Unisaw belts opinion

[Rich P]

I'm planning to move over to the "dark side" and pick up a used Unisaw. One showed up locally yesterday that looks clean. The seller posted great high res pics which is good news/bad news. The attached pic of the belts looks to me like the middle one is mismatched. What do folks here think?

[cgallery]

If the price is right I wouldn't let a mismatched belt stop me.

[Rich P]

I wasn't going to let it stop me...just use it as a bargaining point. The seller is asking $700 with Bessy fence, 3hp single phase. I would like a left tilt but they seem to be rare. I also really need a mobile base which it does not have. The tool looks clean... like it has not been abused. Per the serial number it is from 1984.

[master53yoda]

It is definitely under more load then the other two from the color difference on the belt or it has just been replaced.

If the belts all have the same Number it could be that the center belt has been replaced and it hasn't stretched out yet, or this could be the result of wear on the two outer pulleys If the saw had been run for an extended period of time with the center belt missing.

[Rich P]

Art, thanks for the input. At first I thought the center belt was loose but it could be just the opposite! I would not want to run the saw very long with just one belt! I suppose the only way to find out is to go have a look. Fortunately it is a 15 minute drive.

[Uncle Cracker]

I'd recommend replacing all 3 belts with new ones from the same source. All belts wear and/or stretch, and the only way to keep from being under there every month is to replace all at once so that more matched wear can hopefully be achieved.

[cabinetman]

Art, thanks for the input. At first I thought the center belt was loose but it could be just the opposite! I would not want to run the saw very long with just one belt! I suppose the only way to find out is to go have a look. Fortunately it is a 15 minute drive.

If you replace the belts and you want three, only buy the set from Delta. Three automotive belts of the same number will not be the same. BTW, a Unisaw will run just fine with one belt.
.

[Rich P]

I was planning to go ahead and replace all three. I've found two sources, sawcenter.com and mikestools.com. A set is a bit cheaper at Mikestools. Anyone know of any other good low-price sources?

[Rich P]

Thanks to all for the inputs on the belts.

Going to take a look in person tomorrow. Here is the CL posting...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/1261797325.html

Motor looks original. Some wear on the lettering on the start/stop switch. Serial number looks like 1984 vintage.

Anyone see any "gotcha's"?

Price is not a steal but I've seen similar saws locally for more without the Bessy fence.

[Hoover]

The poster states that it has about a 35 foot long power cord, you'll definitely want to shorten the cord. The saw has seen some use as the white lettering on the start and stop buttons is partially worn away.

Looking at pictures of the saw gives you a general glimpse, looking at the saw in person tells much more.

Good luck and let us know how it went.

[Rich P]

My thoughts exactly on the power cord. The saw appears to have a starter box. Does anyone know if that would provide some under-voltage protection?

Edit...looks like there is a "LVC" version of the starter box. I'm guessing that's what is on this saw. Does anyone know how I would tell if that's what I'm dealing with?

[LCHIEN]

"Don't ever ask a barber if you need a haircut. "

Don't ask a bunch of woodworkers if you need a Unisaw.

I wouldn't let the belts be an issue - they're a soft item and can easily be replaced. I'm sure two belts will carry the load in a pinch. I doubt very seriously if one of the groovs in the pulley shrunk!

I'd be more worried about the way the blade looks - hope he takes better care of the saw than that blade! Yuck!

[SARGE..g-47]

I sold a 2000 + X5 with mobile base and Biese for $850 which is about right used in my area. I would offer $600 on the saw as it had some miles on the motor.. you probably need to put on a set of belts as metioned even though 2 work fine.. the cord needs to be cut and spliced as mentioned and it appears to have some rust clean-up on top which Bar Keepers Freind can help you with.

Good luck...

[Rich P]

Need to think about this one

Drove down to SJ to see the saw. Sellers comment about the saw being in excellent shape is a real stretch.

The raise and tilt mechanisms were so gummed up it almost took two hands to turn the wheels. Probably just a simple cleaning and lubrication.

The motor powered up fine but the saw failed the nickle test. I believe this was due to the belts which were vibrating something fierce but of course I can't be sure. It seemed to me that they were all different sizes.

The left extension had two grooves cut into the front left where someone had laid something on the saw and cut thru it. I think they are mainly cosmetic.

The Bessy fence looked almost new and worked well, although there was a small dent in the top of the square tubing. Didn't seem to effect the operation of the fence.

The machine is certainly not worth $700 and even $600 may be too much. The seller picked it up at a general contractor bankruptcy sale so I'm not sure how low his price point would be. Going to sleep on it for a while.

[SARGE..g-47]

Considering the circumstances.. I would personally pass unless you point out the problems.. the time to correct and the money it would take. You might tell him nothing personal but $500 is about all you would pay on this one. IMO from what you stated that is about what it is worth. You can purchase a brand new Grizzly 1023 for just over $1000.

Good luck on your call...