Good morning fellow woodworkers,

 

I have a delta tablesaw problem I need to fix and have received no feedback from Delta on the e-mail I sent them regarding my problem so I thought maybe you could help.

 

 

I purchased a Delta model unisaw with a 10" dia. blade, 3 1/4 HP motor, 52" table, and a Biesemeyer fence system in 2005, model 36-812 with serial number 05A 95089 type 2.

 

An unusual noise is produced sometimes as the blade is spinning down from use.  This noise was produced since I purchased the saw, but I could never find the source of the noise, until recently.  

 

When cleaning the saw, I noticed score marks and flats that had formed on the shaft used to adjust the blade height of the saw.  Upon further investigation, there is direct contact between the end of the belt pulleys used to drive the motor and the blade shaft.  Apparently time was required for the flat spots to form on the shaft.  Until this occurred, the root cause of the noise could not be identified.  This contact only occurs when the blade height is set to 2 inches or above, which explains why the noise was inconsistent and was not made all the time.  When the blade is set at a height lower than 2 inches, no noise is produced.  I have attached a PDF file which has pictures to showing the exact condition I am referring to.

 

Obviously this is not a safe condition and shouldn't be occurring.  Has anyone else had this problem with their delta tablesaw?    Anyone know what is causing this contact to occur and if it can be corrected?  If so, how? Any advice would be appreciated.

saw_hoffman_03-09-2020.pdf

 

It may be parallax, but from this angle, it looks as if the belts are at a slight angle when contacting the pulley. Could the motor and/or pulley be slightly shifted towards the adjustment shaft?

Check to see if the set screws in the pulley may have came loose allowing the pulley to move out from the motor case.

Try moving the pulley closer to the motor case, it looks like it's out to far.

Definitely see that pulley has moved. Likely as Larry set loose or missing set screw

Thanks for the advice.  That makes sense.  I suppose the only way to check the set screws is to remove the table?  Not looking forward to that.

Being that it is the motor drive pulley is hitting the shaft if the pulley hasn't moved on the motor shaft then you need to look into the motor mounts and see if something hasn't gone awry there.  Loose or missing bolts would be the first to look at.  If it comes to the mount being suspicious it will be best to remove the belts for checking the motor mount assembly.  The belts can work as a sling to hold it in place.

I looked at a parts drawing for that saw, and it appears that the set screw is right in the middle track of that pulley. If you take the belts off you might be able to get to it with out removing the table 🤞 fingers crossed. If you do have to remove the table there's a chance you might find shims in one or more corners of the table, keep track of where they belong for reassembly.

Also check to see if a long Allen wrench might slip in to the screw without removing the top. I had to tighten mine  and it is possible to finally find an angle to reach the screw or sometimes two

Allen screws. If the pulley is loose you might have to get a pry bar to reach in to get clearance back between the parts.  I could tighten my screws without removing the belts...

Another thought is there may be two set screws on top of oneanother. To tighten the lower one you have to remove the upper. Lathe Pullies are like this due to vibration.

I took the plunge today to fix the pulley location.  Instead of removing the top, I tried Smallpatche's and Fred's sugestions.  I used a hex bit socket and when I rotated the pulley in the exact right spot, I could rotate the sets screws.  Both of them were completely loose and the shaft key was sticking out about a 1/8".  I added locktite to the set screw threads when I reinstalled them but the pocket for the set screw was so deep I am not sure how much actually ended up on the threads.  I still don't like the blade height shaft damage but from a functional standpoint I am sure it will work as is.  In any case, I am back up and running with about 3/8" clearance between the pulley end and the blade height shaft.

 

Thanks for everyone's help. 

Awesome!

Thanks for the update.  Glad to hear it wasn't more serious.

2 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Thanks for the update.  Glad to hear it wasn't more serious.

Ditto! +1 

Those answers/solutions is one of the reasons I like this woodworking site!