DELTA 28-206 Professional 14-Inch 1-Horsepower Woodworking Band Saw, 120-Volt 1-Phase

Overall this is a decent saw for the money. It's build quality and design are both decent, not fancy or high-end but functional. I do have a big complaint however: the thing wobbles. When running, the top of the saw moves around by 1/4 to 1/2 inch, enough that the table is moving around while you are pushing the work through. I'm not sure if the problem is a poorly balanced wheel or if it's all in the base. A modest push on the saw gets it wobbling way more than it should. It's so sensitive that I'm not surprised it wobbles when it's on. I tried pushing on one in the store and it was worse! I also tried pushing on a Jet and it was solid. After owning the Delta and looking at the Jet (non-deluxe model) in the store, I must say I like the Delta better. The lower guides are closer to the table and it has a quick release lever.I haven't contacted Delta yet regarding the wobble but I plan to. I also have an idea how to stiffen the base by adding feet if they don't have a good solution. So the jury is out at this point. I'll update my review when I have news.UPDATE - Problem resolvedI started spinning things without the blade and without the motor belt on and found the problem. It was the lousy V-belt supplied with the saw! The belt isn't true (would have a gap under part of it when lying on a flat surface), it had a kink. I could see the motor jumping around when it was running and this caused the whole saw to wobble.I replaced the belt with a link belt ($45!!!) and the wobble is gone. Well almost gone. It's acceptable now but won't win any awards for smoothness. It passes the nickel test, barely. The nickel has to be placed a few times to find a spot it won't fall over. Anyway it's fully usable now. I also noticed the rather significant motor jump on start-up is completely gone with the link belt.I suggest everyone just replace the belt even if you don't have such a severe problem. It will likely make a noticeable improvement.I'd be happier if the stand was more stable. My floor isn't 100% flat and I had reduced the wobble by putting some shims under the stand so it seems to be hyper-sensitive to this. I think it would benefit by being bolted to the floor.

When compared to other band saws in this price range, the lower cost and high quality of this saw make it a clear winner for even serious hobbyist.The box arrived in pretty good condition. The packing is very good and all parts of the saw were in perfect condition. The instructions were pretty clear and the assembly went very straightforward with one exception. Note, when it comes time to lift the band saw onto the assembled stand, it would be a good idea to get a helper. The exception came when bolting the saw onto the stand. I managed to twist the head off one of the bolts much too easily. All the hardware is the standard soft Chinese steel. Knowing these four bolts keep the saw on the stand, I replaced the supplied hardware with higher grade bolts. It took me about 4 hours to assemble and adjust the saw.The instructions are clear on how to get everything adjusted and properly set up. After the set up, it was time to get cutting. I fired up the saw and was a little dissapointed in the amount of vibration. I certainly wouldn't say excessive but more than what I had hoped for. However, when using the saw, I have never been botherd by the vibration. The on and off switches have to be pushed quite hard to engage. This is probably good for the "ON" switch but a little disconcerning for the "OFF". I like my equipment to be very easily shut off in case of an accident. I purchased the riser attachment and mobile base for this saw. Both are good purchases but the mobile base is fantastic. Unless you have a place in your shop where the saw is going to sit, you really should consider the mobile base. It's worth every penny for moving this heavy and somewhat awkward machine around.I am very satisfied with the machine and can't imagine that any other saw in this class would work any better. Even with the vibration, I would have given this five stars had it not been for the sub-grade bolts. The best recommendation I can give is that, knowing what I now know, I would purchase this saw again.

I bought this Delta bandsaw 5 months ago, and have not cut a piece of wood yet! The machine vibrated so bad that I was scared to use it.I spent $$ on aftermarket parts to cut down on vibration. I hired a local machinist to make the stand more sturdy. I phoned Customer Service 5 times. They were friendly and sent me several new parts. The local Delta Serviceman has the saw now. After 6 weeks of work, he just called to tell me he cannot fix the vibration and has given up trying.I do not recommend this saw.

I decided to wait for a year before posting my review. I use Newwoodworking.com for advise and use of all my machines. After following advise from this site, (timberwolf blades and the resaw attachment) I find that it has met all my needs and customer service was excellent. I will continue to buy Delta products. I'm only in my second year of this hobby and have been quite satified with their products. I think all tools will not be everything to everyone. This is one solid performer. Thanks Delta.UPDATE: August 18, 2014: both trunnions snapped. Made of pot metal. I would like to change rating to a 3 star since I've used for so many years.

This is the cheaper model of a Delta bandsaw, but I find that it does the required tasks I demand of it. I am not a professional woodworker, but it has performed chair building tasks (Maloof style), Stickley tables, etc. Mine came without a fence, so be sure to order one, and if you have to move it, besure to order the Delta 50-941 mobile base.

It took a longer to set-up than the book describes but, once it is done it works fine. The motor is not very loud. The On/Off swithces are in a good location. A pleasure to use.

The current band saw that I purchased is not up to past Delta Quality.When I contacted Delta I never received a promised reply. Delta's warrantyis not worth a damn. H.A. Tabash

Standard workhorse bandsaw for medium duty cutting, good performance for the money.