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I have a 14" Delta with riser that I have done general sawing with for about 10 years. Mostly using a 3 tpi 1/2" blade. It has 1/2 HP motor. I have been doing some resawing lately with it and I have it set up cutting very straight, but oh so slow. If I get in the slightest hurry, it throws my breaker.   I was sawing some quilted maple this afternoon and got 5 nice slabs out of a 5/4 board 8" wide. I would really like to be able to have more power and versatility. Am considering finding a 2 HP motor, or just looking for a bigger saw. I would appreciate any opinions. I've read most of the archives about experiences you have had with the bigger saws, just thinking if I can save some money or not? TomTom Harbin38884.0247569444

There is no comparing a Delta 14" with one of the big saws but if the form factor and other things about a 14" work for you, you will see a big difference if you use a bigger motor. If you hunt around you can get some very good deals on industrial quality motors in the 1 1/2- 2 HP range that will really help your setup.

In general if you can justify a bigger saw it will do more but if you dont need bigger than just tune up the 14 w. riser you have. Have you tweaked other things on it such as a stiffer tensioning spring (Woodcraft and others sell it) or better guides? IF all you are lacking is power then a motor is far less expensive than a new saw.

I have an older (pre-Rockwell) Delta 14 w. riser that I have used for over 30 years and cut a little of everything on it. For 15 years I also used to sell woodworking machinery so I have a 20" Hitachi resaw with a 3" wide blade with carbide tips (original blade had stellite) and a power feeder (not for speed but for smoothness of speed and cut) that I use exclusively for resawing but that is a luxury, not a necessity.

Keep in mind that more horespower = more current = You still need a bigger breaker, and probably larger wire size as well. If Your shop does not have adequate wire size, voltage drop could be the problem. If You have an electrician freind, ask him to look at your wiring to see how many horsepower it can support before buying a larger motor.

Al

No matter how well-tuned my old Rockwell 14 is, I can't get a vibration -free cut. It just doesn't happen. Perhaps it's not so well-tuned.


I replaced the 1/2 hp motor with a 1 hp Leeson, and still I wish I had a lot more power. I think this is a nice saw for general purpose bandsawing, but for resawing, I want something a lot bigger and solid. Too much vibration in it. The upper bearings are new from Iturra, but I'm not sure about the lower ones. Can't remember changing those.

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[QUOTE=Tom Harbin] I have a 14" Delta with riser that I have done general sawing with for about 10 years. Mostly using a 3 tpi 1/2" blade. It has 1/2 HP motor. I have been doing some resawing lately with it and I have it set up cutting very straight, but oh so slow. If I get in the slightest hurry, it throws my breaker.    Tom[/QUOTE]

Tom - are you talking about tripping the house wiring breaker, or a breaker or thermal switch inside the motor?

If you're tripping the house breaker, the first step would be to solve that problem, with a separate line and breaker if possible. A larger motor would trip the same breaker even sooner.

The best way to do it, if your motor is wired for it, is to switch it to 220V and use a separate 220v circuit for all of your shop tools that you can convert. You'd get more power out of the same motor at 220V because of lower wiring losses, and lower winding losses within the motor. The difference is dramatic.

And, if you do buy a new motor, look for one with 110/220V wiring - 220 V is really the best way to go.

Phil

Thank you guys!

I haven't made a decision yet, but am leaning toward the bigger motor for right now. I plan on keeping the smaller bandsaw anyway, and the extra power will never hurt. Thanks for your input on many aspects of the situation, including power demands, etc. Tom