Customer Reviews

DELTA 36-716 10-Inch Hybrid Saw with 30-Inch Unifence, Rail and Table Board

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Listen to the other reviews, I should have. I waited over a year to pick up this saw from when I saw it introduced.

I ordered this from a local reputable wood shop and assembled the unit per the included directions.

At the point of blade installation I was appalled to find that the blade was 1/4" out of alignment. The blade could not be lifted to full height through the red insert. Heck, it was 1/16" from hitting the cast iron frame lip that supported the insert plate.

Per the local repair center's instructions I dissabled the unit and even pulled the motor off to relieve the pressure/stress on the frame and bolts during the alignment process. I was able to take it from .250" to .042" out of alignment but the tie rods connecting the trunions are warped. Including my time, I've had the unit in the repair shop now for over 3 weeks since purchaing the unit, and have yet to turn the system on.

One thing I did find out from working on this left tilt blade is that this saw is very difficult to work on compared to a traditional cabinet saw or contractor saw. If your looking to save space in your shop as I was, dont pay the extra for the compact footprint and the motor. Its not worth the hastle. Delta has low quality control on this product.

I ordered this saw in May of 2006. I ran into two minor issues but otherwise the saw has been perfect. I ordered the Unifence version. When I installed the fence I found the height adjuster bolt was bent, I called Delta and they sent a replacement part within two days.

The second problem was with the blade adjustment, by the way,you MUST use a dial caliper! (I ordered mine from "thelittlemachineshop.com for $30) When I measured the blade parallel to the "T" slot is was out by .017 from front to back which is not within my tolerance. I was reluctant to loosen the trunion unless I absolutley had too, since I have had expierence with other table saws and realized the amount of frustration involved. I decided to replace the Delta blade that the saw shipped with with a Freud 50 tooth and remeasured. That did the trick, the Freud blade was within .003 of an inch (a dollar bill measures .006).

The assembly instructions are a bit rough, take your time and have a friend help when you install the extension wings, they can be quite heavy to hold with one hand while you adjust and tighten with the other.

The saws performance is great, I did the nickle, penny and dime on edge test and powered it up. Only the dime fell. The fence is dead on accurate and the noise level is very low.

Overall, if your looking to step up to a cabinet style saw from a contractor saw like I did, you'll be happy with the performance and cost.

Good Luck and make LOTS of saw dust!!

Runs very quiet. Compared to the old Sears contractor saw, this is a 1000% improvement. Wing extensions are about a 1/32" low from surface of table. Not a huge problem but it did require grinding the mounting holes to get a level surface. Shorted some parts but Delta quickly supplied. Only hang up I have is with Delta and their instructions. These are the worst instructions, particularly the fence installation, that it has ever been my misfortune to use. The instructions are particularly confusing because they try to cover an installation on a uni-saw, a contractor saw, hybrid, or another manufacturers saw. The pictures are not accurate, instructions are not sequential, and I ended up discarding them. Complete set up took about 4 hrs and should have taken 1 hour at most.

I purchased this saw last summer, used it a great deal all summer and was very happy with the perfomance. The instructions were very poor and the table extensions were hard to fit just right. For the money it was a good buy.

The Delta 36-716 I ordered turned into a 36-714 on delivery, but I assume this is just a renumbering exercise by Delta, because it appears to be the same saw. Assistance was required to install the motor pulley and the extension tables, and by then you should have it exactly where you want it, because it is not going to be moved. The Unifence is as advertised, strong and accurate with its three-point lock. Micro-adjustments would be a plus. The safety guard is clumsy and must be removed if you are to get to the blade to measure cuts, or grow another hand to hold it out of the way. The saw is accurate and the miter gauge is accurate. It is quiet and there is little vibration. It is a good compromise between Cabinet and contractor.

I have had this saw for 9 months now. It has been great except one day I went down into the shop & the blade would barely move. Have notice for some time a few starts werent right, turned it off then back on and it was fine. Have the motor setup on 115V but its own 20A circuit, tripped the breaker. Dropped the motor & removed the belt and turned it on w/ no load sure enough would barely move & would trip the circuit. Delta warranty was awesome. I immediately phoned them & they sent me out another motor with no problems. Was a bit of a problem swapping it out, including injuring my back, but now its all back together & running perfect.

In only 9 months this should never have happened with the motor. Its used for personal use and taken very good care of. Guess like anything else things can go wrong. The only reason that I didnt give it 5 stars is becuase the motor went up in a short period. It retained the 4 stars becuase the table saw & Unifense is great and hats off to the folks at Delta service that took care of me.

Despite the motor issue I would still purchase this again.