Old Delta 14" bandsaw tuning, need advises

[Yuri Sadykov]

I had this saw for some time, but have not got a chance to use it till now. I tuned it a little bit, you know, adjust wheels, blade bushing and cool blocks. Seems working but noisy. Next, checked pulleys/belt/motor and that is the place where I need to work. First is motor. The saw has original motor, which looks like 1/2 HP. Well, it works and I can resaw some wood, but seems not more that 5"-6". Since it has riser block installed I need more ponies. I have two motors, 2HP Grizzly, 1HP and 1.5HP, both Baldor. Below are pictures of my saw

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010581.jpg

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010582.jpg

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010584.jpg

Here is my first question.

1. Is this saw capable to use that much of the power? I'm thinking about putting 1.5HP Baldor. Afraid that my 20A 110V line may not keep with 2HP.

2. Pulleys. They are terrible and attached in "hackish" way. Bellow is top one (attached to low wheel axis)

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010586.jpg

it plays in place, stamped out of sheet metal and I want to replace it.

bottom pulley (on motor axes)

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010589.jpg

better attached but still seats not completely rigid. Once I am going to replace the motor, the pulley will not fit new motor (shaft is 5/8" for Baldor and 3/4" for Grizzly). I want new pair of pulleys. Any Idea which one and where I can get them? I intent to use linkbelt.

3. Where can I get blade support (top and bottom) bearing? They work, but I guess new ones will be better.

4. I feel that replacing bearing on bottom wheel will benefit too. Where?

I'd appreciate you input.

[Thomas Hotchkin]

Yuri
That Delta is a great saw will give you years of enjoyment. Take your bearing to bearing supply house they can match it for a replacement. They can also match your pulleys, I like Browning cast iron pulleys. Baldor 1 1/2 HP is about the same as a Grizzly 2 HP. Motor RPM is very important. Sorry I do not remember feet per minutes blade speed for 14" band saws. Maybe someone else can pipe in with that info, Where is Van when we need him? Tom

[Rich Purdum]

A good source of parts and a great source of information about band saws is Iturra Designs. No web site yet but search this site for "Iturra" and you'll get the latest contact info. The info in his catalog alone is worth placing an order for something.

[Gus Dundon]

I am not sure if that power is possible. I think you can get link belts with delta or ereplacements perhaps.
I purchase aftermarket parts with www.bandsawparts.com . Check with them if they have blade guides
for your delta, I guess they have.

[Dick Mahany]

That saw will be a solid machine. I just rebuilt a late 90's US made Delta that I found on CL. Put all new bearings in it for around $25 and it's as good as new. The bearings were all common sizes in stock at a local bearing supplier. The one I have has a 1HP motor, 1725 RPM, but with the riser, I wish it had a little more HP for resawing. That Baldor 1.5 should be quite sufficient.

[Jeff Heath]

I've restored a couple of these saws, and have a 1949 Delta 14"er in my shop now.

You need to replace the bearings, and if you cannot secure the pulleys, or if they are sloppy, you need to figure out why, and either replace them with good ones, or inspect your shafts to make sure they have not been wrecked past the point of usability.

The good news is that if you need parts, there are literally 100's of thousands of these 14'ers around, and finding replacement pulleys and shafts is easy.

Bearings should be replaced with a good quality sealed bearing. Stay away from the chinese bearings.....they're junk.

You can find schematics for your saw at:

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1141&tab=3

Jeff

OH, yeah......I have a 1 hp motor on mine, but I don't resaw much more than 4 or 5 inch stock with it (I have a 36" Northfield for that).

You should try the Baldor motor.....make sure the bearings are good. The rpm rating for your motor needs to be 1725 or 1750 rpms.

[Rich Purdum]

Ditto to what Dick posted about the machine. The "Iturra" rule of thumb is 1 HP for every 5-6" of resaw thickness. If you want to do a lot of resawing, Louis has a Bladerunner equivalent that is reasonably priced and works very well.

FYI, your saw was made in 1964 according to the Delta serial wiki at vintagemachinery.org. Also, you have what the guys at OWWM.org call a "retirement light". It's called this because it is so sought after once a person sells one they are supposed to be able to retire.

[Steven Satur]

1+Iturra.

Steve

[Carroll Courtney]

Grainger or McMaster-Carr,get the cast iron pulleys,if you ask for Browning then bring your credit card.Go w/ the 1.5 Baldor,but it needs to be 1725rpm's but I bet its 220volt.Like others said that is one fantastic saw w/all the goodies,might check the tires while your at it.Good luck----Carroll

[Bruce Wrenn]

Stay away from the chinese bearings.....they're junk.

Fact, or opinion? Can you document that Chinese bearings are junk? Many new pieces of equipment come with Chinese bearings and carry decent warranties. Several years ago, I replaced the belt tension pulley bearing on my daughter's Honda Civic. Used a "quality" bearing from NAPA (It wasn't made in China.) Less than 30 days later, it failed. Being as it was a 6203, I went to my bearing box and pulled out a new Chinese bearing, which I installed. That was over 200K miles ago. The Chinese bearing even outlasted the original one made in Japan (only 110K). I recently needed a bearing for a router. I searched, and Fastenal had a Chinese bearing that more than met the speed requirement (24,000 RPMs) for, get this, $1.97. Delta / PC parts wanted $32 for same bearing, also made in China.

[Myk Rian]

I get bearings at Accurate bearing. Lynne helps all us OWWMers. http://www.accuratebearing.com/
1.5hp is the max I would put on it.
Parts are available on the OWWM.org BOYD classifieds.
1/2" 3-4 tpi blade for re-sawing. 105"
You don't need overpriced, fancy blade guides. I made some out of hardwood to replace the stock steel ones.

Take that flood light out of the socket. Those 882 machine lamps are made for a 20 watt bulb.

[Yuri Sadykov]

Grainger or McMaster-Carr,get the cast iron pulleys,if you ask for Browning then bring your credit card.Go w/ the 1.5 Baldor,but it needs to be 1725rpm's but I bet its 220volt.Like others said that is one fantastic saw w/all the goodies,might check the tires while your at it.Good luck----Carroll

Browning?

Baldor is 1725 and was prewired for 220V, but can be rewired for 110V and that what I did half and hour ago, works fine.

The tires looks fine, but I already have new urethane set.

[Yuri Sadykov]

Ditto to what Dick posted about the machine. The "Iturra" rule of thumb is 1 HP for every 5-6" of resaw thickness. If you want to do a lot of resawing, Louis has a Bladerunner equivalent that is reasonably priced and works very well.

FYI, your saw was made in 1964 according to the Delta serial wiki at vintagemachinery.org. Also, you have what the guys at OWWM.org call a "retirement light". It's called this because it is so sought after once a person sells one they are supposed to be able to retire.

Rich, thanks for info on my saw, I was actually wandering what year is it made.

Sorry, but I still did not get why is it called "retirement light"?

[Anthony Diodati]

I get bearings at Accurate bearing. Lynne helps all us OWWMers. http://www.accuratebearing.com/

lower bearings should be a 87504 IK uppers, a 87502 IK extended inner race goes towards the outsides.
cost me $47.74 for all 4 shipped.

[Yuri Sadykov]

I get bearings at Accurate bearing. Lynne helps all us OWWMers. http://www.accuratebearing.com/
1.5hp is the max I would put on it.
Parts are available on the OWWM.org BOYD classifieds.
1/2" 3-4 tpi blade for re-sawing. 105"
You don't need overpriced, fancy blade guides. I made some out of hardwood to replace the stock steel ones.

Take that flood light out of the socket. Those 882 machine lamps are made for a 20 watt bulb.


Myk, I have already got two great blades. 1/2" 3tpi for resaw and tried, even with 1/2HP motor I resawed some 6" wide board fine.

I am not going to install side support bearing, will use what I got with original saw -- cool blocks. I just want to replace blade back support. checked Accurate. wow they have a gizilion of them! I do not know yet which ones I need. Will research...

[Anthony Diodati]

Sorry, but I still did not get why is it called "retirement light"?

cause they sell for big bucks, sell one of those lights, have enough money to retire.
My bandsaw is a 1965, those numbers l gave you should be good.
And/or get the numbers off your bearings and call Lynn at Accurate bearing..........
You can read about mine here, Lots of good information in this thread.
http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=111871&sid=0a6c23a4b978d6179154cd6810ece06a

[Yuri Sadykov]

OK, decided to give some update.
Called Iturra Design and ordered all I need.This guy is amazing, he knows everything about Delta bandsaws and willing to share his knowledge. Now I impatiently am waiting for delivery ;-)

Oh, yesterday I discovered that my Baldor rotates in wrong direction! I googled and it turn out not a big deal and reversing sounds easy, will try today evening.

[Yuri Sadykov]

Guys,
I have new update for those who interested.

I received the stuff from Iturra Design, and new 2012 Catalog too.
Replace the motor, old 1/2 HP went out and Baldor 1 1/2 HP went in. Mounting base on Baldor did not match slider in the saw, so I fabricated "adapter" plate from plywood I had around. Installed new pulley (Browning). Besides I had to change all electrical wires, isolation on original one is hardened and rotted.
http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010606.jpg

Besides I replaced pulley on wheel axis
http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010607.jpg

Bellow is another view
http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010608.jpg

Replaced the tension spring
http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010609.jpg

Put new trust bearings adjusted guides and such. Could not resist to try some resawing. I had some 11 1/2" wide red oak which I put at saw's dispose. I managed to do it.
http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010610.jpg

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010611.jpg

http://gvozdik.org/pics/Random/DeltaBandSaw/P1010613.jpg

It was slow, because the saw bogged, so I had to go easy, but did it. Is it really 1.5HP is weak for such process or I have to check something else? The blade is fresh and plenty sharp. What's your experience?

[Myk Rian]

I get about the same re-sawing. It is slow on a 14", but it's not like I do it every day.
Good job.

[Christopher Dopp]

Yuri,

I have a slightly older version of the same bandsaw and I'm contemplating upgrading the motor to a 1.5 HP baldor. Can you tell me the model number of the smaller browning pulley on the motor?

I see the larger one is a browning ak44x 3/4 just wondering what the small one is.

Thanks,

Christopher

[Yuri Sadykov]

Christopher,

actually, I do not know. I just called Ittura Design and said I need a pulley set for my band saw. He asked me what is shaft diameter on my motor (5/8" in my case) and send me the set. I know that he carries pulleys made by Browning. I can check the packing slip or just call them and ask.