PDA

View Full Version : Delta 34-444 blade height issue...


Michael Dunn
03-10-2013, 1:57 PM
Hey guys!!!

I just picked up a new/old Delta 34-444 with some pretty sweet extras. Such as a Beisemeyer 52" fence/rail system and a MASSIVE custom mobile wheel base with a brilliant leveling system. My table saw routing center now sits about 6" higher... Yay!!! I'm 6'6" tall.

I've cleaned the CI top and it looks great. I've installed the PALS and have it dialed it to .000"!!! However I noticed that the blade doesn't lower to what I consider to be a safe level. With it all the way down I could cut my finger if I were to place my finger over the table insert and press. Obviously I would never do such a thing, but I'd like to have the blade low enough so that it is completely beneath my ZCI when I start/stop the saw. I took a look beneath the CI top and it seems that the only way to remedy this would be to install a few washers between each trunnion stud and the CI top.

Has anyone here had this issue before? I went under the saw and raised and lowered the blade and I can see that there are two stops to prevent the rack/pinion assy from coming apart accidentally. The easiest solution would surely be to simply remove the pin that sets the lowest point of the blade. However, I would hate to ever accidentally lower it too much and have it slip apart. Especially in mid project.

To me, the safest/smartest (therefor, the most difficult, of course...) solution would be to increase the distance between the trunnions and the CI top.

Does anyone have any advice on this matter? I fear that may also present some possible bazaars of its own.

Thoughts and opinions?

Thanx!!!

Pic before I took it apart...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zps59404e27.jpg

Blade height pic...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zpse7a79d04.jpg

Lower blade stop...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zpsf67d3bba.jpg

Rear trunnion...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zps057580e2.jpg

Front trunnion...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zps38c4d474.jpg

Other pics just to show you what I'm working with...

CI Top all cleaned up...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zps615e6ffd.jpg

Old saw in Table Saw/Routing Center...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zpsa587d544.jpg

Router side...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zps06a034e0.jpg

Home Brew Router Fence...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zpsf902f339.jpg

Take a look at this AWESOME mobile base with levelers. My entire assembly weighs so dang much I used my HF 2.5 ton low profile car jack to lift it so I can level it without it scooting all over my shop floor. Then I just turn the levelers so they contact the ground. Leveling takes 2 minutes now...
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/shotgunndunn/file_zpsfef6d2a6.jpg
glenn bradley
03-10-2013, 3:03 PM
The 'just barely' below the surface is the stopping point on any saw I have ever used. This often gives folks fit when trying to start the cut on their ZCI's. I suppose you could shim the table mounted trunnions a bit but, this would require you to go through your setup again. That's not that big of a deal once you have PALs but, I don't know that the benefit would be worth the effort. I too wish blades stopped 1/4" or so below the table.
Michael Dunn
03-10-2013, 3:52 PM
Granted this is the second TS I've ever owned. My first had at least a 1/4" of clearance beneath my UHMW ZCI. I really don't mind shimming the trunnions and redoing the PALS setup. My old Delta TS was a ROYAL PITA to adjust even with the PALS. Especially considering the entire thing I fit it into. Painful!!! It took me 3+ hours before.

Anyhow. I think it's ridiculous that they allowed this part of the saw out of the factory with this design flaw.

I'm so tempted to just remove that little pin. I won't though. I may remove the motor to make it easier to maneuver the trunnions.

Any other ideas are more than welcome. I'll probably take care of this tomorrow.
Jamie Buxton
03-10-2013, 4:49 PM
get the blade resharpened a couple of times...
Michael Dunn
03-10-2013, 4:57 PM
get the blade resharpened a couple of times...

Ha!!! I'd have to remove all the teeth to clear the ZCI.
Michael Dunn
03-10-2013, 4:59 PM
I just realized I'll have to lose about 9/16" of blade height if I lower the table. No biggie though.
Bryan Cramer
03-10-2013, 8:01 PM
I know this is off topic, but how do you get your pals system to work? I bought a used 34-440 and it came with pals installed. They never worked right. I could not get the trunions to move at all even with all but the bolt with a bushing loosened.
Michael Dunn
03-10-2013, 8:19 PM
I know this is off topic, but how do you get your pals system to work? I bought a used 34-440 and it came with pals installed. They never worked right. I could not get the trunions to move at all even with all but the bolt with a bushing loosened.

The PALS will not work unless the rear trunnion nuts are loose. The PALS system cannot move a fully tightened trunnion bolt.
Bryan Cramer
03-10-2013, 9:57 PM
The PALS will not work unless the rear trunnion nuts are loose. The PALS system cannot move a fully tightened trunnion bolt.

The nuts were loose. They just do not seem to push the trunnion left or right, only bend the bracket when I torque on the set screws. Now I use a dead blow mallet to move the rear trunnion with hard whacks (with the bolts and nuts loose). I suppose I will have to give them anther try. Maybe the trunnions have worked loose.

P.S. When I make zero clearance inserts I nibble some of the bottom away with a 1/4" dado blade enabling me to then use a 10" blade and finish the cut.
Chris Rosenberger
03-10-2013, 9:58 PM
It looks fine to me. I do not see a problem, I cannot remember any saws that I have owned that the blade lowered much lower.
If it is a big concern, you could use 9" blades.