Not a good beginning . . .

[Joe W.]

Santa (Lowes and FEDex) came a little early and delivered my new Delta 40-694 just a couple hours ago.  I could not wait for the 25^th, so unboxed and assembled it, turned it on and dialed up the power from low to high.

The first 45 seconds to a minute of operation was as expected.  And then the clattering noise started and quickly got louder regardless of the power/speed setting.  I turned it off.

Having read A LOT of the forums post members' posts regarding this and the DW778, I remembered someone sharing their similar experience and the cause of the problem was a loose motor.  If I recall correctly, they went ahead and performed the maintenance instead of taking it in for service.

So, I checked the motor and sure enough, it is loose.  I can turn it with my hand a little – from about a 1/16” to  an 1/8” of an inch either way.  Definitely loose.

Unplugged it, put it in the back porch and now pondering whether to return it to Lowes and get another one . . . or, take this as a sign/omen/warning and return it and buy another brand.

Option 3 is to open it up and tighten the bolts myself.  Could do it but not sure I want to do it.  I’m a fair DIYer, but this is a new area for me.

I was really hoping to have a merry, but it looks like I’ll have to wait a bit longer.

Any thoughts and opinions welcome.

 P.S.  Over the past month I’ve really been enjoying this website and the information all of you have shared.  Oh, and Happy Holidays to everyone.

[Scrappile]

Will, T'wer me,,,, I would return it.  Just because they need to know there quality control sucks...  I've read good reports about that saw,, so I not sure I would give up on that model just yet.... Don't rush,,, maybe Santa will bring so cash,,, then you can think about returning and maybe trying one a little more expensive.  Did it come with a manual??  I just received a DeWalt planer,,,, no invoice, no manual...  First time that has happened to me... No big deal, I guess but seems odd.  I can print the manual from online... and I guess print my order confirmation from email,,, but seem odd they were not included in the package..

[new2woodwrk]

If it were me, I would return it and get a replacement if they have it - they should.

That is just sloppiness out of the factory and I would also contact Delta and tell them about it as well

It is a good saw and for the money, I think it is the best in that price point in fact I have 2!

The Dewalt is also a good saw, and if it's still on sale at home depot for $299 that is another good option. (Just checked my local and it is not on sale here)

As for the repair, like you I can DIY some stuff, but not comfortable taking equipment apart - but this repair of tightening the nuts and bolts was easy peazy!

If I can do it, anyone can.

Keep us informed though either way!

Oh and don't give up the ship - this is just a bump in the road.

Edited December 23, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[Sparkey]

I would return it for a replacement. If I had problems with the second one I would return it and change brands.

 

[OCtoolguy]

I guess that's why I buy mostly used stuff. I know going in that I might have to do some work on it but usually not. I recently bought a used Excalibur 16 and brought it home. I turned it on and ran it through the rpm range and it vibrated a bit as expected. After all it wasn't clamped down. Anyway, long story longer, I clamped it to the workbench and ran it up again. Much better that time. But, I just went ahead and torn it apart to check the bearings/sleeves and make sure everything was ok on the inside. I now have a real jewel of a saw. Actually two saws as I did the same with my EX 21. As far as I'm concerned, let the first buyer be the guinea pig. I don't mind scraping up the pieces. So sorry to hear of your bad experience though. It's a definite example of the times we live in and why we MUST get manufacturing back into this country. Vote wisely.

 

[Rockytime]

I'm with Ray. I'd rather take a chance on a higher end used saw or other equipment. Being careful I'v only been burned once and that was my fault.

[Denny Knappen]

I would return the saw and let Delta know of the out of box experience.  My first saw was a Hitachi purchased from Lowe.  Returned it within a week and bought a DeWalt.  That was 15 years ago and I still have the saw along with an EX21 and Pegas.

[ike]

I would return it and buy a beter brand . Delta used to be a good brand. I hac one in the shop for 5 1/2 month because they couldnd't get parts ( The saw was only 1 year old) dthey replaced most onf the indtidor parts. I think that Deltas dquality conddtroll is on perminate vacation.

ike

[Joe W.]

And so it goes . . .

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post.

After a short discussion with myself (and taking into consideration your comments on the matter) I decided to return the Delta to Lowes for a refund. 
My first thought after waking up at 5:30 a.m. was: there shouldn’t be a long line at the Lowes Return counter. While the coffee was brewing I made a short video clip of the machine running with the clattering noise, along with me moving the motor with my hand.  Listening to the video, you can hear the motor slow down as I turn the motor with my hand.  And you can see the movement also.  Boxed it up and the return at Lowes was painless and quick – at 6:30 a.m. there was no line of people ahead of me.
I am going to write to Delta and describe my experience with the unit.  Was thinking of addressing it to the attention of their Quality Control Department (wonder if they have one?) or perhaps the Complaint Department (wonder if they have one?) or maybe better yet, the CEO.  Then again, I may use the shotgun approach and send to all three.
From Lowes it was back home (only 1.5 miles away) and ordered the Delta on sale at Home Depot.  Thanks  NEW2WOODWRK. . . .   I had seen that ad AFTER I had initially placed my order at Lowes.  
I’m surprised at how much HD discounted the Delta 40-694.  I thought I was getting a good deal from Lowes with my military discount.  It makes me wonder if Delta is lowering their prices to empty inventory for a newer model. The printed material that came with the saw was dated 2013 suggesting this model has been around several years.
Thinking back on my purchases of equipment over the years, I do not remember ever having a problem with the item operating as it should right out of the box (after I used and abused it, sure).  I want to believe this Delta saw is an exception and not the norm for this model. January 4^th (delivery) we will see.  I try to live by “two is a trend”, so if the next one also has problems I will return it and move on to another brand.     
Happy Holidays to all.

 

 

[new2woodwrk]

1 hour ago, Joe W. said:

And so it goes . . .

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post.

After a short discussion with myself (and taking into consideration your comments on the matter) I decided to return the Delta to Lowes for a refund. 
My first thought after waking up at 5:30 a.m. was: there shouldn’t be a long line at the Lowes Return counter. While the coffee was brewing I made a short video clip of the machine running with the clattering noise, along with me moving the motor with my hand.  Listening to the video, you can hear the motor slow down as I turn the motor with my hand.  And you can see the movement also.  Boxed it up and the return at Lowes was painless and quick – at 6:30 a.m. there was no line of people ahead of me.
I am going to write to Delta and describe my experience with the unit.  Was thinking of addressing it to the attention of their Quality Control Department (wonder if they have one?) or perhaps the Complaint Department (wonder if they have one?) or maybe better yet, the CEO.  Then again, I may use the shotgun approach and send to all three.
From Lowes it was back home (only 1.5 miles away) and ordered the Delta on sale at Home Depot.  Thanks  NEW2WOODWRK. . . .   I had seen that ad AFTER I had initially placed my order at Lowes.  
I’m surprised at how much HD discounted the Delta 40-694.  I thought I was getting a good deal from Lowes with my military discount.  It makes me wonder if Delta is lowering their prices to empty inventory for a newer model. The printed material that came with the saw was dated 2013 suggesting this model has been around several years.
Thinking back on my purchases of equipment over the years, I do not remember ever having a problem with the item operating as it should right out of the box (after I used and abused it, sure).  I want to believe this Delta saw is an exception and not the norm for this model. January 4^th (delivery) we will see.  I try to live by “two is a trend”, so if the next one also has problems I will return it and move on to another brand.     
Happy Holidays to all.

 

 

Good for you - my HD doesn't have saws on sale but a few weeks ago they did have the Dewalt on sale for 299 - of course I had already bought another Delta from Amazon for 250  or I would have jumped on that dewalt sale

 

[OCtoolguy]

8 hours ago, Joe W. said:

And so it goes . . .

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post.

After a short discussion with myself (and taking into consideration your comments on the matter) I decided to return the Delta to Lowes for a refund. 
My first thought after waking up at 5:30 a.m. was: there shouldn’t be a long line at the Lowes Return counter. While the coffee was brewing I made a short video clip of the machine running with the clattering noise, along with me moving the motor with my hand.  Listening to the video, you can hear the motor slow down as I turn the motor with my hand.  And you can see the movement also.  Boxed it up and the return at Lowes was painless and quick – at 6:30 a.m. there was no line of people ahead of me.
I am going to write to Delta and describe my experience with the unit.  Was thinking of addressing it to the attention of their Quality Control Department (wonder if they have one?) or perhaps the Complaint Department (wonder if they have one?) or maybe better yet, the CEO.  Then again, I may use the shotgun approach and send to all three.
From Lowes it was back home (only 1.5 miles away) and ordered the Delta on sale at Home Depot.  Thanks  NEW2WOODWRK. . . .   I had seen that ad AFTER I had initially placed my order at Lowes.  
I’m surprised at how much HD discounted the Delta 40-694.  I thought I was getting a good deal from Lowes with my military discount.  It makes me wonder if Delta is lowering their prices to empty inventory for a newer model. The printed material that came with the saw was dated 2013 suggesting this model has been around several years.
Thinking back on my purchases of equipment over the years, I do not remember ever having a problem with the item operating as it should right out of the box (after I used and abused it, sure).  I want to believe this Delta saw is an exception and not the norm for this model. January 4^th (delivery) we will see.  I try to live by “two is a trend”, so if the next one also has problems I will return it and move on to another brand.     
Happy Holidays to all.

 

 

I too would be writing those letters but I don't speak or write Chinese. Sad! Anyway, I hope you get a better on this time around. Had it been me, I might have popped the extra for a Dewalt at H/D. Of course, I have no idea what that difference might have been. Maybe too much. Anyway, best of luck.

 

[NC Scroller]

I hope your letter writing give you some satisfaction but I would not hold my breath about getting Delta to correct a long standing problem.  The Delta company of today is not the same company that used to build quality products 20 or more years ago.

[ben2008]

Personally, I would save up and buy a high end saw. I have a nearly 28 year old RBI that I have not had one single problem with. It still hums along just like when i bought it.  It's American made and they are still in business. That's just me

Edited December 25, 2020 by ben2008

[kmmcrafts]

PSWood scroll saws are also Made in the USA.. I don't know a lot about them.. Right now supposedly they have been redesigning some parts of the saw and do not have anything in stock.. I don't know a lot about the saws.. But those that have them seem to like them.. http://www.pswood.com/scroll-saws/

[Scrappile]

2 hours ago, ben2008 said:

Personally, I would save up and buy a high end saw. I have a nearly 28 year old RBI that I have not had one single problem with. It still hums along just like when i bought it.  It's American made and they are still in business. That's just me

They be, but the current manufacturers don't even know how to spell customer service from what I read.  Parts or even the saw may take a long time coming.  Hope they have improved that, it is a good saw.

[ben2008]

3 hours ago, Scrappile said:

They be, but the current manufacturers don't even know how to spell customer service from what I read.  Parts or even the saw may take a long time coming.  Hope they have improved that, it is a good saw.

I wouldn't know. I have never had to order parts. i have ordered a few blades from them and they came reasonably fast. I just ordered the little table that holds the blades and extra barrel clamps, and it's on it's way. I just gave  my opinion with my nearly  28 years of experience with my RBI saw. 

If I was in the market for a scroll saw and didn't want to spend a lot of money i would look for a used RBI. These older RBI's were meant to last. They can be had for a very reasonablr price from what I have seen on Craigs list. $200 to $250,00 That is a steal. They pop up quite frequently.

Edited December 26, 2020 by ben2008