Question about buying a Unisaw for $900

[Greg in Maryland]

Hi

I saw this CL add http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...996058361.html for a unisaw, mobile base, dust collector and incra mitre guage and some saw blades for $900.

From conversations back and forth with the guy, it appears that the saw is little used and is 7 years old or so. It is single phase, 220 volts. Attached is a picture of the panel cover.

He didn't offer up the model number and I am not familiar enough with Delta unisaws to know for certain from the pictures whether it is a true unisaw or a hybrid. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately he does not have 220 volts in his garage where the saw is located, so it can not be run. This makes me a bit nervous, but it seems like such a good deal that I should be able to live with the risk.

Any thoughts?

Greg

[radhak]

Call him and ask for the model #, and how many HP is it.

It is a true cabinet saw, but from the looks of it is more likely around 20 years old - Unisaws did not change their looks for the first 50 years of existence, and they looked like this one ( eg - http://archives.woodworkslive.com/in...p?topic=2577.0 ). He bought it used, so he may not know the actual year.

But older does not mean anything wrong - but I do think $900 is a bit high for a much older model. I bought a 5 year old Unisaw for $250, but while that might have been a rare deal, I'd say $400-$500 should be tops for this one. I see another advt in the same area http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...989151014.html offering a much newer model for $600.

I'd be very wary buying without trying - if the motor is fried, that's a lot of money and effort to replace/repair it. I am sure his laundry room has a 220 volt outlet. Go there with a suitable extension cord and ask to try it out.

But first, give that other guy a call ! And remember, Unisaws crop up on CL very regularly, for better deals.

[toolguy1000]

from the looks of it, i'd bet that saw is more than 7 years old. i'm not aware of any deltas built in this decade that had front mounted clean out doors. the incra miter gauge looks like a v27 or similar, so its < $100. the DC doesn't appear to be one of the better deltas, and i've seen similar units for between $50 and $75. the shop fox mobile base goes retails for +/-$100. allocating $150 of the $900 asking price to accessories, that means the saw is being offerred for $750. depending on the age and condition of the saw, that seems to be high. but the broader question is, do you want a right tilt saw?

remember, wide bevel rips are done with the cut material between the fence and the blade, with the blade tilting towards the fence thereby increasing the potential for the workpiece being trapped between the fence and blade resulting in kickback. FWIW, you couldn't give me a right tilt saw. i've experienced kickback doing bevel rips on a left tilt saw and the idea of performing that operation on a saw that only increases the potential for kickback rules out right tilts for me. if that's not a problem for you and you wish to check the motor, and there are no readily available 220v source near the saw, rent a portable generator for a few hours since most of those have a 20A, 220V plug on them. that'd be a quick and easy way to see if the motor runs.

one more thing. looking at the scematic, that appears to be a motor that will run on 110v. and if i am reading the specs correctly, it seems to be 1.5hp @ 110v and 5hp @220v. just wanted to point that out.

[woodturner]

I'd be very wary buying without trying - if the motor is fried, that's a lot of money and effort to replace/repair it.

Especially given it is a non-standard motor that is essentially unique to the Unisaw. A "garden variety" TEFC motor is not a replacement for it - the mounting arrangement requires a somewhat uncommon motor frame.