Delta 33-890 RAS

[Sonny]

I bought a used saw and it won't raise or lower, along the column axis. I installed a new gear on the back end of the raising/lowering rod.... the previous one was missing. I don't know how long it has been since it has been raised or lowered and the column only had minimal surface rust, so I'm assuming it is not 'locked' by rust, though I have sprayed the suspect area (if applicable) with WD-40. All nuts and bolts along and in the column key area are tight. I don't see any type of locking mechanism, that I would need to release, in order to raise or lower it. The parts manual only has a diagram and the instruction maunal doesn't address the raising/lowering function at all.

Initially thinking it might be a rust issue, I turned the handle, to lower it, as far as it will go, then moderately tapped on the upper arm support/column area with a 4 lb shop hammer and a 2X4, end-wise, to no effect for loosening any rust, if stuck that way.

I'm at a loss as to correct my problem. I'm not eager to disassemble the column. Any suggestions?

Sonny

[SonomaProducts.com]

If the previous rack gear was missing was it then bottomed out? You said it won't raise or lower so I assume it is not bottomed out. If not bottomed then either someone locked it in at the mid point somehow or it is siezed by rust I would think. I would think there should be a lock mechanism

You need vibration to break it out. Can you put a impact wrench on the gear drive somehow in place of the handle? If not, lots of little taps on the handle with a ball peen maybe.

I just looked the the manual, that is one serious unit. It looks like the raise mechanism has a linkage that is under the table and I guess runs to a rack in the back. I think anywhere along that chain you could have a rust issue. I don't see a lock either but someone may have added one along the chain of linkage somewhere.

[Sonny]

After further inspection, I decided to tap it with the hammer & 2X4 again. That seemed to loosen it a tiny bit. I loosened all the bolts and nuts in the column key area and attempted to crank the handle a bit harder. I broke the new gear, made of plastic, as is the adjacent gear attached to the screw, which goes up into the inside of the column. I have a few machinist friends, so I may get one of them to make a pair of metal gears, unless I can find an appropriate set "off the shelf", somewhere.

I'm now suspecting the screw/some other part, inside the column, may be stripped/defected.... something is jamming/locking/tightening/???

Despite this problem, $375, for the saw, may end up being a good deal.... plus the $9, so for, for that (now broken) new gear.

Sonny

[dpb]

Sonny wrote: ...

Yeah, I think it's time to get eager... :)

--

[Lew Hodgett]

---------------------------------------- Dismissing rust may be a little premature.

Personally, WD-40 has never been a very effective loosening it.

A good dose of Kroil from Kano Labs would be my first shot.

Lew

[SonomaProducts.com]

$375... ya think? That's like a $2500 saw right?

[allen476]

I hope that it isn't stripped/rusted. I was out looking at the parts diagram and the screw/raising nut is about $140 for the both of them. Still not bad if you consider that you only paid $375 for it to begin with. But I suspect that either way that you will have to replace them.

The screw won't turn at all? I don't suspect rust. The screw/nut was more than likely lubed at the factory. My theory is that who ever had it before probably bottom out the screw and tried to lift the arm up to screw it back together and stripped it.

Just my $1.20 worth (Inflation is a bitch)

Allen

[Sonny]

I disassembled the column and its base. The screw is fine. The part the screw screws into (the raising nut) is fine, also.

The column base, which holds and tracks the column, is painted on its inside. I would have thought this inside would be clean, bare metal, machined smooth like the column. This base may be bent or warped, somehow, or, more likely....

The column is bent or out-of-round. It's surface is smooth with no rust, but I sanded it, anyway, with 600 and 1000 sand paper, then greased it and it still won't slide back into the base easily. Pounding on it, to get it back in, is of little effect. The top half of the column seems ok.... it slides into the base easily, so I'm thinking the base is not the problem. It's the lower part of the column that is tight and jamming for some reason.

I'll call Delta to see if there's any warranty remaining. I'll see if a friend can check the roundness of the column, also.

No scratches on any of the paint, anywhere. Seems this saw hasn't been used much. Other costs to add to it's total, so for: I put 4 locking wheels on it.... $16? An electrical outlet, wall box and breaker... $25? Two days labor, which includes going get it in Mobile, AL ($100 fuel?).

Sonny

[Sonny]

I called Delta and we discussed my issue in detail. Apparently, the Delta tech doesn't have a clue about their own product or why there is nothing, at all, mentioned in the instruction manual, regarding the raising and lowering of the column. After all the talk, I asked for cost for replacement parts, in case I ended up needing new parts: Column - $70, Column base - $345. It's a 2000 year model, no longer under warranty.

Brought the base and column to machinist friend. He polished the column. Went to insert it into the base, still tight. He put a wedge in the pronged opening, to widen the hole. That's when we noticed the screw adjustments for that very thing, relieving the grip on the column.

Nothing is wrong with the base or column. Two screws, in the column- key area needed adjusting. I feel like an idiot, not seeing that in the first place. The Delta tech should have known this, though, and never mentioned anything about these adjusting screws. Friend's fee - $00 and spent a nice time chatting in his shop. Will go to Grainger to see if there is a gear to replace the broken one.

Sonny

[Lee Michaels]

Good on ya.

Good on ya for finding a solution. Good on ya for having a friend who could help. Another set of hands and eyes on the project often is what is needed to find a solution.

Any you are right. You can not rely on phone assistance from many places. Ultimately a lot of those places just want to sell you parts. Whether is solves the problem or not. Or at least the most expensive solution ossible.,