Photo Index - Delta / Rockwell Mfg / Rockwell-Delta - Unisaw model 34-405(?)

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta / Rockwell Mfg / Rockwell-Delta
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	10"
Submitted By:	William Pierce

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Unisaw model 34-405(?)
Date of Manufacturer:	1943(?)
Serial Number:	6-2292
Last Updated	7/26/2006 1:53:01 PM

Comments:

This is my wonderful old Unisaw. I purchased it in 2004 in the condition shown in the first photo. The saw had worked for about 50 years in the factory of a well known company. It was sold to an employee when the shop in which it was used closed, and that gentleman gave the machine to his son from whom I bought it. Although the Unisaw had been maintained over the years, the top has a number of scars and scrapes and even some heavy scribe lines, and the left wing is an 80s replacement. Nonetheless the top is very true, and the cosmetic defects don't impact the quality of cut.

A representative at Delta advised that the serial number reflects 1943 manufacture. In addition to the oval motor opening, this unit has the built in "floor" in the cabinet and the dust door with inner liner. The round hole that appears below the motor opening in the "before" photo allows attachment of a 5" dust collection fitting to a hopper/slide arrangement which plant employees had added inside the cabinet.

The seller had replaced the original 3ph motor and related switch and installed new (red!!!) cabling. Unfortunately the new 3hp Delta/Marathon motor which he had purchased did not fit the oval opening, and as a result the saw would tilt only about seven degrees. To the best of my knowledge, new motors with the "C" bracket and short configuration necessary to accommodate the old oval cabinet opening are unavailable. One's alternatives are to find a working old motor or to recut the cabinet opening (not recommended) to allow sufficient room for the longer new motors to tilt. Fortunately another local member of OWWM sold me an appropriate vintage Rockwell 1 1/2hp motor which currently is wired for 230 volt operation using heavy duty (black) cable like the original. The three belts are Power Twist, and, yes, the machine passes the "nickel test." The house-type switch (it really is a very heavy duty, motor-rated switch) which appears in the photos since has been replaced with a magnetic starter/thermal overload protector.

I cleaned, checked, and lubricated each operating component, stripped and painted the cabinet, and repaired the Unifence which accompanied the saw. A vintage Uniguard (not shown), which I found on eBay, works exceptionally well for me, since I usually crosscut to the right of the blade. I use the guard in conjunction with a Biesemeyer removable splitter. With help from OWWM contributors I found a manual and parts list and numerous other valuable tidbits, and, through eBay, managed to find some small parts that were needed, including the locking pin and wedges for the blade elevation mechanism. The knob on the dust door is broken, and I've bid on numerous auctions of doors in order to get a replacement knob but without success. If anyone will sell me this knob for less than the value of my house I'd be most appreciative!

The saw did not come with the "goose egg" motor cover, so to improve dust collection I built a small box which I attached using the holes drilled and tapped by Delta. My box has a door which affords easy access to the motor area. This by no means is original, but it is very effective. With this vintage Unisaw fully operational and with the new extension and outfeed tables and mobile base constructed, I placed the machine into regular use and sold my modern saw.

Photo 1:

Comments: Saw as purchased
Source:

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IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Saw after reconditioning with shop built extension and outfeed tables
Source:

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IMG Code