Subject: How Flat should my Delta 34-444 table be?

From: [email-masked] (Chuck Rice)
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 13:28:29 -0800

I just purchased a Delta Contractor Saw and when I went to adjust 
the insert height, my straight edge kept rocking no matter how I 
adjusted the insert. I removed the insert and tried once more 
and it still rocked. 

I got out my feeler gauges and it appears that if I hold the edge 
flat on the right side of the insert hole, I can slip a .015 feeler
in easly and .020 fits roughly. This is using a 12 inch edge from
my combination square.

If I move the straight edge in front of the insert hole and measure 
again, the table is so flat I cannot measure any deviation. Should 
I return the saw or is the a normal result of having an insert hole 
cut into the table? -Chuck- 

P.S. If you prefer, you can email me at wildrice.com. My email 
id is "Chuck", but I try not to include it to prevent spam.

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From: [email-masked] (Dory Joe)
Date: 14 Feb 1997 13:55:53 GMT

Chuck,

I bought my first CS 3 years ago, got it home and found table had a hollow
on right side of insert.  I called Delta, they said table only had to be
flat to within certain tolerances, I forget the number now.  I called
local warranty station, and paid $45.00 to have a service call rather than
lug the thing to them.  The tech. said table was within tolerance, but he
did not blame me for not being happy and would fudge the number and get
another table.  He did, installed new table, it had a hollow somewhere
else.  

In disgust, I took the saw back to Home Quarters and they gave me credit,
and even credited me $45.00 for service call.  Can you believe that!  Then
I went to every Delta dealer armed with my framing square and checked
tables.  Would you believe I checked four more tables before I found one
flat enough that the square would not rock.  I bought the saw.  HOWEVER, I
have never been able to keep the blade on that saw parallel with miter
gauge slots.  I have adjusted the trunion bolts so many times that my half
inch socket will almost find them under the table unaided by me.  The
service tech has no explanation for this problem either. 

Last week I ruined an expensive jewlery box cutting the lid, and that did
it.  I have a Grizzly cabinet saw on order, the CS is going in the
classifieds as soon as the Grizzly arrives.  I would prefer a Unisaw, but
the Grizzly is less than half the price, I hope I have decided wisely, we
will see. Joe

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From: Dave Peritt <[email-masked]>
Date: 14 Feb 1997 16:11:35 GMT

In article <[email-masked]> Chuck Rice,
>id is "Chuck", but I try not to include it to prevent spam.

I would love to hear the responses... I have noticed this on my new
34-444.  It has not bothered me yet but may be an issue when I want to do
more exact work.

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From: [email-masked] (John Paquay)
Date: 14 Feb 1997 19:18:12 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] says...
>cut into the table? -Chuck- 

Is this top cast iron?  If not, the insert hole is probably die cut, which might
explain some of the depression around the insert hole... which is not to
say that it's okay, but might indicate that all saws of this model will likely
be the same.  There is no reason a machined insert hole should have this
depression.  A 0.015" depression is pretty serious in my book, and is
almost certainly going to cause problems with cutting small pieces -- probably
not a problem for a contractor working with 2x lumber and plywood, but for
any kind of serious woodworking, a definite quality and safety problem.

I'd recommend calling Delta's engineering offices (I think they're in Tupelo),
and asking if this is normal.  If not, they will make it right.

-- 
John Paquay
[email-masked],  [email-masked]
http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~jep/
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Without my wings you know I'd surely die...