Delta contractor saw purchase

[Cuong Nguyen]

Hi all,

I am looking at a used Delta Contractor saw (34-444, 92C17848 SN) to replace my current Dewalt job site saw for home renovation projects.

I was able to talk the seller down to $250 for the saw with a Unifence (6 ft rail, 32? or 42? inch fence). Is this a good price and what should I be looking for when I go test it out?

I'll be checking for abor/blade wobble, rust, smoothness of fence and locking, blade rise and tilt wheels, vibrations, cracks

Anything else I should be checking?

Thanks for the help.

[Mike Kees]

I would just buy it at that price. The fence alone is worth that much. I have bought and sold/given away at least 4 of these saws and the only thing I have ever done besides clean up, lubricate ,and adjust is arbor bearings. I have replaced switches and drive belts also.Mike.

[Cuong Nguyen]

380088

380089

[Frankie Hunt]

VERY good saw, GREAT fence. Very good price. As long as nothing is busted, I would go for it.

[Cuong Nguyen]

Thanks for the advice guys. It looks like a no brainer decision. I just hope he doesn't sell it before I see it this weekend.

[Ray Newman]

I hope you are able to obtain this saw!

Back in 1980, I bought a 34-444 contractor's saw. Believe the motor was either a 1.5 or 1.75 HP, dual voltage. Later I purchased a Uni-fence and changed the motor 220v. The ol' 34-444 contractor's saw was a real work horse and never let me down! Ran much better when changed to 220v. When I purchased a Uni-saw in 1987, I mounted the Uni-fence on it. It is a great fence with its high and low fence settings. I kept the fence at the low fence settings -- more room for my hand/push sticks between the fence and the blade -- for 98% of the my work.

For ease of attaching jigs to the Uni-fence, I opted for the Uni-T-Fence accessory form Peachtree -- https://www.ptreeusa.com/tablesaw_unifence.html

[Curt Harms]

That model is very well regarded. If you find that aligning the blade to the miter slot is difficult, you might find PALS (http://www.in-lineindustries.com/products/contractor-saw-pals/) useful. As Mike said, the fence alone is worth $250.

[Cuong Nguyen]

I picked up the saw today. It’s in nice condition. Was able to get the saw with link belt, Unifence with 60” and 83” guide rails and Incra miter gauge for $300. I think I got a pretty good deal. I hope to put it together tonigh.

[lowell holmes]

You need to make a push stick to rip with that saw.

Don't ask me how I know? :)

[Cuong Nguyen]

You need to make a push stick to rip with that saw.

Don't ask me how I know? :)


I plan on creating a splitter for it. I already have plenty of push sticks.

[Von Bickley]

Sounds like you got a good deal..... Enjoy

[Frankie Hunt]

You did well!

[Frederick Skelly]

I own that same saw with the Biesemeyer fence and an Incra HD1000 miter gauge. It's a nice tool.
You did well!

I'd like to suggest that you consider two add-ons. First, a thin kerf blade. You'll get a little more "ooomph" out of the saw with a thin kerf blade. I use a Forrest Woodworker II. Second, buy an aftermarket blade guard. I bought a Shark Guard from Lee Styron. It's reasonably priced and works very well. Here's a link (http://www.thesharkguard.com).

Congratulations!
Fred

[Cuong Nguyen]

Does anyone know if I can attach two Delta contractor saw table tops side by side for a bench top? Can a craftsman 113 series table top bolt directly to a delta 34-xx table? it's easier and cheaper to find these vs cast iron extension wings.

Thanks.

[Mike Manning]

I would keep my eyes open for cast iron table extensions. Not a fan of the stamped steel. Other than that it looks like you got a nice saw at a great price.

[Cuong Nguyen]

I would keep my eyes open for cast iron table extensions. Not a fan of the stamped steel. Other than that it looks like you got a nice saw at a great price.

I found a few but people want $70 for a single 8” extension wing. I’d rather buy the whole saw for the table top for less than $50 and get 20” of width assuming the holes line up. I can add framing below to take some stress off the bolts. Craftsman 113 saws are generally cheaper than the delta so it would be good if they stare the same bolt locations.

[scott spencer]

I found a few but people want $70 for a single 8” extension wing. I’d rather buy the whole saw for the table top for less than $50 and get 20” of width assuming the holes line up. I can add framing below to take some stress off the bolts. Craftsman 113 saws are generally cheaper than the delta so it would be good if they stare the same bolt locations.

I doubt the bolt patterns line up. Different manufacturers, but you can always try. It's doable even if the holes don't align....just more work.

[Earl McLain]

Even if the bolt patterns lined up, if the table holes are threaded the bolt size & pitch would need to be identical. Actually, one may have to be right hand threads and the other left hand?? i'm trying to think through that...need someone smarter. At any rate, drilling would likely be involved!!
earl

[Cuong Nguyen]

Even if the bolt patterns lined up, if the table holes are threaded the bolt size & pitch would need to be identical. Actually, one may have to be right hand threads and the other left hand?? i'm trying to think through that...need someone smarter. At any rate, drilling would likely be involved!!
earl

Yes, I realized this after thinking about it. I could drill some holes in some flat irons and use the fence guide rails hole on the front and back or just lie them on some wooden supports.

Another option would be to glue two hardwood tables or pieces of plywood together and make a cutout for a single table top and not use the extension wings at all.

I’ll have think about it some more.

[scott spencer]

Yes, I realized this after thinking about it. I could drill some holes in some flat irons and use the fence guide rails hole on the front and back or just lie them on some wooden supports.

Another option would be to glue two hardwood tables or pieces of plywood together and make a cutout for a single table top and not use the extension wings at all.

I’ll have think about it some more.

...Or align the extensions and c-clamp them together from underneath.

[Cuong Nguyen]

381600

I finally put this so I together. I also built a rolling stand for it. They saw cuts nice but I am definitely not a fan of the steell wings. They don’t work well with the Unifence because they are not completely flat. Do you know if a Biesemeyer would work better? I built a small wood pad to make the fence Ride a little smoother across the wing. I will need to build a flat bench at some point.

[Ray Newman]

When I had that same model contractor's saw, I replaced the stamped steel wings with cast iron wings.Look on e-Bay, Craig's list, Old Woodworking Machines classifieds -- http://www.owwm.org/viewforum.php?f=83&sid=26e140c188057422252eccd9a8026235 -- for a set. They definitely dampen any vibration

[scott spencer]

381600

I finally put this so I together. I also built a rolling stand for it. They saw cuts nice but I am definitely not a fan of the steell wings. They don’t work well with the Unifence because they are not completely flat. Do you know if a Biesemeyer would work better? I built a small wood pad to make the fence Ride a little smoother across the wing. I will need to build a flat bench at some point.

The Biesemeyer rides on the table surface, so won't do well with an uneven surface unless you were to add some sort of a foot on the back rail for the fence to ride on. You could add a cast iron wing for probably around $100 each....less for used. Or you could build a smooth extension table to replace the steel wing(s).


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