Customer Reviews

DELTA 36-L31X-BC50 X5 10-Inch Left Tilt 3-Horsepower Cabinet Saw with 50-Inch Biesemeyer Fence, 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, Table Board, and Legs, 230-Volt 1-Phase

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I shopped for a quite a while before buying, and compared all the saws out there. The other brands are also excellent; I couldn't find any big advantage from one to the other. It boiled down to name recognition for me. I didn't see the need to spend a few hundred more for a powermatic (which is now owned by Jet) or a little less to buy the Jet (although they have a GREAT deal on their saw with a built in router table and Bosch 2HP router - very tempting).

Here's the good and bad, good first:

- LOTS of power - I traded up from a Delta 10" Contractor's saw (had it for almost 20 years - problem free. It's also a GREAT saw if you don't want to shell out the 2 grand for this one) and this saw has significantly more power.

- Biesemeyer fence is excellent. VERY; sturdy, heavy, and easy to set up. I purchased a Unifence for my contractor's saw and was also very pleased. I decided to try something new this time around. The choice of fence and the right versus left were the biggest struggles I had. I will say this in hopes that it helps:

- B: heavier, seems a bit sturdier on the table, easier to set up out of the box - less parts, a little harder to take off the saw than the U - does everything I need.

- U: light, seems more versatile (the aluminum rail can be slid forward and backwards - a very nice feature, and the fence can "stand up" or lay "flat" for thinner stock which is also a very nice feature), harder to set up, easier to get off the machine - did everything I needed.

I have no regrets buying the Biesemeyer but do miss my Unifence.

A quick note on right versus left. Contractor's saw was left tilt so I stayed with what I know. I'd recommend anyone with the same experience do the same - it's what I "grew up with" and am comfortable with it.

Here's the bad:

- Minor issue but the hand wheels are cheesy. Just casted and painted. I thought the nicely polished ones on the other machine were better.

- You need dedicated 220V power for this. It's not necessarily a "bad" - we all know the requirement - it's just it will cost you another xx hundred dollars to get there....

- Mobile base is fairly easy to set up but the extension legs on the table sit right where the adjustment screws are for the leveling feet. It's a little awkward. I also found the fit (legs into the mobile base) to be VERY tight, almost too tight.

One of the reasons I spent the extra money on a unisaw, which is more expensive than most saws in its class, is the Delta reputation for quality. The reviews given to them by Taunton Press for example, give them top marks. The saw they sent to Fine Woodworking for review must have been gone over with cherry-picked parts by the folk at Delta, because what the sent me was a royal pain in the a**.

To make a long story shortthe 3hp Left Tilt Unisaw with 50" Biesmeyer Fence package that i ordered showed up with A) a warped/cupped outfeed table, B) a hardware package with missing parts, C) an instruction manual with instructions for assembly that included outdated information D) a base that was not firmly attached to the saw (the only way to access the bolts to tighten them is to jack up the saw and approach from underneath E) legs for the outfeed table with mounting brakets that were not welded square to the legs, so that when attached properly, they do not rest square and plumb (come on Delta, where's the Quality Control???) F) perhaps the most egregious problem was mounting holes for the fence that DID NOT LINE UP. I had to machine the fence mounting holes in our machine shop so that it would mount properly G) the iron table of the saw had a slight crown, while the Iron extension wings had a significant cup, resulting in a seam where they joined with a significant lip, impossible to make smooth transition., H) stripped threads on the handle for the miter gauge.

Can you believe all this is from one saw package!!!???????

Customer service had long wait times on the phone. Eventually Delta sent replacement parts that were better than those first sent, but even these were nowhere near the specs in the "rave reviews" in the magazines (specifically table flatness). Almost a month after receiving the saw package, I had the saw completely set up and running with adequately flat tables Good power, good trunion, great fence.

I'd like to take the opportunity to agree with one of the reviews, as well as possibly help the writer of the other...
As an electrician and carpenter, I can tell you that when the Unisaw (or any machine with a huge power appetite) is wired incorrectly, symptoms such as described (i.e. overheating and shutting down) can frequently occur. This will actually happen with any induction motor, which draws a HUGE amount of power when first started, and when under load, ex. that 3 inch thick maple!

I have sworn by the Delta Unisaw for years, and know many local shops around here that feel just the same. The new x5 line is improved in features and Delta offers a good package (they usually include necessities like cast iron wings, table inserts, etc.) regardless of where they are purchased from. It is a machine that when properly cared for (as with any other machine) will outlast any of us, with never ending performance, and accuracy.
Please be sure to consult a licensed electrician when installing the required electrical (receptacle, wire, circuit breaker, etc.) equipment for your own safety as well as proper functionality!
Hope this helps! :)

I will outline the bad points first.

1: Both side extensions were cupped almost an 1/16th in the middle. It was possible to get them flat with the main table but do not ask how. This alone took about 4 hours.

2: Biesemeyer extension table cupped. Some proper bracing at my expense and this was fixed.

3: Front Biesemeyer mounting rail and Unisaw holes do not line up, some filing and massive clamping pressure during setup was needed to align the rail with the "template" and mounting holes.

4: Missing screws, bolts, lock washers, and fender washers. I picked up these at the hardware store so I could get it up and running. My expense.

5: Missing dust collection adapter. (Delta is shipping.. its been a week so far. I have made a temp with lumber.)

6: Missing X5 promotional items including rebate for a "free tool" and the other advertised promotional items that were supposed to be included in the box.

7: Biesemeyer rails were chipped and scratched with paint missing. Box was in perfect condition.

8: Biesemeyer extension table legs are not welded at 90 degree angles so when mounted it looks like you may be a drunk cabinet maker.

8: Severe vibration after saw was set up. Enough vibration to send a tape measure to the floor from the middle of the right cast iron extension. The Ridgid TS-3650 had significantly less vibration! (delta is sending a replacement motor)


The Good.

1: Even with the vibration the cuts were very accurate, and had plenty of power without any burning. It cuts wood.

2: Delta tech support was very nice. And replacement parts were no trouble to get. English was the first language of everyone and I had no problems there...

Overall I would say the quality control is out the window. Some people have no problems and others have them all. For the money this saw seems like a very expensive gamble. I am going to see the difference the new motor makes and if there is no improvement I will be getting the Powermatic Model 66 3 HP Table Saw. I may even get the Grizzly G5959Z 12" Table Saw with 5 HP Single-Phase 220V motor. As of now I am leaning toward the Grizzly because after the set up of the Unisaw I would imagine the Griz is a breeze.

I think that this is a new era in woodworking. Delta and their reputation has kept this company alive, not their products. It feels like the Unisaw praises are coming from the people who refuse to acknowledge other brands. Sort of similar to when computers came out and people were still insisting their typewriters would never be obsolete. Do yourself a favor and go look at one at a local retailer, and ask the assembly person how difficult it was to assemble. Does the one on display look like they were a bit inept to put the saw together? Well they weren't this saw was very difficult to get set up properly. Does the extension table have scratches on it from the fence? It is probably because of the mounting holes and the warped extension tables. Does the fence hang on the main table when making the transition from extension to main table? I imagine these problems are not from improper set up, but substandard manufacturing, and quality control. Don't believe the reviews from most of the magazine or online reviews until you count how many Delta x5 ads there are in the magazine and just how much money they make from Delta advertising.

If you get one set up properly I imagine you will not have any problems after that. Everything else seems to be solid. Just consider the points I made earlier when weighing your options for a new table saw.

I am impressed with this saw, but if a less than perfect is out there to be sold, I'm the guy who will buy it. I took great pains to express my desire for a saw with a flat cast iron top and wings. Both wings on my saw will need fine tuning and the right wing is cupped front to back. I called the store and they responded with "I wounder if there is a saw out there flat enough for you" and " I have never seen it before, did you check our store desplay?". I think a visible problem not requiring a machinest straight edge to detect is real enough. So I get a bad saw. Then I get insulted. Buy the way the saw top is resonable, but not perfectally flat per my precision straight edge. Yes I was low keyed about the problem. I wounder, if $1800.00 is not enough for a perfect saw out of the box, what is? Maby I should have bought a Jet and just anticipated these things, but no. I bought locally in SLC!

I have been waiting for about 20 years to get a Delta table saw. I worked at a custom cabinet shop when I was in high school and we had the luxury of 2 Delta Unisaws. I have wanted one ever since. I was sold on the Biesemeyer fence immediately, in my opinion there are Biesemeyer fences and then there are fences suitable for trimming firewood - agian my opinion, not a fact. Although a fact about the fences at the shop I worked at - we NEVER had to adjust them or check them for accuracy - they always started accurate and parallel - ALWAYS.

I bought mine at Woodcraft Supply and it was 10% off due to the Woodworking show being in town so I got a great deal. The saw came with the blade angle hand wheel cracked and bent - it still worked, but on a machine this expensive I was willing to put up with nothing but perfection. One call to Delta (1-800-BAD PART) and I had a new handwheel 3 business days later. I had to wait on hold for quite a while, but the person that helped me was very polite and took care of me.

Tips for unloading the saw:
Get 3 strong friends to help. The saw is heavy, but worse, it is top-heavy so once it starts to tip it is very difficult to stop. The saw comes in 4 boxes, 3 of which one person can handle. The main unit comes bolted to a palette. A trick I used was to run 2 2"x4"x8' pieces under the palette much like a forklift would lift it and then nail them in place so the saw would not slide around on them. Then two of us pulled the saw away form the truck until the planks were resting on the tailgate and the other two could grab hold of the "handles" then it was a simple matter to move the saw the remaining distance off the truck and set it down on some more wood planks so we wouldn't crush our fingers. The saw is manageable enough to muscle around with only 2 people once on the ground and then one person can slide it to its final resting place. Hope this helps.

Setup help:
Use a clamp to hold the extension wings in place while you bolt them on. This also works well for the extension table while you attach the front and rear fence rails. I don't have any gaps whatsoever on my table and I put it together myself. Everything lined up perfectly right out of the box, if it doesn't you are most likely doing something wrong. Check the directions, they can be a bit vague, but once you see what they are getting at it makes sense. DON'T RUSH IT - you probably saved up for a while to get the saw and plan on using it unitl you are no longer physically able, so take your time and do it right. When you open up the extension table box and find the legs missing - don't panic - they are packed with the fence.

All in all a great saw, plenty of power, accurate right out of the box, easy to setup though a bit time consuming.

I bought the 3HP, left tilt Unisaw with 50" Biesemeyer fence, and I'm delighted with it. I had some questions on adjustments, and their tech support personnel were great - prompt and well-informed. The Southern accent was just a nice bonus for this displaced southerner (I work for Yankees, but that doesn't mean I have to like it :).

In contrast with another reviewer, I can't get mine to act up at all. It handles everything I've thrown at it as though I'm asking it to cut 3 sheets of paper, ho-hum. And that includes some long-ish cuts in 2 1/2" thick oak. No thick maple yet, but that's on the docket soon.

There was a warning on the assembly instructions about attaching the extension table legs in a different place if you were using a mobile base. I ignored the instructions and had to remount the legs in the right place (doh!), so be sure you pay attention there.

I waited a while to get this Unisaw, and figure it's the one piece of shop gear I'll never need to replace. Maybe I'll update it in 20 years with the latest laser-guided fence doohickeys or whatever is new then, but the saw and motor will easily outlast me. And I'm not too old or decrepit yet!

The Delta Unisaw is not what it used to be but it is still one of the better choices on the market. The base is no longer cast iron. The "fit and finish" could be better but compared to most of the imports it is still the best choice.
Buying parts for the fence is a problem. The Biesemeyer website does not contain any parts. It seems that if one breaks a part, he or she will have to replace the whole fence.
Some might argue that the parts are available by special order at local dealers. My only comment is, "Why make it hard to get parts?"

I purchased my Delta unisaw several months ago and it is everything that I had expected and more. Works like a charm, flat table, easy to assemble, and accessory items mate perfectly. I read a lot of reviews, spoke to a lot of people, and Delta was highly recommended. I was a bit concerned about the overheating and wiring issues some reviewers were having, but this saw runs perfectly. I think some of the reported wiring problems must be a result of not clearly understanding or following directions.

I had a few minor problems during setup (a few missing parts and a minor problem with the sub-base) and had reason to work with Delta customer service, both in Tennesee and the local service center in Ontario, CA. I was not very impressed, as many of the answers I received were wrong or poorly thought out. People on the phone usually were not well informed on the product and had to ask someone else before getting an answer back to me. I tried using email, and the responses were very late and of poor quality (contrast with Grizzly customer service........quick responses to email, couteous and helpful). Over the phone I would often get different answers depending on who I spoke with.

One Amazon reviewer recently mentioned the z-brackets that were missing from his Biesemeyer extension table. He was told that it was the result of a misprint in the manual. I also was missing the angle bracket and z-bracket. After weeks of going in circles with Delta cusomter service, they sent me three of each. So, they do exist and they actually can help for fine leveling adjustment of the extension table. I also did not get the hollow handle for the miter guage, as they shipped a solid metal handle. (It is not really important as I have gone to an Incra miter guage) but I asked them to send me the correct handle. Well, they shipped me three handles (the wrong handles, the same one I already had) but they also shipped me three caps (in a separate bag) that are made for the hollow handle that I had asked them to send. So, it all went in the trash.

If the saw lives up to expectations, I will never have to deal with Delta customer service again. Let's hope.

As I mentioned earlier, I also purchased accessory items (mobile base, outfeed table, t-square blade guard)...and all arrived in good shape, installed easily according to assembly directions, and work well.

When I placed the order, I got a confirmation saying that the package will ship in 1 to 2 weeks. Well, I wrote Amazon and explained that I was already late on a project and desperately needed the saw. The next day I got a reply saying the order will ship today! What great service!!! In addition, all 4 boxes arrived a day earlier than promised by ABF shipping. By the way, all of them, top notch professionals. (Previously, I've had the unfortunate luck of dealing with Con-Way shipping on several occasions. Ten days late! Even though they had the package in their possession. Con-Way, No-way!)

Putting it together was a breeze, every hole aligned right up, wing and out-feed table bolted right on. True and straight right out of the box. It's a pretty impressive saw. Sturdy heavy gauge steel construction, perfect fit and finish, heavy table top with no cupping what so ever. The 3HP motor runs smoothly and passes the coin test with no problems. Cuts hard wood like butter, no bogging down. The Beisemeier fence is probably the best fence out there, as it is rated #1 by most magazine reviews. Repeatable parallelism with each cut.

I owned a Shop Fox Cabinet saw before this. It's not a bad saw, don't get me wrong. It does it's job perfectly, but ultimately for longevity reasons, you get what you pay for. This is a saw that you are going to keep a few decades, what's a few hundred bucks more? Trust me, it will pay for it's self. Plus you get a bunch of coupons and a free mobile base that I know I'll be using. Not many other manufacturers offer that kind of competitive discount. Plus Amazon offers free shipping and no tax, which saves you almost 20~25% of the purchase price.

A table saw is the cornerstone of any wood shop. Invest in a nice saw. You won't regret it.