Is this worth it

[Bob Mantica]

I found a delta model 28-300 on CL for 115 ad says it need blade guides. i was wondering if it's worth it.

[Myk Rian]

Darn right it's worth it. Especially if it turns on.

[tyler mckenzie]

I'd say so.

[Richard Bell CA]

Bob:

That appears to be the metal and wood cutting version with the gear reduction box. New, those sold for about 3 times the price of the standard wood cutting version. That's a great deal.

Richard

[Neil Brooks]

If it helps, at all ... THIS one's asking $350

http://images.craigslist.org/3m73p13l25U65X05R0a5cf32643f80e361c2e.jpg

I'd say the one you're looking at is quite reasonable.

[Myk Rian]

Bob:

That appears to be the metal and wood cutting version with the gear reduction box.
It is. The oil level spout for the gearbox is on the front.
The one I've seen is a 28-3C0

[Bob Mantica]

I took the plunge and bought the saw paid 100 for it. I needs the bracket that holds the guide blocks and I'll probably buy some new tires too. It looks like at some point the gear box was removed. Will I still get the proper speed the way it is setup now?

[Richard Bell CA]

Bob:

The wood cutting speed is direct drive, the speed reduction gearbox was intended for metal cutting. You should be OK for wood.

Even without the gearbox, you still have the starting point of a great saw. Mine is now 58 years old and still going strong. Lots of parts and aftermarket accessories are still available.

If you are curious about the age, go here and check the serial number

http://wiki.owwm.com/DeltaSerialNumbers.ashx

Good Luck

Richard

[Jesse Tutterrow]

Con Grats! you got a good deal.

Consider the Carter bandsaw guides. I have them and it vastly improved my Craftsman saw.

[Ray Bell]

Bob:

The wood cutting speed is direct drive, the speed reduction gearbox was intended for metal cutting. You should be OK for wood.

Even without the gearbox, you still have the starting point of a great saw. Mine is now 58 years old and still going strong. Lots of parts and aftermarket accessories are still available.

If you are curious about the age, go here and check the serial number

http://wiki.owwm.com/DeltaSerialNumbers.ashx

Good Luck


Richard

Fifty eight years old! Pretty amazing isn't it. I wonder how many saws sold today will be around half a century from now.

[Richard Bell CA]

Ray:

Actually, 58 years old is not unusual. Another forum ran a thread about old machines still in service, and many were over 100 years old.

What really impresses me about the Delta 14" bandsaw is the longevity of the design. This link shows a version from the late 1930's, which doesn't look much different from Bob's "new" toy in the first post. (I would guess Bob's saw is about 30 years old) I think most of the imported 14" band saws were copied from this design.

http://wiki.owwm.com/Delta14BSTypes.ashx

The second version from the 1937 catalog looks virtually identical to the photo posted by Neil Brooks above.

By the way, check out the prices in the link.

Richard

[Thomas Delpizzo]

Even if you threw in $400 on accessories such as new guides, quick blade release, poly tires, etc you would be way ahead of the game with a quality machine that is better built than most saws in that category today. Congrats on your "deal"!

[Ray Bell]

Ray:

Actually, 58 years old is not unusual. Another forum ran a thread about old machines still in service, and many were over 100 years old.

What really impresses me about the Delta 14" bandsaw is the longevity of the design. This link shows a version from the late 1930's, which doesn't look much different from Bob's "new" toy in the first post. (I would guess Bob's saw is about 30 years old) I think most of the imported 14" band saws were copied from this design.

http://wiki.owwm.com/Delta14BSTypes.ashx

The second version from the 1937 catalog looks virtually identical to the photo posted by Neil Brooks above.

By the way, check out the prices in the link.

Richard

Thanks Richard for posting that. $52..lol, That is a neat old catalog.

[Ross Canant]

What makes you think it doesn't have a gearbox? The oil spigot is attached to the gearbox.