Okay, guys, I just got my Delta X5 14" band saw (28-475X) assembled and
running, and I'm not entirely pleased. I haven't used the 14" X5
before, so I don't know if my expectations are justified or
unreasonable. I took my time assembling it (pulleys aligned, etc.),
and I haven't added any aftermarket goodies yet.

To me it feels like the saw vibrates too much. I have it sitting on
the concrete slab of my shop floor. The lower wheel / driven pulley
didn't appear to be out of balance with the belt off (i.e. I could spin
the wheel and it would stop at a different point each time). At first
I thought it might be the included "Platinum Pro" blade (it flutters
enough to buzz against the rear blade guard every 3-4 seconds unless
you ratchet the tension way up), but taking it off doesn't seem to make
an appreciable difference. It definitely doesn't pass the Nickel Test
- starting, stopping, or running; the longest I could get it to stand
was maybe three seconds, and that was rare. It has some fit & finish
problems, but those aren't as worrisome as the vibration, particularly
since I am planning to add a riser block.

So, do any of you guys have a 28-475X that can pass the Nickel Test?
Is it just wishful thinking on my part to believe that it should? What
is the normal amount of vibration for the 28-475X (or the Powermatic
14" for that matter)?

I've got the pulleys lined up pretty well, and the saw came with a
notched V-belt. Would switching to a link belt help at all?

TIA for the replies.

Chop

wrote in message
oups.com...
Okay, guys, I just got my Delta X5 14" band saw (28-475X) assembled and
running, and I'm not entirely pleased. I haven't used the 14" X5
before, so I don't know if my expectations are justified or
unreasonable. I took my time assembling it (pulleys aligned, etc.),
and I haven't added any aftermarket goodies yet.

To me it feels like the saw vibrates too much. I have it sitting on
the concrete slab of my shop floor. The lower wheel / driven pulley
didn't appear to be out of balance with the belt off (i.e. I could spin
the wheel and it would stop at a different point each time). At first
I thought it might be the included "Platinum Pro" blade (it flutters
enough to buzz against the rear blade guard every 3-4 seconds unless
you ratchet the tension way up), but taking it off doesn't seem to make
an appreciable difference. It definitely doesn't pass the Nickel Test
- starting, stopping, or running; the longest I could get it to stand
was maybe three seconds, and that was rare. It has some fit & finish
problems, but those aren't as worrisome as the vibration, particularly
since I am planning to add a riser block.

So, do any of you guys have a 28-475X that can pass the Nickel Test?
Is it just wishful thinking on my part to believe that it should? What
is the normal amount of vibration for the 28-475X (or the Powermatic
14" for that matter)?

I've got the pulleys lined up pretty well, and the saw came with a
notched V-belt. Would switching to a link belt help at all?


Have you tried running the saw without a blade? That will indicate in which
direction you need to go.

Removing the blade doesn't appear to make an appreciable difference in
the amount of vibration.

Chop

wrote in message
oups.com...
Removing the blade doesn't appear to make an appreciable difference in
the amount of vibration.

Chop

Good, then it has to be the bottom wheel, motor, or belt. Can you loosen
the motor so that you can apply manual tension on the belt, turn on the
motor to get the saw up to speed and then release tension on the belt to see
if the bottom wheel is the problem? If the vibration goes away when the
belt is too loose to turn the bottom wheel, the belt is probably the
problem. If the belt stops but the bottom wheel continues to spin with
vibration, the bottom wheel is probably the culprit.

wrote in message

I have it sitting on
the concrete slab of my shop floor.

Is it sitting firmly in place? Can you drive a wedge under any of the
corners?

Leon: I think I understand your procedure, but with my luck moving
that motor around while it's running would get me a trip to the ER to
explain why my fingers aren't pointing the right direction. Is there
another way to isolate the lower wheel as a source of vibration. Maybe
just run the motor without the belt attached and see if the vibration
goes away? Either way, I'm loathe to take that motor loose after
having gotten the pulleys aligned just right.

Edwin: All four corners of the stand are sitting on the concrete.
There is a slight amount of play when I try to rock the frame back and
forth, but that appears to be the sheet metal of the stand flexing a
little. I'll see if I can get something thin under the corners just to
be sure.

Barry: Thanks for letting me know my expectations are justified. I
don't mind going to Delta now if I can't get the vibration fixed. To
answer your questions, I can't get it to pass the Nickel Test with the
blade off and the belt on (i.e. just the motor driving the lower
wheel). I assembled the saw on the concrete slab to make sure the
bottom of the base was flat and to make was stable as possible to test
for vibration. I have the belt tensioned so that it deflects about
1/4" when I push in on it halfway between the pulleys (per the manual).
I could probably cannibalize enough link belt off of my drill press to
see if switching to the link belt would significantly reduce the
vibration.

Thanks for the input, guys. Keep it coming.

Chop

wrote in message
oups.com...
Leon: I think I understand your procedure, but with my luck moving
that motor around while it's running would get me a trip to the ER to
explain why my fingers aren't pointing the right direction. Is there
another way to isolate the lower wheel as a source of vibration. Maybe
just run the motor without the belt attached and see if the vibration
goes away? Either way, I'm loathe to take that motor loose after
having gotten the pulleys aligned just right.

I am glad you recognize that you need to be careful and I do understand your
not wanting to readjust everything. You might try removing the belt and
spinning the lower wheel by hand but you may not be able to get the rpm's up
high enough. Maybe wrap some small rope around the bottom wheel pulley and
giving it a pull like starting a old lawn mower.

wrote in message
Okay, guys, I just got my Delta X5 14" band saw (28-475X) assembled and
running, and I'm not entirely pleased.

To me it feels like the saw vibrates too much.

That problem has been noted on here before with the new Delta 14" design.

You might want to check some threads that everybody's good buddy 'Bay Area
Dave' posted on this same problem a year or so ago. Despite the source, he
did come up with a temporary solution, which may be worth Googling to see if
it would help you, and a permanent solution ... unfortunately, IIRC, trading
it in on a PowerMatic.

That said, hope you get it solved. Also check for an older "Todd Stock" post
about the changes that make the vibration problematic with this particular
"re-engineered" product.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04

I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine. And more features to boot.

Dave

wrote:

Okay, guys, I just got my Delta X5 14" band saw (28-475X) assembled and
running, and I'm not entirely pleased. I haven't used the 14" X5
before, so I don't know if my expectations are justified or
unreasonable. I took my time assembling it (pulleys aligned, etc.),
and I haven't added any aftermarket goodies yet.

To me it feels like the saw vibrates too much. I have it sitting on
the concrete slab of my shop floor. The lower wheel / driven pulley
didn't appear to be out of balance with the belt off (i.e. I could spin
the wheel and it would stop at a different point each time). At first
I thought it might be the included "Platinum Pro" blade (it flutters
enough to buzz against the rear blade guard every 3-4 seconds unless
you ratchet the tension way up), but taking it off doesn't seem to make
an appreciable difference. It definitely doesn't pass the Nickel Test
- starting, stopping, or running; the longest I could get it to stand
was maybe three seconds, and that was rare. It has some fit & finish
problems, but those aren't as worrisome as the vibration, particularly
since I am planning to add a riser block.

So, do any of you guys have a 28-475X that can pass the Nickel Test?
Is it just wishful thinking on my part to believe that it should? What
is the normal amount of vibration for the 28-475X (or the Powermatic
14" for that matter)?

I've got the pulleys lined up pretty well, and the saw came with a
notched V-belt. Would switching to a link belt help at all?

TIA for the replies.

Chop

"David" wrote in message
...
I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine.


I find that to be an odd expression. My wife has a sewing machine (Bernina)
that costs than my cabinet saw, and it sounds like a soft baby jackhammer.
It doesn't make so much noise as it transmits a low-frequency thumping into
the floor joists.

It's a fine machine but "Smooth" is just not the word I would use to
describe it.

Come to think of it maybe I'll have her "nickel-test" it.

-Steve

I find that to be an odd expression. My wife has a sewing machine (Bernina)
that costs than my cabinet saw, and it sounds like a soft baby jackhammer.
It doesn't make so much noise as it transmits a low-frequency thumping into
the floor joists.

It's a fine machine but "Smooth" is just not the word I would use to
describe it.

Come to think of it maybe I'll have her "nickel-test" it.

-Steve

===============================
Lol...My wife has 4 sewing machines..and like your wife one is a
Bernina ....and that sucker cost me close to $4,000 Plus I had to
spring for a Laptop computer so she could program the damn thing...

IS her sewing machine smooth running...? damn if I know I never used
one in my life.... and with her around the house I never plan on
learning ...

However I am now in the market to replace my original 30+ year old
Bandsaw That I bought from (sears...lol) Maybe I should just raise my
budget at least up to the price I had to pay for the laptop computer

Bob Griffiths

Perhaps due to your experience you find it an "odd" expression, but it
is a fairly common expression, none the less. Did you watch the Ellen
Degeneres stand up routine where she mocked the expression "packed tight
as sardines"? She made quite a case for changing that to "packed tight
as pickles". (You had to see her routine to appreciate the humor)

Dave

Stephen M wrote:

"David" wrote in message
...

I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine.



I find that to be an odd expression. My wife has a sewing machine (Bernina)
that costs than my cabinet saw, and it sounds like a soft baby jackhammer.
It doesn't make so much noise as it transmits a low-frequency thumping into
the floor joists.

It's a fine machine but "Smooth" is just not the word I would use to
describe it.

Come to think of it maybe I'll have her "nickel-test" it.

-Steve

People say all sorts of things. Some people say
the same thing over and over and it becomes common
to them. But it is not common unless a lot of
people use the expression.

I've heard smooth as (a lot of things including a
baby's butt), but I have never heard smooth as a
sewing machine. Course I haven't heard everything
but I don't lead a sheltered life. I even heard
sweat like a pig the other day which is not
common, doesn't make sense, and should be sweat
like a race horse. Smooth as a sewing machine
doesn't make sense either; ask anyone who uses a
sewing machine. It is not a common expression, no
matter what you think. It is a Stupid expression,
however.


David wrote:
Perhaps due to your experience you find it an "odd" expression, but it
is a fairly common expression, none the less. Did you watch the Ellen
Degeneres stand up routine where she mocked the expression "packed tight
as sardines"? She made quite a case for changing that to "packed tight
as pickles". (You had to see her routine to appreciate the humor)

Dave

Stephen M wrote:

"David" wrote in message
...

I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine.




I find that to be an odd expression. My wife has a sewing machine
(Bernina)
that costs than my cabinet saw, and it sounds like a soft baby
jackhammer.
It doesn't make so much noise as it transmits a low-frequency thumping
into
the floor joists.

It's a fine machine but "Smooth" is just not the word I would use to
describe it.

Come to think of it maybe I'll have her "nickel-test" it.

-Steve

Funny how different we are. I've heard that expression since I was a
little kid. You might even Google it, George. Your opinion has been
duly noted.

Dave

George E. Cawthon wrote:

People say all sorts of things. Some people say the same thing over and
over and it becomes common to them. But it is not common unless a lot
of people use the expression.

I've heard smooth as (a lot of things including a baby's butt), but I
have never heard smooth as a sewing machine. Course I haven't heard
everything but I don't lead a sheltered life. I even heard sweat like a
pig the other day which is not common, doesn't make sense, and should be
sweat like a race horse. Smooth as a sewing machine doesn't make sense
either; ask anyone who uses a sewing machine. It is not a common
expression, no matter what you think. It is a Stupid expression, however.


David wrote:

Perhaps due to your experience you find it an "odd" expression, but it
is a fairly common expression, none the less. Did you watch the Ellen
Degeneres stand up routine where she mocked the expression "packed
tight as sardines"? She made quite a case for changing that to
"packed tight as pickles". (You had to see her routine to appreciate
the humor)

Dave

Stephen M wrote:

"David" wrote in message
...

I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine.





I find that to be an odd expression. My wife has a sewing machine
(Bernina)
that costs than my cabinet saw, and it sounds like a soft baby
jackhammer.
It doesn't make so much noise as it transmits a low-frequency
thumping into
the floor joists.

It's a fine machine but "Smooth" is just not the word I would use to
describe it.

Come to think of it maybe I'll have her "nickel-test" it.

-Steve

Here's just one for your edification, George:

http://www.epinions.com/content_26161811076

George E. Cawthon wrote:

People say all sorts of things. Some people say the same thing over and
over and it becomes common to them. But it is not common unless a lot
of people use the expression.

I've heard smooth as (a lot of things including a baby's butt), but I
have never heard smooth as a sewing machine. Course I haven't heard
everything but I don't lead a sheltered life. I even heard sweat like a
pig the other day which is not common, doesn't make sense, and should be
sweat like a race horse. Smooth as a sewing machine doesn't make sense
either; ask anyone who uses a sewing machine. It is not a common
expression, no matter what you think. It is a Stupid expression, however.


David wrote:

Perhaps due to your experience you find it an "odd" expression, but it
is a fairly common expression, none the less. Did you watch the Ellen
Degeneres stand up routine where she mocked the expression "packed
tight as sardines"? She made quite a case for changing that to
"packed tight as pickles". (You had to see her routine to appreciate
the humor)

Dave

Stephen M wrote:

"David" wrote in message
...

I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine.





I find that to be an odd expression. My wife has a sewing machine
(Bernina)
that costs than my cabinet saw, and it sounds like a soft baby
jackhammer.
It doesn't make so much noise as it transmits a low-frequency
thumping into
the floor joists.

It's a fine machine but "Smooth" is just not the word I would use to
describe it.

Come to think of it maybe I'll have her "nickel-test" it.

-Steve

On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 01:38:44 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

People say all sorts of things. Some people say
the same thing over and over and it becomes common
to them. But it is not common unless a lot of
people use the expression.

I've heard smooth as (a lot of things including a
baby's butt), but I have never heard smooth as a
sewing machine. Course I haven't heard everything
but I don't lead a sheltered life. I even heard
sweat like a pig the other day which is not
common, doesn't make sense, and should be sweat
like a race horse. Smooth as a sewing machine
doesn't make sense either; ask anyone who uses a
sewing machine. It is not a common expression, no
matter what you think. It is a Stupid expression,
however.

these may be regional, but "sweat like a pig" (illogical as it is) is
a pretty common saying around here, as is the comparison of a smooth
running mechanism to a sewing machine....

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 08:35:31 -0800, David wrote:

I completely fixed the vibration in my Delta BS by replacing it with a
Powermatic 14. Seriously. Delta couldn't fix the problem, so I got a
full refund. The Powermatic is as smooth as the proverbial sewing
machine. And more features to boot.

Dave


right on cue....