Delta import

[neilc]

As some might know I imported a unisaw. Even though I'm an electrican I went to a motor rewind shop to seek advice on wether to get the motor rewound. The answer was no. As for over heating the windings, the nature of a table saw is not constant running so there shouldn't be a problem. Also it has never stalled once no matter what I've thrown at it.

After reading this thread I feel I should explain why I went the import route. The choice of machinery is very limited over here even compared to the UK never mind the US. What we do have available to us in my option is over priced, we now live in probally the most expensive country in Europe (also known a rip of republic). As regards what I was looking for in a table saw was a good cast iron table, accurate mitre slots and an excellent fence system, the unisaw has all three and so much more. I'd be lying if I said the dado ability didn't come into it, it did but for me it wasn't the main priority.

At the time of purchase there was an excellent exchange rate with the euro/dollar which after a fair bit of soul searching and been able to justify it to both myself and herself I went for it. Do I regret it, not one bit. My advice to anyone thinking about it is, if your feel you can justify it to yourself go for it.

Was importing from the UK an option, not really. While there would be no extra duty I'm sure transport would have been steep and the euro/sterling rate not very good. Also at the time I hadn't discovered this site and possible alternatives.

Neil.

Sorry about the rambling but just in from work after doin a ghoster since 7.30 this morning and this thread finally got the better of me.

 

[Kane]

Interesting hearing from someone that went the import route

Kane

 

[Scrit]

As some might know I imported a unisaw. Even though I'm an electrican I went to a motor rewind shop to seek advice on whether to get the motor rewound. The answer was no. As for over heating the windings, the nature of a table saw is not constant running so there shouldn't be a problem. Also it has never stalled once no matter what I've thrown at it.

Then why didn't you opt for a 50Hz motor to start with instead of trying to get a motor rewound? I believe that Delta still offer a 50Hz option motor on the Unisaw for export and I've got some current Powermatic catalogues which show the same sort of options available on their stuff. Unfortunately I think that an electrical engineer would disagree entirely with your motor shop - it depends on the amount of time you'll run the motor, true, but a 60Hz motor still runs warmer at 50Hz and heat breaks-down the insulating coating on the windings over time. If there weren't an issue Delta and others wouldn't offer 50Hz motor options, would they? I have to say that I view this from an industrial perspective where reliability is absolutely required and the views I've expressed is valid from that perspective.

The comments about CE-marking are also still valid. The Unisaw and its clones get nowhere near to meeting current EU and British safety and electrical standards - in fact the Unisaw coul;dn't even meet the 1974 safety regs - partly why it was withdrawn from the UK market some 30-odd years ago. And there have been enough threads on US sites regarding problems with the magnatic contactors (DOL starters) on Delta saws to make me, for one, wary. I've used both the Unisaw and the Powermatic 66 a few times and neither of them particularly shines. Having recently had a few hours using a Scheppach TS4010 I'd say that was the better saw, certainly functionally, albeit with an aluminium table. The only pity is that Startrite stopped making their bench saws - a good Startrite will knock the American stuff into a cocked hat, especially if it has the later sliding leaf rip fence (post 1982-ish) and a sliding table.

I find it amusing that when discussing this with Americans taht many are scornful of the Unisaw, and to a lesser extent the PM66, if they've had any experience of using a European saw - even the lightweight Incas. Is this a case of the grass being greener? Or are European machines really much better designed?

Scrit

 

[Noel]

As some might know I imported a unisaw. Even though I'm an electrican I went to a motor rewind shop to seek advice on whether to get the motor rewound. The answer was no. As for over heating the windings, the nature of a table saw is not constant running so there shouldn't be a problem. Also it has never stalled once no matter what I've thrown at it.

Then why didn't you opt for a 50Hz motor to start with instead of trying to get a motor rewound? I believe that Delta still offer a 50Hz option motor on the Unisaw for export and I've got some current Powermatic catalogues which show the same sort of options available on their stuff. Unfortunately I think that an electrical engineer would disagree entirely with your motor shop - it depends on the amount of time you'll run the motor, true, but a 60Hz motor still runs warmer at 50Hz.....

Yup, Delta offered a 50Hz version of the Marathon motor for $100. Not sure sure if the option is still there for the newer X5 saws that come with the Brazilian WEG motors.

Noel

 

[neilc]

When I started looking into getting the machine Delta did offer the 50Hz motor but when I purchased it in October last year Woodworker Supply told me this option was no longer available. Apparently they were taken over by someone can't remember who (think Black & Decker)but they said the don't do it anymore. I can't disagree with your industrial perspective but hey this is a home shop where it get maybe 2 hours combined usage a month.
Neil

 

[Noel]

Just out of interest Neil, is your TS X5 with a WEG motor?

Rgds

Noel

 

[neilc]

Noel its not the X5 model. Not sure which make of motor is on it. I'm only in the door from work(a bit crazy at the moment) so I'll check it out for you tomorrow.

If the mods don't mind seen as how the Scheppach TS4010 has been mentioned by Scrit who's option I respect, tomorrow I'll start a new thread laying out all my import costs compared to a price I will get for the Scheppach TS4010 from McQuillan Tools who is the main source of power tools here. Then put it to a poll. Let me know if your interested in this.
Neil

 

[neilc]

Noel it is indeed a WEG motor.
Neil

 

[Noel]

Thanks Neil, WEG seem to have a good reputation.
No problem with the import story. Would be very interesting.

Rgds

Noel