« back to Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories forum
Forum topic by BigNate78 | posted 11-12-2014 09:36 PM | 1309 views | 0 times favorited | 14 replies | ![]() |
![]() |
11-12-2014 09:36 PM |
Hey folks, I’m new to the sight and would like to share my new purchase I made last week. I bought a Delta 34-447 contractor saw with the 43” uni-fence and 48” rip table and 1.5 hp motor. Also has a 1 or 3 ph thermally-protected on/off switch rated for 120/240volts. I also bought from the same guy a Powermatic 1140B drill press. The guy also through in some free spray cans that need some serious cleaning but are salvageable. All for $300. What do ya think? Good deal? |
14 replies so far
#1 posted 11-12-2014 09:50 PM |
I would say yes, IMO you got a steal with the Drill Press thrown in, congratulations. |
#2 posted 11-12-2014 09:55 PM |
The drill press was probably worth $300+. So yeah…...you did well. Of course, I would have smooth-talked him down to $295 ;) |
#3 posted 11-12-2014 10:28 PM |
I ran out of gas when I got into his driveway (super embarrassing) so for 2.5 gallons of gas I was more than pleased with how well he treated me. I feel blessed with the support I have gotten from contractors that are upgrading and this kind stuff is in their way. I had a Sears Craftsman 10in contractor saw previous to this…the good one with the cast iron table and 3hp (max developed- It was really 1.5hp). Had the lever lock fence which was a huge upgrade to the 10in Craftsman direct drive 3/4hp saw with the twist lock fence….HOLY CRAP did that thing suck….so over 5 years and 3 saws I’m at a spot where sawing doesn’t suck. Its not the grail….but it will suffice without headaches… |
#4 posted 11-13-2014 12:26 AM |
Why may I ask did you get the Delta when you had the Craftsman Contractor saw, not to be a bummer but it seems that aside from the drill press it was a sideways move. |
#5 posted 11-13-2014 12:42 AM |
The fence seems like a huge upgrade. |
#6 posted 11-13-2014 01:09 AM |
48” worth it if you cut a lot pf sheet goods. -- Shooting down the walls of heartache. Bang bang. I am. The warrior. |
#7 posted 11-13-2014 08:45 AM |
The fence is just so much better. you just grab the handle and cinch it down…the craftsman’s fence was ok but you had to square the fence to the blade front to back after every new width…pain in the ass. now i just measure and its there…dead on. its a production thing. |
#8 posted 11-13-2014 11:38 AM |
The saw switch is not single or 3 phase, it’s a 2 pole switch that I loved to operate on my delta. Unfortunately it was not designed to last more than 2 decades. The contacts fouled and once in a while I could not turn it off. Now there’s a serious safety issue! I replaced it with a Chinese one with a large stop paddle. I wish I could have fixed up the old one. It was a very ergonomic design. At least they spelled STOP correctly. LOL. You never know what you’ll get sometimes with these Chinese parts. -- Brian in Wantagh, NY |
#9 posted 11-13-2014 09:56 PM |
I think it’s a steal. I think you’ll be pleased with it. -- "someone has to be wounded for others to be saved, someone has to sacrifice for others to feel happiness, someone has to die so others could live" |
#10 posted 11-13-2014 10:26 PM |
The older Delta contractor saws are gems. The only downsides to them is the blade guard design overall sucks and ends up in a bucket more often than on the saw. I have one about 15 years old and I wouldn’t sell it for $300 for sure. I really like the Unifence design as well. I have always wanted to switch power out to 240 as it’s claimed you get a decent HP boost from doing it but never had a shop with the power to do it. It’s rare I have issues with power on that saw but anything over about 5/4 I tend to use the bandsaw on anyways. |
#11 posted 11-13-2014 11:11 PM |
220/240 single phase will NOT give ya any more horse power. -- bill@magraphics.us |
#12 posted 11-14-2014 10:47 PM |
How does it perform? |
#13 posted 11-17-2014 03:12 PM |
It performs very well. the motor seems to have more power and run with less vibration than the craftsman did even tho they were both rated at 1.5hp. I would like a riving knife for it and it didn’t come with the safety guard…the blade that was in it was shot but it also had a 10” Hitachi that will work for now. The blade height is mush easier to adjust as is the angle. When I release the fence it has a tendency of wanting to come out of the track. Its my first “Real” fence…It has the Unifence on it…any suggestions as to keep it in the rail? l was also wondering if anyone had any suggestions of a good saw blade? The last saw I had I put a masterforce thin kerf blade on it…Not bad…tended to wobble a bit tho and tended to cup boards during a rip. I had a big nasty Skilsaw blade on there but it sucked. I still have a 24tooth skillsaw rip blade….don’t know what to do with it. |
#14 posted 11-17-2014 03:27 PM |
I like the Freud diablo blades you can get from the orange box, prices aren’t that bad and they cut very well. |
Have your say...
You must be signed in to reply.
|
Forum | Topics |
---|---|
Woodworking Skill Share
|
12029 |
Woodturning
|
2108 |
Woodcarving
|
431 |
Scrollsawing
|
340 |
Joinery
|
1370 |
Finishing
|
4904 |
Designing Woodworking Projects
|
6695 |
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
|
28058 |
CNC Woodworking
|
212 |
Hand Tools
|
5410 |
Jigs & Fixtures
|
1419 |
Wood & Lumber
|
6232 |
Safety in the Woodworking Shop
|
1388 |
Focus on the Workspace
|
2154 |
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
|
1187 |
Woodworking Trade & Swap
|
4756 |
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
|
2200 |
Coffee Lounge
|
8845 |