I saw this cool old delta scroll saw on craigslist and I kinda want to fit it up and use it. It’s $35. Is it worth the time and money to restore it? It doesn’t have a motor. How much money would I be spending on parts, and are parts for this saw even easily found? Oh, It also comes with the original stand, I don’t have pics of it though.

Thanks

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I gave $150 for mine about 30 years ago but it was in good working order. I have since rebuilt it from parts ordered directly from Delta as they still had what I needed.

Btw, you'll get more responses and views if you'll post the photos instead of links. A lot of folks won't click on a link.

David

James it might be impossible to find parts a scrollsaw that old. A lot of these old saws and some new saws are so hard to use that you would just give up on a very fun hobby.

If you can spin it and the blade holder goes up and down, the only thing you need is the motor and it looks like the hold down "foot" is missing, you could probably find or build one yourself if you are capable


Those things are built like tanks, I have one like it and it just keeps running, but I also have a Delta "parallelogram" jig saw so the old one doesn't get used as much as it could have been

Hahaha I wouldn’t know here to start with building a motor. How much money would I be putting into this saw if I got it?

Like some said, Not sure if I could even find the parts, It’s kind of a gamble.

Wow i love that! This looks l;ike one of those projects which may need a bit of patience. Personally id buy it and see what I could do with it. Its layout isnt very different from the modern models so id be willing to bet you can at the minimum get it operating if not fully restored.

Look around used 1/4-1/2 used 48 frame motors are pretty easy to find or you could spring for a new one $100-150


They used to be easier to find in the days of belt drive furnace motors, but everything has been direct drive for a long time


Then you could look fr the hold down foot, but it might be better to find the hold down foot first or build one of your own design if you have the tools and talent to build it

Took an old Craftsman and redid it a couple years ago. Most of the work consisted of derusting (electrolysis) most of the parts. Works well. This one had a working motor, but 1/4 HP is big enough, and are usually easy to find.

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But for about the same money you can find an import "parallelogram" jig saw, honestly they work a little better for real tight cutting, but aren't as good for thicker cutting. Shopfox has one for around $150-200

I found a few used 1/4 hp 48 style motors for around $70. And some new ones for like $100-$125. So I would prob get a new one...less things to worry about.

I couldn’t find any hold down foots. But I feel confident I could make one with some 1/6” or 1/32” thick steel sheets.

I still need the guy to respond to my email. If he does, i’ll probably ask $25 for it

I had one of these until I sold it for $50.00 in fully restored functional condition on the original metal stand. If this is what you want keep looking.
The weak link on this saw is the cartridge in the upper arm that has a spring and plunger that holds the blade. If the saw had much use the parts wear out, the body is white metal. The parts are no longer available and no after market parts are being made.
I replaced it with a DeWalt a far superior saw in many aspects.

JIM

You might look at a current saw (any make or model) that is still in production, then you could get the hold down foot for it and adapt it to the old saw


The hold down needs to be spring steel, so you can't heat it up to bend it so keep that in mind