DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2-Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase

by DELTA

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The DELTA 36-980 10-inch Left Tilt 1-1/2 Horsepower Contractor Saw features a powerful 1-1/2 HP induction motor that makes quick work of your toughest cutting operations. It has a precision-milled arbor face flange, a durable work surface made of cast iron, and has independent height and bevel controls so you can adjust the blade precisely. Thanks to its convenient mobile base, you can easily move it around your work area, and there is a 4-inch dust port that will fit most common vacuums. A T-slot miter gauge is also included with positive stops at 45 and 90 degrees. Both the blade carriage and the trunnion are also made of cast iron, so vibration is minimized. A 30-inch T2 fence for great accuracy is included with this set. In addition to the saw and fence, also included are two cast iron wings, a woodworking blade, see-through blade guard, anti-kickback splitter, blade wrench, and instruction manual.

From the Manufacturer

Well-suited for crowded shops and jobsites where accuracy in woodworking, cabinet-making and millwork is a must, Delta’s 36-980 10-inch left tilt contractor’s saw with 30 inch T2 2-poistion Fence System delivers. The versatile T2 fence is designed to function vertically for normal ripping and horizontally for trimming laminates. The unit has a 1 -1/2 HP 115/230 motor (wired 115), 2 cast iron extension wings for a 30 inch blade-right cut capacity, ideal for sheet stock like plywood, MDF, and melamine. Mobile base attaches directly to base for support and mobility. Machined T-slots accept Delta’s deluxe miter gauge and other items like feather boards and cross-cut sleds. Five year warranty.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 234 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000H0THTI
• Item model number: 36-980
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,492 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #79 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Saws > Table Saws

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Many improvements, December 31, 2006

By 

Bobby Stanley (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2-Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

I helped a friend put this saw together last night. I would rate it about 4 and 3/4 starz. This saw has many improvements over past Delta contractor saws!

I own two Delta contractor saws.

Improvements that Delta has made:
There is more room for your hand when lowering and raising the blade.
The operation is even smoother than before.
Cast iron wings are beveled like the main table.
The cast iron on the extension wings and table were of excellent quality.
No swirl marks. Very nice finish.
The saw comes with a quality built in mobile base now.
The saw comes with a built in dust collection funnel for a 4" DC or 5 gallon bucket underneath.
The saw comes with a better gauge for 0-45 degree setting.

Problems:
We had to slightly ream out the holes on the cast iron wings so that they would align properly. 1/4 star deduction.

Suggestions:
I suggest that on the parts package with all the bolts and nuts that you do not open them from the back where they are preforated. Use a utility knife to cut through the package on the front so that you can read the label of what each part is.

This is a much improved saw with extras like the cast iron wings, mobile base, better dust collection, better finish on the saw and cast iron top and left tilt. I didn't like the left tilt at first until I realized that you now can use your right hand to tigten the arbor nut and of course the added safety of decreasing the chance of pinched wood between the blade and fence when making 45 degree cuts. The T2 fence slides like butter and is very stable.

Delta did a really nice job with this one. If we didn't have to ream out the holes on the wings to align them properly that would be an easy 5.

1-9-09 Update: I talked with my friend the other day. He switched it to 220 volts which only took about 15 minutes. The saw comes up to speed instantly now and SEEMS to have more power in heavy cuts. (Yes I know the formulas, however, perception is 90% reality- right?) He continues to love the saw and doesn't regret the purchase at all.

Great job Delta.
Bobby Stanley

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top-notch saw!, December 17, 2007

By 

Brett R (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2-Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

I must say this is the best contractor saw I've used!

I bought this saw to replace my old jobsite saw that I had outgrown--what an improvement!

From the beginning, I decided on this model with the T-square (T2) fence primarily due to price. I looked at the Unifence option, which is amazingly versatile, but I just couldn't justify the extra expense for it. You can also get this saw with a Biesemeyer fence, but it's a pretty expensive option and not very much different from Delta's T-square fence.

When you get this saw home, I hope you have a strong friend to help unload/move this behemoth. I had help getting the saw and fence box in the back of my SUV, but getting it out was all me! The saw is packed in one HEAVY, huge box and the fence in a second. I wrestled the box out of the car, onto a dolly and into the garage, hoping I could get it inside and nearer to the basement stairs, where my workshop is located. I didn't make it past the garage as the box was just too heavy for me to pull up the two steps that separate the garage from the house. I unpacked the box in the garage and carried the pieces down to my shop piece by piece. Let me tell you, after getting everything downstairs, I felt like I had been in a fight!

The assembly was fairly straight-forward, although lengthy.
One word of advice, have a 13mm ratcheting box-end wrench when you go to assemble the stand. When you put the wheel mounts on the bottom of the legs, you'll be required to get a nut way down inside where it's nearly impossible to reach and hold the nut.

A second word of advice, be prepared to do some cleaning on the cast-iron pieces. They are heavily coated in cosmoline, or a similar product and are a mess to deal with. The flip side of that is the cast iron parts were all in perfect condition without even the smallest speck of rust.

After most of the day spent assembling, I finally got it put together and went to check the settings. Everything, blade, fence and miter gauge was nearly perfect right out of the box. The fence required only the smallest tweak on the adjusters to get it perfectly square.

The T-square rip-fence is heavy and solid as a rock. I couldn't get it to deflect without a very forceful push on the tail end--such a force would never be present when cutting. The fence slides on three nylon pads that in turn ride on the heavy steel rails bolted to the front and rear of the saw. It slides like it's on ice! Amazingly smooth, accurate and nearly effortless to move.

I had no need for any blade adjustments, so after a fresh coat of wax on the table I was on to the test run!

I found this saw does pull a good bit of power when starting up. Even with nothing else on the the 15A breaker, it frequently tripped on start up! Fortunately my home's wiring was able to support a new 20A breaker. So fewer problems with power although the saw does still trip occasionally when starting! I would think one would be better off having this saw run on 220v, although I realize that's not an easy option for many of us.

I am amazed at how quiet this saw is! When running there is little more than a high-pitched hum from the blade. I made several cuts in various material and never felt I was even close to needing hearing protection. This saw is quite an improvement over my last saw that shrieked like a banshee!

The motor seems plenty powerful. In cutting some test material, I never noticed it lug down or lose speed even when ripping with a 50 tooth combo blade. I've used it to rip some 8/4 cherry and it did so without complaint.

I initially installed the blade guard/splitter assembly, but then removed it. I've never been a big fan of them and I get annoyed quickly when I can't latch the guard up when measuring from fence to blade. This one is no different. The guard does not lift very high and does not latch, meaning you'll have to hold it up with one hand while measuring. The lack of clearance is also a pain when removing the table insert. The insert is held in place with a single screw that is partially blocked by the guard. You either need a short screwdriver or have to push the guard sideways to clear the screw. The guard is designed to latch up when the table insert is removed to allow easier blade changes but even here, it sits too low and gets in the way of the blade wrenches. If I had to point out a flaw with this saw, this would be it. The guard just plain sucks.

The saw's roller system is fantastic! Moving this 300lb tool around takes little effort and it sits solidly when in place. What a great design!

I really feel you'd be hard-pressed to find a better built, more solid saw with a fence anywhere near as strong in this price range. Delta has made a near perfect saw that will be a pleasure to use for years to come!


*Update* I finally lost patience with the saw tripping my breaker. With the 20a 110v breaker installed, it helped, but the breaker would still trip once in a while. To fix this, I bit the bullet and ran a 220v line into the shop, justifying the hassle/expense as I could convert several of my larger tools to run on 220v as well. The saw starts instantly now and seems to run stronger.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Table saw, November 10, 2007

By 

Just some person (MN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2-Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

For context, I'm a beginner in woodworking and my last table saw was a Delta model that they now call "Shop Master". This table saw is outstanding in comparison. Easy to assemble, easy to zero alignment and measurements. It took me several hours to assemble as I did so carefully. Some manual directions seemed off from the assembly hardware but not enough to effect assembly, or it missed something. This saw easily gives me clean cuts to 1/32" with the rip blade provided. Very quite operation compared to the cheaper models out there as well as MUCH less dust when hooked to a shop vac. Note, you will need a dedicated 15A 110V outlet, do not use any other items on the circuit while using the saw's 1.5HP motor. There are many good saws but you will not be disappointed with this purchase.