Delta 36-550 Deluxe Table Saw

List Price: $225.97

Features:

• Lightweight for portability
• Ample capacity to cut 3 inch at 90 degrees, 2-1/2 inch at 45 degrees
• Rip fence locks front and rear to maintain accuracy of cut
• 15 amp motor for aggressive cutting power
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Accessories:
Empire Manufacturing TOOL-6D The Complete ToolSaver System	Empire Manufacturing TSS-8D The Complete TopSaver System	Delta 35-032 Sidekick 10-Inch 50 Tooth ATB and R Combination Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor	Jet 709207 28-Inch to 43-Inch Tall Roller Stand with 13-Inch Roller	Delta 36-519 Steel Stand for 10-Inch Bench Saw

Customer Reviews:

Delta 36-550 [Posted on 2001-03-11]
Now keep in mind the price here. It's nice to have a table saw, and if you only have about $200 to spend, its worth having. The largest problem I have with it is the fence. Every time I move the fence I have to check to make sure that it is parallel to the blade. Once parallel, it works fine, but having to check each time can become a pain. If you decide to go for this, I would recommend setting it in a larger surface work space with a better fence (which another reviewer has apparently done).

Good but? [Posted on 2001-06-29]
The 36-550 has plenty of power. What it lacks is the an extension wing that comes standard on the 36-560. Nobody appears to carry it. The 36-541 recommended here does not even come close to fitting. I would also like an outfeed table for this saw. The other major problem is the fence. Very poorly manufactured. Even after clamping it in I must screw it down or it will wander. However, I still recommend this little beauty because of the power.

The good, the bad, and the underpowered [Posted on 2001-11-29]
If you're considering this table saw, be certain it's what you want. Consider what you'll be using it for. If you need portability, this is great. I carry it around with one hand. I used it to install a laminate floor in my rental property. It was nice to take it out to the garage on site. I've since upgraded to a delta platinum contractor's saw. I bought the table saw to make furniture. That's a bit amitious for this saw. Here's a list of my pros and cons:

Pro:
Light weight - You can carry it anywhere. If that's a requirement, great. Contractor's saws can require two people to move.

Inexpensive - You can get into woodworking for not much money. This can be a good first saw depending on what you're planning to make. Make small stuff. I built a table for my son. 2.5"x2.5" poplar table legs were just beyond the ability of the saw. I was able to make it work though.

Alignment was good out of the box.

Con:
Light weight - You'll need to bolt it down. The lower the weight, the higher the vibration. This translates into less accuracy.

Underpowered motor - For the price, it's fine. But it's easy to bog down. Stick to 3/4" boards or plywood. Anything thicker is too much for the saw.

Loud - Wear earplugs. It sounds like 1,000 evicerated cats. It's even louder than my router. Positivly ear-splitting.

Sloppy miter gauge - The gauge wiggles in the track. That translates to poor accuracy. Chuck the miter gauge and make a panel cutting jig, use it for everything.

Lousy fence - The fence is laughable. You could use it for small stuff, but it may get in the way more often.

Small table - The table size will be an issue for making furniture. Should be ok for small stuff.

Not so good blade - Measure the blade for runout, it may be unusable. The one that came with my delta contractor's saw had a runout of 1/4"! So I had effectively a wobble-type dado blade that cut 1/4" dados. The one that came with this saw was a little better.

Recommendations:

Make a panel cutting jig and toss the miter gauge.

Integrate the saw into a larger table. Norm (new yankee workshop) has plans for such a thing with an auxiliary fence.

Keep the projects small.

Replace the blade. Plan on spending $80 and up for a good blade.

Save your money and consider getting a less expensive contractor's saw.

Home, do it your selfer [Posted on 2001-12-03]
My son in law has the Delta 36-550 Deluxe table saw and i use it alot it is Great,i move it all around were i am working it is lite and easy to operate i hope that santa brings me one.

Good Table saw, Bad for Molding and Dado blades [Posted on 2002-07-09]
I have used this saw for about 3 months now for general projects just needing the use of a fair table saw. With the exception of a poor fence, this saw does a good job. The motor has fair power for larger pieces of wood. 1/2" - 3/4" plywood is not a problem.

Just recently I attempted to use a Molding Blade that was supposed to fit a "Standard" 10" Table Saw. Well I quickly found that the 5/8" Arbor is too short to fit a Molding blade, and will only fit a Dado Blade up to 1/2". I found a way to mount the blade (used a smaller washer instead of the thick spacer)and it had plenty of power to handle the task.

Overall this is not a bad saw for around [price]. The fence is quite "rickety" and is not a precision piece of equipment by any means.

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