[danoxendale]

I am new to this site and fairly new to wood working. I am looking at upgrading my current Dewalt Contractor style tablesaw to something a little more robust with a larger crosscut/rip capacity. I have been looking around craigslist for some used units hoping to find a bargain. Today I just found this Delta 34-444 tablesaw complete with a unifence(see link below)
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/tls/4986479922.html

I don't know much about this saw and wanted to see what more experienced wood workers had to say about it.

I am also considering the RIDGID R4512.

Can you all shed some light on this subject for me.

Thanks in advance!

Dan

 

[knotscott]

It looks to be in really nice shape, and is complete….it's also full size, cast iron, and has a belt drive induction motor….all good things. $450 is a tad high IMO, but not terrible considering the Unifence. I'd be inclined to offer $325-$350 and go from there. As negotiating points, mention the outboard motor, lack of a true riving knife, and lack of warranty….then mention that a new saw with all those things is less than $100 more than his asking price.

The R4512 has a history of alignment issues that don't appear to be resolved. The Delta 36-725 appears to be a better bet in a full size new saw than the R4512 (or nearly identical Cman21833) ....it also has a better fence IMO.

Good luck, and please let us know how you make out.

 

[wapakfred]

I had that exact saw/fence for for 15 years or so, bought new. It's an excellent saw and will do everything the normal hobbyist would expect. The factory motor is labeled as being 1.5HP on 120V, and 2 HP on 240V. It's actually a 2 HP motor and de-rated on 120V to meet some UL requirements. That said, I've seen in the past 12-15 months one listed as low as $200 (with the cheaper fence) and another at about $300 with the Unifence, though it probably wasn't as nice as they one you show. It would serve you well, but I'd try to get it for a little less. Scott's advice is spot on (always is!) and let us know what you decide.

 

[danoxendale]

I am a little worried about the dust collection on this unit. Looks like I might have to enclose the base in order to keep some of the dust at bay on the delta. If the ridged saw didn't have alignment issues would you think this is a better saw to go with?

 

[ste6168]

IMO, at $350, this would be the saw the go with… At $450, I would save another hundred and get the 36-725. At that price point though, I would be hard pressed to save a bit more and get the Grizzly G0771.

 

[joebob1611]

Looks to be in great shape. I bought one of these used about 2-3 years ago with a 40" Biesemeyer fence, mobile base, and a router table w/ router in the right extension for $325. It's been a really good saw. I put a link belt and machined pulleys on it and a new blade and have had zero issues. $450 does seem high. I think the $325-$350 range is more reasonable.

The 4512 is no better than this one, except it is left tilt and will have a riving knife. You're getting a much better fence with the Delta, though. Biggest problem with Delta is getting spare parts. It may have gotten better lately, but I haven't looked to see.

 

[danoxendale]

UPDATE
I emailed the seller of the Delta saw, and he is un willing to sell this saw for less than 450. The condition of the saw does look quite good and the unfenced is a great fence. A few of you folks have said its not worth the 450 price tag. Maybe I need to keep looking?

The 4512 is still intriguing to me even with the blade alignment issues (sounds like its hit and miss with the units and I just need to take a chance and return it if its having issues).

I looked at the Grizzly G0771 and it looks like a great saw but with freight charges and taxes it would end up being almost 850.00 and would probably need to put a better fence on the unit as well.

I think I might be a little more lost now then I was before starting this thread.

 

[pwk5017]

I have that exact saw that I purchased for $250 last July. It had a mobile base, unifence, splitter/guard assembly, and same 32" rails. I then added a link belt($40), wixey gauge($50?), Forrest Blade($110), I will be pricing mine at $400-450 when I go to sell it in the next 6 months for a cabinet saw. Everyone keeps throwing out how its overpriced etc, and to be fair, I don't think it is. Back in 1997-1999 or whenever this saw was new, it retailed for $900, I believe. Calc that out to today's money and you are over a grand. This was never a budget hobbyist saw. I would say if you can get it for under $400 you did well. All those new saws don't come with a forrest blade. I would argue their fence isn't as good as a unifence either. Also, for what its worth, that delta saw was made in America with an American motor-atleast mine was. No way would I gamble with the ridgid over this saw. $400 would be a fair buy, $350 would be a good deal. I would ding him on the table oxidation, looks like it was left to rust for a bit, then cleaned up.

 

[knotscott]

Ultimately, it's up to you. Maybe he'd thrown in the dado set if that's something you're interested in. There are a handful of opinions here that the price is a tad high, but that doesn't mean you won't love it, or that it'd be a bad buy for you. I have to admit that I overlooked the Forrest blade, which could be worth in the range of $50 if in decent shape….maybe he'd accept a lower offer if he kept the Forrest blade.

...maybe we could all email him offers of ~ $325, making your offer look more attractive! ;-)

 

[wapakfred]

Scott nailed it again, it's what the saw is worth to you, not us, that matters. To be honest, I sold mine for $450, but that was about 14 years ago and mine had some extras. But the market you're in also determines the price, if it's sells in that area it's not too high. In any case, if you like it, go for it….we can't make value judgements for you. As for the DC, it can really be done up to work quite well. You are correct, you do have to do some enclosures. I put a store bought flange on the bottom of the cabinet that covered the bottom hole perfectly, and accepted a 4" DC hose. For the opening where the motor is, I tried a few thing…first I cut a couple of baffles to fit around the belt and bracket and held them on with one sheet metal screw in each side (they were in 2 pieces). That actually worked OK, but was a PITA. Everytime I tilted the blade I had to remember to remove the baffles, something that didn't always work out. The I just built a box around the whole motor assembly that was supported by the outfeed table. This has the disadvantage of making the outfeed table a semi-permanent fixture, so if you move your saw against the wall (like I did in my garage at the time) it's also a PITA….in that case the baffles are better, but put them on with rare earth magnets; much easier.

 

[pwk5017]

At $450 its not a bad buy, but its certainly in his favor. Look at what I would be selling for $400-450. You would get all he is offering, plus a mobile base, link belt, and wixey gauge. I would wait him out a bit. The old guy I purchased my delta from started at $450-500, If I remember correctly. I messaged him the minute he posted it, and I ended the negotiation civilly by saying, "let me know if it doesn't sell in a few weeks, and you want to see it go to a young guy just getting started". Well, it was a month later and it still hadn't sold, so I emailed him again. At that point he just wanted it gone and I grabbed it for $250. A good buy, but the saw needed some work with changing out the belt(bounced around with the old v belt), new switch, and some other minor stuff. Oh, and mine didn't come with a blade either, let alone a forrest. My point is these things add up, and at the end of the day, my "bargain" price was close to $400.

 

[davidcarp]

I have a Rockwell 34-440 saw much the same as the one in the CL photo.

Recently I purchased a Vega pro fence for $300, a shop fox mobile base for $80 a palls for $20 and the pully and link belt for $50, total $450.00.

My saw has the sheet metal wings and is not as good a shape as the one in the CL photo. It does not have the table extension.

I believe all the posts where people quote their used purchase prices, I just never ever seem to find a deal similar to those people post.

FYI, My saw is not sealed at the table to sheet metal housing (there are big gaps all around), the motor is suspended off the back and tilts with the arbor, there is a big opening in the back (it would be difficult to seal), the base sheet metal creates shelves for saw dust to collect. It is going to take a log of work and expense to get my saw adaptable to a dust collection system.

The new grizzly combo is near $675, there is a post that I just read this morning on this saw.

 

[wapakfred]

It won't really be that hard to get acceptable DC on it. You do not want to seal it, only direct the air flow somewhat. Dc requires lot of air flow, and you can't have that in a sealed cabinet. Doing what I suggested above will work fairly well, and be inexpensive.

 

[pwk5017]

Forgot that I put PALS on mine too, its a necessity.

Dust collection is good on my saw. I put a 6" flange on the bottom like someone else mentioned. 3hp Grizzly cyclone doesn't leave any dust in the cabinet. If I had a blade shroud above the table, I would be good to go. The above the table is an issue for the vast majority of new and used saws out there.

I actually think everyone is coming to the same conclusion on this. This saw is a mobile base or PALS/link belt away from being worth $400-450. Its just a smidge overpriced, because it lacks one or two more accessories. If that's a forrest dado stack, I think you have just the right accessory to make it a fair deal.

 

[BroncoBrian]

UPDATE
I emailed the seller of the Delta saw, and he is un willing to sell this saw for less than 450. The condition of the saw does look quite good and the unfenced is a great fence. A few of you folks have said its not worth the 450 price tag. Maybe I need to keep looking?

- Rightousdan

Buddy - don't take the comment too seriously. That saw is in great shape and this is a free market. That seller knows what condition his saw is. I'd rather pay the extra $100 and get what I want than find a guy who will drop a price quickly because he just wants it gone or it is misrepresented.

The Rigid saws are not worth buying. Don't bother with that thing. This is a much better value saw and a fair price if it really looks in great shape. A lot of guys with Rigid saws would snap their fingers and throw a $100 down to make it a Delta as you have found.

Not everything has to be the best deal ever. Buy fair, sell fair.

Also, if you buy that grizzly and have a change of heart, you will have lost about $400 on it. As you can see, many people won't pay for something that is in good shape.

 

[davidcarp]

Dan

I agree with Brian. Why quibble over this price. This is a good, well cared for and set up, saw.

As you can see from my post I just, in the last 3 months, put $450 into my saw to get it near what you are buying.

According to what you said in your original post you are new to wood working. It is hard to know what features you will want in the future. Go with this saw and if you become an expert cabinet maker buy a big cabinet saw later. In the interim you will get a lot of use out of this saw. I bought mine new in 1980.

If you want to play the bargain game it is not effectively played over the telephone, it never is. You go there, talk it over, show your money, in cash. That is the only time you will know what he is willing to sell it for. Maybe in your negotiation you get him to throw in his dado set. Maybe he doesn't budge.

If you are not in a hurry then wait. If he doesn't sell it at his price he will come down. But then again someone else might buy it tomorrow for his price.

Unless you know exactly what you want, and this isn't it, I would show him (4) $100 and be prepared to pull the last $50 out of my glove compartment. Just my take.

 

[danoxendale]

Well…I missed the ship on this one. The seller had sold it right as I was getting into the car to take a look at it. Ive learned my lesson today. I am kicking myself for not taking a look at it.

Another one will present itself soon. For now I am stuck using my DWE7480.

 

[knotscott]

Wasn't meant to be. No worries….there'll be one with your name on it.

 

[MrUnix]

OWWM Rule #5 strikes again.

Don't worry about it too much… like Scott said, there will be plenty of others.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[wapakfred]

Patience is your friend, you'll get one soon enough.