Customer Reviews

DELTA 36-979 10-Inch Left-Tilt 1-1/2-Horsepower Contractor Saw with No Fence, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Pick this one up at Lowes. Actually the first one had a huge dent in it so Lowes replaced it the same day. I think Lowes needs to be more carefull in the handling of these boxes. The box was actually too heavy for us to drag off the back of the pickup so we had to unpack there. Did I mention the box is heavy! After laying out all the parts we started putting together the stand. An air ratchet sure comes in handy here. The instruction say do no tighten the nuts. This is very important as when you get to the final pieces of the frame you'll need to push, pull, and twist the pieces to fit. But once everything is there, tighten everything up and it's SOLID. Installing the housing, cast iron tables and motor were all pretty easy. Although we had to take off the power switch to install the T30 rail and fence; which overall is pretty easy to do. You'll need to read the instructions carefully and look at the pictures first. Then re-read the step and assemble. Flipping the switch the first time and it purrs to life. Not very loud at all but very powerfull. Don't forget you'll need the recommended 20 amp circuit for this. It can be rewired if you have a dedicated shop and want to use it as 220 volt. The instructions don't say but you can add extra tables to the top. I'm adding an extra cast iron on the right and aluminum on the left. The outfeed table is another issue. I'm still looking at what to do there so I can keep the saw mobile to move around the garage. The Delta 50-302 outfeed table might work, but I haven't got it yet to try.

Enjoy the saw. It's a good saw for $450. Dont' forget that doesn't include a fence, which will set you back another $150, 300, or $600 depending on what you want. I picked the $150 T30 fence and it works perfectly.

The out of box experience with this saw was terrific. Detailed instructions, well-marked parts and a good quality machine all added up to a pretty straightforward assembly. The saw is quiet and powerful. It is so smooth and substantial that I can stand a nickel on its end on the table when it is in operation. The two cast iron wings give the table a smooth, precise finish. I added the T2 fence, which is quite substantial and more than adequate for my needs as an amateur weekend woodworker. It attached to the saw without any problem. I bought the saw at Lowe's, so I wouldn't have to hassle with (or wait for) delivery, and it was a few dollars cheaper. The saw is beastly heavy, nearly 300 pounds, so you need to have a strategy ready for how you get it to your workshop. It is a great saw for those who, like me, are stepping up from a bench-top or "hobby" saw into something more substantial.

I purchased this saw from Amazon recently when the price dropped to 300 with free shipping. I feel like I got the deal of a lifetime, and now that I have the saw in my possession, I would have no trouble paying the usual price at which Amazon and Lowe's carry this item.

I am moving up from another Delta saw, a TS-300 Shopmaster that falls somewhere between a benchtop and a contractor's saw. Keep that in mind as you read my comments, because this 36-979 is a huge step up.

The cast iron table surface is expansive, and mine is dead flat. My only complaint in this are is that the main surface area arrived not nearly as smoothly ground as the table wings. The wings are mirror like, and the main surface is certainly flat enough, but still has tiny swirls and ridges that I am not thrilled about.

The saw was well packaged, and arrived without a problem from Eagle Freight. Everything was in the package and ready to go.

The instructions are not the easiest to follow, but they are not as impossible as some other reviewers had me thinking. You can actually log on to Delta's service site and print out a PDF of the manual if you are concerned (which is what I did before purchasing the saw). By far the most difficult part is attaching the wheels to the stand. I have long skinny fingers, and this was still a feat of acrobatics.

The only machine tolerance I am not thrilled about (besides the main table surface) is the play in the mounting pins for the motor. The motor shifts around 1/8" while on the pins, which makes it difficult to keep your setup perfect, especially if you regularly take the motor on and off (like if you are, say, a contractor...). All the alignment was done perfectly at the factory. I used my dial indicator, and everything was within .001" of dead-on.

The motor absolutely purrs. Keep in mind, again, that I am stepping up from a direct drive saw that wailed in terror everytime I asked it to turn on. This motor does definitely draw quite a few amps, though, so I'm not sure how much luck you'd have with a 15 amp circuit.

The included blade is the included blade, what more can you say? Maybe I will make a clock out of it.

I was not happy with the throat insert, but it was easy to rout out some zero clearance plates with some 1/2" scrap I had lying around. These seem to work great.

This saw does not come with a fence, but I picked up a Biesemeyer during Lowe's recent punting of those items. I must admit I find myself opening the garage door regularly just to look at the Bies on my new saw. It is a thing of beauty, both in appearance and performance. I had a Unifence on my other table saw, which I also loved, but there is something really fantastic about the weight and stability of the Bies.

Dust collection is not fantastic, but it's not terrible, either. It's nice that the saw includes a chute so that you don't have to purchase that item separately.

The off switch is large and hard to miss, and you have some freedom (but not much) as to where you mount it. I am doing my best to keep the blade guard on, but it is difficult. I wish it were easier to take on and off for non-through cuts. As it stands, you have to take off the throat plate and get out a wrench to remove the 2 bolts that hold it on. I may replace these with wingnuts soon.

Even if you can't find the saw at the price I did, I would buy it. Unless you're willing to drop a few more hundred and get a hybrid or a Grizzly 1023, this is a great saw for the money. It feels heavy and stable, the motor is plenty powerful for the hobbyist woodworker, and the built-in mobile base (while a pain to assemble) actually works.

First, get help getting this baby into your truck or trailer! Thank you Lowes associate!

Love the bubble packaging of the hardware.

It can be a one man assembly, but you need long arms fastening the saw to the stand.

Pretty well set-up upon receipt, but in checking all adjustments, I had to align the pulleys and level the insert. Blade was only slightly off from 90 degrees.

And yes, it passed the nickle test.

Runs smooth and quiet. Like it a lot! Added an Inca 3000 miter gage and Red-Line 35" fence system.

I just completed a large detailed privacy fence. I have only been cutting/ripping dimensional lumber and 5/4 decking, but ripping is no problem, even with heavily treated SYP and the supplied blade. Just make sure you have tuned everything up. The instructions that came with my fence were quite detailed for tuning up the entire saw. Even without a vacuum, most of the sawdust dumps out the 4" hole in the dust cover and can be collected in a bucket. Rolls around easily. I like it.

The available holes in the table and extensions make it very easy to mount table extensions too, back and side. No special cuts were needed to clear the motor at full tilt either for the rear extension.

If you use a cross-cut sled or some other accessories, and cannot use the splitter with guard, a splitter alone (PN 1344975) is available from ServiceNet (Delta parts) for $36, which is a good price compared to aftermarket units. The splitter is the most important safety item to use.

Finally got past the pine and MDF and started ripping some oak, cherry and mahogany. With a good blade, it cuts like butter. I feel I made a good choice with this saw.

TIP: Get a digital angle gauge (as in Wixey) to set and check your blade. You can then dial in within 0.1 degree easily. Plus they are handy for setting up miter saws and drill presses too, among other things.

I purchased this saw after much research. Overall I am pleased but I would consider a Hybrid next time. The saw was easy to assemble, except for the base to saw step. I don't quite know what Delta was thinking there. It is definetly a two person operation at that point. I bought the 52" Biesmeyer fence and rail and the table leveled up great with the saw top. I also replaced the belt with a link belt and replaced the pulleys with machine type pulleys. Add a Foresst blade and you are set.

I bought a Biesmeyer fence/right side 14" extension table combo when it was half off at Lowes during the summer because I knew I was going to buy a nice contractor saw within the next year. Well sir, I settled on the 36-979 due to the fact that it was local and I had a few gift cards to Lowes so my out-of-pocket expense was minimal. I got the thing home and unpacked it on the truck like that other dude 'cause there was no way my girlfriend was going to be able to pick up one side of a 250 to 300 pound box. It is very very heavy. Most of the assembly went pretty smooth except for a few issues:

1. The nuts that fasten the corners beside the stationary wheels are a real trick to get threaded on the bolts. I finally had some luck by using a some long needle-nose pliers.

2. For some unknown reason I could not get the front rail of my Biesemeyer fence system to line up at the correct hieght on both sides at once. When I had both sides looking good, one or both sides of the rail would slip a little everytime I cranked down on the nuts that hold it on. The OIL on the cat iron saw from the factory did not help the situation. Clamps helped, but it was still tricky. I had to install the 14" extension fence first to bring up the rail to the correct spot. Maybe others will have better luck at this part.

3. I had to add a supporting piece of wood on the underside of the extension table to get it right also. It was bowing down in the middle on one side ever so slightly. I just could not live with it that way.

4. My particular fence system came with a parts list and NO INSTRUCTIONS!!!!. I had to print out a very simmilar model's assembly instructions which might explain the trouble I had with it. I could not find the instuctions for my exact model anywhere. The delta/bies website has a PDF link for it, but it went nowhere at the time I tried in late Dec 07.

Assembly issuse aside, I'm loving this saw. Like the other guy said, it's a thing of beauty. The only other issue it that it has a slight shimmy when it runs, but I think I will be able to do some belt/blade tweeking and/or call the delta phone # to rectify this small problem.

It's sooooo nice to finnally own a great saw and fence that you can trust to remain square and parrallel to the blade cut after cut. I had a cheap "Fire Storm" form Black & Decker that I struggled with everytime I used it. Measure, lock the fence...nope...unlock the fence, measure and repeat...GAAAAAA!!!!.......

Those days are over now and I am so greatful to Delta and Biesemeyer for their quality products!

If you can get this saw on sale I'd get it. You might find a higher quality saw for a few hundred dollars more, but I think this saw is a better deal than a more expensive Grizzly or other saw that you also have to pay a LOT extra for shipping. Good Luck!!!

This is my 2nd saw. I got into woodworking 2 years ago and was using a Craftsman mid-level contractor table-saw that was good, and I learned a lot on it. Well I saw this Delta on clearance at Lowe's recently and couldn't resist. I knew it would be an upgrade, but it has been much better. If I knew what I was missing, I would have bought this saw sooner at retail price. Very solid and heavy. Everything was square and true out of the box. I put it together myself, with help of a car-jack. It takes time to put together, but is relatively easy. Plenty of power, runs very quiet and solid. I did upgrade to the linked belt though. I then picked up the 8" Freud stacked dado, and was great to see a beautiful square, flat-bottom dado (unlike my previous under-powered saw). I definitely recommend this saw to anyone trying to balance quality and budget. The only thing I am really not crazy about is the nut and washers on the arbor... I think they could be bigger and heavier - but I am splitting hairs here. Other than that, I love the saw.

This is a really well made and well thought out piece of equipment. The directions say it will take 4-6 hours to get it assembled and that definitely is true, but once you have it running (and add a better blade), this saw cuts like butter, runs smoothly and is surprisingly quiet (depending on the material being cut).

I did have to spend some time fussing with the split guard. It wasn't lined up with the blade initially (maybe that's because I changed blades too?).

And while I did manage to put this beast together by myself, I wouldn't recommend it. Get someone to help you. This is a HEAVY saw. Even the wings are too heavy for one person really. I have a sore back now :)

I added a cast iron router table extension which is really nice too and extends the width of the table. That went on without a hitch as well.

If you're doing small projects like jewelry boxes and doll houses, you can probably get away with something smaller.

If you're making cabinets and furniture full time, then you might need a cabinet saw.

If you're somewhere in between those, then this is the right saw for you.

It still amazes me that people review a product with one star because Amazon screws up the shipping or the price... So, ignore the majority of reviews on here that have nothing to do with this product. This is my second Delta contractor saw. The quality of this model is far superior to the predecessor. Assembly was somewhat easy, with the exception of a few frustrating head-scratchers. This is a sturdy saw and you can customize it until your heart is content.

I just received my new Delta 36-979 table saw and was extremely pleased with the entire product. The setup instructions estimated 4-6 hours to setup and it took just about 6 hours. The one suprise was that the 360° view of the saw did not show the motor installed which I found some what disconcerting since I had not planned my workshop for this additional foot of extension for storage. The finish was extremely well done. I have installed a Vega fence on it and it works wonderfully. I also have an Incra mitre fence which overcomes some of the shortcomings of the supplied fence.