Delta 28-206 14" bandsaw?

On start up saw had severe vibration.

Isolated the main problem to an out of balance bottom wheel.

Fix1: 4 penny weight out of balance using crude balancing methods, but this solved the major vibration.

Further investigation revealed that the bandsaw tires did not sit flat on wheels.

Fix2: Removed wheels and tires from wheels, inverted tires and shaved flash from injection molding process during manufacture. Reinstalled wheels.

The machine now runs relatively smooth, a little vibration but within my tolerances for a machine of this price.

Spoke with Delta technician during the above described processes and to their credit Delta is shipping a new "in balance" bottom wheel free of charge rush delivery. Tech was very helpful and understanding to my concerns, went so far as to locate the part from "I don't know where" since part is back ordered. But he assures me it is new and comes from a reliable source that has checked the balance.

I purchased this bandsaw after speaking with the Delta Rep at the tool show. I had decided to go with the JET 14 but the Delta Rep pointed out the larger table, cast iron trunion, 4" dust port, and blade tension quick release as unique features, he mentioned the 9 spoke wheels also..with the free table saw tenoning jig (which I was going to purchasing anyway) and 50 rebate the costs were equal so I chose the Delta for these extra features.

My Kitchen renovation project begins soon and I will be putting this saw to the test.

IF you listen to me and get a Powermatic instead of the Delta, you'll be one happy camper. If you don't heed my advice, start searching for vibration reduction tips, plus lose the extra features like carter guides, cut-line blower, work light, and vibration free sawing. If you decide to get the Delta anyway, don't say I didn't warn you.

dave

Mike wrote:

yeah, but we don't have the Powermatic here in the Montreal (Canada) area.... also I think the price would be close the X5 and not to the 28-206...which is $750CDN (X5 is $1300CDN)

thanks,

this is the kind of things that worried me... I am kind of afraid to buy a Taiwanese Saw, but don't want to pay big bucks for a Canadian, USA or Italian made one :-( (at least not now...)

Was it really the 28-206 or the X5? if it was the X5 it is even worst :-( (the 28-206 cost $750CDN and the X5 is $1300CDN here near Montreal Canada)

As for your kitchen...I want to redo mine also.....big project...a bit intimadating to me.... Did you get a good book?

Thanks

bummer!

dave

Mike wrote:

Mike,

Yeah, I have bought several, about 80 bucks worth through Amazon, money well spent. A couple on cabinet building with plans and material lists, one on cabinet doors and drawers, nothing I would consider a cabinet bible, but enough that I have an overall plan now. The book that seems will be the most help is "Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets" by Danny Proulx - Amazon link:

I decided on the purchase of 5 major tools to add to my workshop with the savings on building my own cabs to offset the cost. Cabinet saw with router and lift built into table extension, Jointer, Wide belt sander, Bandsaw, and a 2 micron dust collector system. Had every other hand/power tool needed...oh and a dovetail system...chose the Incra Twin Linear for versatility.

BANDSAW UPDATE...the adjustable blade guard and upper guide assembly does not track parallel to the blade when adjusting through its entire range (high to low). I am about to call Delta with this newly discovered flaw now...I shall see how they respond. Man I should have stuck with the JET!

Hi, I've bought Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets from Jim Toplin....I like it...

I am not sure yet if I will do the kitchen myself or buy pre-fab unit.....I am afraid to take too long building them myself....shaker is a good option...nice looking and easier to build than some other design.

from Danny Proulx, I've bought this one:

I do have the Jessem Mast-R-Lift.....wonderful!!!! I do have the Incra Ultra

You story with the 28-206 is scarring me.....I don't want to much trouble with a bandsaw......I've just order the Bandsaw book from Amazon and hopefully, it will help me....

Mike,

Yes....be afraid...be very afraid. I would not but this Delta saw again myself...I would go with the jet...their taiwanese quality surpasses this first Delta attempt at foreign manufacturing, obviously they have alot to learn about quality control in a distant land, a lesson that JET deems to have mastered.

I am back to calling Delta now to see if they can or will do anything about the blade guard misalignment. Maybe I can shame them into something grand? Perhaps replacement with a US made saw for my troubles...we shall see.

Gary

Thanks Mike, If you have any questions drop me an email at snipped-for-privacy@cabinetmaking.com Regards, Danny-- Danny Proulx Rideau Cabinets PO Box 331 Russell, Ont. K4R 1E1

The Powermatic doesn't tension as high as the Delta 14".

the Powermatic handles a 3/4" blade perfectly. what have you been smokin'?

dave

David B> The Powermatic doesn't tension as high as the Delta 14".

Hi - The Powermatic is certainly not the only good 14" bandsaw around. Those who make statements implying this are full of it. I know the

PS. Apologies if this is a duplicate posting. I didn't see the first version I wrote.

Bay Area Dave wrote:

Hi Brian,

I went to PB, this is the place I intend to buy it....

I am so afraid in buying a band saw I will not like...

I saw th GI 90-125, the King 14" &17", the Delta 28-206 & X5..... What about vibration on your GI?

apparently they are all good....but from what I read here, and also in magazine, the X5 (or American made Delta's ) are less prone to give me headache..... what do you think?

If you TRULY think the Delta is as good as the Powermatic, YOU are "full of it", as you so aptly wrote. Perhaps you haven't really put them both through their paces.

dave

Brian Sullivan wrote:

Hi Mike - I did have some vibration when I bought the saw because the tire was not installed correctly. Didn't take long before I found the problem. If I had more money, I would buy the American Delta, or if I had lots more money I would by a bigger better saw. That said, I like my saw and it's adequate for what I need - I can cut nice straight rips with my saw, and I've cut some 1/8" veneer that came out very nice, and the saw has resawn 11" walnut slowly.

Some things about the Deltas are more solid than my saw: Cast iron trunions compared to aluminum, the Delta lower blade guide is closer to the work, and the wheels have nine spokes.

/Brian

Thanks Brian, I will have to consider both carefully then....

Dave,

Have you no comprehensive skills at all. What he said was the Powermatic doesn't tension as high. That would make a difference to some people just as much as the little blower means to you.

Rich

Thus spake "dave" !!! Wow, can you tell who owns the Powermatic?

In fact, I think the difference in tension between the Powermatic and most of the others was about 30% to 40% less, but I can't remember the numbers, only the relative difference. Its just something I read in a bandsaw review, covering the Powermatic, Jet, Delta, Grizzly, and a few others. I'm sure your BS does handle a 3/4" blade, but can it handle it for 12" resaws? Mine can handle a 3/4" blade also, but when re-sawing its important to have proper beam strength with the blade, to reduce the amount of deflection thats possible. SO, I like to run a 5/8" blade instead. I figure by backing the size off a notch, I'm able to tension the blade to a higher PSI without putting as much stress on the wheels. And I think the 5/8" is still wide enough for resawing..

You know, I shouldn't have teased dave in that last post. After all, I'd be angry too if I had bought a Powermatic!

One of my favorite posts was a response to a guy who was agonizing over buying a table saw. I followed his posts for a while, and his journey on the way to getting his table saw. After he bought it, there was a response to his purchase saying only "You should have bought the other one.".

Buyer's remorse. We've all been there. And I think even with the best of tools, the Excelsior 5000 gold plated limited edition tool, we always wonder if that other one would make us happier. :-)