New to me Delta 768 10" bandsaw

[Randall J Cox]

Picked up a nice 1/2 hp 768 the other day, will use with narrow blades for sharper turns as I have an 18" Minimax for the larger stuff. Its in fairly decent shape for being somewhere around 80 years old. I will do lots of clean up and replace all bearings (wheels, guides and motor).
It came with steel guides, and I seem to remember that the bands rubbing against steel will work harden them or something like that.
I'm not putting in Carter guides or any big upgrades like that, just want to clean up and use. I totally rebuilt an old Delta 14" BS some years back so I pretty much know what I'm in for. Actually it looks identical, only a little smaller. Anyway, should I change out to fiber guides? (I put ceramic lower guides on the Minimax, they're a little pricy.) Randy

[Randall J Cox]

Steel vs fiber blade guides for narrow BS blades, anybody??

[glenn bradley]

I use fiber blocks. No worries about accidentally killing the tooth set when applying the wonky forces that scroll-type work imparts to a blade.

[Matt Day]

Pictures tend to create more replies.

[Mike Wilkins]

If the guides are of the steel variety, you could substitute with Cool Blocks of the appropriate size. Some folks have even used wood guides with great success.

[Geoff Crimmins]

Contrats on finding a 768, it's a great 10" bandsaw. There is no problem with steel guide blocks, they work just fine. You could replace them with Cool Blocks or hardwood blocks if you're going to use a super-narrow blade, like a 1/8" o 1/6". But For 3/16" and wider blades it's hard to beat the the steel guide blocks. And I'm glad you aren't considering Carter guides, as I think they would be sacrilege on that saw. :)

[Randall J Cox]

Pictures tend to create more replies.

Understand. I normally post pics, but can't seem to find out how to get pics from my new iphone to my computer, even after talking with Apple folks. It was easy with my old iphone.... Randy

[Kevin Andrist]

Picked up a nice 1/2 hp 768 the other day, will use with narrow blades for sharper turns as I have an 18" Minimax for the larger stuff. Its in fairly decent shape for being somewhere around 80 years old. I will do lots of clean up and replace all bearings (wheels, guides and motor).
It came with steel guides, and I seem to remember that the bands rubbing against steel will work harden them or something like that.
I'm not putting in Carter guides or any big upgrades like that, just want to clean up and use. I totally rebuilt an old Delta 14" BS some years back so I pretty much know what I'm in for. Actually it looks identical, only a little smaller. Anyway,
should I change out to fiber guides? (I put ceramic lower guides on the Minimax, they're a little pricy.) Randy


Old thread..sorry to resurrect it folks..but..

Randy/Anyone..I have a Delta 768 that's original and in good working condition. While I'm having no issues at the moment, you mentioned above that you were going to replace the wheel bearings and thrust bearing. Did you do so? If you did, can you post the bearing make model numbers or suitable equivalents? I'd like to future-proof my saw while I'm thinking about it and pick up replacement bearings just in case I need them at some point. Thx..

[John Lanciani]

Old thread..sorry to resurrect it folks..but..

Randy/Anyone..I have a Delta 768 that's original and in good working condition. While I'm having no issues at the moment, you mentioned above that you were going to replace the wheel bearings and thrust bearing. Did you do so? If you did, can you post the bearing make model numbers or suitable equivalents? I'd like to future-proof my saw while I'm thinking about it and pick up replacement bearings just in case I need them at some point. Thx..

Upper wheel bearings are 87502, lowers are 87016. thrust bearings are 6200-2RS.

[Kevin Andrist]

Thanks John. I came across one other reference in my searching that indicated, I think(the reference wasn't overly clear as a couple saws were being discussed, but I think this referred to the 768) the top bearings were ND87502 and the bottom wheel bearings were ND87016. Any thoughts?

[John Lanciani]

Thanks John. I came across one other reference in my searching that indicated, I think(the reference wasn't overly clear as a couple saws were being discussed, but I think this referred to the 768) the top bearings were ND87502 and the bottom wheel bearings were ND87016. Any thoughts?

My mistake, you are correct that lowers are 87016. My apologies.