So, for the past 4-1/2 years, I’ve had this Delta 1/2 HP mortiser that has given fairly reliable service, even though my use is fairly infrequent. I think I’ve cut maybe 5 or 6 dozen mortises of various sizes with it, the whole time I’ve owned. Anyway, I’m working on a pair of Stickley round taborets in black walnut—not exactly the hardest hardwood. I shut off the mortiser to clear the chips, and it wouldn’t go back on. Since the motor wasn’t even humming I assumed I’d fried a fuse or something, but actually, the pushbutton switch had failed.
In doing some web research, I find that others have complained about this problem, and sure enough—after spending $29 for a new switch from an online replacement parts company (eReplacements—pretty fast service, too) I popped the new switch in and it worked like a champ again. I’m thinking that this DPST pushbutton switch is pretty unreliable. Anyone know how to get in touch with Delta? I’d like to send them the old switch and recommend they consider replacing it with a more rugged version. If mine fails again, I’ll be sure to swap it out for a beefier switch—probably with a key and a easy off paddle.
-- SteveL
5 comments so far
rhett
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743 posts in 5159 days
#1 posted 07-01-2010 08:22 PM
Same exact situation with mine. Hardly any use on the machine. I am a little cheaper than you, in that I just bypassed the switch and use a cord with an on/off.
-- Doubt kills more dreams than failure.
Billinmich
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253 posts in 5223 days
#2 posted 07-02-2010 02:58 AM
Same problem with mine,i went to Grangers and bought a replace switch for I think $5.00,you should be able to get in touch with Delta at delta machinery .com.I also have a delta disc and belt sander that the switch went on,so I went to Lowes and bought a toggle switch that works just fine.
-- Bill in Mich
TopamaxSurvivor
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24927 posts in 5167 days
#3 posted 07-02-2010 07:31 AM
This is ridiculous!! They should be using swithes that stand up for 100s of thousands of operations, not less than a 100:-((
-- Bob in WW ~ "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
lew
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13546 posts in 5247 days
#4 posted 07-03-2010 04:27 AM
Had a similar problem with my Delta lathe. Replace the switch twice.
The switch came with a “panic” off “paddle”. I believe this paddle applied uneven pressure to the switch mechanism- causing it to fail. After removing the paddle, I have not had a failure.
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.
golf9
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1 post in 2688 days
#5 posted 02-15-2015 03:23 AM
My mortiser switch went out also I think. I took the switch out and there are 2 red wires, 1 white and 1 black. If I wanted to bypass the switch which wires would I pair up?
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