Delta Uni-Saw/New Model Owners

[richard poitras]

Delta Uni-Saw/New Model Owners

Okay the new Uni-Saw has been on the market for a while now and it has been in people’s shops. Is it all that they said it was? Are there any dislikes now that you have used it in every day practice? What are some of the sort comings of the saw and what are some of the more beneficial aspects of this saw compared to your old saws? Is the Biesemeyer Fence still top quality or have they cheapened it up? (Or anything else) Do the hand wheels work as smooth as they state? How well does the arbor lock work for changing blades? Do you have to have dust collecting for the saw to work properly? What parts of the saw did not live up to what the sales brochures stated? What kind of mobile base do you have under your saw’s and do you like them?

Okay ..Okay ..Here’s the deal, I am considering selling my Jet 3hp cabinet saw and my PM66 cabinet saw and getting one of these that’s way I am asking.

Also were did you find the best deal on the one you got? I do know they have a $300.00 MF rebate going on now also.

Thanks Richard

[Gilbert Vega]

The CPO outlet has s 15% sale on all tools and acessories. By the way, I love my PM66.

[richard poitras]

The Pm 66 that I have works fine. It is about 15 years old I think, I like the idea of a riving knife and some of the perks of the Delta design:eek:

[David Kumm]

Richard, Are giving up both saws due to room? A good PM 66 is hard to beat. I have the new biesemeyer fence on my Rockwell 12-14. I think it isn't quite as heavy as the old steel version. The tube on the new is an aluminum casting and can be slid right and left on a channel. I wanted to rip on the left side of the blade for bevels so I opted for it. The head moves very nicely and it stays quite parallel when moved compared to the old. Very nice but not enough better to change your life. The riving knife issue can be dealt with most of the time with an aftermarket type. If I had the room for two saws I would sell the jet and look for a small slider. Even a hammond trim saw is a pretty good companion as a crosscut saw. Dave

[richard poitras]

Dave I check into getting an aftermarket riving knife but they don’t make ones for my saw. Room is not a big issue (but extra won’t be bad) as I only have one of the saws set up at this time ( with an 8ft extension) and was going to set them up in a back to back configuration but was thinking about just having one brand new one. Don’t really need to just think with the new design it would be nice.

[Dave Cav]

I was looking at one in Woodcraft yesterday. Lots of stuff under the hood. The riving knive and guard were cool but had a lot of pieces and parts. Dust collection is similar to a S/S, which can be a pain when it clogs. Yes, you need a dust collector. No way I would get rid of a PM 66 for a new Unisaw. I'd be looking for another 66....

[Mike Heidrick]

Sell the Jet. The fancy things will not buy you much with what you already have in the PM66. Just buy http://www.mikestools.com/B78-440-Biesemeyer-Powermatic-66-Spreader-for-Saws-manufactured-after-Oct-2000-or-before-1978.aspx B78-440 from Mikes Tools.

[David Kumm]

Richard, Doesn't the sharkguard guy make knives for the 66? If I were looking at a $3000 saw it would be an older one. PM 72, Rockwell 12-14, Northfield etc. I use multiple saws as well but one is a slider. It is nice to have one set for dados but that one doesn't need riving capability. Look hard at the internals before spending more for new. Dave

[Joe Kieve]

No way I would get rid of a PM66 for a Unisaw! I have a Uni and love it but used a 66 for over 35 years where I worked. It was a workhorse, never had to do anything but change belts. Just my 2 cents, but you'll regret not having your PM 66 around.

joe

[richard poitras]

I should have stated that they don’t make a riving knife/spreader for the Jet from what I have looked at. I never checked into the PM 66. Thanks for the leads on spreders for the PM66 defiantly something to consider.

Richard

[david paul miller]

love my uni-saw, no complaints, both wheels in the front almost feel frictionless, the arbor lock works great, and the wide mouth is easy to get your hands in, the riving knife is easy to adjust or remove. my dust collection system keeps the inside of the cabinet clean. I have the left tilt, 3 hp 52" w/ Biesemeyer Fence. been using it since 10/2009

[Doug Colombo]

love my uni-saw, no complaints, both wheels in the front almost feel frictionless, the arbor lock works great, and the wide mouth is easy to get your hands in, the riving knife is easy to adjust or remove. my dust collection system keeps the inside of the cabinet clean. I have the left tilt, 3 hp 52" w/ Biesemeyer Fence. been using it since 10/2009
+1 - I have had my 3 hp, 52" Unisaw for about 5 months and agree with David. Love the riving knife adjustment lever being on the front of the saw - very easy to use. Delta mobile base is very nice also - welded construction and very solid. Gald that I made the purchase for sure !

[Chris Rosenberger]

+1 - I have had mine 3 hp, 52" Unisaw for about 5 months and agree with David. Love the riving knife adjustment lever being on the front of the saw - very easy to use. Delta mobile base is very nice also - welded construction and very solid. Gald that I made the purchase for sure !

I have had my new design Unisaw about 2 1/2 years. I replaced a PM66. I would do it again. No regrets.

[richard poitras]

What kind of motors did the first ones come out with? Currently they have the MARATHON® motor are they any good or as good as a Baldor?

[richard poitras]

I have had my new design Unisaw about 2 1/2 years. I replaced a PM66. I would do it again. No regrets.

Chris how old was your PM66 that you replace for the new Uni?

[Brian Loran]

I have the new Uni and love it. Everything they say is as advertised. Hand wheels are smooth and lock down solidly. Riving knife and blade guard work great, easy to take on and off and adjust for through cuts and buried cuts. I really like the blade being further back on the huge cast iron table too. You will need a table behind it because of this but you would probably put one on any saw. I also have the mobile base delta made for it and it is solid. No complaints.

[Chris Rosenberger]

What kind of motors did the first ones come out with? Currently they have the MARATHON® motor are they any good or as good as a Baldor?
Chris how old was your PM66 that you replace for the new Uni?



Delta used Marathon motors for several years before going to an import motor the last few years of the old Unisaw. A Marathon motor came on my new Unisaw. I have had no complaints with Marathon motors.

I believe the PM66 I replace with the Unisaw was a 1992.

[richard poitras]

I believe the PM66 I replace with the Unisaw was a 1992.





Wow that's kind of a weird my PM 66 is a 1992 as well…Serial no.92661691

[Chris Rosenberger]

That is weird. I do not have the serial of the one I had.

Here is a before & after shot.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o303/chrisrosenb/Powermatic66AMurry.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o303/chrisrosenb/Powermatic66.jpg

[David Kumm]

Really impressive Chris. Nice old stuff and NO sawdust. Dave

[Paul McGaha]

Super nice Chris. A little surprised you let the PM get away.



That is weird. I do not have the serial of the one I had.


Here is a before & after shot.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o303/chrisrosenb/Powermatic66AMurry.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o303/chrisrosenb/Powermatic66.jpg

[Brian Loran]

I know all the literature says the new uni has a Marathon motor, but looking at mine, there are no markings other than Delta's? Any way to confirm they are still putting Marathon motors on these (I got mine last November).

[David Kumm]

It would also be good to know if Marathon, a WI company, still makes all their motors in house. I would not be surprised if some are sourced overseas. If Delta uses the Marathon, is it a US made motor? Dave

[Doug Colombo]

It would also be good to know if Marathon, a WI company, still makes all their motors in house. I would not be surprised if some are sourced overseas. If Delta uses the Marathon, is it a US made motor? Dave

Unisaw info per Delta's web site: "True American Marathon Motor provides added power and is available in both 3 and 5 HP". Not sure if this means it is US built for sure, but it seems to be indicating that it is.

[richard poitras]

It would also be good to know if Marathon, a WI company, still makes all their motors in house. I would not be surprised if some are sourced overseas. If Delta uses the Marathon, is it a US made motor? Dave

I called and talked to Delta today and asked about if the motor they use on the Uni-Saw’s were made in the US. They stated that the ones on the Uni-Saw’s are made in the USA to Delta’s specs. But they do also make some of their motors in Mexico and China for other things but are not used for/on the Uni-Saw’s.

Richard

[David Kumm]

Richard, Now it would be good to know if the motors are specd up or down. It may be that the frame configuration needs to be special and the internals are normal, although there can be a huge difference there as well. The motor plate should give the overcurrent ratings. Good for WI though. We seem to excell at driving jobs out of the state. Dave