Journal Content
Series Name
Unisaw Restoration
Location
Albany, NY
Backstory - I found this saw on eBay, from a seller in Staten Island. It came with a JoinTech Saw Train. Got it in working condition for $375! I drove down to Staten Island and picked it up from the seller, who had it for 5~ years or so, only used it two or three times. Started it up, and it ran very smooth. The previous owner to him did the current work on it (new power cord, paint job, etc). The bearings did not make any noise, so I am going to assume for now that they have been replaced by a previous owner within the last decade.
I am planning to replace this fence system with a Vega U26, as the company JoinTech is dead, and also because I have heard issues with the system keeping alignment. The saw is 100% operable, but I would like to go through and clean the saw out, repaint it, and upgrade the wiring.
Since I'm very green to anything like this (I am not at all mechanically/electrically inclined, just a simple woodworker) I will provide the resources that I am getting most of my knowledge/help from.
Saw Specs:
Model #: 34-450
Serial #: DE 7270 (Saw produced in 1964, as per Vintage Machinery - The Delta Vintage Project
Motor Specs:
Model #: 83-611
HP: 1 & 1/2
Voltage: 115/230V (Currently wired for 115v)
Amperage: 17.6/8.8
Saw's Badge:
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Motor:
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Due to the 17A required (although that is just for start up/max load, which I probably won't hit) I am going to re-wire this saw for 230v. I'm also told by some people over at OWWM that this motor works like a dream when wired for 230v.
This means that I will also provide pictures of my FIL & I wiring a 230v outlet on a new 30a breaker in my garage.
01/07/2023
Today marks the first day of restoring/cleaning up the saw. It'll probably take a few weeks, as I have a newborn that requires quite a bit of time as you can imagine! While he's napping or with mom, I'll be out in the garage doing what I can!
Top off of the saw:
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I first pulled off the electrical switch box. Looks like a previous owner taped up... something? A cut in the line? A frayed cable? Doesn't seem too safe regardless. I'll be replacing this cable.
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Old 115v cable removed!
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Removed the handle assembly for the tilt wheel, and arbor raising wheel. Will be cleaning out these parts before they are reassembled. Missing Part #93 (Fiber Washer) on the arbor rising hand wheel. I'll just get something at a parts store since it's a relatively common washer.
Took some PB Blaster to remove the key from the handles, but everything else was easy to disassemble.
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It's worth mentioning that because my OCD makes me jump alllll over the place during projects like this I am being meticulous with the parts that I disassemble, as to not lose anything. I got a box of freezer bags + avery labels to mark everything. I am also marking down part numbers that are inside of the bags.
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That's all for today; I'll be getting parts for the electrical work soon enough, and will update!
01/13/2023
Had more time to get back in the garage today, so I got back in there to disassemble more parts.
Started with taking off the belts. Had to loosen the motor a bit to get enough play to take off the belts. They were relatively worn. These were Dayco model 4L260 belts. They can probably be reused, but because it's inexpensive, I don't mind replacing them now. OEM is $100~ for 3 little belts. Luckily the Dayco replacements are only $8.50 at Advanced Auto. What sucks, is that the saw's belts say "Made In USA". When I got home from Advance Auto, I realized that my new Dayco belts are made in China. Guess production moved oversees.
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Next up was the arbor assembly. Man was it stuck on there. Had to put PB Blaster around everything every couple of hours to get it going. After slamming a rubber mallet into it, it finally gave.
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Slightly started moving off the motor bracket's shaft as you can see below. The key was really stubborn.
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Finally off! One thing I noticed was that when I was taking it off, I was hoping that I could get a handle on the round cutout of the center of the arbor assembly. But it felt super rough. I thought that someone might have bent the metal/cut the metal inside.. which would make no sense because it serves no purpose to do that. Turns out that it was actually just metal from the casting that was never removed, as you can see below! I will file this out, so it makes re-assembly easier.
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Started cleaning the grease off of the arbor/assembly with mineral spirits, which made quick work of it all. I especially wanted to clean out the worm gear on the arbor bracket, since it gets gunked up with grease and sawdust quite easily. Nothing a nylon brush and mineral spirts can't handle.
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Removed the washer that hides the arbor bearing. Prior to this, the arbor spun quite freely - a good sign that the bearings were in good shape. I still wanted to see what bearings were on the saw though, so after cleaning up the crud under the washer, I can see "TRIAD 88503 JAPAN". Being a Japanese bearing, I am guessing that these were replaced sometime in the last 10-20 years.
![]()
After I saw the model of bearings, I closed the arbor assembly back up. No need to replace; but now I know a bearing model I can buy if I ever need to do any replacements.
Next was getting ready to get into the motor. I am switching this from 115V to 230V, so I will need to take off the motor, and change up some wiring.
I couldn't figure out why removing the motor bracket's screw wasn't releasing the motor. Then I realized it was pinned with a couple of springs clips on both sides.
![]()
Finally, I got the motor off! The bearings also feel good on the motor, luckily.
That's all the time I had for the day, but re-wiring the motor is next. I had a buddy who is a union electrician come over to give me an estimate on a 20A breaker + 230v plug. He will also supply me with new SOOW cable as well.
![]()
I am planning to replace this fence system with a Vega U26, as the company JoinTech is dead, and also because I have heard issues with the system keeping alignment. The saw is 100% operable, but I would like to go through and clean the saw out, repaint it, and upgrade the wiring.
Since I'm very green to anything like this (I am not at all mechanically/electrically inclined, just a simple woodworker) I will provide the resources that I am getting most of my knowledge/help from.
- Elwellboy on Youtube who has a fantastic Unisaw restoration series. Same model as mine; his saw is 1 year newer (1965).
- Vintage Machinery - The Delta Vintage Project
- OWWM
- eReplacementParts
Saw Specs:
Model #: 34-450
Serial #: DE 7270 (Saw produced in 1964, as per Vintage Machinery - The Delta Vintage Project
Motor Specs:
Model #: 83-611
HP: 1 & 1/2
Voltage: 115/230V (Currently wired for 115v)
Amperage: 17.6/8.8
Saw's Badge:
Motor:
Due to the 17A required (although that is just for start up/max load, which I probably won't hit) I am going to re-wire this saw for 230v. I'm also told by some people over at OWWM that this motor works like a dream when wired for 230v.
This means that I will also provide pictures of my FIL & I wiring a 230v outlet on a new 30a breaker in my garage.
01/07/2023
Today marks the first day of restoring/cleaning up the saw. It'll probably take a few weeks, as I have a newborn that requires quite a bit of time as you can imagine! While he's napping or with mom, I'll be out in the garage doing what I can!
Top off of the saw:
I first pulled off the electrical switch box. Looks like a previous owner taped up... something? A cut in the line? A frayed cable? Doesn't seem too safe regardless. I'll be replacing this cable.
Old 115v cable removed!
Removed the handle assembly for the tilt wheel, and arbor raising wheel. Will be cleaning out these parts before they are reassembled. Missing Part #93 (Fiber Washer) on the arbor rising hand wheel. I'll just get something at a parts store since it's a relatively common washer.
Took some PB Blaster to remove the key from the handles, but everything else was easy to disassemble.
It's worth mentioning that because my OCD makes me jump alllll over the place during projects like this I am being meticulous with the parts that I disassemble, as to not lose anything. I got a box of freezer bags + avery labels to mark everything. I am also marking down part numbers that are inside of the bags.
That's all for today; I'll be getting parts for the electrical work soon enough, and will update!
01/13/2023
Had more time to get back in the garage today, so I got back in there to disassemble more parts.
Started with taking off the belts. Had to loosen the motor a bit to get enough play to take off the belts. They were relatively worn. These were Dayco model 4L260 belts. They can probably be reused, but because it's inexpensive, I don't mind replacing them now. OEM is $100~ for 3 little belts. Luckily the Dayco replacements are only $8.50 at Advanced Auto. What sucks, is that the saw's belts say "Made In USA". When I got home from Advance Auto, I realized that my new Dayco belts are made in China. Guess production moved oversees.
Next up was the arbor assembly. Man was it stuck on there. Had to put PB Blaster around everything every couple of hours to get it going. After slamming a rubber mallet into it, it finally gave.
Slightly started moving off the motor bracket's shaft as you can see below. The key was really stubborn.
Finally off! One thing I noticed was that when I was taking it off, I was hoping that I could get a handle on the round cutout of the center of the arbor assembly. But it felt super rough. I thought that someone might have bent the metal/cut the metal inside.. which would make no sense because it serves no purpose to do that. Turns out that it was actually just metal from the casting that was never removed, as you can see below! I will file this out, so it makes re-assembly easier.
Started cleaning the grease off of the arbor/assembly with mineral spirits, which made quick work of it all. I especially wanted to clean out the worm gear on the arbor bracket, since it gets gunked up with grease and sawdust quite easily. Nothing a nylon brush and mineral spirts can't handle.
Removed the washer that hides the arbor bearing. Prior to this, the arbor spun quite freely - a good sign that the bearings were in good shape. I still wanted to see what bearings were on the saw though, so after cleaning up the crud under the washer, I can see "TRIAD 88503 JAPAN". Being a Japanese bearing, I am guessing that these were replaced sometime in the last 10-20 years.
After I saw the model of bearings, I closed the arbor assembly back up. No need to replace; but now I know a bearing model I can buy if I ever need to do any replacements.
Next was getting ready to get into the motor. I am switching this from 115V to 230V, so I will need to take off the motor, and change up some wiring.
I couldn't figure out why removing the motor bracket's screw wasn't releasing the motor. Then I realized it was pinned with a couple of springs clips on both sides.
Finally, I got the motor off! The bearings also feel good on the motor, luckily.
That's all the time I had for the day, but re-wiring the motor is next. I had a buddy who is a union electrician come over to give me an estimate on a 20A breaker + 230v plug. He will also supply me with new SOOW cable as well.
Continue with Google
