Rockwell Delta Unisaw

[Brian Akers]

Looking at an old Rockwell Unisaw locally here. They are asking $450. Is that a reasonable price if it is in working condition?
Still new to a lot of these things. Just trying to put some stuff together for a cheap as possible.
Thanks!

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

1 phase or 3 phase?
What kind of fence?

[Brian Akers]

1 phase or 3 phase?
What kind of fence?

Don't know yet. Still waiting on to receive photos and addition info. He said he would email them. I've heard unisaw thrown around a lot and know that the rockwell era was decent. I just don't know exactly what to look for.

[Dick Brown]

Brian,
Middle of the road price at $450. Make sure it has a single phase motor, no broken parts, runs and no bad sounds like bearings and the fence is in decent shape. If it has a Biesemeyer or other good aftermarket fence or like a 3H.P. motor, worth more. Just sold a 3H.P. with new paint, new arbor brgs., 52"Unifence for $700' If it has a small motor like a 1 or 1-1/2 H.P. and you don't do a lot of heavy cutting, you maybe can live with that. If it has a lot of rust, crappy fence, bad bearings, 3 phase, short a wing or two, cracked castings, go way down on the price.. If it has several of the above, walk away.
Dick

[Cary Falk]

If it is single phase, 3hp, no broken/missing parts, beisemeyer fence, ready to run, then got for it. If not then think about it. BTDT.

[Bruce Page]

Personally I would walk away if it did not have either a Biesemeyer or Unifence. Then I would look for the things Cary points out.

[Mike Monroe]

If you buy the saw, assess the arbor bearings and belts. I'm in the middle of replacing the bearings/belts on my Unisaw, they've never been touched since I purchased the saw new in 1998.

[Jeff Duncan]

If you buy the saw, assess the arbor bearings and belts. I'm in the middle of replacing the bearings/belts on my Unisaw, they've never been touched since I purchased the saw new in 1998.

Actually if you buy an older Unisaw just plan on replacing the bearings and belts. They're cheap and unless it's been recently rebuilt, it better doing it as soon as you get it.

JeffD

[Mike Wilkins]

I once owned a Delta Rockwell Unisaw model; 1964 vintage, single phase purchased also for $450.00. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Sold it when I got a slider. Wish I still had it. Mine came with no rip fence, but a Unifence fit perfectly. If it is single phase, don't hesitate to get your hands on it.

[Mike Monroe]

Actually if you buy an older Unisaw just plan on replacing the bearings and belts. They're cheap and unless it's been recently rebuilt, it better doing it as soon as you get it.

JeffD


Here's what I purchased from Grainger. The 4ZXE9 bearings are OEM for my saw, made by NTN in Canada - identical to the 18 year old ones I pulled out of the arbor bracket.




https://blu168.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=x0MYr%2fD8FyEE6iXvh3uu4d0lLJGjMHh7jo2edRO8G BU%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fmedia.4at5.net%2femail_domains%2f grr%2f105350_v2%2fshipping_54.jpg




https://blu168.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=x0MYr%2fD8FyEE6iXvh3uu4d0lLJGjMHh7jo2edRO8G BU%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fmedia.4at5.net%2femail_domains%2f grr%2f105350_v2%2fspacer.gif
https://s.gc1.co/is/image/Grainger/6L026_AS01?$mdswatch$ (https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGlCMsGONbzgCaofreSHA Lkw3vgzaoFA8GkOtes225zajABbdOVXtpKX%3DSSDUT&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWPq-gx7fegy0H_3gja7YixkE_Ul738MpiHa9A5-_FJHcReDmXHVjsqfgPg9kZY0_xGuv7FPW7uxxA1w02Omfir3Yf DdUfEEgQRhgdjARHnr7kyz0NOJldHKOOQSZvOeZDB6QJsJ_ob0 Qj7v7HP7G54Luc_kotJO1dI5dVOOXj1Pakf5FfbsNHhgonPPG7 RjLjzfzkWv6_y07ql0M1elv5nQDLCM3nZ-OXhdQBQSTl1_qWs.)
Radial Bearing,Double Seal,17mm Bore (https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGlCMsGONbzgCaofreSHA Lkw3vgzaoFA8GkOtes225zajABbdOVXtpKX%3DSSDUU&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWPq-gx7fegy0H_3gja7YixkE_Ul738MpiHa9A5-_FJHcReDmXHVjsqfgPg9kZY0_xGuv7FPW7uxxA1w02Omfir3Yf DdUfEEgQRhgdjARHnr7kyz0NOJldHKOOQSZvOeZDB6QJsJ_ob0 Qj7v7HP7G54Luc_kotJO1dI5dVOOXj1Pakf5FfbsNHhgonPPG7 RjLjzfzkWv6_y07ql0M1elv5nQDLCM3nZ-OXhdQBQSTl1_qWs.)
Item No: 4ZXE9 (https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGlCMsGONbzgCaofreSHA Lkw3vgzaoFA8GkOtes225zajABbdOVXtpKX%3DSSDUW&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWPq-gx7fegy0H_3gja7YixkE_Ul738MpiHa9A5-_FJHcReDmXHVjsqfgPg9kZY0_xGuv7FPW7uxxA1w02Omfir3Yf DdUfEEgQRhgdjARHnr7kyz0NOJldHKOOQSZvOeZDB6QJsJ_ob0 Qj7v7HP7G54Luc_kotJO1dI5dVOOXj1Pakf5FfbsNHhgonPPG7 RjLjzfzkWv6_y07ql0M1elv5nQDLCM3nZ-OXhdQBQSTl1_qWs.)
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https://blu168.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=x0MYr%2fD8FyEE6iXvh3uu4d0lLJGjMHh7jo2edRO8G BU%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fmedia.4at5.net%2femail_domains%2f grr%2f105350_v2%2fshipping_63.jpg




https://blu168.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=x0MYr%2fD8FyEE6iXvh3uu4d0lLJGjMHh7jo2edRO8G BU%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fmedia.4at5.net%2femail_domains%2f grr%2f105350_v2%2fspacer.gif
https://s.gc1.co/is/image/Grainger/3L150_AS01?$mdswatch$ (https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGlCMsGONbzgCaofreSHA Lkw3vgzaoFA8GkOtes225zajABbdOVXtpKX%3DSSDUT&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWPq-gx7fegy0H_3gja7YixkE_Ul738MpiHa9A5-_FJHcReDmXHVjsqfgPg9kZY0_xGuv7FPW7uxxA1w02Omfir3Yf DdUfEEgQRhgdjARHnr7kyz0NOJldHKOOQSZvOeZDB6QJsJ_ob0 Qj7v7HP7G54LbE02kLTAEz9arI3Eec4_-3cJp9voea68Xx_VbGO7pU3hzjqSi8k6vlIwskcIj5EDcW0j4GJ VoSqiFNCH.)
V-Belt,4L260 (https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGlCMsGONbzgCaofreSHA Lkw3vgzaoFA8GkOtes225zajABbdOVXtpKX%3DSSDUU&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWPq-gx7fegy0H_3gja7YixkE_Ul738MpiHa9A5-_FJHcReDmXHVjsqfgPg9kZY0_xGuv7FPW7uxxA1w02Omfir3Yf DdUfEEgQRhgdjARHnr7kyz0NOJldHKOOQSZvOeZDB6QJsJ_ob0 Qj7v7HP7G54LbE02kLTAEz9arI3Eec4_-3cJp9voea68Xx_VbGO7pU3hzjqSi8k6vlIwskcIj5EDcW0j4GJ VoSqiFNCH.)
Item No: 4L260 (https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGlCMsGONbzgCaofreSHA Lkw3vgzaoFA8GkOtes225zajABbdOVXtpKX%3DSSDUW&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWPq-gx7fegy0H_3gja7YixkE_Ul738MpiHa9A5-_FJHcReDmXHVjsqfgPg9kZY0_xGuv7FPW7uxxA1w02Omfir3Yf DdUfEEgQRhgdjARHnr7kyz0NOJldHKOOQSZvOeZDB6QJsJ_ob0 Qj7v7HP7G54LbE02kLTAEz9arI3Eec4_-3cJp9voea68Xx_VbGO7pU3hzjqSi8k6vlIwskcIj5EDcW0j4GJ VoSqiFNCH.)
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[John TenEyck]

You need matched belts, not just 3 with the same part number.

John

[Myk Rian]

If you don't like right-tilt saws, check that out first.

[Jon Endres]

I've owned three different Unisaws. I bought one of them from a school sealed-bid auction, paid $250, and never used it. I resold it for $250. Unisaws are pretty bulletproof, but they can become a money pit. Mine had a three phase motor but I also have a 10-hp rotary phase converter, so no worries. However - if you don't have a phase converter, pony up for a static converter or a new motor. Fence is another big deal - mine had a Unifence and I hate them. Plus it was damaged. A new fence will set you back some coin. I have a Mule Accusquare fence on my current Unisaw and really like it - and they are reasonably cheap. All of the other little parts can start costing big $$$ if there's problems. Trunnions get broken easily. Belts and bearings go. I wouldn't use a Rockwell-era Unisaw (I'm assuming pre-1985) without replacing belts and bearings. Also, runout can be a problem on older table saws. There's a lot of little parts of which, any one of them gone bad can cause poor performance.

All in all, if the saw is in otherwise good shape, with a single-phase motor, a serviceable fence and new belts and bearings, you'll have spent a shade over $500 and have a lifetime piece of machinery. Figure another $300 for a fence and same for the motor, but compared to a new saw it's still a deal.

[Brian Akers]

Well the guy never got back to me... even called again this morning.

Now I'm considering a grizzly g0771, delta 36-725 or got a line on a used grizzly g1022. Thoughts?

[John TenEyck]

Don't know where you are, but there is/was a very nice 3 HP, 1 ph Unisaw on the Toledo C-list for $550, with Vega Pros fence and all kinds of extras.

John

http://toledo.craigslist.org/tls/5412229477.html

[Brian Akers]

Don't know where you are, but there is/was a very nice 3 HP, 1 ph Unisaw on the Toledo C-list for $550, with Vega Pros fence and all kinds of extras.

John

http://toledo.craigslist.org/tls/5412229477.html

Dang that looks like a nice one! Too bad I'm in Atlanta, GA

[richard poitras]

Don't know where you are, but there is/was a very nice 3 HP, 1 ph Unisaw on the Toledo C-list for $550, with Vega Pros fence and all kinds of extras.

John

http://toledo.craigslist.org/tls/5412229477.html

That a great deal for that saw....

[Cary Falk]

Dang that looks like a nice one! Too bad I'm in Atlanta, GA

The tenoning jig is worth $250 on the Bay.

[Brian Akers]

So quick update:
The guy finally sent me some photos. Not in bad shape, not in great shape. Also has 3 phase so I passed on it. I'm really considering the grizzly p0771 now. For the price, I think I'd rather get something that works great from the get go. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind fixing stuff, currently waiting on new bearings to come in for my rockwell 37-220 jointer. I just want to get started and quit troubleshooting and fixing stuff. :-)