Delta P-20 Problems

[garyloos]

I purchased a new Delta P-20 about 1 1/2 weeks ago and have used it just a few hours. Went to my shop and it would not turn on. I called 800 number and of course they are closed until Monday. I have check the recepticle it is pluged into and can no reason it will not run on my end. I can not find a reset button anywhere. I used it yesterday with nothing unusual happening.

Does anyone have any suggestions. I hate to tear into a new saw electrically.

[William Young (SE BC)]

Sorry to hear that. While some saws have had a lot of switch problems I have never heard of a bad switch on P-20. It would really surprise me if that is what it turns out to be. Mine is four years old right about now. I bought it because my pevious saw broke down for the last time right in the middle of the Christmas rush of making a lot of saleable items. It has many thousands of hours of sawing on it since then and has never refused to start. If the wall receptacle is live and rocking the switch back and forth won't get it going I am not of much help. I am not aware of any fuses or circuit breakers in a P-20 because like I said, I have never had the need to investigate.
I hope it is something very simple like a loose connection. Be sure to report back when you find out what is causing it to not start. I am always interested in finding out the pro's and cons of any make or model.
Good luck with that.
W.Y.

[garyloos]

It is fixed!

Just could not wait til Monday to call Delta. Took the plate off below the switch and found the botton (black wire) female connector had come unplugged. The wire had no slack in it and I assume came off due to vibration. Now it has plenty of slack and should not happen again.

[sawdustus]

Garyloos,

Congratulations. The first time my 7 year old Q3 did that I nearly had a fit. Then toggling the switch a few time got it working for a time. When it finally stopped permanently, I just ordered a few replacement switches from Delta. Took about a week to get them. Look for the part number in your manual. If I remember correctly, the wire has a little slide clip that fits over the tab on the switch. Try putting it on and then pinching it a bit tighter with a pair of needle nose pliers. If it the wire wiggles loose again, try a bit of electrical tape to hold it it place. Remember, the weakest part of any electrical gadget is the most use part... the on-off switch.

[bronco]

Thats great news Gary,
nothing better than an easy fix.I have had mine @ 6 months and love it.The only problem I had with mine was a few months ago. I began having to tighten the blade clamp tension knob all the way in order to have enough tension on the blade.Oil began leaking out the upper arm assembly and I couldn't cut a straight line! I found a machine screw that had fallen out the back end of the saw.I removed the cover and found the screw had worked it's way loose from the wedge that attaches to the upper arm and the saw itself,it seem the upper arm was not level but tilted to one side. Problems solved,no more oil leaks,saw cuts straight again and I was able to back off on the blade tension. I guess all saws have break in problems.I am sure you will enjoy your saw as much as I have.
Happy scrolling,
Bill

[William Young (SE BC)]

Wonderfull news garyloos. Glad to hear it and I kinda figured it would be something simple like that.
I am a stickler for maintaining all of my power tools for both lubrication and for periodicly going over every nut , bolt or screw I can find and make sure they are snugged up. Sure pays off in the long run. Every power tool has some degree of vibration which will always find its way to the loosest component sooner or later if indeed it was a little on the loose side to start with..
Of course with this particular probelm with a loose wire under the cover there was no way to know except to remove that cover. Glad you decided to have a peek under there and was able to make an easy fix.
W.Y.

[Mick Walker]

Gary, glad to hear it was an easy fix. I have my P-20 on a different stand and have a foot switch attached at knee height. Just bump it with my knee to turn the saw on or off. The saw switch is on all the time. I stand while sawing.

[ChuckD]

I am happy for you all having so much luck with your P-20. I would use mine a lot more if I could keep a blade (flat or spiral) in the bottom clamp.. I know it is probably just operator problem because I have replaced the bottom clamp and it still breaks every blade I put in after it bends it like a bow (bow goes with arrow). I thought it was too tight so I loosened the clamp and it won't stay in. Tighten it up and it bends and breaks. When I want to change holes the blade is so bent I can't get it thru the hole. So I use my Hegner a lot more and for fretwork with bottom feeding that is a pain.
Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?????

[William Young (SE BC)]

Chuck;
Sorry to hear that. I can't imagine what is happening there. It has never happened on mine and I still have the original blade holders top and bottom.
Only one thing I can suggest is if you have the blade holder in a straight vertical orientation when you apply the clamp lever. I love the way the bottom clamp swivels out to me . I put the blade into the edge of the clamp opening and swivel it straight up and then lock it with the lever. Did you download the information on Rick Hutchesons, site on how to use those holders ? Most P-20 owners think those holders are the most wonderfull thing after they get used to using them . Maybe try a few dead runs of inserting the blade withthe hole cover out and kooking through to see that it is locked in a straight up position. If it is locked with the holder swiveled either in the forward or back position it will put undue strain on the blade when you tighten it and that would surely cause your problem.
Good luck getting to the bottom of that one. I know that once the proper way of inserting and clamping the blade into those holders is acheived it becomes a habit and it is just like you have eyes in your finger tips to fasten it the right way under the table each and every time with no problem.
W.Y.

[ChuckD]

I've had the P-20 for a good while, about 6 years and this is something I have fought for the last couple. Pretty sure it is me because I didn't have problems before. BTW, the bow I mentioned is at the end of the blade where it goes into the clamp.

[Rick-H]

P20 blade

Chuck;
It sound to me like the screw is bent in you blade clamp. Put a new screw in and I bet it solves your problem.

[beemerbob]

I've had the P-20 for a good while, about 6 years and this is something I have fought for the last couple. Pretty sure it is me because I didn't have problems before. BTW, the bow I mentioned is at the end of the blade where it goes into the clamp.

The same thing happens to me. It is caused by putting the blade to far into the clamp. I have learned to feel with my finger tips that the blade has hit the bottom of the clamp. A clue as to whether you have put the blade past the bottom of the clamp is that the tension lever either won't work at all or will be very hard to push.

Or the tip of the blade will have a bend in it.

[William Young (SE BC)]

Thanks a bunch for that great tip Bob.
Apparenetly I have been inserting the blade correctly all along and never realized it and that is why I have never had that problem.
I hope that along with your suggestion and/or a bent screw (if indeed it is bent) will get Chuck grinning from ear to ear like most P-20 owners are with how nice those clamps are to use.

I am not quite sure what you mean by this

A clue as to whether you have put the blade past the bottom of the clamp is that the tension lever either won't work at all or will be very hard to push.

because the brass spring loaded tension screw/lever is adjustable in and out in order to be able to set the tension to any degree of tightness desired. Perhaps I just don't understand what you mean by that ?
W.Y.

[ChuckD]

Thanks for all the ideas. Rick, what screw are you referring to?? Maybe the one on the tension know??:?

[William Young (SE BC)]

Chuck;
If you go into Rick's site

http://www.scrollsaws.com/

and scroll down on the left side to Delta Quick Clamp , I think you will see the screw he is referring to.
Apparently it can get bent if too much pressure was accidentally applied to the lever when clamping the blade in place.
I have never had one of my holders apart yet but if I ever need to, Ricks help there will be of great value and I will know where to get help. .
W.Y.