Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Mar 21, 2003 08:55pm | #1

   From what I've read, both machines stand apart from the pack on two points:

   1. Price.  The Yorkcraft is cheaper than most, while the Delta is more expensive.

   2. Country of manufacture.  Both are made in the Peoples Republic of China.  Read: communism, oppression,  slave labor, no environmental regulation, fewer American jobs...

   Damned if I'd buy either of them.

   Jeff

   BTW - I suspect they are "essentially the same machine" because they're both made in the same factory.  Probably same machine with different paint and stickers.

1. 
   barnbuilder | Apr 03, 2003 03:26am | #6

   How do you know these are made in the Peoples Republic of China and not somewhere else in Asia?  Are most of Delta's tools made in China?  Thanks for the good info.

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Apr 03, 2003 01:36pm | #7

   Check Fine Woodworking's 2003 Tools & Shops issue.  There is now a tendency to move manufacturing facilities to China, wages in Taiwan being too high.  (That is, manufacturers are becoming even greedier.)

   The whole thing is really a joke.  A friend of mine is an assistant plant manager for Emerson.  He says that the products made at their facility are considered quite "labor intensive", yet the cost of labor accounts for a mere 6% of the total cost of the item.  By moving manufacture off shore, costs of labor can be reduced to 2-3%.  That means significant loss of jobs and damage to the US economy to save $3 - $4  on the price of a vacuum cleaner.

   Don't know what else to call it other than greed. (Perhaps treason?)  I'm no liberal, but I think the time has come for some stiff tariffs and protectionist legislation.

   Jeff

1. 
   barnbuilder | Apr 05, 2003 06:13am | #9

   I do not think it is common knowledge that "old" American companies like Delta have sold out to this philosphy.  Are all or most Delta tools made in China? 

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Apr 05, 2003 02:09pm | #11

   Not all Delta tools are made in China.  Some are still assembled in the U.S. and some are manufactured in Taiwan.  A significant number used to be made in Brazil, but I believe I read that facility has closed, or is about to be closed.

   Jeff

2. 
   simonstl | Apr 05, 2003 04:02pm | #12

   Delta still definitely makes some tools in the US, but they seem to be moving more and more to China. I bought a scroll saw last year - was the 40-570, now it's the ShopMaster - that I thought was made in the USA until I got it home and the box said China. I must have been looking at the wrong Delta box when I saw "Made in the USA".

   The saw works well - just needed some alignment - but it was an odd surprise. Also, they've brought out an offshore bandsaw, though the USA model is still available.

3. 
   JoeCoty | Apr 06, 2003 05:31am | #13

   Delta makes their Unisaw and 14" Bandsaw in the U.S. I thought the 8" precision jointer was also included but I'm not sure. It seems that other than the General all jointers are made in Asia

4. 
   simonstl | Apr 06, 2003 05:20pm | #14

   They've introduced a new 14" bandsaw that isn't made in the US.

   This is kind of old, but it has lots of info on Delta and other manufacturers shifting production, largely to China:

   http://www.tdctrade.com/mne/ele/hardware004.htm

5. 
   walnuttyworker | Apr 21, 2003 08:55pm | #15

   DELTA'S 14 inch bandsaw made in china.

   I just purchased the 28-206 14" band saw and have discovered some quality issues. The micrometer adjustable lower blade guide assembly has far to much play to support the blade correctly. It moves at least 1/8 inch from side to side.

   It looks like great effort was taken when designing this sliding mechanism by using spring loaded wedges to keep this assembly tight to the slide rail. In my case the wedges were expanded to the limits and their was still .020 of an inch between the rail and the contact areas of the cage.

   The metal dowel pins in my band saw are not the same diameter as the dowel pin holes in the 6" riser block attachment and the dowel holes are drilled deeper in the top half than the bottom half. I had to file down the pins in length and diameter and except the fact that their will be some play and that the bolt will have to provide the support. But the bolt in the riser block kit is imperial and the nut supplied with the band saw is metric..

   This saw base top does not have enough support to keep the band saw frame from flexing. The top of the saw moves back and forth more than an inch with very little effort.

   I have spoken to customer service about this a and they said they would look into this, find out what is going on and get back to me.

   I am still waiting for some kind of response from Delta to contact me, it has been more than 4 weeks and do not recomend anyone buy this saw intill the bugs have been worked out.

6. 
   JeffKurtz | Apr 21, 2003 09:55pm | #16

   Don't let Delta jerk you around or this will never be solved.  Two suggestions:

   1. Contact your dealer and see if arrangements can be made to replace your current saw with the old model with the cast iron wheels.  There a still quite a few of them out there.

   OR-

   2. Demand a refund (in most states this is your right, since no consumer must accept defective merchandise) and buy a different brand of machine.  (Kind of difficult to get the bad taste out of your mouth when they've been kicking you around for a month.)

   Jeff

2. 
   booch | Apr 04, 2003 06:11am | #8

   Who makes an American made Jointer? 8 "Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Apr 05, 2003 02:02pm | #10

   Nobody, to my knowledge.  Powermatic's 6 and 8 inch models both have the suffix "A" which designates their import line.  General still makes theirs in Canada.

   Jeff 

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 22, 2003 03:03am | #2

   Jeff K hit the nail on the head based on what I know.  I live about 30 minutes from Wilke Machinery -- the Yorkcraft people.  Also, the Bridgewood people.

   According to what I have been told, the Yorkcraft machinery comes from the same factory, in fact, the same molds as Delta.  Different color paint and brand name sticker.  And, a much better price.

   I have a Bridgewood jointer and also a shaper.  They are both great.  Oh, and a Bridgewood PBS-540 bandsaw.  Big one.  20 inch saw.  Bridgewood, in my experience, is great.  I don't have any Yorkcraft and have often wondered what people who have used Delta and Yorkcraft think.

   Alan

1. 
   SAWBOSS | Mar 22, 2003 10:16pm | #3

   Alan,

   Thanks for your input. I just looked up directions to the wilke plant from New York.

   It would take me 3 1/2 hours just to get there. So the money I would save buying

   the Yorkcraft or Bridgewood I would spend in gas or in delivery charges. I think I'm

   going to do some research on the Jet and the Ridgid. I've always been a fan of Jet

   and the Ridged got a good write-up in FWW. Well thanks again.

1. 
   RickLoDico | Mar 22, 2003 11:16pm | #4

   Sawboss,

   You're probably right. I've got three Bridgewood machines and swear by them. However, the Wilke shipping charges are exorbitant. I'm within commuting distance, so I pay the state tax instead.

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 25, 2003 01:50am | #5

   Sawboss

      Could it be true. Yes!!

   Call in advance to make sure they have it in stock!

   Have fun with the great buy...

   sarge..jt