Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• Includes left tilt, 3 HP single phase motor for powerful cutting
• 50" Biesemeyer commercial fence system
• Carbide tipped 50 tooth ATB&R saw blade, right extension table, adjustable steel support legs
• Two cast iron extension wings, standard insert, miter gage, motor cover and 4" dust connector

Reviews (11)

Top of the line
I bought the 3HP, left tilt Unisaw with 50" Biesemeyer fence, and I'm delighted with it. I had some questions on adjustments, and their tech support personnel were great - prompt and well-informed. The Southern accent was just a nice bonus for this displaced southerner (I work for Yankees, but that doesn't mean I have to like it :).

In contrast with another reviewer, I can't get mine to act up at all. It handles everything I've thrown at it as though I'm asking it to cut 3 sheets of paper, ho-hum. And that includes some long-ish cuts in 2 1/2" thick oak. No thick maple yet, but that's on the docket soon.

There was a warning on the assembly instructions about attaching the extension table legs in a different place if you were using a mobile base. I ignored the instructions and had to remount the legs in the right place (doh!), so be sure you pay attention there.

I waited a while to get this Unisaw, and figure it's the one piece of shop gear I'll never need to replace. Maybe I'll update it in 20 years with the latest laser-guided fence doohickeys or whatever is new then, but the saw and motor will easily outlast me. And I'm not too old or decrepit yet!

Delta Saw
Saw was delivered without difficulty. Package was in good shape. Assembly was not as easy. Extension wings were not labeled left or right, but they were not too hard to level. The splitter assembly was easy but the plastic blade guard is a real pain to work with. It is in the way of everything you want to do on the table surface. The motor cover is very nice but the holding screw is all the way at the bottom so you have to lay on your stomach to see it and get it out.
The Biesemeyer Fence is very well made. However it came without 2 packages of hardware and mounting screws so I had to call and have them sent. That took another 10 days to mount the fence system.
Overall I am very pleased with the saw. I expected a little more QA on the packaging with all needed parts but sometimes it happens.

Excellent product, weak customer service
I purchased my Delta unisaw several months ago and it is everything that I had expected and more. Works like a charm, flat table, easy to assemble, and accessory items mate perfectly. I read a lot of reviews, spoke to a lot of people, and Delta was highly recommended. I was a bit concerned about the overheating and wiring issues some reviewers were having, but this saw runs perfectly. I think some of the reported wiring problems must be a result of not clearly understanding or following directions.

I had a few minor problems during setup (a few missing parts and a minor problem with the sub-base) and had reason to work with Delta customer service, both in Tennesee and the local service center in Ontario, CA. I was not very impressed, as many of the answers I received were wrong or poorly thought out. People on the phone usually were not well informed on the product and had to ask someone else before getting an answer back to me. I tried using email, and the responses were very late and of poor quality (contrast with Grizzly customer service........quick responses to email, couteous and helpful). Over the phone I would often get different answers depending on who I spoke with.

One Amazon reviewer recently mentioned the z-brackets that were missing from his Biesemeyer extension table. He was told that it was the result of a misprint in the manual. I also was missing the angle bracket and z-bracket. After weeks of going in circles with Delta cusomter service, they sent me three of each. So, they do exist and they actually can help for fine leveling adjustment of the extension table. I also did not get the hollow handle for the miter guage, as they shipped a solid metal handle. (It is not really important as I have gone to an Incra miter guage) but I asked them to send me the correct handle. Well, they shipped me three handles (the wrong handles, the same one I already had) but they also shipped me three caps (in a separate bag) that are made for the hollow handle that I had asked them to send. So, it all went in the trash.

If the saw lives up to expectations, I will never have to deal with Delta customer service again. Let's hope.

As I mentioned earlier, I also purchased accessory items (mobile base, outfeed table, t-square blade guard)...and all arrived in good shape, installed easily according to assembly directions, and work well.

Nightmare! I don't know what to do!
I ordered a Delta Saw ( 5 hp version) on March 13, 2004. I received 3 boxes out of 4 on March 29. The freight company told me that they left the other box ( Biesmeyer) in Kansas. I called the freight company today and they told me they could not locate the package. They told me to get in touch with Amazon. Amazon doesn't respond to my e-mails. In the meantime my orders are getting cancelled. What a nightmare!
I heard a lot of good things about this saw. I wish I could use it and write a nice review about it.

Everything I Was Hoping For
I held off for a long time in buying this saw. I looked at as many other alternatives as I could find and I researched everything I could get a hold of. I wanted to be sure I was getting the best for the money and that I was going to have the saw for a long time. The Jet was very appealing but when I called about 13 cabinet shops everyone agreed that the Delta was a better machine. Just to note though, they all thought the Jet was an excellent option if couldn't afford the Delta.

So it came down to value. When you consider that one of the free tools Delta is offering is the mobile base (Which works incredibly well) and it comes with a free, high quality, blade the price is very reasonable.

The assembly was so simple that I am very confused by other reviewers that had problems. I did need someone to hold the extension wings while I bolted them on. But other than that I did it myself with a very big smile on the whole time.

I don't' need to mention the performance nobody ever questions it. ... Read more

Features

• Oversized On/Off switch with full overload protection
• Full floor to table cabinet for maximum stability and dust collection
• 1-3/4 HP Continuous-Duty, Fan Colled Motor with single Poly-V belt design for smooth motor to blade power transition
• Extra-large table surface with left and right side cast iron wings
• Left-Tilting blade tilts away from fence

Amazon.com Review

While laser guides for miter saws have been available as aftermarket add-ons for a few years, this saw is one of the first we've seen from a major brand to incorporate lasers in the design of a saw. The saw itself is the same excellent 12-inch compound miter saw Delta has been selling without a laser. It has a powerful 15 amp motor, a sliding fence, integrated dust collection, and a comfortable grip. The tool is solidly constructed and designed to stand up to rigorous professional use. The laser system used on this saw works a little differently than some of the available aftermarket systems. Instead of making a single laser line on the lumber showing where the cut will be, this system projects two lines to show the material that will be removed by the kerf of the saw blade. So, as the saw is beveled, the space between the lines gets wider to accurately reflect the extra material taken out by the blade coming in at an angle. The lasers can be adjusted to match the blade you're working with. We were big fans of Delta's original 12-inch miter saw, and the addition of the twin laser system makes it that much better. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 15 amp motor for powerful cutting
• Horizontal D-handle for more comfortable operation
• Nine positive stops at common angles for quick setup
• Extension wing and sliding fence provide added material support

Reviews (22)

Outstanding Saw
Just completed 40 feet of custom kitchen cabinets using this saw and could not be happier. Setup is fast, easy and clearly described in the manual. The laser sights are easy to line up for any particular blade, and marking stock prior to cutting has become a thing of the past... I simply line the mark on my tape measure on up with the laser mark, remove the tape and cut. No lowering the blade to see how I line up...awesome!

Only two comments for potential purchasers... the lasers tend to pick up sawdust - which reduces their brightness. A shot of compressed air takes care of that problem.

Also, the saw has built-in receptacles for a material hold-down device - which is available on some Delta saws - but is not available as an option on this saw.

Bottom Line: This is a great saw.

Solid and accurate
I bought this saw to replace a starter model Craftsman 10" miter saw that I had for about five years, which was fine for simple cuts but which never could handle a compound cut, no matter how I tried to square it up.

I actually bought a DeWalt 705S before this Delta, but the DeWalt has a serious engineering flaw that revealed itself almost immediately once I started using the saw -- see the reviews on this site (including mine) that address the poorly engineered miter locking system on the DeWalt. After returning the DeWalt, I spent some more time shopping around and reading more extensive reviews. After checking out the saws, I chose this Delta.

The Delta has been a joy. Simply put, it is built like a tank. Still, with aluminum fabrication, it is not noticably heavier than comparable saws.

Mine required some minor adjustments to the positive stops on the 90 degree and 45 degree bevel, but everything else (lasers, blade to fences, etc.) was dead on from the factory.

The action is smooth and has a solid feel to it. Many of the tensions are user adjustable, so you can customize the action to your liking.

The saw has rubber feet that keep it stable even if it isn't bolted down. (Contrast that with the DeWalt 705S, which slides all over the place if you don't mount it.) Delta also has a clever system that allows this saw to be mounted on 2x4s for worksite use.

I replaced the 40T carbide blade that came with the saw with an 80T ATB Freud blade, which does wonderfully. Changing the blade on this saw is a fairly simple matter, requiring the same size wrench to loosen the blade guard and the arbor screw; an adequate wrench is included with the saw. (The DeWalt had Torx screws.) The 40T blade itself makes pretty clean cuts and would probably suffice for framing work, but it's a bit too drastic for trim work.

Changing the blade to one with a marginally thinner kerf required an adjustment to the left laser, which was easy to make. The lasers live up to their billing, painting lines across your stock that show exactly what the blade is going to remove. It makes it easy to line up your marks precisely without doing the old pull-the-blade-down-duck-and-check-the-mark routine.

The extension table and sliding fence were simple to install and are nicely machined. I agree with the reviewer who suggests the clamp for fine work, though; the surface is fairly slick and, as a result, the blade can make the wood slide to the side a bit if you're cutting a 45 degree miter.

The cookie cutter Porter Cables are also nice. But, as it's the same saw, why not take Delta's two-year warranty instead of PC's one-year warranty?

I would buy this saw again in a heartbeat.

And take note that the reviewer who claims below that the product number is misleading apparently does not understand that the 36-255, like the 36-255L, is not a dual bevel compound miter. The laser is the difference. I do note, however, that the "technical details" on this site at the time I'm writing this misstate the plug type. It is a two-pronged plug, not a three-pronged (grounded) plug. The motor also has externally accessible brushes, contrary to the technical details (see p.19 of the manual).

Excellent Saw. Period.
First, I have to say that I'm just SO impressed with this saw! I've used many different brands of saw before, but never a Delta, so I didn't know what to expect. So let's start from the beginning:

Arrival -
Saw came in a VERY sturdy box. We're talking like 1/2" thick cardboard here - well packed and secured. Box acted as temporary stand for about 3 weeks... Everything was in the box and everything was labeled. Nice...! Word of caution - be careful getting the saw out of the box - it weighs almost 70 pounds! The box and the packing were good indications of the quality of the saw...

Setup -
The saw is technically ready to go out of the box, but the left table and fence extensions needed to be attached. If you don't want to use those, then you really are ready to go. But guess what? They actually provide little hand tools for this. Very nice touch.

Alignment -
After attaching the extensions I followed the instructions for aligning the saw. The manual very nicely described every detail of this process. To my surprise, the fence was 90-to-the-table and the blade was both 90 and 45 to-the table OUT OF THE BOX! Factory aligned - very impressive. The lasers were also perfectly aligned to the factory installed blade. So, I technically did NO alignment whatsoever.

Impressions after use -
Blown Away. I bought this saw for the dual purpose of both chopping large stock and trim work. First I chopped some 2x4s. Factory blade is perfect for this. It did a great job -what else can I say? I know cutting 2x4's is exciting...but... I then threw a Freud 96-tooth blade on this, re-aligned the lasers and did 3 rooms of crown flawlessly. The blade change on this is the easiest of any saw I've used. The miter lockdown mechanism is awesome - you'll have to use to understand, too hard to explain, but you'll know what I mean when you do. The twin lasers are SO SWEET. First saw I've used with lasers and man, what a feature. That blade goes right between the lasers, dead on, no guesswork - loved em! Manual was good - clear and well written, though the black-and-white pictures were a little tough to see. They also provided a handy crown angle chart. Finally - the thing is solid. I'm old-school where weight = quality and this thing is just SOLID. Flimsy it is NOT. 70 pounds of American made steel - It's a beautiful thing!

Complaints -
To be fair, I'll try and give a balanced review, though it's hard to find things to gripe about with this saw. First thing, it seems that after about the second room of crown the lasers slowly went out of alignment. This was literally a 10 second adjustment and to be honest I was impressed they stayed aligned that long after the CONSTANT miter and bevel adjustments and the beating I gave the thing.
Second, don't like the positive crown stops. Not really a complaint, but maybe a suggestion - for the serious woodworker these stops get in the way since a corner is RARELY square. If it was close to 90 and I was trying to tap the miter close to the positive stops the saw would fall into them and I would have to start over. Minor, very minor, but I would just remove those positive stops for crown in the next version of the saw cause they're kinda useless.
Third, the saw guard got in the way when I tried to cut 4" Base Molding standing against the fence. The cut went through, but not all the way - it left like 1/8". It went all the way through when I gave it a little jam...but...not something you want to do all the time.
Finally, the lasers have a separate on/off switch. This is nice if you don't want to use the lasers, but it's an extra thing you have to remember to turn off. Maybe the next version can have a timer on it to turn em off after like an hour... yeah, I forgot mine on over night once...I should unplug my power tools you say? BAH!

Conclusion -
This saw ROX. Period. I'm very impressed with every single feature on it. It weighs a ton and cuts like a dream. Everything about it screams ease-of-use and accuracy. I think this saw has single-handedly sold me on the Delta brand. I will be buying more of their products in the future.

Great but not perfect
I bought this saw to replace my Hitachi 10". The first draw back is the Delta only goes to 47 degrees as my hitachi could go out to 60 degrees. After setting up the saw and squaring up the fence I went to set up the lasers and ran into some problems. The hole milled for the left laser was slightly over sized causing the laser to jump and not be true to the blade. I took a center punch and put a couple of punches around the outside of the housing and it tightened right up. Other then these draw backs this is a great saw. For the price you just can not beat it. I still can not believe the Porter Cable (same saw) is so high priced.

You Won¿t Be Disappointed in this One!
The fit and finish of this product are outstanding, and the accuracy is everything that you could want. Other reviewers have addressed the many outstanding qualities of this miter saw, but there are a couple of things I'd like to add.

Not only are the twin lasers a joy to use, they are exceptionally easy to adjust if/when you change blades. You just clamp a hunk of scrap to the table, and cut a shallow kerf (which is to say, don't cut all the way through the board). Then you simply turn on the lasers - which don't require the saw itself to be running - and use an Allen wrench to adjust each laser to match its side of the cut. If only all the tools in my shop were this easy to adjust!

Speaking of clamping to the table, if you place an order with Amazon for this unit, you'll want to think about possibly adding a pair of Delta 36-221 Work Clamps. These fit into holes in the front of the 255L's base and hold your work against the back fence. Don't be thrown off by the fact that the Amazon picture shows them vertically; they actually run horizontal to the table and press the work against the back fence. If you want a vertical clamp to hold your work down against the table, you'll need the Delta 36-218 Miter Saw Clamp (Amazon carries it, too).

One of the other things no one has mentioned is how quiet this saw is. I'm sure the blade is a significant factor, but using both the factory supplied blade, and the Freud 80-Tooth Thin Kerf blade I replaced it with, I noticed that this saw is much quieter than my table saw, radial arm saw, or Skil saw (and yes, Honey, if you're reading this, I do always try to remember to wear my hearing protection like you asked me to). ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Delta's 28-206 band saw is a smart buy for the serious hobbyist interested in curve cutting and light resawing. The 1-horsepower 120-volt motor delivers smooth, quiet, reliable power, while the saw's nine-spoke wheels deliver more accurate tension on the blade, reducing vibration. The heavy cast-iron trunnions likewise minimize vibration to the blade. A closed base reduces noise and keeps dust off the motor. For curve cutting, the large 16-by-16-inch table provides excellent support for workpieces, and tilts to 45 degrees for bevel cuts. The saw handles stock up to 6-1/4 inches thick with a throat capacity (the distance from frame to blade) of 13-3/4 inches. The lower blade guide on this saw rests only 3/4 inch below the table, which minimizes the deflection in the blade and provides cleaner cuts. When the saw is not in use, the tension-release lever extends the life of the blade. It also makes switching blades quick and easy. The saw comes equipped with a 4-inch dust port, a smart feature you won't find on other band saws on the market today. Package includes 3/4-inch woodcutting blade and instruction manual. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• 2 year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 1-horsepower induction motor provides cool, quiet power
• Quick-release tension lever
• 9 spoke computer balanced wheels eliminate vibration under load
• Blade moves at 3,000 surface feet per minute for efficient cutting

Reviews (9)

Good value for the money
I bought the 28-206 despite the fairly negative reviews here
because I liked the lower guide design, the quick tension release feature, and the integrated dust port. I figured I
could make it work better with the suggestions of previous
reviewers.

Most of the saw's strengths and weakness were already given
in previous reviews. I'll say that delta has been very
responsive in fixing my problems. The sloppy lower guide
can be fixed by replacing the rail with the rail for the
US made saw (part number 426-02-004-0001), the US made rails are slightly thicker and wider,
and completely eliminates the slop. On paper the center of
mount holes are about 1/16" off, but in practice mine went in without any problem.

The vibration problem experienced by everyone is mostly due
to the flexing in the sheet metal stand. I bolted some
1" angle iron under the stand that help a great deal. As
long as I use a link-belt, the
saw passes the nickel test most of the time while running
and cutting, but the nickel falls over on start and stop.
I plan to add more angle-iron reinforcement in the future
to eliminate the remaining flex.

My remaining problem is that my saw's driven pulley came
dented, and it has been back-ordered since January. I work around
it by using only the low speed since the low speed side of
the pulley is OK. The saw cuts really well and the motor
has power to spare when resawing 4-5" cherry. Someday I'll
add a riser block and I'll know how well the motor handles
thicker wood.

The only real downside to this saw is that the left tilt
is advertised at 3 degrees, I got about 7 degrees in practice,
but the small amount of tilt makes it tricky when using the
saw to cut dovetails.

If you want a perfect saw out of the box, skip this one
and look at other brands or delta's US made 14". If you
don't mind doing some work yourself, this is an inexpensive
saw that can be made into a very good saw.

runs good, but hard to assemble
Well, I haven't got a chance to use the saw alot yet. It seems to run great, but the assembly was challenging. The pulleys would not align. I called customer service. A tech called back about an hour later. He said to reverse one of the pulleys. This would certainly solve the alignment problem. It didn't. I had to drill out the holes in the base to form slots. I could then slide the saw over far enough for better alignment. R&D might want to provide these slots. It might have prevented two hours of cutting up a brand new saw base.

Not worth the money
I bought this Delta bandsaw 5 months ago, and have not cut a piece of wood yet! The machine vibrated so bad that I was scared to use it.

I spent $$ on aftermarket parts to cut down on vibration. I hired a local machinist to make the stand more sturdy. I phoned Customer Service 5 times. They were friendly and sent me several new parts. The local Delta Serviceman has the saw now. After 6 weeks of work, he just called to tell me he cannot fix the vibration and has given up trying.

I do not recommend this saw.

Great Value, excellent saw with some work.
First, allow me to say that, in my opinion, this is by far the best value band saw in its class. Where else could you find a machine with these specifications and (most of) Delta's reputation for quality and service? After working out some of this new model's wrinkles, you can own a very versatile saw with a large 16" table, a quick tension release, and a good amount of power. But, for your savings, be prepared to do a little fussing to get everything just right with this saw.

Let me tell you about my experiences, and most importantly Delta's excellent response to some picky little problems I encountered. I can tell you that I am a very fussy guy and know quality when I encounter it, and will settle for nothing less than "how things should be." When I discovered this saw was totally manufactured in China, I decided I would hold Delta's feet to the fire and demand the same level of quality found in their U.S. made saws, and I think I'm close.

I have been in the machine tool business for 28 years, selling metal working machines, and I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. This saw is not bad and can be made good, very good with your effort and persistence. If you are not one to take on such challenges, you can purchase less saw for equal money, or plan to pay quite a bit more for something with equal specifications and fewer rough edges; Perhaps as much as $300-$400 more. For me, woodworking is a hobby and I would like to put that much money elsewhere.

The Good:

In most ways this is a typical Delta cabinet band saw. The 1 H.P. motor has sufficient power, the unit is beefy and most Delta parts and accessories are interchangeable.

The cabinet doors are on hinges, and can be easily opened; quite convenient.

The table is larger than their other 14" band saws.

The blade tension release lever is something I would never want to live without again, never. It's so convenient and would normally cost an additional $150 or so.

The saw is a two-speed unit.

The height adjustment is very accurate and doesn't require readjustment of the guides when the elevation is changed.

The Bad:

The lower blade support assembly is sloppy because the bar it connects to is a poorly, undersized and pretzel-shaped piece of sheared hot rolled steel.

The bottom, hinged door on mine was tight and would bind up, sometimes even popping open on its own.

It's hard (impossible in my case) to perfectly align the motor with the pulley on the saw, but with some fussing around, you can get it close enough.

The cast iron parts are not quite as refined as the American units, but acceptable.
The height adjuster is a bit stiff to move up and down, but I presume Delta wants it to be this way so it won't fall down and pinch my delicate fingers. I noticed it has a rubber surface inside its bore for better grip. With time it will probably work a little easier. Silicon lubricant might also probably help.

The saw is not quite as vibration-free as it could be, and Delta is working on this with me, sending me some new pulleys and an upper band wheel. I think the top band wheel is perhaps a bit out of round or out of balance. When I run the saw without a blade, it's quite smooth. I am confident I can resolve the very slight vibration I am experiencing. Also, to be fair to Delta, my saw is on a mobile stand, not the best base to minimize vibration, and I do have the height extension block installed, too.

Some comments about Delta's excellent service:

When I pointed out the problem with the lower band cover's hinge, Delta overnighted a new cover. It was there the very next day.

When I advised them of the sloppy lower blade guide assembly, they got with their engineering group to confirm my observation, and machined a high precision part that now works like a dream. I trust if you call them they will have this part (now) in stock. The American part won't work only because the holes are spaced differently, but the bar is the same dimensionally. It's a little tricky to install, but only about a 20-minute job.

As I said, I am confident I will be able to resolve the slight vibration problem I am experiencing. It's not really enough to worry about, but like I said, I will hold them to my standards.

Conclusion:

If you don't mind purchasing a Chinese built machine from an American company, and you are willing to work out or accept some of the rough edges, go for it. It's a great value, all things considered. The only thing I can imagine that may be a future problem is the Chinese built motor. It looks good, but who knows. Everything else should last as long as any other Delta 14" band saw. Hope this is a helpful review.

Bandsaw Needs
Ordered this saw as a replacement for a smaller bandsaw. Easy to assemble but you'll need a second person for safety. The quick tensioner is a nice touch and the fit and finish are adequate. The only negative is that the two wheels were not co-planer as delivered but the addition of a 5/8" shim washer took care of that issue. I always test my power tools by removing the blades and checking the runout and no load vibration. This tool is adequate but not outstanding. I replace the drive belt with a "link" belt but that didn't help much. I purchased the Delta because I always buy "made in USA" if possible. Guess what: made in China. If I had known that I would have purchased the Jet 14 bandsaw. Overall the Delta is a good solid bandsaw. When I finally find a permanent spot for it I will bolt it to the shop floor. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This was one great saw even before the Delta designers took it back to the drawing board. But the improvements they made, along with Delta's trademark quality, make this saw one of the kings in the radial arm world. The new design will have you cutting up to 16-inch widths of 2-inch stock at 90 degrees. Miter cuts have greater capacity now too, to 10-1/2 inches at 45 degrees left and 11 inches at 45 degrees right, all powered by a 1-1/2-horsepower motor. Among the nicer changes are the new depth-of-cut control handle and locking levers, which Delta positioned above the table for easy access. Whenever you buy a radial arm saw, you're going to have to spend some time setting it up and calibrating it, but this one seems to hold its adjustments better than most, and the cast-iron track, column, and column support offer rigidity and continued accuracy. As you've come to expect with better saws, an automatic brake will stop the blade in seconds. The table's a good 27 by 44 inches, providing plenty of stock support. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Powerful 1-1/2 HP capacitor start, capacitor run motor
• Increased miter cuting capacities in nominal 2-inch thick stock: 10-1/2 at 45 degrees left and 11 inches at 45 degrees to the right
• New depth of cut control handleand locking levers are positioned above the table for easy access
• Cast iron track, column and column support for rigidity and continued accuracy

Reviews (6)

Never use it - wish I hadn't bought it!
I bought this radial arm saw to use as a dedicated saw for dados. The pressboard table warps with every change of the weather, requiring frequently releveling. I generally just change blades and use the table saw instead. I wouldn't buy it again.

rating the radial
I am a female, and thought a woman's point of view helpful. I had considered ordering a more expensive radial, but the shipping was out of sight, so I thought long and hard about this one. I am glad I went this route. The saw was easy for me to handle, and assemble. The directions were clear and precise (once I could figure them out) and most worked well for accuracy aligning. I was able to get it aligned without any problems. The table is hard to level, and I find the arm control lever at the back hard to reach to lower or raise the saw. The guard is hard to manuever and is rigid. The table was not nearly high enough so I have it on sitting on boards (works great). I wish there was more cover with the guard, but it is okay for now. The saw is quiet and seems efficient. I cut a little higher fence for thicker boards. Mine will only be used for dadoes, and I think I am going to be glad I went with this particular model. I have been happy with Delta tools in the past. The price is reasonable, and shipping and delivery were great. Didn't take long to get it put together. It will get a lot of use with my projects.

Some Good - Some not so good
The market for Radial saws is very limited in the $500.- $800. price bracket. I basicly had two choices a Delta or Ridgid. I purchased the Delta because it had a cast iron arm instead of stamped welded steel. The saw went together easily with the exception of leveling the table this took 3 attemps to get it right. The instructions for adjusting the saw were very clear and all the adjusting screws & bolts had a solid quality feel. I feel that this saw will hold its settings.The blade guard binds when it is rotated and must be jiggled to move it.( a little sanding may smooth things out.) The controls for adjusting the height and all other adjustments work very smoothly. The blade & motor unit was a little hard to slide on the arm and had to be adjusted. ( still not as free & smooth as the Ridgid but not a problem ) My first cut was right on the money
a solid 90 Deg. A nice feature is a switch on the motor to change from 115 V to 220V. I have not used the saw much but the more I use it and become familiar with it the more confident I become that I made the right choice. Cross cutting wide lumber is what ths saw is all about & that it does well. If the blade guard moved smoothly I would have given this saw five stars.

the only choice on the market for rabbets and dados
I debated for a long time on whether to get this or one of the compound sliding miter saws. I needed something to do rabbet and dado cuts on long pieces of lumber, for making shelves and other furniture, and this was the only real choice on the market. The larger radial arm saws are way too expensive, and from what I read, the miter saws are only good for through cuts, not measured depth cuts.

A radial arm saw is also the only saw to buy if you're cutting oddly shaped items or doing really difficult cuts. It has adjustments on every axis, which makes it very versatile. I've seen people put a chuck on one of these and use it as boring machine and a router for odd shapes. Radial arm saws are almost completely off the market now, except for high end units, so this is the about average consumer's only choice for these kind of cuts.

This came very well packaged, and was easy enough for one person to set up. I had a little trouble leveling the table, and it seemes kind of cheezy the way it is done, but I finally got it right.

This saw generally has enough power, if you don't get in a bind with warped lumber, when it will stall out. This is probablly good, rather than a higher powered saw, which might throw the piece back at you.

My main complaint with this saw is the difficulty of adjustments, especially the height adjustment. Strangely enough, it is easier to raise the blade than to lower it. It goes up easy enough, but trying to lower it back down is very difficult, like it is adjusted too tight. I actually lifted the saw off the floor trying to turn the height lever to lower the blade. Since you have to raise it and lower it everytime you change miter or angle of cut, this can be quite a hassel.

There seems to be only a positive stop at 90 degrees, which I always double check, and the attached gagues aren't that accurate, so you've got to use a sliding protracter for any miter or angle cuts.

The floating lower blade guard gets stuck sometimes, and I ended fixing it in place in its highest position. At least the whole blade guard isn't totally useless like what comes on table saws.

Overall, a pretty good saw, but for the price I'd expect it to have better guages and some positive stops, plus be easier to adjust. Sometimes I end up cutting a piece on the table saw because this is such a hassel to adjust. I've used this saw for furniture, and to rebuild my deck (a lot of wood hauling). For building projects, I may end up getting a 12" sliding compound miter saw yet. This is a good, but not great saw. A better one would cost twice as much.

Rock solid
I had a tough time deciding on whether to get the Delta 10" vs the 12". Finally deciding on the 10", I received it in the mail. It came well packaged and ready to go. The piece itself is really sturdy and cuts perfectly. ... Read more

Features

• Includes two year limited warranty on parts and accessories
• 1-1/2 HP, 115 V motor
• Cast iron tables
• Two capacitor motor
• Carbide tipped blade and choice of fence packages

Features

• Side extensions and vertical work clamp provide support and stability for an accurate cut
• Powerful 15 amp, 3500 rpm motor for maximum cutting power
• Large horizontal handle is positioned to reduce operator fatigue and provide better control
• Tall sliding fence and extensions for extra support
• Extra large chute and bag provide superior dust collection

Reviews (2)

Totally Satisfied
I bought this saw after being totally confused from viewing so many models at Home Depot and other retail outlets. But could I really buy a heavy woodworking machine over the internet?! Would I do that?!

Well, I did.

I am totally a happy camper as a result. It didn't even have to be calibrated -- it was right on the money at 90 degrees right out of the box.

The posting by the other reviewer really influenced my decision. Thanks to you (who ever you are).

Great saw, awesome price!
I had read many reviews on miter saws on the web and got a pretty good idea on what to look for I took a strait edge, square and indicator to the store with me and carefully inspected all the saws I was interested in. I was surprised to learn that the table on most of the saws moved a good bit out of alignment when the miter setting is changed to 45 degrees and set knob is tightened. All of the saws moved to some extent, but the Dewalt 705s I originally was going to purchase proved to be the least stable, the Dewalt 706 was nearly as bad. The Dewalt 10", Dewalt 12" sliding saw and the Delta 10" were the most stabile of all I checked. Neither of the two 10" saw tables moved when tightened. The Delta MS450 was the most stabile of the non-sliding 12" saws I inspected.
I decided to buy the MS450 based on my findings. I took it home and checked the settings, no adjustments were needed. I decided to put the saw threw its paces and was very pleased. The saw cuts without effort and sliced threw a pine 4x4 like it was air. The motor is both quiet and powerful at 15 amps. I made some 45 degree miter cuts on 3" oak and the resulting 90 degree angle of the assembled pieces was a precise as my square could reveal . The saw itself seems to be well made and the base of cast aluminum seems very rugged. The included extensions are a bit thinner then the Dewalt extensions, but they are solid and more then ample. The included "piece stop" works fine and is adequate for its use. The included clamp is Ok, it will move wood away from the fence when initially clamped if you don't keep an eye on it. Most likely I will become used to it and grow to like it after becoming familiar with its idiosyncrasies. The only negative thing I can think of is common to most of the saws I saw. Most have a 40 tooth blade which is a bit too coarse for making fine cuts. I bought a 100 tooth blade for fine cuts, the 40 tooth blade will be fine for most purposes and I intend to use it more then the 100 tooth.

I am an above average woodworker but hardly an expert. I am an electronics technician and mechanic by trade with my main skills being in industrial electronics, computers and precise metal work. My main reason for purchasing this saw was to be able to make cuts accurate enough to build attractive cabinet frames, doors, to be able to make single cuts on 6" trim and be able to cut 4x4 posts at home. I have never done crown molding, but have decided to give it a try so I need some precision. My tendencies in tool purchases are a balance between quality, usability and cost.

My understanding is that the MS450 was designed to compete directly with the Dewalt 705. If I were using a saw daily to cut heavy lumber without regard to precision, I would buy the Dewalt 705 as I believe it is built somewhat more rugged and would take the daily abuse of a jobsite slightly better.
For making more precise cuts with some occasional heavy cutting by a hobby woodworker the Delta saw is much more then an average user will ever need and it will give great service for many years.

This saw was bought at Lowes. Initial asking price was $250, to my surprise the cashier gave me a $50 rebate slip at the register. Total cost of the saw after tax and rebate will be $217. 87. This is an amazing value for an accurate well built 12" compound miter saw! ... Read more

Features

• Includes two year limited warranty on parts and accessories
• Ultimate cut cpacity
• (2) reversible squeeze sliding fences
• Cast carry handle
• Flipout crown stops

Reviews (5)

Evaluated a lot of Miter Saws
I bought this saw to do precise molding work. The saw has the capacity that Delta states, but, here are the negatives:
The miter table was not flush with the base. This creates a problem when making precise cuts. I mentioned this to Delta and they felt that the saw was in tolerance. So I went to Lowe's and put a square on all of the miter saws displayed, about 4 Deltas, 3 Hitachis 4 Dewalts and 1 Makita. All of the Delta miter saws resulted in their miter tables not being flush with their bases. All the other machines were machined near perfect. My two other complaints are simple. The (what I call, for a lack of a better term) "tear drop" bevel pointer was very difficult to read when positioning the bevel to other degrees than 0, 5, 10, 20, etc. Lastly, the saw is quite heavy. To some, this may not be a problem, however, for on site work, it may become an issue.

Great wonderful saw
I was at a wood woorking convention one day (looking for a mitersaw) and i was stuck between this and the dewalt, this saw has the same capabilities plus many more. The sliding clams beat the dewalt's screw down clamp, with minor ajustments this saw does 80% of my jobs for me. It is worth the money.

Delta 36-412 review
Like another reviewer I too researched a lot of saws. I didn't need the slider capability, but did want max capability short of the slider. After looking at various brands, I found that on several (Dewalt the worst) that the table lifts slightly when the mitre knob is tightend. I found all the new Delta models to be dead on, regardless of what setting you select and tighten the knob down. The 36-412 is dead on.

I suggested this saw as a birthday gift to my lovely wife who decided to give me one. I have only had it a few days, so this review is first impressions.

Most adjustments were dead on out of the box. Only the L & R 45 detends needed a hair of an adjustment. This is easy to do with the cam adjustment mechanism. A brillant idea. Beats most of the other methods I have seen.

This saw is amazing. All controls are upfront (except for the Bevel stop over rides), and easy to use. The scales are large and readable. The miter scale has a 1/2 degree vernier, that with some practice could give 1/4 degree accuracy. The capacity is excellent. The trick for cutting the 9" high stock on the fence is the articulated rear guard moves up as needed. Really slick. The 60 tooth blade that comes with it is excellent for general carpentry, but I plan to replace it with a Forrest blade in the near future for furniture work. No laser, but that is a "nice to have", that I can live without.

Overall an outstanding tool.

Lots of searching lead me to this saw...
I had done a lot of comparison shopping and price was not really an issue. I looked at sliders, regular and everything in between. For me this saw will do probably 99% of everything I need it to do. For that other 1% I have other power tools to handle those tasks. Capacity is great and the fence adjustment is slick. Mine was set up pretty good right out of the box. Everything checked perfect with the exception of a minute adjustment to the right hand fence. Not an issue in my opinion.

I was torn bewtween this and the Delta TwinLaser 12". I wanted dual bevel more than the lasers...although I bet they come out with that combo soon! Unfortunately I just couldn't wait. The crown stops are also nice. They will speed up your cuts dramatically.

Works for me.....

DELTA Is King Of The Mountain
I am a tool columnist for two boat-building magazines. I have never seen a non-slider saw with this cutting capacity! Delta has an actuation geometry that allows their 12" saw to even out cut the only huge 15" name brand miter saw. The blade is very good with a non-stick coating for smooth cuts all day long. The fit and finish is superb and the new crowns molding flip-up adjustable stops are a feature every saw should have.

The price of this saw makes it a fantastic deal. This saw should give any woodworker an edge because it is consistently on the money. I know several carpenters who do not have room to put a sliding saw in their truck. They have been dealing with saws that could only cut a diminutive 2"X8" board at 90 degrees. This new Delta has given them the freedom to cut much larger crown molding.

Now Delta has also provided the largest line of accessories for any compound miter saw in the industry. They have a complete selection of biesemeyer extension tables and great clamps to make sure your project stays on the table. Delta has accessory blades, mobile stand, flip stops and gang stops ready to put the finishing touches on an already super saw.

I also put my dial indicator and machine squares on this fantastic machine. Everything was perfect, even the dramatically new double blade guard. The adjustments for the sliding fences will make you flip at the ease of use. So if you need more than your moneys worth buy the Delta 36-412, it has my highest rating.

John Cupp ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machine, parts and accessories
• 1 HP induction motor for longer tool life
• Cast iron table for optimal stability
• 2 cast iron extension wings for working with wider stock
• T-square style fence system for straighter, more accurate cutting

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• Includes a left tilt, 5 HP single phase motor for heavy-duty cutting
• 50" Biesemeyer commercial fence system
• Carbide tipped saw blade, right extension table, adjustable steel support legs
• Two cast iron extension wings, standard insert, miter gage, motor cover and 4" dust connector

Reviews (3)

Lost in the jungles of the Amazon.com
I ordered this table saw on March 17,2004 and up until now I could not use it. ABF freight systems lost the guide for the Bisemeyer fence. On March 29, I received 3 pallets out of 4 and ABF said they will complete the order by that Friday. The following week (Wednesday), I called ABF and they told me the piece was missing. Tried to contact Amazon.com, account was suspended for reasons they can't explain later. For one whole week I couldn't get in touch with them. Can't send them e-mails. I got so frustrated, I typed the words "amazon.com" complaints on yahoo.com. My3cents.com came up and I got the Amazon.com customer service number. In the meantime, ABF is still looking for the missing piece. Customer service is no help at all. They should call it Customer Diservice". Everytime you call them you have to tell them your story and they will relay your problem to the tool departrment that would answer you if they want to. And if they ever answer they will give you a wrong information. Last week I told them that I want to return the table saw. Their attitude is OK no problem. They don't have any idea that the table saw weighs 450lbs. and I have to hire somebody to unload it from the ABF truck. The following morning, I sent them an e-mail telling them that instead of me sending them back the table saw why don't they just send the fence. Then they answered me back. They said the original missing piece was found and is on the way. This time, they contacted me by phone. I called ABF just to make sure if it's true and they said nothing is on the way to me. I tried to contact by e-mail (3 times for 2 days), no answer. I called the "customer diservice" and told them the story over again. After 30 minutes the same customer disservice person who informed me that the fence was on the way 2 days ago told me again that it's on the way and it's in Kansas. I called the ABF discrict manager again and he told me again that "nothing's on the way to you". I ordered the table saw on March 17 and today is April 20, I still couldn't use my table saw. I guess my order is lost in the jungles of the Amazon.com.

Amazing Saw
After nearly a year of saving, I ordered my Delta 5hp left tilt unisaw. What an incredible machine. During assembly everything went together perfectly, including the rolling stand. The saw performs flawlessly. The Biesemeyer fence is a joy to use. I had doubts about whether 5hp was overkill -- not at all! The extra power makes sawing a smoother and, therefore, safer task. As I put the saw together, my twelve year old son was on hand. This is the one tool in my shop that I am certain will be his someday.

Best Cabinet Saw
This saw is awesome. Cuts 2" pecan, hard maple, oak, etc, effortlessly. The Biesemeyer fence system is the most accurate and sturdy I have found. I cann measiure NO deflection of the fence even with heavy hand pressure laterally. Infeed and outfeed tables are high quality and relatively easy to assemble. The addition of a Forrest Woodworker II blade makes it just about the "perfect" tablesaw. Produces mirror smooth rips and crosscuts in all wood types used so far. The miter gage is "acceptable" but one would think that Delta would come up with a better one for use with a saw of this quality. Settings on the accompanying gage cannot be relied upon without several test cuts. ... Read more

Features

• Variable speed from 600 to 1650 strokes per minute for cutting a variety of materials
• Heavy-duty 2-amp induction motor
• Up front, tool free adjustments for blade changes and tensioning
• Large cast iron table with above table bevel scale and 3 legged steel stand
• Removable dust collection box with adapter for vacuum hookup

Reviews (1)

Nice Saw For The Money! ** 3-3/4 STARS**
Performance is very smooth and the dust collection box is a nice addition to this Delta Scrollsaw! The lower blade clamp is difficult to use due to limited area available to move fingers around in...NOT recommended for anyone with arthritis! Dust blower needs major improvement in pressure but for the money, all in all, this is a good saw. The stand reduces vibration 100 fold and the On/Off lock switch is a great idea for anyone with youngsters around. Extended table is a great improvement for supporting large, delicate fretwork pieces and the tilt table is great for beveled wood working. This is a nice improvement from my last Delta Scrollsaw but Delta still needs to make changes to the increase "available work space" in the lower blade clamp area to make it more "user friendly" before I'd consider giving it a higher rating. I've been operating a scrollsaw for over 7 years to make my living and so far... so good with this model! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Your days of crown-molding anxiety are over. The Shopmaster MS250 makesquick work of that and any other tricky angles you can come up with. Its 13 amp, 5200rpm motor drives its 10-inch blade through two-by-sixes and four-by-fours in one pass.When it's time to tilt, the MS250 makes it quick and easy. The easy-to-read bevel scalehas adjustable positive stops for quick settings with a bevel range of negative 3 to plus 48degrees. Like its relatives in the Shopmaster line, this saw comes with a clear blade guardthat retracts at the cut as well as an electric blade brake that stops rotation in seconds. Forall its power and features, the MS250's aluminum alloy construction tilts the scale at just28 pounds. Another nice feature: a dust bag is included, keeping mess to a minimum inand out of your workshop. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 13-amp motor for powerful cutting action
• Crosscuts a 2x6 or a 4x4 at 90 degrees for a variety of applications
• Electric blade brake stops blade quickly
• Pre drilled base holes for easy bench mounting

Reviews (10)

Good Saw for the Non-professional
I purchased this saw to trim out a room I added in my basement. Excellent value. Solid 13 amp motor easily does the job. Easy to adjust. Bolts to the Delta table stand using existing mounting holes. Include dust bag and blade. A clamp for material would be a nice added feature, but can be purchased as a add-on.

Excellent value for the price.
I already owned a sidekick (sliding compound miter saw). I purchased this for more portable use and lighter weight. Look around for the Delta package that includes a free extra blade, extension cord, tool holder, tape measure, and builder's sqaure. If you find that, you've got quite a deal. Great for small trim work. I've used it for quarter rounds, base, etc. Setting the angles for compound cuts by hand does require some care. But single angle cuts are a "snap" with the positive locks at 45, 90, etc.

Delta MS250 Shopmaster 10" Compound Miter Saw
ASSEMBLY: Assembly was straightforwoard and took less than 30 minutes.

SETUP: Blade alignment was acceptable out of the box. Miter stops were accurate but the bevel indicator was off and difficult to adjust.

PROs and CONs: This saw has produced nice clean accurate cuts. However, the bevel indictor is difficult to read accurately.

POS
I have used one at school several times and it is great for theather were accuresy is not a concern be other wise it succs. its fence is not tall enough to stack two 2x4 on face and cut sfly. It is 13 amp not 15 amp. the mitewr scale is pathetic no verner agustment for fine tuning miters no preset stops.blade guard dose not side or move well at all.

5 Stars for value!
This is an excellent miter saw for the money! It comes with instructions on how to adjust it because it is not a precision saw out of the box. Actually mine needed no adjustments (Lucky?).

My first cut was thru a 4X4 treated landscape timber and it was very true to square, cut very fast and was suprisingly accurate.

I've not done any trim work yet but everything is tight and measures very accurate.

For the money, you can't go wrong (BTW, I bought mine at Lowes).

I'm just a typical homeowner and very pleased. ... Read more

Features

• Oversized On/Off switch with full overload protection
• Full floor to table cabinet for maximum stability and dust collection
• 1-3/4 HP Continuous-Duty, Fan Colled Motor with single Poly-V belt design for smooth motor to blade power transition
• Extra-large table surface with left and right side cast iron wings
• Left-Tilting blade tilts away from fence

Amazon.com Review

Delta's 28-276 band saw is a smart buy for the serious hobbyist interested in curve cutting and light resawing. The 3/4-horsepower 120-volt motor delivers smooth, quiet, reliable power, while the saw's nine-spoke wheels deliver more accurate tension on the blade, greatly reducing vibration. The heavy cast-iron trunnions likewise minimize vibration to the blade. For curve cutting, the large 16-by-16-inch table provides excellent support for workpieces, and tilts to 45 degrees for bevel cuts. The saw handles stock up to 6-1/4 inches thick with a throat capacity (the distance from frame to blade) of 13-3/4 inches. The lower blade guide on this saw rests only 3/4 inch below the table, which significantly minimizes deflection in the blade, a big plus. When the saw is not in use, the tension-release lever extends the life of the blade. It also makes switching blades quick and easy. The saw comes equipped with a 4-inch dust port, a smart feature you won't find on many other band saws on the market today. Package includes 3/4-inch woodcutting blade and instruction manual. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• 2 year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 3/4 horsepower induction motor provides cool, quiet power
• Quick-release tension lever
• 9 spoke computer balanced wheels eliminate vibration under load
• Blade moves at 3,000 surface feet per minute for efficient cutting

Reviews (10)

Not a bad Bandsaw for $399.
Took me about 2 hours to assemble the saw, all the holes were drilled in the right places and the welds were good. Bolts were hard enough so they didn't strip out when tightened. Bought a Mobile base from Sears right away because of limited space in my little shop. When properly adjusted the saw ran fine, vibration occured at first because of incorrect adjustments on my part, but after that it was quite and ran very nicely. Although you can get a better saw, and ofcourse pay alot more money, this band saw will satisfy me very nicely as I'm retired and on a fixed income. I'd recommend this saw highly, inspect the product very closely before you assemble it to make sure all parts are properly machined and align right, this is something you need to do with any product you have to assemble.
Happy Band Sawing!!

Don't buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I received this saw for Christmas and I am gravely disappointed with the Chinese way of craftsmanship. I have used the saw for approximately 15 hours. During this time it usually does not work longer that 15 minutes without something going wrong. The upper tire comes off every few minutes and both wheels are out of balance. The machine vibrates uncontrollably and is horrible to use. Save yourself a lot of heart ache and buy something else, preferably made with pride in the United States.

Very Disappointed, Manufacturing Defects Galor...
My wife bought me this saw for Christmas and I was very excited. A Delta bandsaw! Great! Wrong, wrong, wrong.

After hauling the 240 pound box (weight is good right?) into my shop I realized that the saw was made in China! That's too bad, but hey, I thought, those are the times. They can make good tools in China, right? Of course, my Dad tells me that Lowe's was proudly displaying this saw as "Made in the USA" but that's a whole different story.

As I assembled the saw I found three different serious manufacturing defects. The first two I overcame using an anvil, hammer, grinder, files, and time. The last one defeated me.

1) One of the legs for the base was not bent close enough to a right angle to fit the base. Normally you can fiddle around with a part like this, get the bolts through, and then tighten the bolts down to line things up, but this was so off that I could not even got two bolts through the holes in the base. Hammer. Anvil. Messed up paint, but hey at least I don't have to haul that 240# back to Lowe's, right?

2) The tack welded nut on the base that holds the engine stop bolt in place was welded off-center to the hole in the base. This made it impossible to thread the engine stop bolt into place. Grinder. Files. Gouged base and messed up paint, but hey at least I don't have to haul that 240# back to Lowe's, right?

3) The hole in the front cast iron saddle that supports the table was mis-drilled. The vertical bolt that drops out of the bottom of the table is supposed to fit through this hole. Unfortunately, the shaft for the bottom blade bearing adjuster passes about 1/8" too close to the hole and the bolt can't pass through. After much scratching of my head and thoughts of "why won't the bolt just drop through the hole" I realized that it is just poor casting or machining. This one I couldn't really figure out a way to fix, so I guess I'll have to haul that 240# back to Lowe's.

I'm going to buy a band-saw from some other manufacturer. It will probably be made in China, because I want to spend around $400 for it, but it will be from a manufacturer that can perform QA/QC at Chinese factories, a skill that Delta seems to lack.

Very poor quality for a Delta product.
I bought one of these. My wife and I managed to haul all 240 pounds of it down into the basement, where I spend most of a day setting it and a mobile base up. Then I tried to use it. I spent a lot of time adjusting, because nothing was remotely right in the setting. Then I fired it up. It ran for a few seconds, than made a lot of noise. It threw the top tire. I got it back on and got everything running again, but it continued to throw that top tire, either gluing to the back of the saw or jumping off the front. After much fiddling, Mary and I hauled all 240 pounds back up stairs and I returned it and bought the Jet JWBS-14CS instead, which is a far superior saw.

The 28-276 (and the 28-206, which is basically the same saw) is of very poor quality. The castings have lots of slag on them. There is massive slop in the adjustments. The top guide can be easily deflected. Some adjustments are very difficult to reach. The belt caused massive vibration. The lower wheel had 0.035" wobble and the upper wheel had 0.020" of warp. Delta should seriously reconsider importing this saw.

Not Bad
I just purchased this saw and I am pleased. However, there are a few flaws that I did not expect from Delta.

I wasn't aware that this particular saw was not manufactured in the US. This is not uncommon. Other manufacturers do this as well, but they do have their own quality control people there (Delta included). Even so, I still think that there is a compromise in quality.

When I unpacked the box, everything was there and in good condition. The instructions were clear and I was cutting wood in about 45 minutes. Cutting was clean and effortless.

The band saw, aside from the base, is mostly assembled out of the box. I did have to fine tune the factory settings, but this is not uncommon. The positive stop for setting the table at 90 degrees to the blade needed adjustment and the tracking on the upper wheel was out. The blade guides needed adjusting, but these are not set at the factory because the adjustment changes with each type of blade.

Now for the negative stuff. The knob for the upper access door was stripped out when it came out of the box and the lower access door did not line up with the catch that holds the door shut. The on/off switch is attached to the saw via a bracket that is screwed to the main casting of the saw. This bracket, which is factory attached, did not line up with the holes in the casting at all and the switch was very crooked. I removed the switch and elongated the holes in the bracket so that they would align properly. The last thing that bothered me was the lower blade guide assembly. The fit to the machine is sloppy and allows movement after you make adjustments. These flaws may seem trivial, but I would expect anything from Delta to be flawless.

Overall, this is a good saw and I would recommend it to anyone with previous experience with bandsaws. Some of the set-up may be tricky for a novice, but not impossible with some patience. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

With easy portability and adjustment features built for speed, Delta's Sidekick 10-inch sliding compound miter saw makes a great cutting partner. Weighing in at only 56 pounds, the Sidekick is definitely designed for the job site, rather than the woodshop. Unlike other saws in its class, the Sidekick's entire base pivots--a distinctive feature that surely helped Delta build such a lightweight saw. The entire stand and saw also conveniently fold together for one-person carrying; it's pretty slick. The saw's dual horizontal rods are located underneath the base, too, which certainly protects the saw's slide and also seems to give the saw a lower, more stable center of balance. The ergonomic D-shaped handle is comfortable for either left- or right-handed use. The cam-action miter lock--always a good idea with miter saws--is definitely quicker and easier to use than the old traditional screw locks. This saw only bevels to the left, however, and setting the miter gauge requires more effort than we'd like. The scale is set from behind the fence, which means you have to lean over the saw a bit to set your angle. It isn't a hassle, exactly, but it might be more effort than finish carpenters--who have to dial in exact angles all day long--would like. However, anyone would appreciate the stock stops, which extend up to 59 inches down the stand. As is standard, Delta's Sidekick has positive stops set at 0, 22-1/2, 31.62, and 45 degrees. Spinning a 10-inch blade at 5,000 rpm, the Sidekick cuts widths to 11-1/2 inches at 90 degrees and 8 inches at 45 degrees. It's a good, solid saw, all in all, especially for contractors who want big cutting capacity and who are tired of lugging heavy compound miter saws and stands around. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 15 amp motor for powerful cutting
• Quick action miter lock for faster miter settings
• Electric blade brake stops blade quickly for added safety
• Dust bag collects fine dust particles and wood chips

Reviews (20)

brilliant saw
what can i say-been humming and arghing about buying a delta machine,not so popular here in the uk,but at first i bought a dewalt 720 ras,didnt like it so took it back and exchanged it for the sliding 780,wow i thought nice looking machine very smooth etc; only thing is carnt get ass over here,found the delta in a wood working mag and thought get it,it came today and im really impressed,so easy to set up the manual is one of the best detailed instruction manuals i have ever had with a tool,it cuts better than the dewalt can u believe that,also can do dado cuts,that to is better than the dewalt i am totally over the moon with it ok mitr setting is a bit fiddly but you get the hang of it.also had change left over so i bought the delta belt sander with stand ,havnt set that up yet,but carnt wait,what else can i say its the best of the sliding mitre saws also tried the makita but this baby out strios them,soppose now im going to be a delta fan,dont know why i didnt buy this baby a long time ago.so to had it all up if your looking for a sliding mitre saw THIS IS THE ONE... Cheers Mike T.uk.

GREAT SAW, GREAT PRICE
With a little research I found this saw to be a great deal with the included stand and stock clamp. (Every other saw you have to pay extra for every attachment.) I do everything from little projects around the house to large framing projects and this saw can keep up. It is kind of nice not to have to lug a bulky 12" saw around and a separate stand to each job. In short, I have had it quite awhile now and have never had any problems. So long you don't need to cut a piece of stock any wider than 11.5", I would recommend this saw to anyone, professional or not. I also found the dust bag to actually work, this was bonus. Give the table time you will get used to how it locks into position. Put a 60 or 80 tooth blade on it and it's great for finish work. Happy woodworking...

can't go wrong
I just finished my first project since purchasing this saw. I'm impressed, It does everything I had hoped. A great tool that makes for a great finished product. If cosidering a 10" or 12" compound miter saw look at the sliding compound miters, they are worth the extra money. With features like the built in stand that doubles as a stand with movable stops for making multiple cuts of the same length up to 28" long. Plenty of pomer at 15 amps. If planning to do large crown molding look at the 12" sliding compound miters. Most cuts this saw will make for a lot less money than other sliding compound miters. The only draw back is a short fence when cutting moldings. I'm looking forward to using it for future prjects.

Powerful saw. Great portable setup.
The saw is great. It has all the power you will ever need for any wood or composite trim work. And I've used mine for very heavy work including cutting old and very dry 1" solid oak old barn floors. The stand is excellent for portable work. Although I will warn that the extensions aren't very tight, so don't count on them for a square cut. When folded the legs act as arms for a 2-person carry. Therein does lie one other criticism. It's a big large and akward for a single person. So consider a smaller saw without a stand if you work alone and have to carry it around.

Compact, Powerful and Portable
I've owned my Sidekick for close to 4 years and have used it on various projects both inside and out. The collapsible stand with built-in extenders makes it great to put in the back of almost any vehicle for remote projects. I've made a variety of forms that I use with my Sidekick to speed up repeated length cuts and complex angles. Being a "slider" it allows you to cut larger pieces of lumber as well - 4 x 4, 2 x 8, 2 x 10 are a breeze. This is one power tool that goes on every project with me! ... Read more

Features

• DELJ9

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 2-hp motor for powerful cutting
• Built in automatic blade brake to stop the blade quickly
• Crosscuts 3-3/4-by-14-3/8-inches at 90 degrees, rips 24-1/4 inches
• Turret arm allows use of full table surface for left or right cuts

Reviews (3)

Excellent saw!
I've had my Delta 33-890 12" Radial Arm Saw for almost a year and a half now and I'm just as happy with it as I was back in March of 2002. Not being a "professional" woodworker, the [money] price tag was a tough pill to swallow, but one look at Delta's 10" saw (the arm height adjustment on top of the column? whats up with that?) or the Craftsman 10" saw, made the decision much easier. The 10" saws are toys, mostly plastic, with a flimsy, cheap feel to them; perfect for the weekend warrior who needs to crosscut some pine 1Xs. (I suppose, in a perfect world, Delta would make a 10" saw with the same quality as the 12" model...I want the 12" QUALITY, more than I need the 12" CAPACITY). The 33-890 12" Saw is very solid, well constructed, all steel or cast iron. My unit had a shipping weight of 320 lbs (everything...including the skid it was on) and it's definately a two person job to set up. Since my saw is part of an 18 ft. custom made saw table, incorporating my Delta mitre saw, I didn't use the legs that came with the saw, but they were very well made and appeared quite robust. I would say it took 3 hours to fully unpack and adjust the saw before use. All adjustments turned out to be dead on right out of the box, except for the 4 point levelling of the table. The manual is well written and easy to understand. The blade that comes with the saw is a bit cheesy, but not bad to start with. I'm currently using a Freud blade. All in all, this is an excellent piece of equipment and a pleasure to use. The action of the saw is smooth as silk and the 2hp motor is very capable. It's a saw that the experienced hobbyist can grow into, and worth every penny. I would highly recommend that you look at the 10" saws and see how cheap they feel.....you'll want the 12" saw...I guarantee!

A Great Saw
This is an excellent saw! It has a very heavy duty frame and leg assembly. Very sturdy throughout. All cuts are precise once all setup adjustments are made. The motor has more than enough power for cutting dado's or making thick cuts. 10" saws look delicate next to it. It's made in the USA, exhibiting excellent quality throughout. The only saw that might be better, would be one made by the "Original Saw Company", and you will spend alot more. For the money, this saw is hard to beat. No complaints here. I'm very happy with my purchase.

Crosscut master
I replaced my "antique" radial arm with the Delta 33-890. What a difference! I build furniture, and I had trouble with my old one staying square. The Delta is built like a tank and after initial setup and adjustment I've never adjusted anything and it's always dead square. It has plenty of power to crosscut 3" thick White Oak planks. I rip on a tablesaw so I can't say how it does in that operation. The only complaint about the saw is the steel blade provided with the saw. It seems to me that for the money this machine costs, they could send a carbide tipped blade. I put a Forrest WW1, (12" 60T) blade on my saw and this is the best crosscut saw I've used. ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 1-1/2 HP induction motor for smooth power and long performance
• 10" cast iron wing, stand belt and pulley guard
• See-thru blade guard with splitter and anti-kickback attachment
• Miter gage, V-belt, arbor, motor pulleys, 30" commercial grade Biesemeyer fence system complete with right side extension table

Reviews (4)

Great table saw if you don't have room for a cabinet saw
I assembled this saw by myself - even mounting the cast iron extension wing - and had no problems. Takes some time to put it together but you really get to know how a table saw works. I found that the saw table was flat front to back, side to side and diagonally (within 0.005" - the thinnest feeler guage I have) measured with a feeler guage set and 24" precision straight edge. Both the cast iron extension wing and the extension table were easy to align and planarize with the main table. Once again flat within the limit of my measurement. I suspect the surface was nearly perfectly flat as I could see no light under the edge of the straight edge. The blade was parallel with the miter slot out of the box. The Biesemeyer fence was parallel with the miter slot out of the box. The only adjustment I had to make was setting the 45 and 90 degree stops which was quite easy. The extension table requires that you drill holes in the wooden support and it does take some time to get the saw table and extension table planar and flat which needs to be done before you drill holes in the support. Fit and finish were excellent - no marred paint or other blemishes on any component. Rewired the motor for 230V using the wiring diagram provided on the motor plate. Cuts like a hot knife in butter using the provided blade. Excellent saw for the serious hobbyist.

Love the B-meyer fence...but what about all the dust
I have owned this saw for about 1 1/2 years and I have found it is powerful enough to cut through everything I have put in front of it. The Biesmeyer fence is rock solid. My only complaint is a huge one for me and that is the dust collection inadequacies of this saw. I worked in my home's basement for 1 year and this saw made that arrangement impossible. Short of building a dust collection stand under the saw (Wood Magazine Oct. 2003) there is no way to collect the saw dust. I have moved to the garage and continue to use this saw. I am really sorry I did not forsee the dust problem and pay the $$$$$ for a cabinet saw. The fence is great, but I expect more for the money.

Great Saw
This is my first table saw purchase for my home workshop and I couldn't be happier. Everything arrived in great shape. Took about 4 hours to get setup and aligned. Plenty of power, cuts like a dream. No complaints at all.

Extremely Pleased with my purchase
I did a lot of price and feature comparison before purchasing the Delta 36-507X X5 table saw. This is the first table saw I have owned and I truly believe I made a good purchase. I initially spoke to my uncle, an avid woodworker and Jet saw owner. He recommended the Jet or Delta lines to me. Price and feature comparison was the reason I decided on the Delta, as well as the 5 year warranty.

The saw was received in excellent condition, the Biesemeyer Fence had some paint wore off the guide tube but it was minimal in size and fortunately in a location that is not obvious once installed. The assembly directions for both the saw and the Biesemeyer Fence were pretty straight forward and in a logical order. Assembly and adjustment took about 4 hours and that was with no helper, and at an unhurried pace.

The saw has plenty of power wired for 115 volts, I cut one and a half inch stock walnut and it did not bog down and audibly the saw barely changed in pitch. I was very impressed with the ease of adjustment of the fence with respect to squaring it up to the table. Overall I am extremely pleased with the saw/fence combination and am sure it will meet all my needs for the projects I intend on making.

I have also ordered from a local lumberyard a 50-317 mobil base and extension. The 50-317 is a combination of the 50-277 saw base and the 50-284 extension base.

Overall, for the price, ease of assembly and adjustment, and most importantly performance I would highly recommend this saw to the semi-serious to serious woodworker. ... Read more

Amazon.com

REVIEW: The X5 is one of the finest pieces of machinery we've seen. It's the right-tilt version of Delta's magnificent Unisaw, and everything from the motor to the finely machined T-slots is nothing but the highest standard. Take the motor, for example: It's a 3-HP, single phase 230-volt with full-voltage starter. It flawlessly powers a positive-traction, three-belt V-drive that runs between two massive lifetime ball bearings for no--and we mean zero--vibration. The table is cast-iron, smooth as glass, along with two cast-iron extension wings and a beautifully laminated table supported by rock-solid, leveler-footed steel legs. Riding along the huge 76-by-27-inch table surface is a 50-inch Biesemeyer fence; there's none better, period. It's ruggedly built of nine-ply Finland birch and high-impact laminate that's hand-fitted to solid steel angle iron and tubing and glides and locks like a dream. The three-point locking system, built-in steel tape and hairline pointer assure accuracy to within 1/64-inch, even at its maximum 50 inches to the right of the blade. Even the arbor is a piece of perfection, precision-ground, stress-proofed and flange-faced after production. Inside this 600-pound saw's cabinet is a clever slope that directs sawdust right to the 4-inch duct collector chute to eliminate clogging in the cabinet. Quality saws always have a T-slot for the miter gauge, and this one's no exception, allowing you to extend Delta's super-precise Auto-Set miter gauge far beyond the front edge without tip-out or instability on both sides of the 10-inch blade. The right-tilting arbor allows you a max cut of 2-1/8 inches at 45 degrees, putting big gorgeous bevels well within your reach. If it's precision, perfection and power you're after, this is the last saw you'll ever buy.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 3 HP single phase motor for powerful cutting
• 50" Biesemeyer commercial fence system
• Carbide tipped 50 tooth ATB&R saw blade, right extension table, adjustable steel support legs
• Two cast iron extension wings, standard insert, miter gage, motor cover and 4" dust connector

Features

• Includes two year limited warranty on parts and accessories
• Powerful 3 HP motor provides plenty of power for cutting thick hard woods
• Industrial miter gage for accurate cross cuts
• Finely machined cast iron top with full beveled front edge
• 4" Dust port in rear for efficient dust collection