One of the reasons I spent the extra money on a unisaw, which is more expensive than most saws in its class, is the Delta reputation for quality. The reviews given to them by Taunton Press for example, give them top marks. The saw they sent to Fine Woodworking for review must have been gone over with cherry-picked parts by the folk at Delta, because what the sent me was a royal pain in the a**.
br /
br / To make a long story shortthe 3hp Left Tilt Unisaw with 50" Biesmeyer Fence package that i ordered showed up with A) a warped/cupped outfeed table, B) a hardware package with missing parts, C) an instruction manual with instructions for assembly that included outdated information D) a base that was not firmly attached to the saw (the only way to access the bolts to tighten them is to jack up the saw and approach from underneath E) legs for the outfeed table with mounting brakets that were not welded square to the legs, so that when attached properly, they do not rest square and plumb (come on Delta, where's the Quality Control???) F) perhaps the most egregious problem was mounting holes for the fence that DID NOT LINE UP. I had to machine the fence mounting holes in our machine shop so that it would mount properly G) the iron table of the saw had a slight crown, while the Iron extension wings had a significant cup, resulting in a seam where they joined with a significant lip, impossible to make smooth transition., H) stripped threads on the handle for the miter gauge.
br /
br / Can you believe all this is from one saw package!!!???????
br /
br / Customer service had long wait times on the phone. Eventually Delta sent replacement parts that were better than those first sent, but even these were nowhere near the specs in the "rave reviews" in the magazines (specifically table flatness). Almost a month after receiving the saw package, I had the saw completely set up and running with adequately flat tables Good power, good trunion, great fence.
br /
br /
br /
br /
br /
br /
br /
br /

I shopped for a quite a while before buying, and compared all the saws out there. The other brands are also excellent; I couldn't find any big advantage from one to the other. It boiled down to name recognition for me. I didn't see the need to spend a few hundred more for a powermatic (which is now owned by Jet) or a little less to buy the Jet (although they have a GREAT deal on their saw with a built in router table and Bosch 2HP router - very tempting).pHere's the good and bad, good first:p- LOTS of power - I traded up from a Delta 10" Contractor's saw (had it for almost 20 years - problem free. It's also a GREAT saw if you don't want to shell out the 2 grand for this one) and this saw has significantly more power.p- Biesemeyer fence is excellent. VERY; sturdy, heavy, and easy to set up. I purchased a Unifence for my contractor's saw and was also very pleased. I decided to try something new this time around. The choice of fence and the right versus left were the biggest struggles I had. I will say this in hopes that it helps:p - B: heavier, seems a bit sturdier on the table, easier to set up out of the box - less parts, a little harder to take off the saw than the U - does everything I need.p - U: light, seems more versatile (the aluminum rail can be slid forward and backwards - a very nice feature, and the fence can "stand up" or lay "flat" for thinner stock which is also a very nice feature), harder to set up, easier to get off the machine - did everything I needed.pI have no regrets buying the Biesemeyer but do miss my Unifence.pA quick note on right versus left. Contractor's saw was left tilt so I stayed with what I know. I'd recommend anyone with the same experience do the same - it's what I "grew up with" and am comfortable with it.pHere's the bad:p- Minor issue but the hand wheels are cheesy. Just casted and painted. I thought the nicely polished ones on the other machine were better.p- You need dedicated 220V power for this. It's not necessarily a "bad" - we all know the requirement - it's just it will cost you another xx hundred dollars to get there....p- Mobile base is fairly easy to set up but the extension legs on the table sit right where the adjustment screws are for the leveling feet. It's a little awkward. I also found the fit (legs into the mobile base) to be VERY tight, almost too tight.

I'd like to take the opportunity to agree with one of the reviews, as well as possibly help the writer of the other...brAs an electrician and carpenter, I can tell you that when the Unisaw (or any machine with a huge power appetite) is wired incorrectly, symptoms such as described (i.e. overheating and shutting down) can frequently occur. This will actually happen with any induction motor, which draws a HUGE amount of power when first started, and when under load, ex. that 3 inch thick maple!pI have sworn by the Delta Unisaw for years, and know many local shops around here that feel just the same. The new x5 line is improved in features and Delta offers a good package (they usually include necessities like cast iron wings, table inserts, etc.) regardless of where they are purchased from. It is a machine that when properly cared for (as with any other machine) will outlast any of us, with never ending performance, and accuracy. brPlease be sure to consult a licensed electrician when installing the required electrical (receptacle, wire, circuit breaker, etc.) equipment for your own safety as well as proper functionality!brHope this helps! :)

I will outline the bad points first.
br /
br /1: Both side extensions were cupped almost an 1/16th in the middle. It was possible to get them flat with the main table but do not ask how. This alone took about 4 hours.
br /
br /2: Biesemeyer extension table cupped. Some proper bracing at my expense and this was fixed.
br /
br /3: Front Biesemeyer mounting rail and Unisaw holes do not line up, some filing and massive clamping pressure during setup was needed to align the rail with the "template" and mounting holes.
br /
br /4: Missing screws, bolts, lock washers, and fender washers. I picked up these at the hardware store so I could get it up and running. My expense.
br /
br /5: Missing dust collection adapter. (Delta is shipping.. its been a week so far. I have made a temp with lumber.)
br /
br /6: Missing X5 promotional items including rebate for a "free tool" and the other advertised promotional items that were supposed to be included in the box.
br /
br /7: Biesemeyer rails were chipped and scratched with paint missing. Box was in perfect condition.
br /
br /8: Biesemeyer extension table legs are not welded at 90 degree angles so when mounted it looks like you may be a drunk cabinet maker.
br /
br /8: Severe vibration after saw was set up. Enough vibration to send a tape measure to the floor from the middle of the right cast iron extension. The Ridgid TS-3650 had significantly less vibration! (delta is sending a replacement motor)
br /
br /
br /The Good.
br /
br /1: Even with the vibration the cuts were very accurate, and had plenty of power without any burning. It cuts wood.
br /
br /2: Delta tech support was very nice. And replacement parts were no trouble to get. English was the first language of everyone and I had no problems there...
br /
br /Overall I would say the quality control is out the window. Some people have no problems and others have them all. For the money this saw seems like a very expensive gamble. I am going to see the difference the new motor makes and if there is no improvement I will be getting the Powermatic Model 66 3 HP Table Saw. I may even get the Grizzly G5959Z 12" Table Saw with 5 HP Single-Phase 220V motor. As of now I am leaning toward the Grizzly because after the set up of the Unisaw I would imagine the Griz is a breeze.
br /
br /I think that this is a new era in woodworking. Delta and their reputation has kept this company alive, not their products. It feels like the Unisaw praises are coming from the people who refuse to acknowledge other brands. Sort of similar to when computers came out and people were still insisting their typewriters would never be obsolete. Do yourself a favor and go look at one at a local retailer, and ask the assembly person how difficult it was to assemble. Does the one on display look like they were a bit inept to put the saw together? Well they weren't this saw was very difficult to get set up properly. Does the extension table have scratches on it from the fence? It is probably because of the mounting holes and the warped extension tables. Does the fence hang on the main table when making the transition from extension to main table? I imagine these problems are not from improper set up, but substandard manufacturing, and quality control. Don't believe the reviews from most of the magazine or online reviews until you count how many Delta x5 ads there are in the magazine and just how much money they make from Delta advertising.
br /
br /If you get one set up properly I imagine you will not have any problems after that. Everything else seems to be solid. Just consider the points I made earlier when weighing your options for a new table saw.
br /

I have been waiting for about 20 years to get a Delta table saw. I worked at a custom cabinet shop when I was in high school and we had the luxury of 2 Delta Unisaws. I have wanted one ever since. I was sold on the Biesemeyer fence immediately, in my opinion there are Biesemeyer fences and then there are fences suitable for trimming firewood - agian my opinion, not a fact. Although a fact about the fences at the shop I worked at - we NEVER had to adjust them or check them for accuracy - they always started accurate and parallel - ALWAYS.
br /
br /I bought mine at Woodcraft Supply and it was 10% off due to the Woodworking show being in town so I got a great deal. The saw came with the blade angle hand wheel cracked and bent - it still worked, but on a machine this expensive I was willing to put up with nothing but perfection. One call to Delta (1-800-BAD PART) and I had a new handwheel 3 business days later. I had to wait on hold for quite a while, but the person that helped me was very polite and took care of me.
br /
br /Tips for unloading the saw:
br /Get 3 strong friends to help. The saw is heavy, but worse, it is top-heavy so once it starts to tip it is very difficult to stop. The saw comes in 4 boxes, 3 of which one person can handle. The main unit comes bolted to a palette. A trick I used was to run 2 2"x4"x8' pieces under the palette much like a forklift would lift it and then nail them in place so the saw would not slide around on them. Then two of us pulled the saw away form the truck until the planks were resting on the tailgate and the other two could grab hold of the "handles" then it was a simple matter to move the saw the remaining distance off the truck and set it down on some more wood planks so we wouldn't crush our fingers. The saw is manageable enough to muscle around with only 2 people once on the ground and then one person can slide it to its final resting place. Hope this helps.
br /
br /Setup help:
br /Use a clamp to hold the extension wings in place while you bolt them on. This also works well for the extension table while you attach the front and rear fence rails. I don't have any gaps whatsoever on my table and I put it together myself. Everything lined up perfectly right out of the box, if it doesn't you are most likely doing something wrong. Check the directions, they can be a bit vague, but once you see what they are getting at it makes sense. DON'T RUSH IT - you probably saved up for a while to get the saw and plan on using it unitl you are no longer physically able, so take your time and do it right. When you open up the extension table box and find the legs missing - don't panic - they are packed with the fence.
br /
br /All in all a great saw, plenty of power, accurate right out of the box, easy to setup though a bit time consuming.

I bought the 3HP, left tilt Unisaw with 50" Biesemeyer fence, and I'm delighted with it. I had some questions on adjustments, and their tech support personnel were great - prompt and well-informed. The Southern accent was just a nice bonus for this displaced southerner (I work for Yankees, but that doesn't mean I have to like it :).pIn contrast with another reviewer, I can't get mine to act up at all. It handles everything I've thrown at it as though I'm asking it to cut 3 sheets of paper, ho-hum. And that includes some long-ish cuts in 2 1/2" thick oak. No thick maple yet, but that's on the docket soon.pThere was a warning on the assembly instructions about attaching the extension table legs in a different place if you were using a mobile base. I ignored the instructions and had to remount the legs in the right place (doh!), so be sure you pay attention there.pI waited a while to get this Unisaw, and figure it's the one piece of shop gear I'll never need to replace. Maybe I'll update it in 20 years with the latest laser-guided fence doohickeys or whatever is new then, but the saw and motor will easily outlast me. And I'm not too old or decrepit yet!

I am impressed with this saw, but if a less than perfect is out there to be sold, I'm the guy who will buy it. I took great pains to express my desire for a saw with a flat cast iron top and wings. Both wings on my saw will need fine tuning and the right wing is cupped front to back. I called the store and they responded with "I wounder if there is a saw out there flat enough for you" and " I have never seen it before, did you check our store desplay?". I think a visible problem not requiring a machinest straight edge to detect is real enough. So I get a bad saw. Then I get insulted. Buy the way the saw top is resonable, but not perfectally flat per my precision straight edge. Yes I was low keyed about the problem. I wounder, if $1800.00 is not enough for a perfect saw out of the box, what is? Maby I should have bought a Jet and just anticipated these things, but no. I bought locally in SLC!

The Delta Unisaw is not what it used to be but it is still one of the better choices on the market. The base is no longer cast iron. The "fit and finish" could be better but compared to most of the imports it is still the best choice.
br /Buying parts for the fence is a problem. The Biesemeyer website does not contain any parts. It seems that if one breaks a part, he or she will have to replace the whole fence.
br /Some might argue that the parts are available by special order at local dealers. My only comment is, "Why make it hard to get parts?"
br /

When I placed the order, I got a confirmation saying that the package will ship in 1 to 2 weeks. Well, I wrote Amazon and explained that I was already late on a project and desperately needed the saw. The next day I got a reply saying the order will ship today! What great service!!! In addition, all 4 boxes arrived a day earlier than promised by ABF shipping. By the way, all of them, top notch professionals. (Previously, I've had the unfortunate luck of dealing with Con-Way shipping on several occasions. Ten days late! Even though they had the package in their possession. Con-Way, No-way!)
br /
br /Putting it together was a breeze, every hole aligned right up, wing and out-feed table bolted right on. True and straight right out of the box. It's a pretty impressive saw. Sturdy heavy gauge steel construction, perfect fit and finish, heavy table top with no cupping what so ever. The 3HP motor runs smoothly and passes the coin test with no problems. Cuts hard wood like butter, no bogging down. The Beisemeier fence is probably the best fence out there, as it is rated #1 by most magazine reviews. Repeatable parallelism with each cut.
br /
br /I owned a Shop Fox Cabinet saw before this. It's not a bad saw, don't get me wrong. It does it's job perfectly, but ultimately for longevity reasons, you get what you pay for. This is a saw that you are going to keep a few decades, what's a few hundred bucks more? Trust me, it will pay for it's self. Plus you get a bunch of coupons and a free mobile base that I know I'll be using. Not many other manufacturers offer that kind of competitive discount. Plus Amazon offers free shipping and no tax, which saves you almost 20~25% of the purchase price.
br /
br /A table saw is the cornerstone of any wood shop. Invest in a nice saw. You won't regret it.
br /

I completed the assembly with a few issues that may affect others. I'll update this after I have the chance to use it.
br /
br /Assembly:
br /
br / - The bolt holes threads in the cast iron top weren't clean. I ran a tap through all of them to remove the junk.
br / - The extension wings are difficult to install by yourself (heavy) so I clamped a 1x4 across the front of the saw under the table. I then could rest one end of the extension on the board.
br / - It is important that the extension wings are flush or just recessed from the front and back of the main table (mine were narrower than the table). This will affect alignment of the fence and extension table rails.
br / - If you use a mobile base, the extension table legs must attach to the table on the cross brace 2/3 from the iron table. After a couple of misses, I set the extension table on top of the mobile base and marked the position of the pockets for the legs onto the table (they are mounted asymmetrically).
br / - After you get the extension table in plane with the main table, make sure you drill and install a few more screws on each side. The instructions are kind of vague here and I ended up removing the fence to do this later.
br / - The extension table does bow down slightly in the center. I think it could be straigtened with a brace underneath, but it shouldn't affect use...
br / - Power cord was 14 gauge. The back panel states 11 Amps at 220 Volts. This should be sufficient, but I'm going to replace it with a longer 12 gauge cord for convenience.
br / - It did rock in the mobile base when I first set it in. But after installing the wings and extension table, it sits still.
br / - Setting the 45 and 90 degree stops: I had to turn the screw in all the way for the 90 degree stop - no more adjustment but it is correct. No problem with the 45 degree stop as shipped.
br /
br /Operation:
br /
br / - Give me a few weeks and I'll update...
br /
br / - Wow, does this cut well. The Biesmeyer fence felt sloppy when I first positioned it, but after locking it down, it is AMAZING how repeatable and accurate it is.
br / - I've just received the outfeed table (weekend installation project). I find myself using this saw to cut many things I wouldn't cut on my previous table saw. The power and control are great.

I held off for a long time in buying this saw. I looked at as many other alternatives as I could find and I researched everything I could get a hold of. I wanted to be sure I was getting the best for the money and that I was going to have the saw for a long time. The Jet was very appealing but when I called about 13 cabinet shops everyone agreed that the Delta was a better machine. Just to note though, they all thought the Jet was an excellent option if couldn't afford the Delta. pSo it came down to value. When you consider that one of the free tools Delta is offering is the mobile base (Which works incredibly well) and it comes with a free, high quality, blade the price is very reasonable. pThe assembly was so simple that I am very confused by other reviewers that had problems. I did need someone to hold the extension wings while I bolted them on. But other than that I did it myself with a very big smile on the whole time. pI don't' need to mention the performance nobody ever questions it.

Bought this as a retirement present. Was planning to buy at Woodcraft and spend around the same price once you add Amazon $200 shipping charge, but Amazon then offered to throw in the Jet 1100CFM canister dust collector. This is a $550 item at Woodcraft. I could not pass up the Amazon deal. In addition, they were offering 10% off all other tools, so the mobile base came down to $135 compared to Woodcrafts $200.
br /
br /If you're concerned about shipping damage, pay attention to the RED tilt indicator on the main saw box. It's about the size of a credit card, and the little round window in it will tell you if the box was tipped over. Obviously, you still need to check for carton damage. Like another reviewer, a different carrier than the main saw shipped the Biesemeyer fence and extension table. It's the main saw package that weights around 450 pounds on the pallet. Fortunately I was able to ship everything to our company's receiving area where they have a truck loading dock. I was then able to load it onto a friend's pickup truck without any lifting.
br /
br /I had just been given some free 4*8 MDF, so I made a ramp around eight feet long, supported by two 2*4's on the side and around 25" wide. My son-in-law had a four-wheel dolly that handles 1000 pounds. This made getting it off the pickup truck and into my workroom rather easy.
br /
br /I did the assembly myself, and it probably took six hours out of my Saturday. The hard part is getting everything level and in plane using multiple clamps and support boards as other reviewers have indicated.
br /
br /I agree with a couple of other reviews that the side extension table is bowed in the middle. You can't help but have a ridge next to the cast steel table on the RH side. This causes the fence to stick at this point, so you have to lift it slightly. I then noticed the three threaded holes on the RH side of the cast end. I had a small piece of ¼" wood doweling. I used this as a wedge in the middle of the extension table and was able to move the wood table up to be level with the cast table. The threaded holes are covered around half way from the thickness of the wood table, so the wedge idea worked perfectly. Not sure why the threaded holes are there, but if you were planning on using them to secure the wood extension, you would have to cut part of the wood bracing underneath to gain full access to them. I think you would still have a hard time bringing the table into plane without some wedge idea. Let's see how long my idea lasts.
br /
br /Fired up the saw and realized I have a true professions piece of equipment compared to my Sears Contractor series that is around 10 years old.
br /
br /You may want to read my review on the Delta Out feed table, and read those directions thoroughly. You don't have to take any pieces off of the saw once you have it together other than the motor cover. If you are planing the out feed table, leave the motor cover off temporarily. I was ready to remove the rear support rail until I realized the directions are very vague at this point.
br /
br /This is my first Delta product. I have a Jet jointer and planner, but I am very happy with the fit and finish of the Delta saw. I found nothing I could complain about other than some poor assembly directions. Like telling you to wait before tightening the front fence support, but never telling you when to do it. Obviously, it turns out once you start to level the extension table it's time!
br /
br /
br /

I purchased the Delta 36-L31X-BC50 X5 3HP Left Tilt Unisaw with 50" Biesemeyer Fence as a gift to myself for Christmas. This made it easy for my wife and kids to shop for me; all they needed to do was get me table saw accessories! Almost two months later, I'm still like a kid with a new toy.
br /
br /42 years ago I had my first experience with a Delta Unisaw in High School woodworking class. For four years while in woodshop, I never really considered the quality of the shop machinery we had back then. It was taken for granted that all machines were good. I was privileged to have a GREAT woodshop teacher (Bruce Kelly) and wonderful (Delta) tools at hand. I made a Grandmother clock and stereo cabinet that took state honors back in the sixties. My present profession as a remodeling contractor allows me to buy tools as I need them. When it came to table saws, bench top and contractor saws made the most sense, but the quality required in cabinet making took some real doing. Now after 25 years in the business, I wanted to get back to my dream of cabinet making once again.
br /
br /Spending close to two thousand dollars on a saw was a hard decision. Which one do I buy? I talked to fiends in the business and visited several local shops for advice. I originally planned on the five horsepower model and was told by others that three horsepower was more than enough unless doing production work. Although more professional equipment was in use in the bigger shops, still there was a 10" table saw available for general use, and 9 out of 12 shops had a Delta Unisaw.
br /
br /This Unisaw is by far better than I remembered it some 40 years back. After setup, (about 8 hours of time), I plugged her in. The soft purr of the motor spinning a Woodworker II blade was music to my ears. No vibration and the setup and fine adjustments needed are nothing compared to the quality of the cuts made with this saw. The dust shoot works well and the stable mobile base that was included with my saw makes placement AND storage quite easy. As with many products over time, quality sometimes suffers. Not with this saw! I know there have been several corporate owners of Delta, and I know there was a period of dissatisfaction on quality. My opinion is that Delta has their act together on the manufacturing once again and the statements in earlier posts, I feel, are not substantiated.
br /
br /With a Biesemeyer fence (now a subsidiary of Delta), Delta outfeed table that folds flat against the saw, removable splitter and overhead blade guard, this setup is just what I needed. I'm quite happy!
br /

Our 36-L31X-BC50 X5 arrived in excellent condition. After reading all the user reviews and warnings about setup, my woodworking buddy and I finished the job in a little over three hours. Since Delta shipped two right-side wings, we couldn't figure our why there was no drilled hole for the magnetic switch on the left wing. Fortunately when you put a right wing on the left side it sticks up at least 1/32, prompting you to contact Delta for a new left wing. Once the correct wing arrived and was installed, you realize they sent two right wings. Everything fits perfectly now, and the fit and finish are excellent. Delta's customer service was outstanding, easy to talk to, and used plain english. Our replacement piece arrived within five business days. The fence went on perfectly, and was aligned in less than ten minutes. The extension table has a dip in the middle, and we will shore it up at some point but it does not detract from the functionality of the saw.
br /
br /We installed a new Forrest WoodCutter II Thin Kerf blade on the X5 and put the stock X5 blade on our radial arm saw. The blade was perfectly aligned in less than fifteen minutes, and neither of us had ever done it before.
br /
br /We've had the saw for about four months, and the precision of our cuts still amazes us. It is virtually vibration-free and passes the nickel test every time. The only thing the Biesemeyer fence needs is a magnifying spot over the graded markings so us oldsters with reading glasses don't have to squint to see the 1/32nd marks. OK, so I'm only 48 but a magnifyer would still be quite helpful!
br /
br /The stock X5 blade is performing quite nicely, I might add. I do recommend the Forrest blade as it has reduced my sanding time on the cutting edges to nearly zero. It's that smooth.
br /
br /We have declined to install the blade guard. We are ready for a dado insert to expand the use of our saw.
br /
br /Other saws considered: The similarly priced General 350-T50 M2M (the fence seemed a bit weak, but it is made in Canada there, eh?); the Powermatic WMH1660760K (too pricey for the incremental difference in features); and the Grizzly 1023 (sometimes cheapest is not better in the long run).

Good news - Delta is selling the Unisaw with enough extras at a price that makes it competitive with Jets and Grizzlys.
br /
br /Bad news - As the service rep told me on the phone, Delta is
br /cutting expenses to do it.
br /
br /In my recent experience as a Unisaw X5 owner, this means that the money I saved was passed on to me as a lot of frustration and, what so far has been, a great waste of my time...
br /
br /Bad or outdated instructions. "Universal" parts and accessories. Medeocre quality control. Missing small parts. Under-staffed and inconsistent customer service. Several adjustments that are more major than any mentioned in the manual and are supposedly already done at factory. Incorrect specifications. And probably some other things I have already forgotten.
br /
br /So to answer the most important question... Does the machine perform as well as it claims?
br /
br /Not sure yet. It's been a month of weekend attempts, and I'm still doing a back and forth with Delta to get it set up correctly. I hope it's worth it. (At least it looks pretty sitting there.)
br /
br /Good luck with yours. Maybe it's just the luck of the draw?
br /
br /**************UPDATE.... NOV. 29th, 2004******************
br /All is good. Turns out the saw was shipped with a loose arbor bracket bolt. Very easy to adjust and tighten. Just wish that it had been suggested as a solution by customer service sooner.
br /
br /Saw is great. Works wonderfly. The free mobile base is great. The extension table is cupped a bit and is longer than it should be. But I'm very happy anyway....

This is my first real table saw. I have run my dad's old Craftsman, various other neighbors saws, and I have a little 8" benchtop Makita. I always seemed to get by with a circular saw and a straight edge.
br /
br /After deciding to build my own bathroom cabinet with my existing tools, I decided it was high time to get my own table saw. I researched the options and decided on several requirements. 1)A stable heavy shop saw (not portable), 2)Must have a sturdy reliable fence, 3)Powerful enough to cut anything I put on the table, 4)A table that will support large sheets and extended rip capacity. The Unisaw is the one !! If I couldn't get these specs, I figured I might as well continue with my old circular saw. I think I also received an extra bonus spec. This saw will likely last a few lifetimes and will be able to be passed down to my son.
br /
br /The electrical motor is a 3 Hp WEG model. It spins up to speed quickly like a turbine on a mission. The saw runs quiet and smooth that belies the impressive power of the machine. A table saw is a tool that commands respect and safety at all times. The magnetic switch includes a lockout hole through the ON button, which I plan to padlock to prevent unauthorized use and injury. I had to adjust the belt tension which is not mentioned in the assembly portion of the manual. I noticed the unit was shipped with the belts loose and found the proper section regarding the adjustment.
br /
br /The fence and extension table is very solid. I can throw a sheet of plywood on the table, set the fence and rip to the correct dimension right down to a 1/64". I recommend the mobile base unless you have a dedicated place in your shop where it will NEVER be moved. It's heavy and is part of the power of the saw.
br /
br /I found the assembly took 4 - 6 hrs to tinker along and get everything set right. I recommend setting aside the time to go through all the steps and get it setup properly. I found it necessary to shim the cast extensions wings to get them to bolt up flat to the main table. I had a steel shim kit available. I ended up shimming the bottom edge of the right hand extension about .008 - .010 to bring it exactly flat to my 4 foot level. I don't think this is a defect. All mechanical assemblies require some minor adjustment and care to get it right. I suppose the only way around this is to order a saw delivered and assembled to a blueprint specification. The price would reflect this requirement.
br /
br /The extension table had a 1/8" - 1"4 cup in the center. I simply bolted each end after checking level to the cast table and then clamped the table flat to the steel frame. Then I drilled and bolted the table in place. This flattened the table properly. The table support legs have to be measured and fitted for the mobile base. I added a strip of support wood underneath to attach the legs. This should have been addressed by Delta / Biesemeyer in the construction. An easy fix though.
br /
br /The extension wings do not have a bevel on the leading edge to match the main table. Those edges can be hard on a knuckle. I might file or grind my down a bit to alleviate this problem. The finish on the cast table top is excellent.
br /
br /I checked and adjusted the saw stops for the angle adjustment. I found I needed to adjust the 90 and 45 degree stops a few turns to get a proper angle according to my square. The 45 degree stop bolt is difficult to adjust and tighten. I finally torqued it down by reaching inside the cabinet and around the motor to reach the nut. I could not properly do it from the front per the directions. Luckily, this should never have to be adjusted often.
br /
br /The final word is: A great heavy saw for anyone looking for a shop rated machine. It makes the contractor style saws look like a toy. The X5 promotions make for a good deal. The saw components appear to be heavy duty and industrial rated to last many years. They have built these for about 60 years and it is the design standard that many saws are compared to. If a cabinet saw is on your wish list, I can recommend this one as a quality unit.
br /
br /

I got my 36-L31X-BC50 X5 3HP Left Tilt Unisaw w/50" Biesemeyer fence about a month ago. Delta did an excellent job of packaging the saw, there was nothing damaged. The saw was easy to put together using the instructions, it goes alot easier if you have someone to help you. I was able to get the saw into the mobil base myself by sliding the saw off the pallet into the mobile base. The top of my saw was perfectly flat and all other alignments were dead on except the fence which was out less than 1/8". This was an upgrade from a Delta Platinum Edition Contractor saw. Man what a difference, I'm glad I upgraded. I get perfectly straight and smooth cuts. I got my saw at one of the woodworking shows from Western Tool and saved alot. If you are unsure whether to spend the extra dollars, it's worth it.

I took my time researching which cabinet saw to purchase and after talking to cabinet saw owners and actually used the different cabinet saws, I decided to purchase the Delta 5HP Unisaw. I have owned contractors saw for 15 years but want a cabinet saw for cabinets I am building.
br /
br /I purchased the Delta 36-L51X-BC5 5HP Unisaw with Biesemeyer fence, mobile base and the Delta 34-976 Deluxe Uniguard Blade Guard. This is the best purchase I have ever made. The saw cuts with no effort and every cut is clean and perfect. I do not even have to sand the edges. I have it connected to dust collection and there is no visible dust when cutting with the system on. It is so quite that you cannot hear me cutting plywood inside the house anymore. It is a joy to use and makes cutting sheet good easy and safe.
br /
br /Electric requirements:
br /The manual does not correctly inform you of the electrical requirements. Call Delta if you have any questions about these requirements. The 5HP saw comes with a 21 AMP motor; the switch has 12 gauge power cord with a 20 AMP plug. You must replace the plug and power cord because it is not meant to work on the 5HP saw, just the 3HP saw. The manual states that it will not come with a plug but it does.
br /
br /The manual said to install 12 gauge wire and a 20 amp slow burn fuse. Since the saw now comes with a new 21 amp motor, I called Delta and the tech said that the manual is wrong about the cabling and you should install 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp breaker. There is no need to install a slow burn fuse; a 30 amp breaker can handle the motor's start up amperage spike without tripping. I directly wired it to the breaker using flex conduit from a J-box in the wall to the saw's power switch. I left about 8 feet of flex rolled up next to the saw so I move it if I never need to.
br /
br /Manual and Installation
br /The manual sucks but with a little thought about how it should be put together you can get it done. The things what would be nice to know before hand are as follows:
br /
br /1. The case iron table extension wings have holes on each side, one side has threaded holes and the other side has non-threaded holes. Use the NON-threaded hole side to attaché to the saw's table top. The threaded holes need to be on the outside of the saw when you have it put together.
br /
br /Make sure you blow out the threaded holes on the main table or extension wings before using them, they are filled with gunk.
br /
br /2. The Uniguard manual was unclear as to how to install the splitter behind the saw blade. If you did not purchase this accessory, you will not have this issue. Do not install the splitter/dust cover that comes with the saw if you are installing the Uniguard. There is a angled piece of metal with a large washer that is attached with one screw directly behind the arbor near the back of the saw. This must be removed to install the Uniguard splitter. There are two screws that hole this piece of metal in place. The top screw is around 2-2 1/2" long and the bottom screw is about 1" long, These are the hold where you will attached the splitter bracket the manual had you put together in the first few steps.
br /
br /Uniguard Blade Guard
br /I am so glade that I purchased the Uniguard blade guard. It works great and makes using the Unisaw safe. It flips up if you don't want the gauge, which I have not done. It keeps all the saw dust from going into the air and stops you from cutting off your fingers. What could be better?
br /
br /You need to cut notches out of the rails to make room for the Uniguard brackets or you can buy the Biesemeyer 78-953 Uniguard Adapter Kit for Biesemeyer Fence Systems for $35.
br /
br /General Tips:
br /Wax the top of the table ASAP. I did not do this with my last saw and it rusted very quickly. My Unisaw top looks like a mirror after two coats of wax. I waxed it as soon as I put the wings on, and then gave it a couple more coats after I was finished putting everything together.
br /
br /Add additional support to the extension table. The end that attaches to the Unisaw has a support beam about 5 inches from the end. You need one at the end so that you can take the cup out of the extension table. I ended up bolting the new support beam to the end of the Unisaw's extension wing.
br /
br /My Unisaw is in the middle of the garage and on an angle so that I have at lease 8 feet in front and behind it. I ripped a ½ sheet of plywood in half, the long way, and put it on the floor so that the front of the Unisaw rests on the plywood. This leveled the saw on the mobile base. I could not get it level without propping up the front of the saw.
br /
br /I made an outfitted table that is 8 feet wide and 4 feet deep in front of the Unisaw. I cut the out feed table so that it is only 2 feet deep in front of the extension table. I don't want to take up too much garage space and you only need 2 feet on the side that extension table is on anyway. I used a 4' wide and 7 foot high metal gorilla shelf I had in the garage for the base. The shelf separates into two 3 ½ foot high shelves. I had to cut an inch or so off the legs. I put one shelf behind the left side of the Unisaw so that it is extends 4 feet out from the back of the saw. I put shelf was placed directly behind the extension table so that it extends 2 feet behind the extension table. I put a sheet of MDF over the top and used a jig saw to cut the out feed table into an l shape and to round corners. I did not want a rectangle shaped out feed table that takes up too much room.
br /

I have been using my new Delta X5 table saw for about a month and I am satisfied with the function and performance of this machine. The powerful motor can easily handle the tougher woods and the saw is massive enough to dampen out vibrations that can cause inaccuracies. The blade height and tilt controls operate easily and precisely which is a big improvement over my old Craftsman table saw. The operation of the dust collection system while not perfect, is also much better than the Craftsman system. The mobile base that I purchased with the saw allows for easy movement of this heavy equipment around my shop. I built a new piece of furniture recently. This saw made the job much easier and the whole project more enjoyable for me. This machine is a real pleasure to use.
br /
br /While the performance of this saw is meeting my expectations, I did experience several difficult problems during the assembly and set up steps.
br /
br /1. A bag of parts was missing from the saw shipment. Unfortunately this bag included the assembly instructions and parts list so determining exactly what parts were missing was difficult for me. After two calls to Delta, I now have all of the missing parts. The people at Delta were polite and sent me the parts without question. However, my complaint about the missing pieces did not seem to be a surprise to them and they treated my case almost routinely which makes me wonder if my problems were just part of a bigger quality issue at Delta.
br /2. The wings that attach to the table were not level with the table top. The outside edges of the wings were about 0.030 inch lower than the table top. This problem was caused by a .003 runout across the thickness of the wings on the edges that mate with the table. I was able to make the wings level by adding shims. However, it seems to me that I should not have to make these kinds of corrections on expensive new equipment like this saw.
br /3. My saw is equipped with a BC50 Biesemeyer fence. The measured distance between the blade and fence did not match the reading on the scale and making the adjustments suggested in the instructions did not come close to correcting this problem. I called Delta again and they concluded that the scale had been installed improperly at the factory. They agreed to send me a new scale for my fence which I can mount in the correct position. I have not yet received this part.
br /
br /Bottom line is that I believe Delta has a very good design for this saw. It is a great tool for building cabinets and fine furniture. However in my mind, Delta's manufacturing quality is questionable because I experienced so many factory caused problems while assembling my saw. I really hope to have many trouble free years of use from this saw but I'm concerned that other quality problems will jump up and bit me later on. Unless you have your heart set on a Delta saw, you may save yourself some trouble by considering another brand.
br /
br /

Excellent saw - runs very smooth. This thing will last a good long while. However, be aware that you could end up having the fight of your life getting the darn thing together propper. I was having trouble with the extension wings... getting them to sit flat, rather than angling up. pAll and all I would very much so reccommend this saw... 'cause once it is set up, it is a beauty. Be sure to get the Delta 1200 CFM dust collector and some hose while you are at it to keep your shop nice and clean.

Great saw and worth the 15 years I have been doing without it. Very easy to assemble and the cast iron tables were straight as an arrow out of the box. The extension table to for the fence is worthless(bowed and crooked). I will probably just build my own and be done with it. Overall worth the wait and everything I was expecting the saw to be.

First of all, this is one fantastic saw. I've never had a table saw before and decided that I would just go for the kill and get one of the industry's best saw right off the bat. But I was determined to get this saw home and set it up by myself for some reason. So I rented a 16' u-haul type moving truck (from Budget Trucks) with a ramp that pulls out and secures flush to the truck bed. The freight dock forklifted the palette into the truck no problem and off I went for home (just make sure you use tie downs inside the truck, because it will move around and if you stop suddenly, it becomes a massive missile). When I got home, I backed the truck close to the shop, unlatched the ramp so it extended into the shop, climbed into the moving truck and positioned the palette over the middle of the ramp (the forklift operator positioned right in the center for me so it made it easy). All I did then was push the whole piece down the ramp and into the shop; but before you get to the bottom of the ramp, you'll need to actually switch position and instead of pushing, you'll need to pull it off the ramp. Believe me, I'm not the hulk or anything, and this was easy to do because the palette acted like skis on the ramp. But don't worry, because the palette will not glide down by itself (unless you're parked on a steep incline), you need to constantly push it to keep it moving. Next, I took all the wrapping off, unbolted the saw from the palette, and pushed the saw to one side of the palette. I positioned my mobile base right underneath it, held the mobile base in place with one foot, and gently tilted the saw down and pulled it onto the mobile base. The last thing to do with any considerable weight was to install the cast iron wings. Here's how to handle this by yourself too: hold one of the wings with both hands, go down on one knee, and place the wing end (the long end) resting on your other knee (actually, the top of your thigh). Hold it there for a moment with one hand, insert the bolt through the CENTER unthreaded hole of the wing, now slowly lift that knee with your toes and/or foot so the middle hole of the wing lines up with the middle threaded hole of the saw's main table. Thread the bolt by hand to the saw's main table, getting it hand tight. Now all you have to do is rotate the wing and do the other two bolts and get it level. Complete the rest of the setup and enjoy...

BEST SAW IN THE WORLD,DREAMED OF IT FOR EVER.WOOD CRAFTERS HAS IT FOR $300 LESS.

Great saw I thought the 50" fence was a bit much ,but it is nice to have the extra table area in my shop,, I consructed my own wheels and frame to bottom from 2x2x1/8" angel and 5" wheel asemblies I bought at Menards.. Should last me 2 lifetimes :-)
br / Mike

I ordered a Delta Saw ( 5 hp version) on March 13, 2004. I received 3 boxes out of 4 on March 29. The freight company told me that they left the other box ( Biesmeyer) in Kansas. I called the freight company today and they told me they could not locate the package. They told me to get in touch with Amazon. Amazon doesn't respond to my e-mails. In the meantime my orders are getting cancelled. What a nightmare!brI heard a lot of good things about this saw. I wish I could use it and write a nice review about it.

thought I'd save $500 and buy a delta instead of powermatic......my mistake.....Delta is gunk.....good besmeyer fence....can't get saw to run for more than 5 minutes with-out gettin' hot and shutting down.

One previous review mentioned that the Delta Contractor saw is a "left tilt" saw. This is not the case as my old contractor saw (model 34-444, 10yrs. old) is in fact a right tilt saw. I found out the hard way after ordering a Delta left tilt cabinet saw thinking it was going to be the same as my contractor saw. After opening the crate box I discovered low and behold that the left tilt that I ordered was not the same as my contractors saw's tilt. It will take some getting use to but I'll live with it and from here on I won't really believe all the reviews that are posted. Just thought I should mention this to alert other potential Delta cabinet saw buyers. Before I ordered my saw I asked Delta what the real difference was. They simply stated personal preferance. brThe saw went together pretty fast with the biesemeyer fence and extension table. Very happy with it's quality and performance, which I will be appreciating for days to come.