The new Iturra catalog is great! These guy’s KNOW small cast iron bandsaws and how to tune them up, it is great education in its self. I thought my 1 hp motor, Carter guides and riser block were enough, but no, now its on to better pulleys, belts, tires, shims, adjustment wheels, etc. That old Delta will not know what has hit it.
It would seem a good used older Delta with the tune up they recomend would be a much better buy than some of the new welded frame saws. Unless you were looking for a lot of capacity.
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Got the catalog as well and thought it was excellent. Almost like a magazine. My Delta saw is 1/2 hp and about 10 years old and I am not sure whether to do some upgrades or sell it and buy a bigger saw. Iturra was fairly positive on Mini-max but I have read some negative press about having to get all parts from Italy so that wasn't too good. I can buy a bigger motor $150, and get a better fence not to mention pulleys, tension release lever, etc but whether or not it makes sense I am undecided.
tap5055, I too got the 2005 Iturra catalog and would like to do some upgrades especially to the motor but I've been trying to find a source. Do you have a source? I have a 3/4 hp motor and it just doesn't cut it. It's a Delta 14" and it's not even a year old. Good for small stuff but not resawing. I'll probably try to "supercharge" the saw (page 134) but I think I'll still need the higher hp motor. Any help on this would be appreciated.
I can't say I have a good source, but I have looked around. If you want cheap, Harbor Freight has some 1.5 HP motors for about $75. I suspect they are too cheap. Northern Handyman which is local to me has Leeson 1.5 HP for $142. They are US made and have a good warranty on them. I have used Leeson before and never had issues.
Good to know 3/4 hp doesn't cut it either. Means I need to go the full 1.5 HP route or buy a bigger machine (which my wife will have a fit about).
Thanks tap5055. I'd rather go with the US made motor. Sounds like it is a better deal in the long run.
lol on the bigger machine...same for me especially since the saw is less than a year old!
I bought a one horse motor, (US made), from the local electric supply for $90.00 a few years ago, no problems with it, but 1.5 or 2 hp may have been better. I'm of the opinion hot rodding an older Delta, if you already have it, makes more sense than buying an off shore welded model. But if larger capacity is needed, I would go to a MM, if I could not find an old Delta 20". The local used machinery dealer here, (SE Michigan), had a 50's vintage Delta 20" with a complete rebuild, Carter guides, Baldor 3 hp and new paint and badges for $1250.00. Maybe I just like the old iron better? It sure looks better in the shop.
I like the older iron better myself. The newer stuff just seems cheap. 12 inch resaw is pretty much fine to me, but 1/2 hp motor is the pits.
I did get my wife to agree to let me look at buying a used machine. Her mind will probably change once she sees the prices for one, but $1250 for a 3hp rebuit Delta would be one that I would buy if I could get it locally.
"Almost like a magazine." Almost like a book!! LOL. Anyway, I'll see if I can get Tom over here to talk about his MiniMax bandsaw. Don't know if he's had any parts issues or not. I do know he's totally awestruck by their customer service.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
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