1972 Delta Unisaw Table Saw Restoration
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
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In this video I show how I breathe some new life into a 50 year old Delta Unisaw. These are really great saws that are a good value for anyone on a budget.
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I'm 65 years old now and went with my father when he bought this exact model when I was in junior high school. He passed away in 2009. He used it to build kitchen cabinets and furniture in his woodworking shop. Kept his family fed and clothed with it. I still use it from time to time on my own projects.
Sounds like a great saw, with a great family history.
Father in law had one and used it for over thirty years as a cabinet maker. It was put in a lesser use when he purchased an Italian 12" sliding table saw with a 18" blade, nine horsepower motor as well as a twin blase scoring saw. It was sad to see them go when he passed away. You did a beautiful restoring job on that saw. You may still have to align the arbor to get it exactly parallel to the table slot. He had the same fence as yours.
Thank you. I did another video where I tuned the saw up and made an outfield table.
Back in the 1950's machinists were saying that 50 year old machinery was better than the new stuff. That 50 year old stuff is now over a hundred years old and in many cases is still considered better than new. So any time and money spent reconditioning the 50 to 100 year old equipment now is time and money well spent. I think you just proved the point. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Thank you. I agree.
i trained on an old tanner saw. it must have seen at least 70 years when i trained on it (i am now retired). everything weighed in tons not lbs. the fence and mitre guide were both two hands and a grunt to take on and off. but that thing cut true and perfect everytime, for ten hours a day 5 days a week.
I also have an old Tanner saw. I have not managed to find out when it was made, but probably is at least 50 years old. I had to fit a new motor last year after the old one quit and couldn't be repaired due to unavailability of parts. Still cuts accurately, but does need to be stripped down and restored, much like the saw in the video. As does the Tanner 6" jointer I have.
Been stripping it down this evening, and found the data plate, which has the MFG date: 1952. And looks like the only significant wear is on one cog in the raise/lower mechanism.
@@mark77193 I may have an extra cog, send me an email if you feel yours needs to be replace.
I'm the owner (custodian) of my grandfather's 1947 Delta Unisaw. He bought it to use in the boat building shop he set up after WW2. My dad did his apprenticeship using this machine and had a bad scar on an index finger from when it bit him. My cousin had the saw for about 30 years and built many, many classic boats with it. I also use it for boats, as well as cabinetry, and all kinds projects. She still runs smooth as silk too. I've thought it would be cool to do a restoration, but cleaning and painting up the cabinet would wipe out the patina and battle scars from 76 years of use by my family. The inner workings are still very smooth and in fact seem better than newer Unisaws from the Rockwell era that I've used since I started boatbuilding in 1974. I haven't measured the arbor run out but it cuts smoothly. I'm going to bookmark your excellent video as a reference if I ever feel the need to do the bearings. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing, what a great history.
We used an old 1941 Unisaw at a shop I worked at. The shop owners father bought it new, and it was well maintained. I really liked that saw!
If it works, lube it, but leave it to work.
AAAAAAAND still one - if not THE - most underrated Woodworker Channels
Thank you very much.
I've got this saw in my basement, my grandfather bought it, my father used it and now I do. I can't imagine how many cuts it has made.
It's great to hear these saws stay in the family and get passed down.
That is a great restoration. I appreciated the close, detailed photography, particularly in regard to the disassembly of the arbor bearings; I could have definitely benefitted from this video when I changed arbor bearings. In 1986, I purchased a new Unisaw (220v, 3 hp with a low-voltage switch). I immediately switched out the original fence system for a Biesmeyer. The Unisaw has performed like a champ all these decades. In 2022, I decided to change the belts, since the machine was 36 years old; the belts had no cracks whatsoever, which surprised me. At the same time, I repainted the saw, and built a three-drawer storage cabinet assembly that hangs under the extended tabletop (i.e. to the right of the saw cabinet). In 2023, I began hearing a slight clicking noise, and felt it was time to change arbor bearings. The process was surprisingly less painful than I thought it might be. I have never had any regrets making that purchase. May your new acquisition serve you well.
Thank you for sharing. They are great saws for sure.
Beautiful job. This is my dream saw. Still using my Delta contractor’s saw I bought in 1971.
Thanks! They are great saws.
I was a shop teacher and started in 1976. This was my first encounter with this table saw. It was well made and very precise.
Good job!
Thank you very much.
I believe this kind of machinery deserves proper care & maintenance in return for the years of service that it is capable of delivering.
Always a pleasure to restore quality tools…..great to see your restoration done properly.
Thank you for the kind words!
Excellent restoration Mike. She's beautiful saw and so heavily built not like the modern rubbish. Great job !!!
Thank you very much!
Love old machines, Delta, Dewalt, Powernatic. they're all fantastic after restoration. You did a fine fob getting the saw restored. It'll last a life time.
Thanks, I love the old iron, it's a blast to work on and use.
Beautiful video, something about restoring old machinery gives me peace inside.
Thank you. Same here.
Good for you, I'm still using the sears table saw my Father used for 45 years, All I had to do to it changed the arbor barring's and I've used it for another 40 years. I'm a furniture
builder so it's being used every day. Old tools are built better in my opinion. Grand Rapids, Mi.
Thanks for sharing. I agree old tools are built better.
Just got home and took off the old necktie before tucking into this. Delighted to note this one clocks in at about one joke per minute, a career high if I am not mistaken. I appreciate the quality workmanship. I applaud the use of trunnion, embowel, and quiver. I lament the tragic missed opportunity to observe that 'buffing the flange' is analogous to 'polishing the knob'.
Haha! As I was doing the voice over, I realized that I had consumed way too much coffee. My thought was it was unlistenable due to dad joke density.
Au contraire.. so very listenable
@@edd2771 Good to hear, thank you for the well thought out comment.
Retired GM mechanic, now woodworking. I do not have the room for a larger table saw, but you made this old Delta look pretty good. I went to work at a old GM Chevrolet Dealership in downtown Tulsa in 1979. I got the job of cleaning and restoring my now work bench. Now these was not your normal workbench. Not only did you have a large stainless steel work table. You also had a solvent parts washing in a pull out drawer. Of course drawers for tools. Each end had tall lockers, one was for you uniforms and the other was also for tools. This little workbench was 7 feet high and about 8 feet long. Never saw this again. Nice job on the saw.
Thank you, and thanks for sharing.
Best saw, Best video about redoing a saw anywhere.
Thank you,
Thank you very much.
I am truly impressed with your experience in restoring this lovely saw. I learned to use a table saw, specifically a Unisaw, around 1970. I have coveted this saw ever since. Your video made me smile as I watched green with envy. Your process was delightful. Thanks!
Thank you very much!
I have restored 3 Unisaws. I upgraded the fences and have one of them dedicated to my dado stack, one for cross cuts and one set up for rip cuts. They cut hotdogs if you have a need for that.
That is one feature you don't get with a SawStop.
You can bypass the hot dog safety if your so inclined.
@@accordio321 Ha!
Ive grown rather fond of my hot dog thankyou.
Great video as always, Mike!
Mike, YOU have restored the beautiful table saw into a generation saw. Any family would be proud to own, that can be passed from father to children to grandchildren.
Thank you very much.
Hey Mike, great video. My grandfather dressed in a suit vest and tie every day to go to work, he was a cabinet maker and walked to work with his toolbox on one side and any required lumber in the other. He did this for 30 years, finishing kitchens, dining rooms and stairways in upscale Montreal neighbourhoods and had quite a reputation at the time. Nice to see tools like the UniSaw preserved for the future, I have one and love it.
Thanks for sharing!
We had one of these in the shop where I worked for 40 years. I used it many times especially for “government” projects. Great saw. Beautiful restoration.
Thanks for sharing
I don't remember how (or when) I stumbled on your channel - but - I've been here a few years. Your light-hearted nature, humor and love of the craft always make for amazing content. The type of viewership you garner must span the gamut; I, for instance, work in IT and am incapable of hanging a curtain rod; yet here I am, watching you restore tools or build lovely furniture. Thanks for keeping me entertained and producing content!
Thank you. That is a very big compliment to me. To have a viewer who isn't a hardcore woodworker is really neat.
one of the most under rated youtubers out there
@@aaronvantgeloof7407 Thank you very much.
@@aaronvantgeloof7407 this is, in my humble opinion, the most factual statement I have read in well over 20 years.
@@MikeFarrington to be 100% transparent, I was kinda hoping you wouldn’t respond; the whole “meeting your parasocial followers”…thing.
I’d be willing to buy you a beer (if you’re ever in Minnesota) that a surprising number of your subs are kinda like me. Meaning, not professional woodworkers and appreciate craftsmanship; of if I lose…your first 10 rounds are my treat.
I’m 73 and trying to move to a different state. I was considering selling my 30ish year old “Limited Editiion” Delta Unisaw with 52” Biesemeyer fence, for ease of moving.
I’m long retired but use my shop all the time for myself. I thought I would just get a contractor saw as I’m no longer doing commercial work. Now that I’ve found, watched, and subscribed to your channel, I feel like that might be a mistake. Also reading the comments is convincing!
My wife just checked and new ones are going for 3000 dollars on Amazon. I paid 1600 for mine new 30 years ago at a commercial tool store. The used ones I’ve seen around here are asking around 800 are few and they look beat and abused.
Anyway, glad I found your UA-cam channel and I look forward to watching more of your content!
My thought would be if you like it, hold on to it.
Restoring these Unisaws has to be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding projects you could ever do. They are such magnificent tools - so well designed and made and so worthy of restoration.
Couldn't agree more!
I restored one a few years ago that I also got from an out of business cabinet shop. Great saw but this makes me want to pull it all apart again and restore it to this level. Can't beat these old saws.
Thank you.
That you restore good old tools just makes us fans of your channel love it even more! Taking a solid built tool, adding some new belts, bearings and paint and you have a saw that would match or beat most new saws. Now you can cut a hotdog and not hear an explosion! Your care and level of restore is top notch, just like your wood working. Thank you for sharing this project.
Thank you. Yeah, and for those of use who like to resaw our hotdogs, SawStops are a no go.
Absolute work of art. Love that you didnt cut corners.
Thank you! Cheers!
I worked in cabinet shops for over 30 years. The majority of saws we used were Unisaws, with an occasional Powermatic or travelsaw thrown in. The Unisaw is a total workhorse, and extremely accurate when outfitted with the Biesemeyer fence. Great find for a couple hundred dollars!
Thank you. I think a Biesemeyer is in my future.
In 1972, my lust for a Delta Unisaw was greater than that of Mic Jagger at a Westend Nightclub. But you err in one point. Anyone painting flowers on their VW Bus in 1972 was physically and pharmacologically incapable of removing the cover over the motor. An excellent and inspiring video. I am most grateful. David McGuinn (yes he is a relative, but I don't turn turn turn. I leave that to Ms. Harwood - what a wonderful name she has).
Thank you. I think they were sober enough on a Monday morning to unscrew and misplace the cover. Ha! And yes, Ashley is a very good turner.
My father-in-law passed away and had one of these saws. My mother-in-law won't let any of us buy his tools. She has no use for them either. She won't get rid of anything. Everything has a sentimental value.
On one hand I could say thats foolish, on the other, having lost a couple people close to me, I get it.
What an awesome restoration! Nothing like the older tools. This table saw will Easily live for another 50 years!
Thank you.
Nothing better than listening to Rush in the shop!!!
Agreed.
Neat! I keep up with my trusty 1981 Rockwell Unisaw: Two arbor bearing changes, even swapped the cheesy stamped metal saw blade plate for a Powermatic part, then added a Robland slide, upped the 1.5 HP single phase motor for an OEM 5HP 3 phase monster. Then switched to a Harvey Compass, also Beisemeyer changed to the Unisaw Fence plus Accurate digital readout. Repainted exterior, never needed to do a deep dive "disembowelment" trip and it continues to run like a champ! Always dead on balls accurate!
Thank you for the trip down memory lane!
Sounds like you are fully setup.
Beautiful. I bought one a little newer than years ago for $300. I gave it to my son. I have two Oliver model 262? Table saws I want to restore. This may motivate me to get going on them. Again, nice work
Very nice. I would love an old Oliver saw.
I couldn't find any info on a model 262. I did see the 260 D which is daul arbor. That thing is a beast! 2- 16 inch blades and sliding table 2300 lbs.
@@doylestownhuskies9624 sorry they are a model 232. Both very heavy duty units. Funny story how I ended up with them. Before I retired I worked as a fleet manager of a school bus contractor we had several locations in Iowa and Minnesota. One of the schools we contracted for had a bunch of old wood working machinery they were going to scrap. A big delta planer , jointer, lathe , Rockwell saw, and a Oliver bandsaw. Everything was 3 phase. They also had the two Oliver model 232 table saws, which they stated only one was operational. After trying to move the two table saws, I said “ you know what I already have a nice unisaw, I’ll pass on these two” I got everything home and was doing research on the Oliver bandsaw, and came across info on the Oliver 232 table saw, and learned they were really nice saws. So I called the guy and he hadn’t scrapped them yet, so I went and grabbed them. They had all kinds of extra blades, but were missing the micrometer fence which was kinda unique to the Oliver saw. I have since plugged both in and they both work good.
@@doylestownhuskies9624 Yeah, 260D Massive saws for sure.
I did the same restoration on the same saw, which I inherited from my father. My Unisaw was submerged in Hurricane Katrina water for two weeks in 2005 and was a complete, filthy, rusty mess. I disassembled the saw, sandblasted and repainted all cast parts and the cabinet and wire brushed the rest, and replaced all saw and motor bearings. The table and wings were pitted but restored flat and serviceable. My Unisaw has served in many projects since then, including the project replacing my flooded house.
Thank you. I would very much like to see a video showing a Biesemeyer or similar fence installation on this saw.
Thank you for sharing. Fence and slider to come this spring, when I plan to tackle a few shop upgrades.
THE VIDEO I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO DO! Awesome! No one restores old shop tools quite like you! Thanks for sharing and I hope you have many years of enjoyable use out of it😀
Thank you.
You always have the best restoration videos. You clearly show and explain what you are doing, and no cheesy music. I have a '66 Unisaw that I would one dsy like to fully restore, after watching this I now have no excuse not to.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.
On the subject of table saws, I bought my first from a guy in Colorado almost a decade ago. One day scrolling through UA-cam I notice he has a channel. Thanks for the saw and all the great videos Mike.
Thank you for sharing.
A fine piece of machinery, excellently restored! This table saw should give you a lifetime of good service.
I recently inherited a Delta Unisaw. I don’t know how old it is (definitely not as old as yours). It was as close to brand new when I received it as it’s possible to be, and may even have been actually brand new. I certainly didn’t see a 220 outlet in the garage it came out of, and there wasn’t a speck of sawdust anywhere inside its cabinet.
The kicker is that I also do not have a 220 outlet to plug it into, so it has sat there all sad and alone in storage for about 2 years now. Of course, I could install a 220 outlet in my garage, but to do so I would have to build said garage first.
Sigh…
Well get it done and get to work.
@@MikeFarrington I’ll tell my wife that you said it was OK. 😂
Excellent work. Washer “trick” is great. A fine example of engineering and manufacturing. Thanks for the tour.
Thanks for watching!
Awesome rebuild and awesome video!! Thanks! Taking on hopeless projects, ignoring time and monetary efficiency and sense, and acquiring cool stuff......that's what makes great woodworkers! I've seen old pictures of Mill Forman....often wearing ties. DD
Thank you. I totally agree.
Great video! I rebuilt my 1951 uni with help of this vid! Thank you ! Bring em back and put em to work again!
Glad it helped!
I’ve been waiting for this one with baited breath Mike! It turned out even better than I could have imagined. I am the proud owner of a 2001 Unisaw with the Unifence as well. It has been in storage for nearly 3 years while I’ve been building a log cabin home in June Lake, CA. I am finally retrieving it next weekend and can’t wait to use it again! As always, your videos are both entertaining and educational! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you. June Lake is really nice. My mother-in-law has a cabin near there, I always enjoy exploring the area.
It’s a great place to be retired!
I just got an old Rockwell 34-440 saw from a friend. It was her father's and he passed 5 years ago. She said he would've wanted it to go to someone who would use it, and I cannot wait to get it up and running! It is covered in red oak dust, so the long process of cleaning is starting. I'm not sure if I want to get as deep as you did in cleaning, but I'll do some internal cleaning. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you.
And sir a hellofa nice rebuild.👍👍🤜🤛👊
Thank you.
Great job restoring your uni-saw. I purchased my Rockwell uni-saw new in 1979. Recently I installed a Shark Guard riving knife, and the blade guard, which I absolutely love. I designed a push shoe for my unifence that allows for safe and accurate ripping of narrow work pieces while using the overhead dust/blade guard that works very well. If you're interested in seeing the push shoe setup, let me know, I can send you a picture and drawing.
Thank you. I have seen the Shark guards, they look pretty darn nice.
One important thing to remember when you are taking apart old machinery. A lot of times pulley's and counterweights on shafts were set with two set screws in the same hole. Make sure when you remove a set screw aka grub screw that you check the hole to make sure there is not another one in the hole.
My jointer has double set screws.
Yeah, that will happen from time to time. I think I showed that in my radial arm saw restoration.
My high school wood shop had a Delta Unisaw. I loved using it. Mike your voice is very soothing, and I really enjoy watching your restoration videos. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much!
Fantastic video, as always! Your meticulous filming process and clear explanations make your process so understandable!
Thank you very much!
This is gold. Thanks for the full detail restoration. I have the same tablesaw which was passed down to me from my grandfather. The original fence is so hard to use that I gave up using it. After seeing this video I think ill just upgrade the fence.
A new should really help. The fence is like 85% of how nice the saw is to use.
This is the saw we had in the cabinet shop I worked at. I have a lot off hours of experience with this saw. Nice job restoring
this icon. Had a 8'x8' outfeed table which I would polish including the saw table first thing in the morning!!
Very cool!
Your video was very well done. It was certainly informative. I’ve always liked to see restorations of most anything. Cheers!
Thank you.
I really enjoyed this video. You showed everything very plainly and easy to follow without the fast motion a lot of restorers use. Along with a great commentary, it's a great and fun video to follow. And a beautiful job of restoring of a terrific saw "Of The Day".
Glad you enjoyed it!
Always a pleasure to watch your voice overs are very entertaining and what a great find with the delta you really did her justice with the restoration
Thank you very much.
How fun.. I bought a used and abused 65 powermatic in 1984. The saw sat out side in the rain and snow for 3 years.. I don’t know when powermatic switched to the 66 from the 65 but it must have around 1959.. The saw was pitted on top and I had it resurfaced and yes I took it completely apart as you see here. The trunions are huge and everything was cleaned, painted with new bearings and motor.. I have used this saw hard for almost 40 years making cabinets and you name it. It’s been a great ride with this saw.. nothing breaks.. nothing is out of alignment.. it just keep doing its job. The saw weights over 500 pounds and I have casters under it and the extension.. I think this saw will last easily another 75 years.. A great unisaw and a great company..Powermatic..☺️👍
Totally cool. Thank you for sharing. My other table saw is a Powermatic 66 from 1984. Still American made, but not quite at the peak level of the older tools.
Great video !
I purchased my unisaw well over 25 yrs ago , new, when they were having the "GREAT WHITE" premotion. It came with an engraved plaque to be attached to the saw cabinet that said the saw was built specifically for me. All i had to do was mail it in so they could add my name to it, lol
As silly as it was, it's probably the reason that i would never part with the saw. Not even for a sawstop..
Thanks for sharing! Those are times go by for sure.
Mike, the thing I admire most about your channel is the fact you repair and restore old shop equipment. Bravo!
Thank you very much.
A classic. Awesome job bringing her back to life Mike!
Thank you.
Mike, I AM impressed!! I would be proud to destroy some perfectly good lumber on that saw. 1... I did a similar restoration on my Craftsman 50+ year old belt drive table saw, to include fabricating new motor bushings and start capacitor. 2... I've got a Delta Shaper, my dad bought used when he came home from Korea in the early 50's. I rebuilt it (except I didn't repaint it) and it'll "Launch wood" as good as the day it was made. I enjoyed the show and subscribed. Now to see what else you've produced. Good work!!
Thank you. Sounds like you have a nice saw.
Ahh Michael, you never disappoint with the restoration videos. Well done. Great idea on the fiber washers. The saw is a beaut!
Thank you very much. I started off looking for UHMW plastic, but bumped into the Teflon.
@@MikeFarrington How is it that you bumped into Teflon and you made it stick?
@@jeffbaker8808 LOL!
@@jeffbaker8808 Ha! Nailed it.
I had at my disposal, from my fathers will, two Delta Unisaws, both of witch were in much better shape than what you started with. Sold one and kept one along with two bandsaw, two jigsaws, two drill presses, a Belsaw thickness planer, Grizzly 6” jointer, and a 6” Atlas metal lathe. Do wish his saw would have come with that beautiful table extension! Since some of my inherited equipment needed some tweaking also. Enjoyed your video very much.
Thank you very much. Sounds like you have a nice tool collection to work with.
Mike, I see you replacing bearings in so many of your videos. Can you do a video on bearing replacement and understanding the specifications of bearings?
Thats a good idea. Let me put some thought into that.
Mike - Loved the video. I bought a 1965 vintage UniSaw in 1987 or so.. I *wish* I had your ambition for restoring it. I've probably only used mine for a few hundred hours in the past 35 years (I'm a newly retired SW guy - weekend woodworker) but I think the bearings need to be replaced. I finally replaced the original fence with a Biesemeyer fence last year: major improvement. They really built things RIGHT back then.
Good stuff for sure. I agree, really well built.
As always, your attention to detail in your content, from the content itself to the post-production, is top-notch and borders on a level of genius not often duplicated.
Thank you for the kind words.
Just picked up my first Unisaw a few months ago . Replaced the motor , bearings were nice and smooth. Came with the extra cast iron extensions ,riving knife and guard,extra long fence tubes . Used it for the first time yesterday and loved it.
Sounds like a nice saw, thanks for sharing.
I'm so excited. Your project videos are amazing. Your restoration videos are amazinger. I can't wait to see how this goes!
Thank you so much!
I have made hundreds of things on this tablesaw. This video gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Thank you.
Mike, I'm always amazed at your ingenuity. Using the dremel like a lathe, wow...mind blown. I think I'm gonna take a closer look at mine (arbor) now. I get a wierd blade flex, quite often. It could be my cheap a$$ blade too.
Check it out, it could be an easy fix.
Epic! Delta is one of those brands I wish had not disappeared (nearly). I remember once when you walked into a Lowes you could buy Delta power tools.
Same here, how the times are changing.
Fantastic! I've been looking forward to this video and it certainly doesn't disappoint - brilliant work. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hello Mike, I enjoyed your humor and the video. I have a 1946 Delta Unisaw and as you said, they are virtually indestructible. I have added this to my file for future reference, currently the saw is running well.
Thank you.
Awesome find and recovery. I really appreciate your Voice Over content style. Many channels get it wrong, you sir, do not.
I'm wondering if you finished the remodel at your place? I may be mistaken by thinking that it was a two part project?
Even still. Your channel is awesome! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you. The remodel at my place got finished enough, then I moved on. Meaning I have walls in my house without drywall or insulation. Ha!
Loved it, the thing I. Love about woodworking is rebuilding tools. I just finished a 1950s craftsman and a 6 inch jointer. That's the only way to rebuild vintage tools. Great video I'm in the lookout for a sexy unisaw.
Thank you very much.
Thanks for reminding us to polish our knobs. I had my girl read this so she would too.
Ha!
Hawk tua, spit on that thang
Thank you for the video and the humor you bring to it.
Two tips:
Teflon flows under pressure and has a very low friction coefficient and is very different to fibre reinforced washers or gasket material. You may be better of having washers cut by a gasket shop.
It is a smart idea to resurface your main blade disc to reduce any runout however, you will get more accurate results if you clamp your disk against the arbor using the arbor nut when resurfacing the disk.
Thanks for the tips!
Awesome work. I bought an old Unisaw as my second table saw and rebuilt it, although I didn't go quite as far as you did here, belts, bearings, and casting work. Sold it after over ten years of faithful service to a friend and bought a SawStop PCS. I do miss, however, working on the old girl, She sure ran sweet. I'd recommend rebuilding an old Unisaw to anyone for a first saw. You know every inch of it by the time you get it back together, you get to work on a full cabinet saw for just a few hundred dollars and some elbow grease, American Made, parts are cheap and available. Once you work on a cabinet saw, all lesser saws are just..... less.
Totally agree.
Do you tackle restoration projects like this soon after purchasing the equipment because you're excited about them, or do you wait until a lull between client projects, or do you have a habit of periodically scheduling shop projects so that they don't pile up on you?
For this one, I did it pretty quick. My Powermatic saw needs some love, so I needed to get a saw up and running. Most of the time, I just fit these in between other things.
Interesting to watch you rehab the Delta table saw. It got me to watch some of your other videos. I have my father's Delta table saw from 1952. I use it up until the motor went a couple years ago. Have not had any resent projects to justify finding a motor.
Keep an eye out. They pop up for sale once in a while.
I wish you showed the part about aligning the top. That would make good tv.
I didn't align the top. I am going to try and do another video showing how I go about tuning up a saw.
Very satisfying watching someone who knows what he is doing.
Thank you very much.
Loved the “Red Barchetta” interlude. RIP Neil.
Thank you. RIP Neil.
This was a cool rebuild and video! I got an old Sears 1 hp tablesaw out in the garage that I got from a guy I work with, it was his dad’s. I got to tear it apart and rebuild it one of these days. Your video inspires me to get to it probably this summer. Thank you.
Very cool!
How do you keep track of what goes where? I've done disassemblies where I photograph each step, but even that can be confusing. Any ideas would be appreciated.
I just remember. For me that is part of the challenge, I like figuring things out. I will say that I keep fasteners with parts when possible.
When I take unfamiliar machines apart I make sure to photograph EVERYTHING as I go
@@philjohnwilliams That is a good tip for sure.
Absolutely superb. I've had the pleasure of using a number of these lovely saws during my career. They are very special..
Couldn't agree more!
This is the third table saw rebuild video I've watched. It is by far the best one technically. The others were Craftsman saws like I own, but I've been considering a used Unisaw and reworking it. You may have convinced me!
Thank you very much. That is nice to hear.
I purchased one in great condition from a cabinet shop in 1978. One of the best saws you can get. It’s still used today. However not for cutting wood but 2 X 4 sheets of 1-1/2 thick gray PVC. We now use it in the machine shop for this purpose. I have to tell you it just keeps on doing a great job. We did replace the fence though but other than that…. Ours is 3 phase, yours may be single? Loved the video. Your sarcasm is great👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you very much.
Great video, Mike! I had a 1988 Unisaw that served me well, until I bought a Sawstop....would have loved to have kept the Unisaw, but didn't have room for both. A comment about your upcoming sliding table saw attachment.... I added one of those to the Unisaw, but ultimately took it off...reason being that (at least on my model, which was a Grizzly) once you took the time to set the miter gauge to 90 degrees (5 cut method and all...) you had to leave it on the slider; if you removed it, you lost the 90 degree setting and had to go through the whole procedure again when you put it back on. More than I was willing to put up with, so I went back to my miter sled. Again, really enjoyed watching you bring an old Uni back to life! Thanks!
Thank you. I have a few tricks for aligning the fence. As mentioned this is my second sliding attachment. I'll try to put some of that in the video.
I picked up one of these used for more than what you paid. But your video will help me keep it in good working order. Thanks ❤
Glad I could help!
I used one of these in Shop class in the mid-60s.
I enjoyed the video and admired your refurbishment.
Thank you.
I installed an Excalibur slider on my old bosses shop saw once. It worked pretty well, worth putting on if you have the floor space in my estimation. Great work on the restoration it's a beautiful saw.
Thank you.
I've owned three unisaws (1947, 1991 and 1975) and yes, they are amazing for their day and still hold up to most anything today.
My current has a Biesemeyer fence, overarm dust collection and a sheet metal dust chute and sheet metal motor housing both of which I fabbed up at work and it's truly a pleasure to use. I keep thinking I ought to do bearings but it's still pretty dang smooth, don't really want to mess with a good thing.
Good stuff. If it's working well, I don't think it's worth it.
I've watched your woodworking videos, but to be honest, I love when you restore old power tools. Your attention to detail in the interest of bringing something back to "its former glory", is a pleasure to watch, and to see an old beautiful power tool like this saw looking very much like it did when it was new, is so satisfying. Very nice work!
Thank you very much.
I have one of these in my shop. Recently overhauled by the last Delta serviceman from his stock of old parts. With a new arbor shaft and bearings plus a 3hp 230v motor she is a BEAST. Lordy this thing has power. I worked as a power tool specialist for what is now Grainger Canada and have had this saw for years. I have the same tenoning jig and the 52in Unifence. Such a delightful tool and there are a LOT of them around, a lot of them still working every day.
Thank you for sharing, sounds totally awesome.
I have a circa 1990 Delta Contractor saw. I have always wanted a Unisaw. Seeing this one being disassembled I dont think mine is a lot different..minus the cast iron table and extensions. I love to see someone rehab old quality tools and make them new again. If I used mine a lot..I would upgrade but at 70..I doubt it. Nice video. Pleasant sarcasm and humorous self depreciation are my world..
Than you very much.
I bought my unisaw with a beisemeyer fence in 1976. I still use it every day. Only thing I've done is change the belts. I built a down draft sanding table as my outfeed table using an old heater squirrel cage blower motor.
Nice job on your resto.
That sounds super cool.
Thanks for a perfect presentation! I have my late Dad’s UniSaw from that same period, sitting in my garage to be restored. My wife insisted on me having a SawStop, but I want to bring Dad’s saw back to life! Your video is just the inspiration I needed!
Thats great to hear.
I used to work in a lumber yard in the late 70's early 80's and we had one similar to that one and I did the millwork. We also had a heavy duty planer and radial arm saw where I milled and cut to size lumber by customers orders. They charged 80 cents a minute ($48 per hour) for the work I did. I wanted those saws so bad when they shut down but I was about 22 and lived in a small apartment and couldn't keep them. Ps, they only paid me minimum wage but I was great and loved that job. The circular saw straight edges they're making now I should have patented them because I made them back then to work in my yard. Would be rich now but didn't realize what I had. John Taylor (Brooker Lumber Company) Homestead Florida.
Thank you for sharing. Good stuff.
I’ve been restoring my unisaw for years now. Just haven’t had the inspiration to finish it, but this did it. Gotta finish it now. I also have the ginormous 14” delta arbor saw which makes the unisaw seem so small. Love them both! Great restore ❤
Thank you. Anything over 12" table saw, is a monster. I've worked with a Delta RT40 which can run a 16" blade, it was intimidating.
@@MikeFarrington Size matters Mike 😂
@@bonniebarber6114 Ha! Well maybe I should have restored a bigger saw.
Excellent video Mike. I restored a Unisaw Jr. years back and it is my main saw as I have a small basement shop. Your saw looks great! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks 👍