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Thoughts? Delta 14 bandsaw for sale

8K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  TheFridge 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
First time posting on the forum, hoping to get some advice. I found this Delta Model 52-969 for $350 on craigslist, but it seems to have a chunk of the casting missing. Should I be concerned? What should I look for to make sure its in working order? What would fair price be if the machine is in good working condition? Thanks in advance!

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#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
I wouldn't worry about it, either. A lot of the value depends on the market in your area. Around here, a 14in saw for that price would have sold in less than an hour. When I was looking for a good band saw a couple years ago, I would have snatched that up for $350 and been very happy. In a year of looking, very few good quality used saws came up for sale and I was never quick enough to grab one. Your market might be different.

If you do get a chance to look at it in person, besides running the saw, you might want to remove the blade and spin both wheels by hand to check bearings. Check the tires on the wheels to see if they are still in good shape-not a deal breaker if not, but a bargaining point if they need replaced. Biggest thing, however, would be to carefully check the rest of the frame and the trunnions for cracks. Depending on what caused the chunk to get knocked out of the frame, there might be some other hidden damage that would be cause for more worry or expense.
 
#6 ·
I would not worry about it but I d not give him 350, I m thinking 250 max.

- bonesbr549
I agree, but i would be even lower than $250, I see undamaged ones for $250 every once in a while, I'd go less. That's a Platinum Edition, made when Delta though introducing a new model meant you gave it a slightly different color of paint and throw in some extras, they did those somewhere in the mid 90's (IIRC). The good news is that's a USA saw and is well worth considering.
 
#7 ·
I wouldn t worry about it, either. A lot of the value depends on the market in your area. Around here, a 14in saw for that price would have sold in less than an hour. When I was looking for a good band saw a couple years ago, I would have snatched that up for $350 and been very happy. In a year of looking, very few good quality used saws came up for sale and I was never quick enough to grab one. Your market might be different.

If you do get a chance to look at it in person, besides running the saw, you might want to remove the blade and spin both wheels by hand to check bearings. Check the tires on the wheels to see if they are still in good shape-not a deal breaker if not, but a bargaining point if they need replaced. Biggest thing, however, would be to carefully check the rest of the frame and the trunnions for cracks. Depending on what caused the chunk to get knocked out of the frame, there might be some other hidden damage that would be cause for more worry or expense.

- JayT
Thanks for all the thoughts. It sold before I got a chance. I too have kept an eye on used bandsaws in this area and the ones that seem like a good deal go super fast. I have several projects before I may need a bandsaw so I guess I will just keep waiting…
 
#8 ·
Yeah, I'd jump on it if you are in the market for a band saw. It has the mobile base, so if that comes with it $250-300 would be a very good deal, IMO. I don't think that piece that came off is a big deal (the visible V shaped reinforcement carrying the load there). Plus, you could sister a piece of wood on there as reinforcement. The blades are probably worthless. Make sure all the guide bearings are not seized up before you use it. Alex Snodgrass has a good set up video on YouTube.
 
#9 ·
Hey, if you had doubts then it was right to pass. I waited a long time for a used bandsaw. I found a walker-turner 16" for 200 on craigslist without motor. Bought replacement bearings and was going to restore the cast iron beast to its original glory, when I happened to pop into CL and saw a 1934 Delta for 225(if mem serves me) I called from work and said if it ran, i'd take it, and he said he had literally posted it 10 min before I called. I left work went by the ATM and took the money with me. I'm still using it now its my fav. My 17" is set up for resaw and the WT is still waiting for me to complete the restore.

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Be patient, and a deal will come along and then act! Trust your spidy sense though if it does not feel right don't do it.
 

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