Delta Scroll Saw Repair

[PostalTom]

I have an old Delta 40-560 scroll saw.  The air diaphragm, or bellows, that generates the air flow to keep the cut line free of dust is shot.  I can't find a replacement for this part anywhere.  I emailed Delta, but they don't have a replacement.  They recommended I check with another company that specializes in obsolete and discontinued parts, but I struck out there.  So here is my question.  You know the flex seal product, where the pitch man sticks a patch on a leaking 5 gal bucket of water, or cuts a boat in half and then fixes it with the tape version of this product?  Would that fix the bellows on my scroll saw?  I'm thinking of a quick dip in a can of this stuff, or maybe painting a layer on the bellows with an acid brush.  I use a scroll saw so seldom that a purchase of a new one, or even a used one, just doesn't make sense.  Everything else works fine.  I can use it this way if necessary, but after a while I get dizzy from trying to blow a steady stream of air so that I can see where I am cutting.  Any suggestions?

[schnewj]

Tom, even though the Delta CS says the part is obsolete it may not be. Delta and DeWalt are part of the same tool group but function as different, separate companies. The DeWalt's are essentially copies of the older Deltas. Although I am not positive, you may find that DeWalt can supply you with the part and it may fit your Delta. Just a shot in the dark.

 

As a desperate last attempt you can try and contact Bob Brokaw of the Gwinnett Woodworker Association. He has done a series of videos on rebuilding the DeWalt's. I'm sure that he could point you in the right direction. You may have to do a search for a contact address or number.

[Smallpatch]

Tom I don't know if this would work but I use to repair the pressure regulators  on air compressors with a piece of tire inter tube. The tire tubes were a little thicker but worked just fine. I could get the guys compressors back quicker than waiting for the parts to show up...  They throw away the ruined tubes or a small tube like a gocart tire tube like in the 4 and 5" range is not real high if that would  fix you problem.. The rest of the tube could go under the scroll saw ....Thats what my saw sits on and is not bolted down.... for I do have to shift the saw back and forth sometimes to allow the item being cut free clearance on each side from time to time.

Do you already have it apart and do you think a piece of tube is about the same thing?

Edited March 11, 2018 by Smallpatch

[schnewj]

52 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Tom I don't know if this would work but I use to repair the pressure regulators  on air compressors with a piece of tire inter tube. The tire tubes were a little thicker but worked just fine. I could get the guys compressors back quicker than waiting for the parts to show up...  They throw away the ruined tubes or a small tube like a gocart tire tube like in the 4 and 5" range is not real high if that would  fix you problem.. The rest of the tube could go under the scroll saw ....Thats what my saw sits on and is not bolted down.... for I do have to shift the saw back and forth sometimes to allow the item being cut free clearance on each side from time to time.

Do you already have it apart and do you think a piece of tube is about the same thing?

Possible option, but...an inner tube may be a little thick. The diaphragm on the saw is pretty thin and we're not dealing with a lot of pressure here. The tube rubber may be too stiff to vibrate and move a low pressure/volume of air.

 

I did a search; this is not a diaphragm it is a bellows type. I see and feel the pain. NOBODY has them and there are apparently no obvious substitutes. However, as a suggestion, failing to find a replacement bellows, consider plumbing in an aquarium air pump. Instead of the saw arm operating the bellows the pump would supply the air to the nozzle.

Edited March 11, 2018 by schnewj

[Stick486]

1 hour ago, PostalTom said:

The air diaphragm, or bellows, that generates the air flow to keep the cut line free of dust is shot. 

 

by pass it and add an air pump...

use a piece of latex rubber...

https://www.canalrubber.com/sheet-rubber-natural-colored-latex-sheeting/

stop in at your dentist and ask them for a sheet or two of their mouth guard sheets...

[PostalTom]

2 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

do you think a piece of tube is about the same thing?

No, I don't think that is the same thing.  That sounds like the tube that goes from the bellows to the air nozzle.  I need the part that actually generates the puff of air.

 

 

This is the part I need.

[PostalTom]

@Stick486 and @schnewj,  the air pump idea sounds like an obvious solution that I just didn't think of.  Thanks.  I'll research that.

[Just Larry]

Tom, I replaced the bellows on my old craftsman with an aqurium pump I found at thrift store.  Plugged in in so it came on when the saw came on and attached the plastic hose to the air line on the pump.  Worked better than the saw bellows.  The pump give a constant stream of air while the saw bellows pressure is regulated with the speed of the saw arm.  When the bellows on my delta goes out, I will put the pump on it if I don't get it on before then.  Cost of replacement was $2.00.

Larry

[PostalTom]

2 minutes ago, Just Larry said:

Tom, I replaced the bellows on my old craftsman with an aqurium pump I found at thrift store.  Plugged in in so it came on when the saw came on and attached the plastic hose to the air line on the pump.  Worked better than the saw bellows.  The pump give a constant stream of air while the saw bellows pressure is regulated with the speed of the saw arm.  When the bellows on my delta goes out, I will put the pump on it if I don't get it on before then.  Cost of replacement was $2.00.

Larry

Sounding better all the time.  Thanks Larry.

[HandyDan]

My Hawk has a bellows.  It is part number 715-0024.  There is a hold down bracket for it 615-1025 and a bellows assembly number 955-001 but neither of these numbers show when entered to the web site.  You might give them a call.  I think the bellows is open on the bottom and seals against the frame when mounted. 

 

http://stores.bushtonhawkstore.com/search.php?search_query=bellows&Keyword+or+Part+%23=

 

The pump seems an easier answer.

 

 

[Stick486]

2 hours ago, schnewj said:

the pump would supply the air to the nozzle.

 

adjustable too...

[Kevin Beitz]

Tractor shifting boot...

[Handyman76]

I have same problem, no replacement bellow available. I'm going to try a vacuum cup sucker from Aliexpress. Search for "Vacuum Suction Cup Industry BL40-2", it has dimensions close to original. Need to block the other end though and shorten it, but that won't be so difficult.

[Grandpadave52]

11 hours ago, Handyman76 said:

I have same problem, no replacement bellow available. I'm going to try a vacuum cup sucker from Aliexpress. Search for "Vacuum Suction Cup Industry BL40-2", it has dimensions close to original. Need to block the other end though and shorten it, but that won't be so difficult.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Welcome to The Patriot Woodworker. Sorry for your problem, but glad it brought you to us. Looking forward to seeing what's happening in your shop especially in Finland.

[Cal]

Welcome aboard Handyman76, glad to have you here.  I'd ask about the donuts, but I see that Dave has already been here

[PostalTom]

I'm surprised this old thing came back up. I did try the aquarium air pump. Wired it into the power switch for the scroll saw and mounted it to a horseshoe type of mount to place on the bottom part of the frame for the saw.  After all that, the pump doesn't produce enough air to blow a gnat away, let alone some sawdust.  I gave up on that, and went back to the old Mark 1 lung power to  keep my cut line clean.  I don't use my scroll saw that much anyway, so that failure wasn't that big a deal.

[DuckSoup]

 Check the craft stores for glitter bottles, the side are made like the bellows of a squeeze box. A small bottle works for a replacement. You can also drill a hole in a tennis ball the dia. of the hose then super glue the hose into the tennis ball.

On 3/11/2018 at 10:46 AM, PostalTom said:

I have an old Delta 40-560 scroll saw. 

 That is still a good saw.

[WoodworkinWoman]

On 8/2/2024 at 8:45 AM, PostalTom said:

I'm surprised this old thing came back up. I did try the aquarium air pump. Wired it into the power switch for the scroll saw and mounted it to a horseshoe type of mount to place on the bottom part of the frame for the saw.  After all that, the pump doesn't produce enough air to blow a gnat away, let alone some sawdust.  I gave up on that, and went back to the old Mark 1 lung power to  keep my cut line clean.  I don't use my scroll saw that much anyway, so that failure wasn't that big a deal.

https://pin.it/2EXCJSNAp

I haven’t tried it myself on my Delta but it seems to be a reasonable solution. I saw the pump on Amazon for $5.99.