DaveDeltaP-20 Posted December 25, 2024 Report Share Posted December 25, 2024 (edited) Hello Scrollsawvillage, Been into scrolling since my grnadfather introduced it to me as a kid. Over the years it all went away but I picked up a Delta P-20(40-680) that looks to be in great shape with the stand. Craigslist find for 140 bucks. When I got home I noticed, Ughhh, The adjustable Air Hose blower was missing, the Tension Lever was broken in half and with the belt being broken buyers remorse was starting to set in. I think the seller bamboozled me with that. His wife was distracting me as he turned on and oops belt broke. It was probably the original belt as it was yellow, stiff and brittle. So I ordered a new belt and got it. Its blue. 16 dollars. Then I searched everywhere for a threaded replacement for the tension lever. Got a threaded rod at Ace but its not gonna fit. Fail. I could tap and do all that but I cant be bothered with so much wasted time so I found a place in Michigan that says they have one. 23 bucks but whatever I am just wanting to start creating something and now its just patience. I can easily set something up with a diy air hose cause I'm seeing 25 bucks for one that looks like the oem but I don't know if it will even fit. Is there anything else I should know about this Delta P-20, 40-680? I know its vintage at this point but I'd like to do whatever I can to get it some fresh legs to last another 25 years. Funny thing was that I got all the paperwork with it. Like it was brand new. I may be blind but I searched that entire manual for the correct blade type n length and I could not find it. I have been compiling a list of tips and things I have found online about it but ultimately I was brought to this site and decided to consult with the experts. Thanks for reading and I'm looking forward to exploring this site and getting my imagination and creating powers going asap. Merry Christmas Edited December 28, 2024 by DaveDeltaP-20 mispelled word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveww1 Posted December 26, 2024 Report Share Posted December 26, 2024 welcome to the village, good luck with finding the parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted December 26, 2024 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2024 Thank you. I recieved an email saying the tension lever is on the way. I don't think I can do anything till that comes but I did make a nice T style heavy duty wooden base with 3 caster urathane wheels under it to get it moved around easily. Looking forward to getting this set up and starting to making things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted December 27, 2024 Report Share Posted December 27, 2024 Welcome to the Village forum from Tennessee. DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted December 27, 2024 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2024 Thanks Denny, Mars Hill NC here. Howdy neighbor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimNC Posted December 28, 2024 Report Share Posted December 28, 2024 Welcome. Good luck with your saw project. I do like your "hello Scrollvillage" greeting. Scrollvillage has a nice sound to it. LOL Jim, Randleman, NC DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted December 28, 2024 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2024 thanks JimNC. I didnt realize I did that. I edited it now to Scrollsawvillage..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted December 29, 2024 Report Share Posted December 29, 2024 (edited) All scroll saw I am aware of use the 5 inch blades. If it is designed to use straight edge blades and not the pinned edged ones that will be a plus for you. If things get too difficult trying to get it running for you as you want it to, then I would go back on line and look for something newer. I hope you get it going though. Is the saw veritable speed or only one speed, as that is also very helpful. As you probably already know the blade you purchase in the big box stores are not the ones you need for scrolling. Ask if you need to know where to go to find the right ones. Blades are kind of like cars, it seems like everyone likes a different brand blade. If you have any difficulty or questions please continue to ask for answers here in the Village. Welcome to our family from Southern Arizona. Dick heppnerguy Edited December 29, 2024 by heppnerguy DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted December 29, 2024 Report Share Posted December 29, 2024 11 hours ago, heppnerguy said: All scroll saw I am aware of use the 6 inch blades. I'm guessing this is a typo. Pinless scroll saw blades are typically about 5 inches. heppnerguy and DaveDeltaP-20 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted December 29, 2024 Report Share Posted December 29, 2024 3 minutes ago, BadBob said: I'm guessing this is a typo. Pinless scroll saw blades are typically about 5 inches. oops.. I am getting old and my mind sometimes doesn't remember correctly.. I know you are correct, but it sounded sort of right at the time. thanks for the correction. Dick heppnerguy BadBob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted December 30, 2024 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2024 Thank you heppnerguy and Badbob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted December 31, 2024 Report Share Posted December 31, 2024 Welcome to the forum. I cannot help on a Delta scrollsaw. I have never owned one. But I am sure you will eventually find what you need. When I need parts, I always run to "EReplacement Parts first. Maybe they don't have the parts, but they usually have great parts diagrams. They do have some parts for that saw, but most listed are discontinued or obsolete. So Ebay and like places are most likely. DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 According to the manual I found online, on page 17, it states that it uses 5" blades. The picture of the upper clamp shows a quick set clamp that uses plain end blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 Wichman thank you for that. I got the info but just looked in my manual and you are correct. How I missed that I don't know. I think my brain was looking for a specs rundown or something. Anyway thanks again. Happy New Year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 27 minutes ago, DaveDeltaP-20 said: Wichman thank you for that. I got the info but just looked in my manual and you are correct. How I missed that I don't know. I think my brain was looking for a specs rundown or something. Anyway thanks again. Happy New Year Happens to All of us. Just trying to help DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 Welcome to the Village from Ohio! I bought a P20 new about 18 years ago and still use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 Hello Dan, I'm just about ready to throw this Delta P-20 out the window...lol I have just about given up on blade installation. Refurbished this entire saw only to get to the point of trying to use the bottom clamp to start the blade in and I have absolutely no idea where the blade is supposed to sit. I adjust the screw to the point where I can barely bring the arm forward for what I believe is the clamp opening. Does the blade go behing the screw or in front of it? I just cannot understand why delta designed this to be so difficult. I'm patient and have a lot of commone sense but I'm ready to quit this machine without even firing it up. Can you shed any light on this. Maybe a close up pic of where the blade sits in yours? I'm dead in the water here because I just cannot make any sense of this clamping mechanism. I get what its "supposed" to do but its not working for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted January 3 Report Share Posted January 3 Are there locking levers on both the upper and lower clamps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 Hi Wichman yes both are identical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted January 3 Report Share Posted January 3 Start by releasing the tension by pulling the tension lever forward. The blade is installed from the front, so in front of the screw. The blade clamp (s) may need to be adjusted for your blade, pg 12 in the manual. Install the bottom of the blade first, back against the screw, then pull the lever forward to clamp. Repeat for top clamp. There should be a fixture that the blade rests on ( on the bottom clamp ) and on the top clamp you lower the upper arm until the blade is pressed against it's fixture, then pull the lever forward to clamp. Finally push the tension lever back to re-tension the blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted January 3 Report Share Posted January 3 (edited) Picture: Clamp closed, you can see the "fixture" at the top of the clamp. Clamp open: Edited January 3 by Wichman Clarify DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 Wichman thank you, That sounds so easy. Why isn't it?..lol I feel like I am trying to put a cat wisker into this thing. Constantly having to turn it to feel for what side the teeth are on. Then I managed to get the bottom to hold the blade and it would not reach the top for me to clamp it in. I tried again to find the bottoming out spot but could not "feel" it. I just quit for tonight. Very very frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted January 3 Report Share Posted January 3 Try using a larger blade to get used to the clamps. The tension lever on top is also the tension adjustment. Make sure the lever is in the forward position, then back off the tension as much as you can ( turn counter clockwise to reduce tension ). Now start adjusting. DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDeltaP-20 Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 Wichman thank you again. I figured out how to put the blade in now only I have to set the top first as I can see and feel where it tops out. Then I did the bottom and then I set the tension lever and gave the blade a ping with my finger. Its late but I was excited and did a little name cut out from a pine door shim...haha The D and the A in Dave I needed to drill a hole 1st. I released the tension lever and undid the top blade clamp put wood piece through the hole and reclamped and flipped the tension lever up again. Was a quick and sloppy name cut but very happy for it to be running. The blade popped out after a few minutes and scared me but the top arm was captured in the up position and I shut off. Blade was a little bent but I was able to reset and continue. Thank you again. Wichman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 3 Report Share Posted January 3 9 hours ago, DaveDeltaP-20 said: Hello Dan, I'm just about ready to throw this Delta P-20 out the window...lol I have just about given up on blade installation. Refurbished this entire saw only to get to the point of trying to use the bottom clamp to start the blade in and I have absolutely no idea where the blade is supposed to sit. I adjust the screw to the point where I can barely bring the arm forward for what I believe is the clamp opening. Does the blade go behing the screw or in front of it? I just cannot understand why delta designed this to be so difficult. I'm patient and have a lot of commone sense but I'm ready to quit this machine without even firing it up. Can you shed any light on this. Maybe a close up pic of where the blade sits in yours? I'm dead in the water here because I just cannot make any sense of this clamping mechanism. I get what its "supposed" to do but its not working for me. The blade sits between the two pads in front of the screw. It can be a pain figuring out the right position for the blade but once you get it, it should be much easier. I clamp the blade in the top clamp first then feed it through the work and clamp the bottom by feel. Adjusting the tension on the clamps only takes a small bit of adjusting. When I change blade sizes, say from a #3 to a #5, it only takes about 1/16th of a turn or less. I'll see if I can get some useable pics later today. And yes, parts are hard to come by. DaveDeltaP-20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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