Just found your terrific forum & wonder if I can ask a purchase question.
I’m looking to replace an” antique” Craftsman table saw whose motor just burned out. Even used motors are quite expensive. I’m a fairly competent home owner with plenty to do around the house.
You folks seem to like or have a high regard for Delta. Someone is selling a lightly used model called “Contractor’s Saw II” – model 36-630 for $250. I don’t really care how old it is (seems like older is often better these days). I just want something that is fairly reliable and cuts straight.
This seems like a good deal. Comments?
Thanks,
Paul
Replies
In general, the Delta contractor saws are very good. With any saw, it's important that you know how to "tune" them up. It doesn't matter what saw it is, it won't cut accurately without doing this. $250 is a steal.
In general, the Delta contractor saws are very good. With any saw, it's important that you know how to "tune" them up. It doesn't matter what saw it is, it won't cut accurately without doing this. $250 is a steal.
It's it's in good shape, I'd agree - good deal.
From a parts list I found online, the 36-630 appears to be a '90s-vintage machine.
I have two Delta contractor's saws - one that I bought in the early '70s, and one that I inherited from my Dad. Both are still going strong.
I wouldn't give up on your craftsman saw. Look on the Old Wood Working Machines website, owwm.com. They have some folks on their forum who sell old motors for those saws. I bought an almost brand new 1-1/2 hp motor for my craftsman table saw for $40 shipped from a guy on their board.
Paul,
If you need a standard induction motor in the 1 to 2 hp range they aren't that expensive, certainly less that the $250 for the Delta saw.
Also unless you have literally "burned out" your old saw's motor it is probably repairable, a stuck centrifugal starter switch or a bad capacitor will cause a motor to either not start or turn slowly and not come up to speed, but both problems are relatively inexpensive to fix.
If you can give me the model number on your Craftsman saw I might be able to give you some more specific advice.
Older tools are generally much better quality, but "old" in my book means before 1970 and preferably quite a bit older than that. A quick check for the likely quality of an older tool is to look at how much plastic is in the saw. The best vintage machines have no plastic except possibly in the switch knob. Plastic started to be substituted for metal in the 60's typically.
From the model number, the Delta saw you are looking at is probably much newer than that and its quality is most likely at a level that caused people to start saying how much better old tools were. Also for whatever it is worth, contractors style saws, the ones with the motor hanging off the back, are poor choices for furniture making.
Thanks so much for the suggestions and info. Actually the Delta saw was snapped up very quickly and it may have been too large for my basement anyway.
When the motor went dead - it went dead. No buzzing, humming or slow turning. I'm pretty sure it was the winding and not the capacitor. I believe it was made in the 50's - Craftsman "100". It has heavy steel top and pretty nice steel stand with wheels. I would like to keep it.
Most of the new $300-$500 saws do have so much plastic and aluminum on them. The miter gauges and fences seem flimsy and slop around in the slots. Even name brand stuff. It seems I would have to spend $1000 or more to get something solid.
Since I posted, I have been scouring eBay and Craig's list for a replacement motor. And guess what? One of the members on this list has offered me a spare motor of his! I may be back in business soon.
Thanks,
Paul
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