Delta 14″ BS on its way – what add-ons?
bww_maryland
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I just ordered a 14″ 1 HP Delta BS (28-206). Any suggestions on what blades I should order? Should I look at upgrading the guides? For starters, I’ll do tapers on legs and curves on aprons (building a desk)
With mail-in rebate, there’s a free fence and I’ll plan on adding the riser at a later time. I’ll likely add a mobile base too.
Thanks, Brad
Replies
Congrats- I put up for a new BS last month myself.
Get the Iturra catalogue- it is excellent and really geared towards the Delta 14" (although he seems to favor the 1942 model...)
I'd junk the stock blade (they are usually fairly lame)- a Timberwolf or Woodslicer (Highland Hardware) should do the trick- 1/4", 1/2" and perhaps 1/8" (the last if you are cutting tighter curves).
Before buying anything else, play around with the saw itself. Any purchasing decision that is informed by your actual needs will likely be wiser.
Enjoy,
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Glaucon, thanks for the suggestions. I'll start w/ the 1/2" and 1/4" blades and then decide what's next after playing w/ it.
- Brad
Before you even run the saw do a lot of inspecting. Especially the motor mounting bolts. Also tune the saw before operating and don't expect it to be ready to run.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Edited 1/1/2007 6:31 pm ET by BruceS
Ditto on inspecting everything.
Ditto on the magnetic light.
I didn't use a dedicated light for many years, and finally broke down and got one about 6 months ago. It is one of the best things I ever did for my saw. I have a old Delta--a 1959 Delta Multispeed Wood & Metal bandsaw--still works great after 45+ years. I would also check the tires for proper crowning. I don't know what the factory is using for tires on new bandsaws these days. But I put a set of new orange plastic tires on both of my 14" bandsaws, and neither one performed worth a darn. Then I learned that the orange tires needed to be crowned! As soon as I crowned them they performed flawlessly again.
bww,
I destroyed two Timberwolf blades pretty quickly when I first got my 208. I then bought an Olson and a Woodcraft to learn with, and they cut very well for a long time...but at a lower cost.
Check the blade before chucking it as I just purchased a Shop Fox 14" bandsaw last year and it came with a 3/8" Timber Wolf blade. When ordering new blades from Suffolk they verified that Shop Fox ships with their blade so other may also.
thanks everyone for the replies. i'm excited for my BS to arrive and appreciate the guidance. I know Delta has had mixed reviews on quality, but it was a very good deal so i'm rolling the dice. I'm not a great tool tweeker, so it could be interesting.
Thanks, Brad
I'd get one of those magnetic base gooseneck lights and attach it on the top wheel cover. The top wheel and guides block overhead light getting where you need it and the mag light will let you aim it right at the cut. Sounds like a little thing, but IMHO they're pretty indespensible.
If you build it he will come.
Edited 1/1/2007 5:55 pm ET by douglas2cats
I'd suggest adding the riser now, just to get the job over with, and to avoid the problem of having to throw out good blades that won't fit the machine after the block is added.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
John, although very obvious now, i didn't think of the blades no longer fitting after the riser install. The $100 for the riser makes even more sense right away.
Thanks, Brad
Hi Brad,
I just got the exact same saw and so far, I really like it. By all means, check everything B4 you use the saw. I read the manual several times B4 adjusting it. There are several really good articles in FWW on fine tuning which are great. Being a newbie with a saw like this, I read all the threads in here B4 deciding which to get, that would fit by budget.
The guides that came with mine are Cool Blocks I think. These are great as you can adjust them so they're touching the blade on each side. Take care not to deflect the blade when adjusting.
In a little over 5 weeks of use, I am still using the blade that came with it. I did purchase 1/8, 1/4 & 1/2 inch Olson blades to go with the 3/8 that came with it. Just tried my hand a resawing last night with the 1/2" and never having done this B4, I was very satisfied with the results.
Best of luck with it,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Bob, glad to hear you're happy w/ the saw. I'm on the road, but my wife emailed and said the saw arrived via semi today, so it's waiting in the garage. I'll post my experience.
Brad
I have a much older (1990's) model of the same saw and have been well pleased. Over the years, I've added (in this order I think) a light, cool blocks guides, urethane tires, a spinner tension adjuster and got some carbide blades for christmas this year. The carbide blades are awesome. I've never needed to saw anything big enough to need the riser block.
I'm wondering where you bought the saw. Skarie in Baltimore will set up and deliver machines they sell. All of my stationary power tools have come from there. Good bunch.
quickstep, i'm realtively new to maryland and hadn't heard of skarie. i'll definately check them out when i'm in balt next.
i think i'm going to hold off on the riser for bit since i don't imagine any 6"+ resawing in the near future either
Skarie is in the northern end of downtown on Howard Street. I've found them the be fairly price competitive. My last purchase was an 8" jointer. When I discovered a cracked pulley, they pomptly sent a replacement. No questions, no send us the old one or you must have done something, just straight up customer service.
As Glaucon mentioned, get the Iturra catalog (888-722-7078). Lots of great bandsaw advice and lots of cool upgrade stuff. To my knowledge they're not doing anything online, but a call will get you the catalog.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled