I went to the local Delta dealer the other day because I knew the Delta
rep was in town. I'd been trying to choose a bandsaw, and was deciding
between an American-made Delta 14", the Jet 16", and the Powermatic 14".
They had last year's American Delta (28-299B) on the floor--$850 with
riser block and fence included, minus 10% (they have 10% off all Delta
tools for the month of December--I may have to go pay another visit).
Anyway, I was chatting up the rep & hemming & hawing about the saw, so
he offered to throw in a mobile base free. That just about convinced
me, but I figured I should at least check the table for flat. Well, it
was clearly not flat, and as he was saying that of course he'd order me
a new one, I happened to look at the new Delta Chiwanese 14 incher next
to it with the bigger table. He saw me looking and asked if I'd like
him to replace the bent small table with a flat big one--that was
enough, bought the saw on the spot.

I've only had a little time to play...er...work with the saw at this
point, but so far I'm very happy with it. I don't have any vibration
issues as at least one poster here did--it passes the nickle test, even
on the mobile base. I can't say that I've stressed it at all, but it's
had no problem with anything I've thrown at it so far, and I've only
given it the most rudimentary of tune-ups and am using the blade that
came with it (gotta order some Timberwolf blades this weekend). The new
table arrived today, and I am a happy camper.

-Forrest

Do you think it vibrates too much ?

--
The software said it ran under Windows 98/NT/2000, or better.
So I installed it on Linux...
"Forrest Chamberlain" wrote in message
...
I went to the local Delta dealer the other day because I knew the Delta
rep was in town. I'd been trying to choose a bandsaw, and was deciding
between an American-made Delta 14", the Jet 16", and the Powermatic 14".
They had last year's American Delta (28-299B) on the floor--$850 with
riser block and fence included, minus 10% (they have 10% off all Delta
tools for the month of December--I may have to go pay another visit).
Anyway, I was chatting up the rep & hemming & hawing about the saw, so
he offered to throw in a mobile base free. That just about convinced
me, but I figured I should at least check the table for flat. Well, it
was clearly not flat, and as he was saying that of course he'd order me
a new one, I happened to look at the new Delta Chiwanese 14 incher next
to it with the bigger table. He saw me looking and asked if I'd like
him to replace the bent small table with a flat big one--that was
enough, bought the saw on the spot.

I've only had a little time to play...er...work with the saw at this
point, but so far I'm very happy with it. I don't have any vibration
issues as at least one poster here did--it passes the nickle test, even
on the mobile base. I can't say that I've stressed it at all, but it's
had no problem with anything I've thrown at it so far, and I've only
given it the most rudimentary of tune-ups and am using the blade that
came with it (gotta order some Timberwolf blades this weekend). The new
table arrived today, and I am a happy camper.

-Forrest

I didn't even think the X-5's vibrated badly; just the 28-299A.


dave

David Binkowski wrote:

Do you think it vibrates too much ?

Anyone know the difference between a 28-299A and 28-299B???
BillyBob

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..
I didn't even think the X-5's vibrated badly; just the 28-299A.


dave

David Binkowski wrote:

Do you think it vibrates too much ?

yup.


dave

BillyBob wrote:

Anyone know the difference between a 28-299A and 28-299B???
BillyBob

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..

I didn't even think the X-5's vibrated badly; just the 28-299A.


dave

David Binkowski wrote:


Do you think it vibrates too much ?

Care to elucidate on the topic?

BillyBob

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..
yup.


dave

BillyBob wrote:

Anyone know the difference between a 28-299A and 28-299B???
BillyBob

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..

I didn't even think the X-5's vibrated badly; just the 28-299A.


dave

David Binkowski wrote:


Do you think it vibrates too much ?

The 299A includes the fence and mobile base, the 299B includes the fence
and riser block.

-Forrest

BillyBob wrote:

Anyone know the difference between a 28-299A and 28-299B???
BillyBob

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..

I didn't even think the X-5's vibrated badly; just the 28-299A.


dave

David Binkowski wrote:


Do you think it vibrates too much ?

Thanks Forrest....
BillyBob


"Forrest Chamberlain" wrote in message
...
The 299A includes the fence and mobile base, the 299B includes the fence
and riser block.

-Forrest

BillyBob wrote:

Anyone know the difference between a 28-299A and 28-299B???
BillyBob

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..

I didn't even think the X-5's vibrated badly; just the 28-299A.


dave

David Binkowski wrote:


Do you think it vibrates too much ?

I've had a chance to inspect both bandsaws intimately, and I own one of
them. I saw no substantial changes from the 299A and the X5 that would
change its vibration characteristics.

X5 = larger table, wrench knobs to adjust table, chute by bottom wheel
goes through base to back of unit for 4" hookup, quick tension release,
base design somewhat different, called a resilient motor mount (but still a
rigid motor mount in closed steel cabinet). Its the same 3450 RPM
contractor saw motor driving the double-size sheave (the pulley that the
belt hooks to, driving the lower wheel)... I say double size, because most
saws have a 1725 RPM motor driving a pulley thats half that size.
Originally
I thought this was the cause for the vibration but when "mounting" the motor
to a bench OUTSIDE the base, there was NO vibration. I literally eliminated
all doubt by connecting the saw to the motor by nothing but the belt.
I could balance a penny on the table. That is what led me to believe the
motor
itself (or pulley) was vibrating. But after receiving it, Delta said it was
perfect.
Nonetheless I had another identical motor and it was the same too...

I basically tossed the mobile base and put it on a heavy table I
constructed.
mortise & tennon, 2x4 stretchers, 4x4 cedar legs, and 3/4" plywood top.
Some people claimed just removing it from the mobile base was sufficient
to lower vibrations but I went all the way to making a stationary (and quite
heavy) table. If that didn't do it I was prepared to mount the motor to the
floor on a large wooden block separate from the base, and fix the base to
the wall behind it (so both would stay put and in line)

--
The software said it ran under Windows 98/NT/2000, or better.
So I installed it on Linux...
"David Binkowski" wrote in message
y.com...
Do you think it vibrates too much ?

--
The software said it ran under Windows 98/NT/2000, or better.
So I installed it on Linux...
"Forrest Chamberlain" wrote in message
...
I went to the local Delta dealer the other day because I knew the Delta
rep was in town. I'd been trying to choose a bandsaw, and was deciding
between an American-made Delta 14", the Jet 16", and the Powermatic 14".
They had last year's American Delta (28-299B) on the floor--$850 with
riser block and fence included, minus 10% (they have 10% off all Delta
tools for the month of December--I may have to go pay another visit).
Anyway, I was chatting up the rep & hemming & hawing about the saw, so
he offered to throw in a mobile base free. That just about convinced
me, but I figured I should at least check the table for flat. Well, it
was clearly not flat, and as he was saying that of course he'd order me
a new one, I happened to look at the new Delta Chiwanese 14 incher next
to it with the bigger table. He saw me looking and asked if I'd like
him to replace the bent small table with a flat big one--that was
enough, bought the saw on the spot.

I've only had a little time to play...er...work with the saw at this
point, but so far I'm very happy with it. I don't have any vibration
issues as at least one poster here did--it passes the nickle test, even
on the mobile base. I can't say that I've stressed it at all, but it's
had no problem with anything I've thrown at it so far, and I've only
given it the most rudimentary of tune-ups and am using the blade that
came with it (gotta order some Timberwolf blades this weekend). The new
table arrived today, and I am a happy camper.

-Forrest

Gee, and to think some of the dimmer bulbs here think that it was just
me who knows the Deltas vibrate...


dave

David Binkowski wrote:
I've had a chance to inspect both bandsaws intimately, and I own one of
them. I saw no substantial changes from the 299A and the X5 that would
change its vibration characteristics.

X5 = larger table, wrench knobs to adjust table, chute by bottom wheel
goes through base to back of unit for 4" hookup, quick tension release,
base design somewhat different, called a resilient motor mount (but still a
rigid motor mount in closed steel cabinet). Its the same 3450 RPM
contractor saw motor driving the double-size sheave (the pulley that the
belt hooks to, driving the lower wheel)... I say double size, because most
saws have a 1725 RPM motor driving a pulley thats half that size.
Originally
I thought this was the cause for the vibration but when "mounting" the motor
to a bench OUTSIDE the base, there was NO vibration. I literally eliminated
all doubt by connecting the saw to the motor by nothing but the belt.
I could balance a penny on the table. That is what led me to believe the
motor
itself (or pulley) was vibrating. But after receiving it, Delta said it was
perfect.
Nonetheless I had another identical motor and it was the same too...

I basically tossed the mobile base and put it on a heavy table I
constructed.
mortise & tennon, 2x4 stretchers, 4x4 cedar legs, and 3/4" plywood top.
Some people claimed just removing it from the mobile base was sufficient
to lower vibrations but I went all the way to making a stationary (and quite
heavy) table. If that didn't do it I was prepared to mount the motor to the
floor on a large wooden block separate from the base, and fix the base to
the wall behind it (so both would stay put and in line)

David Binkowski wrote:
Do you think it vibrates too much ?


Not at all. Like I said, it passed the nickle test no problem.

-Forrest

if it was a Powermatic, it would pass the dime test too!

dave

Forrest Chamberlain wrote:

David Binkowski wrote:

Do you think it vibrates too much ?


Not at all. Like I said, it passed the nickle test no problem.

-Forrest

Mine's a Delta 299A, and I can balance a playing card on edge
while cutting 6x4 oak.

--
The software said it ran under Windows 98/NT/2000, or better.
So I installed it on Linux...
"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
. ..
if it was a Powermatic, it would pass the dime test too!

dave

Forrest Chamberlain wrote:

David Binkowski wrote:

Do you think it vibrates too much ?


Not at all. Like I said, it passed the nickle test no problem.

-Forrest

LMAO! Good one, David!

dave

David Binkowski wrote:

Mine's a Delta 299A, and I can balance a playing card on edge
while cutting 6x4 oak.