I took a second bite of the apple (Delta)

[Joe W.]

In our last episode, I returned the Delta 40-694 to Lowes and the next day ordered another one from HD, getting it at the unheard price of $299.

In today’s episode, the HD Delta arrived today and I assembled it in short order.  A hand check of the motor revealed no movement, so I was optimistic this one would be a keeper. 

Alas, it is not meant to be.  Now, the sound coming from the back of the machine – opposite side of the motor and about 2-3 inches forward of there is where a knocking sound is taking place. I used my wife’s stethoscope and that’s where the loudest sound is coming from on the machine.  And the knocking is present from about speed level 2 to highest setting (8).    The first Delta sounded more like a chattering/slapping. This time is sounds more like a knocking/tapping sound.  I filmed it and have a sound recording also.   I just don’t think it should sound like that.  On the first Delta, on startup, it was smooth and quiet for the first 30-45 seconds and then it started making noise, so the initial startup of that machine is my reference point for how I think this one should sound.  Surprisingly, there is no noticeable vibration on this Delta’s table.  I put a nickel on it and ran it up and down the speed settings and it never moved a bit.

So, I guess I’ll box it up and go visit HD tomorrow morning for another return/refund. 

After discussing my disappointment and frustration with my wife, we discussed what to do next.  New/Used, the DeWalt twin (788), or some other brand.  Not sure what I want to do.

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of Joe and his quest for a scroll saw.

Comments welcome.

     

[OCtoolguy]

Since you've had two lemons, I think I'd either change horses or call in a vet. Or, how about opening the box at H/D and putting it together right there in front of them? It's really a shame that you have to go through that to buy a decent product. Are there any deals on Dewalt saws? My first one was a used type 1 and it was great. After greasing all the bearings/sleeves it became "greater". 

Maybe there is a new Pegas in your future. Just sayin'.........

 

Edited December 30, 2020 by octoolguy

[OzarkSawdust]

King, Pegas, Seyco...?

[ben2008]

Save up. Buy quality.

[new2woodwrk]

That is absolutely insane

I purchased a new Delta a few weeks ago from Amazon, set it up on a new bench and it's purring like a kitten.

The wife uses it every other day or so and we have about 60 hours on it already - no problems

An interesting aside and maybe it's nothing but...

When I purchased my Delta Table saw from Lowes, the first one I got was a piece of crap. The legs didn't fit and I was unable to get it together.

I had to return it - and man that thing is really heavy   It took the wife and myself and a hand truck to get it in the car LOL.

After returning it they had to have one sent from Delta (they were out) directly to me and I've had it ever since

Maybe it's Lowes? I have not had good luck with power tools purchased from them at all

Just thought I'd put that out there

[OzarkSawdust]

2 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

That is absolutely insane

I purchased a new Delta a few weeks ago from Amazon, set it up on a new bench and it's purring like a kitten.

The wife uses it every other day or so and we have about 60 hours on it already - no problems

An interesting aside and maybe it's nothing but...

When I purchased my Delta Table saw from Lowes, the first one I got was a piece of crap. The legs didn't fit and I was unable to get it together.

I had to return it - and man that thing is really heavy   It took the wife and myself and a hand truck to get it in the car LOL.

After returning it they had to have one sent from Delta (they were out) directly to me and I've had it ever since

Maybe it's Lowes? I have not had good luck with power tools purchased from them at all

Just thought I'd put that out there

Interesting...    On the table saw (I'm looking at them) What model, When did you get it? How much have you used it? Don't want to hijack the thread, but you made an interesting statement.

[NC Scroller]

I belong to several wood working forums and the story is really getting old across all of them.  Both Delta and Dewalt are making junk and not just on scroll saws.  Sure even in the "good old days" there were occasional lemons but now they produce lemons and occasionally they make an orange.   Save up your money and buy a Pegas, Seyco, Hegner or King.  Yes you will pay more but IMHO they are worth it.

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

That is absolutely insane

I purchased a new Delta a few weeks ago from Amazon, set it up on a new bench and it's purring like a kitten.

The wife uses it every other day or so and we have about 60 hours on it already - no problems

An interesting aside and maybe it's nothing but...

When I purchased my Delta Table saw from Lowes, the first one I got was a piece of crap. The legs didn't fit and I was unable to get it together.

I had to return it - and man that thing is really heavy   It took the wife and myself and a hand truck to get it in the car LOL.

After returning it they had to have one sent from Delta (they were out) directly to me and I've had it ever since

Maybe it's Lowes? I have not had good luck with power tools purchased from them at all

Just thought I'd put that out there

So you think they skip quality control for Lowes?  It would be more believeable if box stores was assembling them.. Kind of like Walmart having young kids that aren't mechanical inclined assemble bicycles..  ( I bought one several years ago for my oldest son and the front tire was falling off before I got it to the car, turns out they seem to have tightened all the nuts / bolts etc. without any tools.. just finger tight,  ).. 4 years later the same thing with my daughters first bike.. probably the same kid assembling them LOL..

Now.. possible the forklift truck driver rammed the box.. Almost everything I've bought in the last 5 years that was big and heavy had been banged up.. most times the box was all busted up but not always.. Supposed to have a forklift license to drive them.. ( I have one and drove for nearly 10 years full time ) I'm not sure if they have the same rules they used to or if they just can't get people that care about the job and " want to work their way up the ladder at a company " .. Before I quit working for others and became self employed 30 years ago new people come to the job and refuse to push a broom because the guys that had been there 50 years and fixing to retire never had to sweep.. People come to a job and are entitled to something in their first week.. This is what happens when the parents and schools give out 1st - last place trophies... everyone is entitled to something.. I say most of them are barely entitled to the paycheck they are getting because they barely worked for it..

Anyway back on topic.. I think it's more about the quality control at the factory.. and the luck of the draw.. certainly have issues and things with most every brand happen.. but when you see this kind of thing more and more.. you have to wonder who is the quality control or better yet.. the foreman of QC.. or the foreman's boss.. it goes right up the management line..  I personally am not afraid to buy Delta tools because I am my own repair kinda guy.. probably a little too far with it as I fix things that I most likely should have just returned and or exchanged.. 

[kmmcrafts]

4 minutes ago, NC Scroller said:

I belong to several wood working forums and the story is really getting old across all of them.  Both Delta and Dewalt are making junk and not just on scroll saws.  Sure even in the "good old days" there were occasional lemons but now they produce lemons and occasionally they make an orange.   Save up your money and buy a Pegas, Seyco, Hegner or King.  Yes you will pay more but IMHO they are worth it.

I agree and I'll take that a step further and say.. IF you are NOT mechanical I suggest a Seyco over the others even though the Seyco would be my last choice of those you mentioned for various reasons.. But anyway Ray tunes the saws before they get shipped out.. and I believe he is the "only one" doing that.. Pegas or Hegner would be my own personal choice.. Actually Hawk for me but then.. there is the poor customer service and getting parts issues for those that don't realize that the company is run by farmers who care more about the farm than getting your parts made.. Great saws they build but when you need a part you might wait. 

[amazingkevin]

I've wore out so many brands of scroll saws, Chinese and American and Canadian.Of all the ones i wore out I chose to stay with the DW788.Regreasing the Dewalt will give you a good 5+years of hard scrolling before. if ever the grease will need changing(car axle grease) Other than that the usual repairs like a broken bolt,bellows,Thumb screw.Best thing i ever did was switch to the Dewalt!!!

[kmmcrafts]

27 minutes ago, amazingkevin said:

I've wore out so many brands of scroll saws, Chinese and American and Canadian.Of all the ones i wore out I chose to stay with the DW788.Regreasing the Dewalt will give you a good 5+years of hard scrolling before. if ever the grease will need changing(car axle grease) Other than that the usual repairs like a broken bolt,bellows,Thumb screw.Best thing i ever did was switch to the Dewalt!!!

I have to agree with you on the DeWalt being a really good saw.. ONCE IT HAS BEEN GREASED!.. I miss my old DW.. that saw was a workhorse after I took it apart and replaced every bearing / sleeve with high quality bearings and sleeves and good synthetic grease.. that saw production cut for a good 5 years before it started showing signs of another rebuild coming.. I ordered the new bearings etc and was ready to take it apart.. when the Excalibur deal showed up. Wasn't happy with the EX but these China made ones are pure junk.. Don't buy one.. not even a used one, LOL I now have it running good but it took replacing everything inside the saw and the blade holders etc to get it right.. I wouldn't say it's still perfect but much better than it was.. IF I where looking at buying a new saw again.. on a budget I'd go with DeWalt.. otherwise I'd go with another Hawk.. From my experience with the saws.. I have not had a Pegas or a Hegner.. so can't really comment on them from experience.. But best budget saw to me would be the DeWalt hands down.. but upgrade it with the Jim Dandy easy lift..  

[OCtoolguy]

5 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

So you think they skip quality control for Lowes?  It would be more believeable if box stores was assembling them.. Kind of like Walmart having young kids that aren't mechanical inclined assemble bicycles..  ( I bought one several years ago for my oldest son and the front tire was falling off before I got it to the car, turns out they seem to have tightened all the nuts / bolts etc. without any tools.. just finger tight,  ).. 4 years later the same thing with my daughters first bike.. probably the same kid assembling them LOL..

Now.. possible the forklift truck driver rammed the box.. Almost everything I've bought in the last 5 years that was big and heavy had been banged up.. most times the box was all busted up but not always.. Supposed to have a forklift license to drive them.. ( I have one and drove for nearly 10 years full time ) I'm not sure if they have the same rules they used to or if they just can't get people that care about the job and " want to work their way up the ladder at a company " .. Before I quit working for others and became self employed 30 years ago new people come to the job and refuse to push a broom because the guys that had been there 50 years and fixing to retire never had to sweep.. People come to a job and are entitled to something in their first week.. This is what happens when the parents and schools give out 1st - last place trophies... everyone is entitled to something.. I say most of them are barely entitled to the paycheck they are getting because they barely worked for it..

Anyway back on topic.. I think it's more about the quality control at the factory.. and the luck of the draw.. certainly have issues and things with most every brand happen.. but when you see this kind of thing more and more.. you have to wonder who is the quality control or better yet.. the foreman of QC.. or the foreman's boss.. it goes right up the management line..  I personally am not afraid to buy Delta tools because I am my own repair kinda guy.. probably a little too far with it as I fix things that I most likely should have just returned and or exchanged.. 

I agree Kevin..I buy things from H/F and sometimes I just fix what's wrong. Easier than returning to the store. Many times it's just adjustment.

 

[new2woodwrk]

9 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

So you think they skip quality control for Lowes?  It would be more believeable if box stores was assembling them.. Kind of like Walmart having young kids that aren't mechanical inclined assemble bicycles..  ( I bought one several years ago for my oldest son and the front tire was falling off before I got it to the car, turns out they seem to have tightened all the nuts / bolts etc. without any tools.. just finger tight,  ).. 4 years later the same thing with my daughters first bike.. probably the same kid assembling them LOL..

....

Well it's the truth!

Perhaps not believable to you but that is how it went,

[new2woodwrk]

9 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

Interesting...    On the table saw (I'm looking at them) What model, When did you get it? How much have you used it? Don't want to hijack the thread, but you made an interesting statement.

I'll PM you

[Roberta Moreton]

If you are spending the money for a new saw. Buy a good one. Delta and Dewalt do NOT make the cut. 

[Woodmaster1]

I quess I got lucky my Delta works fine. The only thing I had to do was tighten the bolt on the motor after six months. It came loose and started making noise. I track it to that problem 20 minutes later back working fine and no issues for the last two years.

Edited December 31, 2020 by Woodmaster1