Great Depression Era Delta Machines

[Larry Buskirk]

During these current events with the Covid19 virus, and it's side effects I'm reminded of what I heard/read about The Great Depression. So that got me to thinking that this was also Delta's early years when they had to compete for buyers scarce spending dollars.

 

Most of my machines are from this period in both our country's, and Delta's History. 

Being that most of my machines are now approaching 90 years old, and not being a purist I have where needed used parts from later model machines to replace hard to, if not impossible to find parts. I do so in a manner that can be reversed if original parts ever do find their way my way.

The purists call me a Resto-Modder.

I also can't/won't/don't even try to compete with the true collectors that pay top dollar.

 

One of Delta's selling points involved the way their machines could be assembled into combo units that could be powered by a single motor, or if you lacked electric power by an engine.

I've looked years for a couple sets of the metal bench legs that Delta offered.

But the one's I do see are way out of my price range.

I do however have a set of legs from a Delta scroll saw stand, so I might just see if I can't make a pair.

My intention is to build two of the benches for a pair of combinations.

 

The first will be a bench similar to below that will support 3 of my Resto-Modded machines.

 

The second will support an 8" TS 4" jointer and an 11" lathe.

 

So now if only the weather would cooperate! 

 

 

 

Edited March 30, 2020 by Larry Buskirk

[Artie]

My ShopSmith’s grandpa!

[FlGatorwood]

A friend of ours expired a few years ago.  He had about 3 of these systems and his dear wife had no idea what they were.  So, I went and looked and told her that they were worth about $200 for the whole batch.  I don't know what she got, but she had a real interested buyer and he took them on first day.  Her husband made plaques for church and Boy Scouts.  Really neat toys.  

[Larry Buskirk]

8 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

A friend of ours expired a few years ago.  He had about 3 of these systems and his dear wife had no idea what they were.  So, I went and looked and told her that they were worth about $200 for the whole batch.  I don't know what she got, but she had a real interested buyer and he took them on first day.  Her husband made plaques for church and Boy Scouts.  Really neat toys.  

Steve,

Now days just the bench legs go in the $225.00 and up range plus shipping for a pair on the bay.

The system below I would consider more toy like. 

 

9 hours ago, Artie said:

My ShopSmith’s grandpa!

Artie,

These were actually stand alone machines that only required shifting belts to use the machine you wanted to use.

Motors were a major expense, and these combos allowed you to use one motor for several machines.

 

Delta had an earlier machine in the late 20's very early 30's that was more like a small ShopSmith, with this you had to do a setup similar to changing out machines on the ShopSmith.

The lathe & sanding disc were direct drive, the 8" scroll saw & 6" table saw used a round belt similar to a sewing machine. 

[Larry Buskirk]

I had been working on these a few years ago, but life got in the way. 

Still can't get a break in the weather, so I'll give a brief description of the machines I'll be using in my Resto-Modded version of Delta's No.575 Combination.

 

My No. 700 scroll saw started out as basically two little more than parts machines that ended at this stage.

The modifications I performed are explained in the write up I did back then.

The No. 620 11" Drill Press I'll be using is far from stock in that it is comprised of the base, table, and column from a No. 620 with the cast iron head from a No. 645 that Delta introduced in 1937. The No. 620 was last listed in the 1936 catalog.

I had ran across a drawing when I was researching Delta patent numbers that showed this machine, but apparently Delta  never produced it. The No. 620's head casting was made of cast Zamak, and was prone to breaking. The No. 645 (DP400) head casting uses the same internal parts, and accessories as the Delta 14" (DP220) drill presses.

Here's a photo of where that machine stands now. The base is backwards so the machine doesn't tip over.

The "Mule Drive" pulleys are from a Homecraft DeltaShop machine from the 1950's.

My favorite style of the Delta drill press pulley guard.

And that leaves my Resto-Modded version of the No. 785 10" band saw. First the before photo.

I found a second of this at the metal recycle yard. Out of 4 wheels only one would run true, so I used the wheels, and lower shaft from a later model Homecraft "Gumby" band saw which are much easier to find. 

This is the motor I'll be using.

Here's a link to an old post about it.

Now if the weather would just cooperate. 

 

Edited March 31, 2020 by Larry Buskirk

[Bundoman]

They all are beautiful machines!  Nice work!

[Artie]

Which is more fun, working on the machines? Or on the wood? LOL ( I’m betting the answer is both)

[Bundoman]

1 hour ago, Artie said:

Which is more fun, working on the machines? Or on the wood? LOL ( I’m betting the answer is both)

For me it is both.  Satisfaction in making machines that old “go” again is why I work on the tools.  That and an appreciation for heavy duty American manufacturing!  Woodworking just calms and yet challenges.  And its a good outlet for the kid projects too!  

[Larry Buskirk]

6 hours ago, Bundoman said:

They all are beautiful machines!  Nice work!

Thanks Brent, 

As you can probably tell I've spent quite a few hours going through the manuals from different era machines to figure out what parts I can substitute from the later era into the earlier era machines. It's much easier, and usually cheaper to find the later model parts. I also make sure that I do so in a way that can be returned to original parts should I ever find them. I know that my paint scheme somewhat upsets the purists, but the lines of these early era machines just beg to be accentuated.

That and they're kind of like Hot Rods!

59 minutes ago, Artie said:

Which is more fun, working on the machines? Or on the wood? LOL ( I’m betting the answer is both)

Artie,

I guess I would have to say that it's all kind of fun.

(Brent just posted while I was typing this, and his answer covers part of it for me.)

For me it's part economics, I've got a very small budget to work with. That and I enjoy the challenge of bringing these old machines back. But due to having a small budget I usually get machines that most other's would consider parts machines or to far gone to save. I've actually found better machines "Curb Shopping" than some I've paid for. I also enjoy doing the research I mentioned in my reply to Brent. I get to know my machines inside out in the process, and also enjoy the mechanical work involved. The woodworking is a side benefit that I also find enjoyable.

 

[FlGatorwood]

I love to see these old tools and machines to learn what our forefathers went through to built such beautiful items and make very strong buildings.  My wife's dad and grandfather joined with many other workers in their community to build their church.  It is much better without all the codes than the new buildings.  It has been there for 70 years, looks good and is sturdy as cave.  It has been inspected many times and inspectors marvel at the structure.  It is a beautiful building and educational building in the back.  But, to get some idea of what these people went through to acquire and achieve the things they did is amazing to my pea brain.  

[Artie]

I think there is a website OWWM ( Old Wood Working Machines ) that posts pictures of machines that their members have restored. I was actually a member there before I decided to start up with woodworking (so it’s THEIR fault LOL). This thread on restored machines is at least 100 pages. Quite frankly if I were to win the lottery, I would buy a large number of these and just keep them in my living quarters as art. Stunningly beautiful is too lackluster a description for most of them. I put some of the members here in that class of people that have left craftsman behind and ascended to Artiste.

[Bundoman]

I should have definitely included budget as part of what sparked my interest as well.  In the beginning, it was probably the largest driver of my tool purchases. When I was trying to get a shop started, I had a young family so inexpensive ruled the day.  But hey!  I still like inexpensive!  As an intermittent tinkerer, i feel less guilty about money invested.  

Edited April 5, 2020 by Bundoman

[aaronc]

Man what a great post,...that ad is beautiful,..love that top pic. I also thought of the shop smith 

 

I like prewar stuff and looking at refurbs of about anything...I think it's worth doing. 

[Larry Buskirk]

1 hour ago, aaronc said:

Man what a great post,...that ad is beautiful,..love that top pic. I also thought of the shop smith 

 

I like prewar stuff and looking at refurbs of about anything...I think it's worth doing. 

Thanks Aaron,

I have as much fun researching and redoing these old machines as I get out of using them.