Replies

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Dec 22, 2004 03:47am | #1

   Check the set-screws on BOTH the motor pulley and the arbor pulley. Be sure they are seated on the FLAT of the shaft and that they are TIGHT. Next, check that the whole terunion assebly is tight.
   SawdustSteve

2. 
   Mackwood | Dec 22, 2004 06:06am | #2

   JohnD,

   Did the clunk go away almost completely and then return slightly after a bit of use?  If so, try retensioning the belts again.  They tend to stretch quite a bit at first then only a little, then they stay true almost forever.

   I replaced the belts on my old Unisaw with OME (before I learned about link belts) and had to retension them three or four times in the first ten hours of operation.  Each time I would start to notice a bit of vibration upon shut down and as you describe, a "clunk" just before the saw came to a complete stop.  I've got several hours use on the saw since the last belt adjustment with no repeat so I think they have finally finished stretching.

   As another suggested, it sure wouldn't hurt to go over every moving part and make sure all bolts, lock nuts, set screws, etc. are tight and holding what they're supposed to.

   Regards,

   Mack

   "WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

1. 
   JohnSD | Dec 22, 2004 08:30am | #3

   Thanks to both of you for replying.  I will take both suggestions and look into them next time I am in the shop.  -JohnD

3. 
   RandMCapozzi | Dec 22, 2004 05:47pm | #4

   I have also heard that the "clunk" could be due to a loose stop collar on the elevation crank. You may want to check that also. There were a couple of discussion on this very subject over on the WOOD discussion boards.

   --Rob

4. 
   user-5880422 | Dec 23, 2004 03:45am | #5

   my Unisaw clunk was caused by loose set screws in the pulleys.

5. 
   RickL | Dec 26, 2004 09:48pm | #6

   Check the pulley on the arbor shaft. If loose it will get worse and destroy the arbor and pulley over time. Expensive!

6. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 26, 2004 11:01pm | #7

   Contact Delta service.  You will probably be told to do exactly what you have already done.  Namely, adjust the belts per the instruction book.

   The clunk is the torgue of the motor causing a slight slippage until there is some tension on the belts which force them fully into the "v" of the pulleys.  It's not a problem and the slight residual clunk will die out as the saw is used.  This is according to some Delta guys who used to hang out on another forum.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Sphere | Dec 27, 2004 01:56am | #8

   It's an extremly dangerous thing...send the saw to me ASAP, before ya kill someone {G} 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

    

    

1. 
   JohnSD | Dec 28, 2004 05:58pm | #9

   Thanks for the tips guys.  Sphere, I will ship UPS Next day right now, stand out front and wait for the UPS guy.  When he comes give him a BIG tip. He probably worked his tail off the last few weeks.  I know because I did for 25 years. 

   Actually I have tried all the suggestions made and the clunk has been reduced but is not completely gone.  I guess I will go through and do it all again, eventually I'll get it.  Thanks again to all of you for all the help.  -JohnD

7. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 28, 2004 07:23pm | #10

   I told you to buy the Powermatic 66.

    

1. 
   JohnSD | Dec 29, 2004 01:06am | #11

   Did you? I dont recall.  Perhaps you are right.  Still, I do like my new saw.  JohnD

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 29, 2004 05:15am | #12

   JohnD

   My reply to you was truly meant as a weak attempt at some humor, but it's very hard to convey that with words, especially when you can't see the smile on my face as I was typing it.  I hope you work out your problem with the saw, and have years of excellent sawdusting with it.  It's a terrible feeling to finally get the wonderful big tool you've been waiting for for so long, and to then have a problem with it, no matter how small.  If the belt continues to slip, try a link belt.  They're more expensive, but they provide much better performance, and if the problem is your belt, it will tell you immediately after you install it, because the problem will no longer exist.

   JC

1. 
   JohnSD | Dec 29, 2004 05:15pm | #13

   JC, I knew you were kidding.  I was being droll.  Is there a face icon thingy for droll?  I think the problem is with the belts because as someone mentioned it seems to be steadily getting better as they stretch. I will try the link belts if it does not disappear completely.  Nevertheless I have been enjoying my saw immensely.  The difference between this and my previous one is like night and day.  Now its up to me to learn to be more accurate and precise, rather than blaming my fussy wimpy old saw.  Thanks for responding, Happy New Year,-- JohnD

8. 
   mudman | Dec 29, 2004 08:30pm | #14

   John,

   Seems like I had heard that the Unisaw is famous (infamous) for the "clunk". I got the impression that they all did it and nobody was really worried about it. Seeing as I am the first to say that here I may be wrong. Mine clunked pretty good untill I switched to linkbelts. Now it is a lot smoother. I give it a 2 out of 10 on the "clunk scale"

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
1. 
   JohnSD | Dec 29, 2004 11:09pm | #15

   Mike,   As Rob suggested above I went to the Wood forum and reviewed some of the posts.  There seem to be as many opinions about this issue as there are saws.  The link belt issue is also controversial.  The bottom line for me is that after doing everything that has been suggested, if it goes away good, if not so be it.  Thanks for responding,  JohnD

   Edited 12/29/2004 3:11 pm ET by JohnD