This is the pride of my shop. I doubt it has 1,000 hours on it. I'm the 2nd owner and I got it from a retired woodworker in Salt Lake City who wanted it to go to someone who would take care of it.

It's all original except for the lower motor pulley. That got broke in transit.

I did some research and I think this is one of the early models. It has stamped steel wheels instead of the cast iron that were on the later models.

I don't know if the motor is original, but it is from the same era.

Hi Doug, and welcome to The Patriot Woodworker. 

Very nice 785 you have there! 

The 785 was Delta's first in house made band saw. It was first introduced in 1931, and retired in 1937.

Your machine would date from either 1936, or 1937 due to it having the 882 lamp attachment lug.

The earlier machines also had "SPECIALTY CO." embossed below the word Delta. The earliest 1931 saw also did not have guide blocks for the blade. The decal also stated "DELTA SPECIALTY CO" as below.

 

The saws were sold without a motor, but you are correct in that your Westinghouse motor is probably period correct.

 

 

Beautiful well built and taken care of machine.

What about the stamped steel wheels? I read that they were only on the first two years of production.

Doug,

Have you taken a magnet to them?

They look like the cast Zamak wheels to me. 

I've got a 1931, and parts of a later model. The steel wheels on my 1931 are rimless.

 

3 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Doug,

Have you taken a magnet to them?

They look like the cast Zamak wheels to me. 

I've got a 1931, and parts of a later model. The steel wheels on my 1931 are rimless.

 

After closer inspection, I believe you're right. There are casting marks on the face of both wheels.

Between the two examples I have one that had the top wheel replaced with the last type of cast Zamak wheel.

The person who replaced it tried fitting a roller bearing into the hub, and cracked the wheel around the bearing bore.

They had also replaced the top axle with a 5/8" bolt. Between the four wheels I had only one that would run true.

I ended up adapting the spoked wheels from the later Homecraft (Gumby) bandsaw to get two good wheels.

 

Never less you have a beautiful original example of Delta's first made in house band saw.

 

I have several of the early machines, and hopefully will be getting them set up soon. Most of them have been Resto-Modded using easier to find parts from later model machines. 

 

@Gunny once asked me if I have the early catalogs memorized.

I replied most of the early Delta catalogs. 

Am I a Deltaholic? 

Edited July 20, 20205 yr by Larry Buskirk

Hi there! 
 

Hoping to resurrect an old thread but I just bought a Delta 785 in REALLY good condition with what I can see all of the original parts minus the motor (the “washing machine motor” was smoking really bad, I would assume it was the original motor since they weren’t sold with the saw.) 

 

I just bought it yesterday but it’s so small that I’ve been essentially able to clean it all up, polish the parts to a shine and I’m ready to paint it. 
 

Does anyone know the original color? (Might just go with the rustoleum grey) Also a good place to source new tires, a blade and motor? (Doesn’t have to be period correct but if new/old motor were same price I would choose old)

 

Thanks! 

Welcome aboard Michael, glad to have you here.  Our resident Delta expert, Larry, ought to be along before too long to help you out.

17 minutes ago, Cal said:

Welcome aboard Michael, glad to have you here.  Our resident Delta expert, Larry, ought to be along before too long to help you out.

Beat me too it @Cal

Welcome Michael. The original color would have been kind of a Smoke Grey.

Original blades are 66.5" in length, the closest I've came accross in ready mades is 67".

Tires can be ordered through Woodworkers Tool Works, ( http://woodworkerstoolworks.com/ ) They will require trimming the width.

They can also make blades to length.

Bearings are NLA, but can be rebuilt using replacement balls. They're like a bicycle bearing.

You'll be looking for a 1725 RPM motor, or will have to adjust pulley sizes to compensate for the RPM difference.

Edited December 22, 20223 yr by Larry Buskirk

Oh my goodness, Larry. Thank you! Such a wealth of knowledge and I’m glad you replied! I actually just decided on smoke gray from rustoleum so I plan on painting it today! I am going to add some before pictures to share with you. It’s remarkable how complete this saw is, I’m not sure if there’s anything missing so I want to do a good job in restoring it back to its original condition.

I will look into the specific blade length and order some tires.

 

I’m wondering more about the bearings…The original guide bearings are actually really dang good… albeit they’re no Carter bearings but they turn smooth and I polished them up to a nice shine with my Brillo wheel and they’re humming. 
 

Wheel bearings aren’t in bad shape either, I degreased them and got as much gunk out of there with my air compressor and they’re turning just fine. I plan on lubing them up with some performance grease after the paint job and rolling with them. 
 

I plan on ordering a link belt to replace the V-belt… other than that, hope you enjoy the pictures! (I should have taken more)

IMG_4381.HEIC IMG_4383.HEIC IMG_4370.HEIC IMG_4379.HEIC IMG_4380.HEIC IMG_4382.HEIC

@Michael D

I can't open your attachments, but the saw does look rather complete.

I myself don't use link belts with the cast Zamac pullies, they tend to wear the pullies.

These are actually more of a scrolling band saw, and are limited as to blade thickness and width.

Here's a link to the operating instructions. 

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=1882

See if this works... I converted them to a jpeg

@Larry Buskirk  That's actually why I purchased the saw... I've got a 14" 1951 Delta bandsaw that I brought back to life as my primary saw and this one will serve as my finer detail-cutting bandsaw. 

 

Good to know about the link belts; I've not discarded the V-belt it came with, so I'll put it back on when I'm done and wear that one out.  

 

I just purchased a 66.5" Timberwolf 1/4" 8 TPI RK blade to facilitate those finer cuts.  I can't imagine I would need a 3/16", so I went with more stock thickness versatility so I could saw up to about a ~1.5" board if need be. 

 

I checked the website you provided for tires, and I would prefer to purchase urethane tires as opposed to rubber to avoid the glue-up.  I'm happy with my urethane tires on my 14" bandsaw as well -- I'd prefer to go that route unless you would advise against it. 

The tires measure:

Length: 29.5"

Width: 11/16"

Thickness: 1/8"

@Michael D

Either your saw has the upgraded blade guides introduced in 1933 or it dates from 1933-1934. After that the decal stated "Delta Mfg. Co..

The earlier guides had no side guide blocks. Below are photos of the earlier 1931-32 guides compared to the guides from the later model Delta Homecraft "Gumby" 10" band saw. They are very similar to the 1933-37 Model 785 guides. I see you also have the hard to find SBS-50-S Lamp Attachment Bracket. 

As to the tires I myself prefer the rubber when using smaller blades. It might be my imagination but they seem to grip/track the smaller blades better without having to crank the tension up.

 

 

 

 

That’s so cool you’re able to date the saw since it doesn’t have a serial number to reference. Either way a 1933 bandsaw in such good condition and basically complete (missing a flat head screw/nut on the table and table insert) is remarkable. 
 

I’ll see if I can find a urethane tire, if not I’ll go rubber. I saw two sizes, a 30” and a 29”.. I would think the 29” would be the way to go.
 

I just sprayed a primer coat on today so it’s getting closer to final pics which I will absolutely provide.

 

 

11 minutes ago, Michael D said:

(missing a flat head screw/nut on the table and table insert)

The screw/nut are standard fare at most hardware stores. The table insert is easiest replaced with a fender washer. 

 

Ahh good call on the fender washer, I was going to try and retrofit one of my zero clearance inserts I’ve got for my 14” bandsaw but now I’ve got a backup plan. 

I’m looking at motors right now.. Do you think a 1/2hp 1725rpm Dayton motor from grainger would be a good option? More wondering about the 1/2 vs 1/3 hp difference.

8 hours ago, Michael D said:

Ahh good call on the fender washer, I was going to try and retrofit one of my zero clearance inserts I’ve got for my 14” bandsaw but now I’ve got a backup plan. 

I’m looking at motors right now.. Do you think a 1/2hp 1725rpm Dayton motor from grainger would be a good option? More wondering about the 1/2 vs 1/3 hp difference.

The fender washers I found at the True Value Hardware by us were almost a perfect fit the thickness matched the table.

Just had to barely sand the outside edge to fit into the table, and cut a slot with a hacksaw.  

1/3 HP is plenty for these small saws, but I believe the old motors were underated as far as HP.

Ebay, and Antique stores can be your friend when looking for "Old Parts" I found a motor a few years back on Ebay.

 Looks like that was longer ago than I thought.