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Once I did the setup and the blade drift adjustment the saw cuts very straight and has plenty of power for re-sawing 6 inch stock. I bought this band saw as an upgrade from the bench-top band saw that I bought 3 years ago. The only assembly required is the stand and as long as you follow the easy step directions, you will avoid the problems that the earlier reviewers had. I not sure if the earlier versions back a few years had some quality concerns but the saw I got is everything and more that I wanted in a band saw. The castings and other parts are of high quality.
I am in the market, however and am bothered by the large number of poor reviews for a former GOOD name product. It's now been well over 24 hours and I have received no response, even though I gave my home phone number (which I am loathe to do). Going from an older Craftsman 12" to this saw is a marked improvement, so forgive me if I'm enthusiastic. I asked if they could assure me that I would receive quality and value for my money. I'm getting almost perfect, square cuts and the blade is tracking true and straight.
There is evidently a difference between those bought a few years ago and the ones made now. They said the warranty had been extended. So I did buy it (elsewhere, much cheaper). I'll say right up front that I have not bought this saw. The canned response said that I would be contacted within 24 hours. I wanted people to be aware of this because even though $400 is on the lower end of these saws, it still represents a big investment.Update,11-11-09Delta did contact me and said good quality control, manufacturing, etc. Fit and finish seemed acceptable; I did not have to alter anything to assemble it. I don't know what it was.
I contacted Delta through their website and told them of my concerns about Chinese quality and workmanship. etc. Therefore I'm changing my rating to 4 stars. It's two years.
Fortunately Delta has improved the quality control for this imported saw since they first introduced the model several years ago. Only the top wheel needed shimming with an extra washer to make it co-planar. MOF, most saws of this type have only had 1/3 to 1/2 hp for many decades. I've found no issue with the 3/4 hp motor. This saw was amazingly accurate out of the box. Good fit and finish, extra large table, and gives a quality cut with a high quality blade. Put a Kreg fence on it, and a good quality blade, and enjoy this saw. Accepts all Delta accessories which makes this an excellent buy.
A complete farce. They are obviously total crap; the sintered (or cast) aluminum used could be broken with finger pressure once removed. If they want to sell this kind of sh$t, then they should put a different brand on it; "Cheap Chinese Cr@p" would be a good suggestion. I think this is very deliberate deception on the part of Delta. The table mounts broke on this saw after 3 years of reasonably light use. These mounts of course are somewhat hidden from view and their build quality is not easily judged unless the saw is disassembled. Unfortunately, living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean I get the option of buying the garbage at Lowes/Home depot or get the good stuff shipped in at ridiculous cost.Don't buy the lower-end Delta products unless you have access to a machine shop and are willing to rebuild some parts so that they will actually survive anything more than standing on the show-room floor.Aside from this grievance, once I rebuilt the saw guides and replaced the motor with a 1.5" HP Leeson, the saw ran like a champ.The 3/4 HP motor is now installed in a rebuilt Delta sander that broke the year before.Starting to get the picture about Delta products. Typical of Delta's shenanigans over the last years.The mounts on the previous 14" Delta band-saw I used were built MUCH more solidly.
Delta tech support said it doesn't have to be coplanar if it tracks ok and no way to adjust it. It labors and vibrates throughout the resaw process. I think it will be ok when I adjust it for coplanar and replace with a larger motor. Not anywhere near "professional" quality but pretty good for around $260 when Lowe's had the clearance sale. It needed a wheel brush, fence and a larger motor.
Mine was off about 1/8" between the lower and upper wheels, not coplanar that is. A local guy at the woodshop store said it could be adjusted for coplanar with a shim washer - I guess Delta don't want you to touch the wheels. Anyway, its way underpowed, unable even resaw 4" dry soft wood gracefully with a new 1/2" blade. The lower wheel collects a lot of sawdust with much of it sticking to the tire - no dust collection yet.
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