Replies

1. 
   Sunbelt | Mar 01, 2007 07:12am | #1

   Suggest you give it a thorough inspection...elevating and tilting mechanisms, arbor runout (use a dial indicator), motor mount,  belts, switch, wiring for brittle insulation, and general condition of the cabinet.  If you have access to an ammeter it would be a good idea to check the motor amps.  If the saw has the older model switch, it should have heater coils for motor protection...might want to ensure the correct coils are in place.  I would remove the cabinet inspection cover and perform the checkout with a good light.  If it checks ok, and sounds ok when running,  perform an amperage check while actually cutting a piece of wood....you'll need a buddy for this trick.  You can also remove the blade, start the motor, and listen to the arbor bearing housing with a long screwdriver held to your ear...have your buddy shut down the motor and listen to the bearings while spinning down.  If the cabinet and table are in good condition, and you are happy with the overall  unit...$700 is not  an unreasonable price.  If you plan to do a lot of heavy sawing, a 3HP motor would do wonders for this package.  Leeson Electric manufactures a 3HP, 220V-1Ph direct replacement motor for the Unisaw.  By the way, if the wiring is not in good condition, you can replace for just a few $ in new wire available at any electrical supply or home center.  Good Luck

   SunBelt

1. 
   gerp2 | Mar 01, 2007 04:28pm | #5

   Thanks for the very thorough answer.

1. 
   ChipTam | Mar 01, 2007 04:56pm | #6

   I have two Rockwell Unisaws.  Both date from the 1970's.  I paid $600 for one and $700 for the other.  I think $700 is a very reasonable price especially if it includes the unifence.  Mine just had jet-lock fences and I needed to purchase after-market fences.  Mine both have 1 1/2 HP motors which I think are fine unless you're ripping 2" oak all day long.  You really don't need to upgrade the motor, in my opinion.

   If you have the knowledge and  machinist tools to check out Sunbelt's list of items, I would do so.  He's got a good list there.  However, I would probably take a chance on it, if it doesn't look abused and it turns on when you flip the switch.  In general, these old unisaws were built like tanks.  Most problems will be minor and can be fixed at little cost.

   Chip Tam 

2. 
   CoachB | Mar 02, 2007 04:45am | #17

   Sorry to intrude, I have been looking for a replacement motor for my Jet contractors saw. I was hoping that the Baldor cl3515 with 2hp and 23/11.5 full load amps wired to 220 would be a good choice..it is fully enclosed...any thoughts

   thanx

2. 
   philip | Mar 01, 2007 09:06am | #2

   Have a look at picture 004 in the post #34764.19 -if that is the same motor as the one you refer to then that at least is good-I can vouch for that. (Rockwell Delta 11/2 horse 2850rpm 220volt)

   Philip Marcou
3. 
   tinkerer2 | Mar 01, 2007 09:16am | #3

   For that price it probably should have the motor cover, and a good fence and all the goodies that would come with a new saw.  If you have to buy these, it could well through you into the price of new stuff and you still would have no warrantee.

1. 
   gerp2 | Mar 01, 2007 04:01pm | #4

   It has a 52" unisaw fence by delta. It has a series of molding cutters (I don't know if those are useful) and it has a side and back extension table. Thanks for the responses! I get the feeling that $700 seems too high.

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 01, 2007 07:28pm | #7

   Morning gerp...

   I personally think the $700 is a bit high. If faced with the decision I would consider that I would want to upgrade to at least 3 HP and then correct or re-condition what is already worn or missing on the existing saw. In this case the hidden cost would exceed $1 K.

   I just purchased a factory re-conditioned Uni X5. New 3 HP motor.. table re-ground to within .002 (probably closer than when it was purchased new) and with a Biesemeyer fence. I paid $999 even though the normal cost was $1100. There are lots of Uni reco's to be had as those somewhat delicate trunnions gets damaged as trucking companies have a knack for throwing things about.

   I would be patient and look for a better deal. Patience is a virtue they say!

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

5. 
   Burl | Mar 01, 2007 07:31pm | #8

   I have had one of these saws, with the Uni-Fence, since 1988 when I purchased it new. I have used it very hard at times and it has always performed well. The fence has stayed very accurate even when pushing sheets of plywood through the saw. I do clamp a stop block against the far end of the fence when pushing 3/4 plywood sheets through it. I have not had any problems with the motor or belts. Of course now that I have said that the problems will begin!! I would buy the saw again in a heart beat. Good luck with it.

6. 
   ETG | Mar 01, 2007 08:44pm | #9

   If the machine you are looking at is truly branded "Rockwell/Delta", then it is older than 1985.  Rockwell International sold the stationary tool division to Pentair in 1981.  And just like their purchase of the portable tools from Rockwell, they quickly rebranded to the original name - Delta for the stationary tools and Porter-Cable to the portable tools.  If the seller if firmly convinced it is 1985 vintage, that's a serious red flag about the history of the machine.  Get a serial number and check it at Delta or through the Vintage Woodworking Machines web site for the real answer to how old it is.

1. 
   gerp2 | Mar 01, 2007 08:57pm | #10

   Hi ETG,
   The saw is marked rockwell unisaw there is no indication of a delta name. It is only the fence that is a delta unisaw fence. How old do you think this saw is. The seller is an elderly family friend so it is quite possible he is a little confused as to the age of the saw.

1. 
   ETG | Mar 01, 2007 09:08pm | #11

   He is probably just confused about the date - Pentair rebranded sometime in 1981 so I'd say the "supply system" was pretty well bled of Rockwell/Delta by mid 1982.  Even though everyone likes a new machine - fresh paint, new features, etc., I still cherish the older machines.  All the castings on that machine have clearly "aged" and should be quite stable so you are getting what you see - as opposed to some new, "unseasoned" castings.

   Pricing can really vary with the individual market, number of woodworkers in the area, etc.  For my area in the mid-Atlantic, it's a rasonable price.

1. 
   gerp2 | Mar 01, 2007 09:15pm | #12

   Thanks alot. The consensus seems to be it is a good saw so I am going ahead with the purchase. Thanks to all who have given me feedback, it has been a great help.Gerp

1. 
   ETG | Mar 01, 2007 09:42pm | #13

   Great - do us all a favor and update us once you get it and try it out.

7. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 01, 2007 11:55pm | #14

   g, I just finished cleaning up an'85 3hp. delta right tilt and in late March will lube it up, mount the new metal motor cover(only a few left), mount the new DC port in the rear base trim, change the belts, mount and align the top and install the new 50" unifence rail.

   With the true age and 1½ hp. I would offer $500 to $600 and no more. It is a massive construction but the replacement parts are starting to vanish as BD now runs the parts in Jackson Tn. If you buy it check everything and get parts NOW. The unifence is probably the old style with the white nylon rub pads an the rear mounted cursor, to order spares you must talk to a tech not an order taker who will send you all the fine parts for the new style unifence--I have some of the part #'s here and some in Tn. email me if you need them-- All the best, Paddy

   BTW, does it have a motor cover (to fit a 3hp?), a switch mounted right side under the table on a piece of pipe, does it have the uniguard and pop up splitter with pawls, and is it the old style unifence?

1. 
   gerp2 | Mar 02, 2007 01:39am | #15

   It is not clear to me what the motor cover is. The motor is inside the cabinet and as such I did not look at it. There was no splitter and I forgot to ask about it. The blade guard was of a style I had never seen. It mounted on a bent arm and came down from above. In other words the arm(a pipe) was mounted on the back left hand side of the table. The arm (pipe) ran parallel to the back of the saw until it was even with the saw blade and then made a 90 degree turn and came down over the blade. It was not attached when I looked at it but that seemed the way it worked The fence is the old style fence. As to the position of the switch I cannot remember.Gerp

1. 
   DavidCockey | Mar 02, 2007 04:38am | #16

   Sounds like it has the original version of the Uni-Guard.

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 02, 2007 05:27am | #18

   g. as DC says, it's a uniguard . You want to take it apart and clean all the parts, collars, etc. so it moves easy. It is a split guard that flip flops as the wood passes under and is pretty good for big flat work. The splitter assy. may have been recessed and you can't see it under the plate -it would be behind the blade-bring a screwdriver.

   I would be suprised if there was not a door or bump on the side of the saw pedestal for the motor. If you put a 3hp. motor on it you will need a hinged motor cover to run any DC function. Last Dec. they still had a few of the metal ones left at  @$83 or ya could mount one of the new poly covers.

   This could be "a good thing" as Martha says, so go get that serial # and exact model# and call Delta parts., but while you are there MAKE NOTES about the other items and show off your knowledge and fear about the parts and intrest to the seller. Look in the pedestal open the access doors, use a flashlight and document the motor -model/volts/amps/rpm etc. so you will be smart when you ask the delta tech if you can hang a 3hp. up grade. Look at the plug- is it running on 110 or 220 now? The end result could be ya build a saw that will out live ya. Paddy

   ps. there are at least 20+ more questions -left or right tilt (I am betting right at that age) but if you get it for $500 or less and spend $400+ you have a saw that it more robust than the new ones. pfh

1. 
   zolton | Mar 02, 2007 06:10pm | #19

   If you're thinking of spending $700.00 for this saw - and then possibly some more for parts or a fence  upgrade - that doesn't seem economically wise to me. You can purchase a new Grizzly with a 3 hp motor, modern Biesmeyer clone fence, and all the up-to-date safety features like a magnetic switch, for just about a grand, delivered.

   If you do opt for the old saw, I'd offer quite a bit less money. As described, it's not a screaming deal...

   Zolton