parts IMO. I needed trunions for a Delta band saw a while back. "Discontinued." Had a heck of a time finding replacements. I'm a "Delta" shop on the big stuff - that may have to change, but at my age I'd rather not drop the coin to go there. Having "older" tools must just be a part of being an older hobbiest.
https://www.mikestools.com/1346751-Delta-Lock-Lever-Assembly.aspx
These are complex to make BUT it's not a biggie.
The thread looks to be M10 in the picture I saw (6 is unlikely on a machine) but I don't own one of these.
You can replace the part at a minimum with a nut and a spanner on your existing threaded rod. All the lever handle is, is a specialized spanner for a nut which is constrained to the rod. Pushing the button pulls the handle and spring back, disengaging the spanner. This allows it to be moved out of the way when not being used to lock things down. The 'nut' is usually multi-splined rather than hex to allow greater option in the nut positioning.
If you don't mind the inconvenience of using a spanner, just epoxy a nut onto the end of the rod instead.
Anyway, these are common items and if you can determine the thread size and the link I gave you is not enough, you can also buy them on ebay for peanuts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/M10x40mm-Male-Thread-Metal-Machine-Knob-Adjustable-Handle-Lever/230934601610?hash=item35c4c65f8a:g:WqEAAOSwzlFdXE2A
A quick follow up. So, I’m confident the thread is M6x1. And, oddly a matching capscrew won’t thread into the hole, it freezes up about 4 turns in. Yet, the OEM screw goes right in. (And an M6x1 nut smoothly threads onto the OEM screw.). So, I thought I’d just chase the threads in the hole with a matching tap.
Same story, the tap tightens up way to quickly- just about where it wants to cut a full depth thread. From what I’m reading on the web, apparently there are often issues trying to use conventional taps in cast iron? I’m seeing comments that a “conventional” bolt may be too crisply cut to run into a matching hole in cast iron.
My next step I think will be to order the complete handle from McMaster Carr, and, feeling it’s likely that screw won’t Spin in perhaps I can use the M-C parts handle on the OEM screw. From what I’m seeing, it’s pretty risky trying to chase those threads in the hole with a conventional tap.
I know this is an old thread but I have found this site invaluable for old delta parts. Try Renovoparts.com
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