Re: how much is a delta unisaw worth? Difficult to say. Does it have both wings? How about the fence, what shape is it in?
Every reference I could find online says that model is 5hp 3ph. I'd say that's about tops for a complete saw in decent condition. Without being able to even bump the motor over though its a gamble.
Do you have 3ph or are you planning on a phase converter? Don't forget to figure that into your overall cost, and use it as a bargining point to get the price down. Not sure how the numbering system worked on the old saws.
Mine is a 2010, the model number is 36-L336 The L is for Left tilt the 336 is for 3HP and 36' rip A 36-L552 would be a 5HP with 52' rip capacity. The 36 I think is the model series. Re: how much is a delta unisaw worth? Thanks for that link Bob, and it was built in 1987 according to that link. Model number as you stated does indicate its a 5HP 3Ph saw. Guy said he wanted 600.00 for it.
The throat plate is about had it, shaft seems to turn without any wobble. The BIESEMEYER fence is a little rough, but the rails look ok, probably could use a new fence and me ok. We dont really need it, but figured if the deal was good enough, why not. It does have both cast wings on it and a pretty rough right hand extention table. We already have a 5HP 3Ph Powermatic (gold body) LHT and a Delta Unisaw 5HP 1Ph RHT saw, so it might not be that useful, but again, its nice having different saws setup for different things. My thought was maybe use this one and build a sliding table top for it. Anyway, thanks for your help guys.
Bob, although not the most effective way, we have a solid state phase converter on the Powermatic. Its been on there for over 20 years and still running strong. You cannot stop that saw and only one cap in the converter has failed in that time.
An electrical engineer rebuilt it this last time and made a couple changes to it from the original configuration and I think that is the smoothest that saw has ever run. So, if I go this saw, I think we would probably do the same and build another one. Re: how much is a delta unisaw worth? Well, for an 87 and since you don't have a problem with running a phase converter I'd say go for it. I don't see how you will lose money if a little later you decide not to keep it. Should be able to get your money back. Fence faces are easy to replace.
If it's square and the rails are not damaged or bent that's the important thing. Some people like to drag their saws around by the rails thinking that big sq tube is strong enough to take it. But like any other rail that's not what they are meant to do.
Delta Unisaw Serial Number Location
That's one of those old 'solidy built' Dewalts. If you can be sure that it works and the blade guards are with it, it's worth at least $100. If it's missing anything you will likely have to find it on EBAY and it might not be such a good deal. Make sure that you can change the blade angle, that the locks all work, that the motor runs and will cut wood, and that you can raise and lower it. A new table can be easily built. If all of the movements work OK they can be calibrated for accuracy when you get it home. Check for a manual and other information that might be available on it.
If that is the 10' 1-1/2 HP GWI, the one that Wally Kunkel (Mr. Sawdust), the DeWalt RAS guru, said was the 'best,' get off the computer and go get it then worry about the other things later (make sure you have the capacity to handle 220v electricity or a 3 phase motor. If it's an MBF it will be a 9' (but use 8' or 8-1/2' blades) with 3/4 HP. Then go to the owwm-dot-com webiste to get the manuals & instructions for it.
Also get the How to Master the Radial Arm Saw from the Mr. Sawdust website which will show how to tune your saw and build a table for it and if you do get for $100, you go a steal. I have the 9' MBF and it's great.
Good luck Orlando. More important than the motor running as they can often be fixed cheaply is are the ways that hold the head true and not worn past the point of adjustment, and does it go up and down. These things if broken are harder and more expensive to over come than the motor turning, though a functional motor is a good sign. Another source for info and actual parts for old DeWalt RAS is Wolfe Machinery. They have a web site but mostly you have to call them as its a simple informative few pages, not a sales site. As far as worth it? I think given the price of scrap iron presently it is worth $100 by weight alone, so if it runs too you may be ahead of the game!
Fun project anyway for $100. My grandfather had a similar one. He had a shaper head, a sander, all kinds of stuff. I fixed up an industrial model, a 1948 GR42, 14' 17A@220 (they used to call that 2HP!) machine with a 24' cross cut.
Got mine free, spent a bit fixing it up, still cheaper than an original saw, and it will out cut a craftsman with the power turned off! I picked it up and it's in better condition than I expected. It only needs one knob the one to adjust the tilt and the rubber bumpers are a little cracked but nothing major. The motor is powerful and spins for a few minutes after I turn the saw off.
The motor is missing the reset button and something else, look at the pictures and see if you can give me any advice. The saw seems to have a newer model blade guard for some reason?
If anyone knows where I can find a round blade guard For a 1956ish GWI let me know. I would like to restore it completely but I plan on putting a new table top on it and using it until I get everything together then I'll tear it down completely and put a new paint job on it.