Okay, time for me to jump on in here with a question or two and some comments since the discussion is again about the splitter / guard.
Frank, I doubt you'll remember me but I believe it was you I contacted about
5 years ago. Keith B. gave me your name and phone number at Delta. At any rate, at the time I had a brand new Delta 34-444Z CS and I modified the splitter / blade guard so that the guard would stay in the up position while the blade was being changed. And as you stated (earlier post), it had to fall back into position on it's own when nudged or contacted by a piece of stock going thru the blade. Said another way, it could not be locked in the up position.
I do beleive it was you that I talked to (it was a Frank anyway) and it was explained why Delta did not have this feature on their splitters (codes). I emailed a drawing that showed the modifications (simple cuts and filing) to the splitter and to the plastic guard. Never did receive any further correspondence on that - not even an acknowledgment that the email was recieved. No matter, I had a guard that stayed up even if the rest of the world did not - at the time.
It was almost a year later, when the new tablesaw models arrived at WoodWorkers Warehouse and my friend who worked there called me to say "Come see your idea". Now I seriously doubt that I was the only person submitting ideas to Delta on this and certainly not the only one complaining about the splitter at the time - but one has to wonder.......
Q1 - What does it take to get Delta to accept an idea for a new feature, enhancement, or safety related improvement ?
Q2 - What's the best way to get Delta's attention ?
It does appear that Delta resists making change until somebody else has invented the wheel and decides to market it - and only then do they appear to rise to the challenge. In this case, Jet had just introduced a guard that stayed up on their new models and Delta followed. To me and probably others, Delta may have had some "firsts" way back when but have since decided to become a follower in the market instead of a leader. That's probably a pretty typical corporate culture since the bean-counters now dictate the technology used and not the design engineers.
I think many good, cost-effective ideas get trashed because it would cost a few dollars more to include it - like the arbor nut/flange. That nut couldn't possibly cost more than a couple of dollars to make and even after a fair markup - should never cost $20 retail. But like many other businesses - options usually cost more than they're worth. Corporate greed takes over selling accessories and optional items instead of concentrating on building a loyal customer base. You did note that I purchased a Jet cabinet saw when it came time to upgrade for me and I paid a bit more for the Jet than a Uni. After purchasing the Jet, I had a call from Customer Service, asking if everything was okay. Delta never even sent a postcard or email acknowledging that I even made a purchase from them.... It's all about Customer service.
No, I'm not Delta bashing just showing how treating a customer from the git-go, can be good or bad for the business. In this case, Delta lost. I doubt that you set corporate policy while at Delta but I'll bet you had some influence on it since you seem to have more than a casual insight into "why" some decisions were made. That knowledge and influence (no matter how insignificant you may think it is) could be used now to get Delta to pay attention to the customer. They should consider hiring you back as a consultant...
Now I missed the part as to why you're no longer at Delta but you seem very much pro-Delta and willing to help anyone needing some Delta expertise. Damned if I wouldn't be looking for ways to capitialize on that - even if I was retired (if thats the case).
Just some random thoughts, not well thought out perhaps but certainly not meant to piss anyone off either and if I have, I apologize.
Bob S.