Delta DJ30 jointer...any good?

[Jacob Tetri]

I found a Delta DJ30 online in "nearly brand new" condition. They are asking $1850 which seems like a pretty good deal to me. Does anyone have one of these and like/dislike it, or do people have any thoughts on whether this is a good deal? Thanks!

[Rick Fisher]

You cant get parts for it, but Jointers aren't really tools that wear out much other than bearings. The price is very good... Is it 3 phase or single ?

I have a 12" Griggio and can tell its a big upgrade from a 6" or 8" .. Also does it have a regular gib style head ?

[David Kumm]

Early ones were made in Brazil, later ones in Taiwan. Take a straight edge and some feeler gauges and check out the tables. If good, you are golden. Few 12" jointers go for less than 2K used, most are over 3K. Good luck. Dave

[Jacob Tetri]

You cant get parts for it, but Jointers aren't really tools that wear out much other than bearings. The price is very good... Is it 3 phase or single ?

I have a 12" Griggio and can tell its a big upgrade from a 6" or 8" .. Also does it have a regular gib style head ?

"Like new condition" is literally all the information I have about it. I have 3 phase power in my shop so it shouldn't matter. If it's in good shape I think the only upgrade I'd like to do is add a shelix cutterhead

[Bryan Lisowski]

The parts thing always concerns me about delta. Since you have 3 phase power, you should be able to find something bigger and better by looking around.

[David Kumm]

Any jointer that is better will not have parts availability either or cost more. I'm not a huge Delta fan but their industrial saws, shapers, and jonters were not bad machines and about 5 times better than their hobby stuff. Flat tables are what is most important on any jointer. If the castings are good, there are few parts to worry about and most machine parts can be replaced or duplicated. I've got about 50 old machines and none had part issues that couldn't be dealt with. There are a bunch of jointers I'd prefer, but if the DJ30 is close enough to haul and in good condition, there is nothing new that will touch it at that price. At least the cast iron is seasoned by now. Dave

[Martin Wasner]

As a reference, I paid $2000 for a SAC FS305 about a year and a half ago. It needed a good cleaning, some adjusting, lubrication, and a fresh set of knives. It works exactly how I expect it to.

[David Kumm]

SAC machines are well made and reasonable because they are out of business. The tables are longer than the Delta. Finding stuff close enough to see and haul is the problem. Dave

[Dave Cav]

I've got a DJ-32 Delta/Invicta from Brazil. It's a great machine and somewhat similar to the machine you're considering. I put a Byrd head in it last year, and added a feeder a couple of months ago. I'm running it off a VFD and it does an excellent job facing or edging.

[Alan Heffernan]

Nice machine but as already mentioned already, flat tables are imperative. I would be reluctant to take one on without checking that. If they aren't flat, then you have a big mess on your hands and an inferior performer. You can always adjust the tables to be coplanar but each has to be flat to get you there.

Here's one with the Shelix in it. You likely know the Byrd Shelix is just shy of $1000 and you'd also change the bearings as well. Some Byrd distributors sell the head with the bearings included.

Byrd equipped Delta DJ30 (https://youtu.be/Xg_6HnX3OFM)

[Martin Wasner]

SAC machines are well made and reasonable because they are out of business. The tables are longer than the Delta. Finding stuff close enough to see and haul is the problem. Dave

The rebadged powermatic ones are plentiful. I see them for sale frequently. But not necessarily near by.

I snatched mine up in your backyard in Eau Claire. Off of Craigslist, which I thought was weird.

[David Kumm]

The rebadged PM seem to be a good deal. I don't think people know they were SAC and think they were Taiwan. I wouldn't spend for a Byrd on a jointer but if so it would likely be a Hermance instead. Dave

[Darcy Warner]

Nice machine but as already mentioned already, flat tables are imperative. I would be reluctant to take one on without checking that. If they aren't flat, then you have a big mess on your hands and an inferior performer. You can always adjust the tables to be coplanar but each has to be flat to get you there.

Here's one with the Shelix in it. You likely know the Byrd Shelix is just shy of $1000 and you'd also change the bearings as well. Some Byrd distributors sell the head with the bearings included.

Byrd equipped Delta DJ30 (https://youtu.be/Xg_6HnX3OFM)

It takes a whole lot of lumber or abuse to rut a table.
Even at that, grinding is not that expensive.

[Jacob Tetri]

Thanks for all of the input! I also came across a 16" Porter Jointer much closer to home (literally about 5 miles from my shop). Any thoughts on this? https://madison.craigslist.org/tls/d/jointer/6527632922.html

[Don Jarvie]

The Porter is a great machine. If you have the room I’d take it over the Delta anyday.

[Mel Fulks]

I love most all the old machines. Many consider Porter the best of them. They take off more wood than the newer ones and can be made easy to make fine adjustments on by filing calibration marks on the outfeed adjustment wheels.

[Darcy Warner]

That would not be my first choice in a porter. The 300's are a much nicer machine.

[David Kumm]

I have an Oliver 166 12" in Wis Rapids that is sitting in storage. PM me if interested. I also agree with Darcy, I have a 300cm and it is the pick of the Porter litter. Dave

[Peter Kelly]

The rebadged PM seem to be a good deal. I don't think people know they were SAC and think they were Taiwan.The seller seems to think it's "US steel, not new foreign junk" despite the MADE IN ITALY nameplate shown in the photo he took...

Offer him $2k!

[Chip Lindley]

Old thread but so relevent to me since I am picking up a Delta DJ-30 with NO MOTOR for only $500! What a FIND!
Where and HOW do we view pics in these threads now? Please help me kind members!
Chip Lindley

[Richard Coers]

Old thread but so relevent to me since I am picking up a Delta DJ-30 with NO MOTOR for only $500! What a FIND!
Where and HOW do we view pics in these threads now? Please help me kind members!
Chip Lindley
Google images doesn't have any pictures? It sure does, but only about 80 of them though, including pictures from Sawmill Creek

[Larry Edgerton]

I've had a Porter and a Delta 20. I would take the Delta in a heartbeat over my old Porter. It was just a big clumsy machine that took up too much space. Sacrilege I know. The delta was fast and accurate, I miss the lever. One big quick dirty pass, bump the lever and a light slow pass. I have an older SCM now with a crank, and I still miss the lever.