Delta Four-Footed Unisaw Model 1450: The Original Icon of American Woodworking
1. Introduction
The Delta Four-Footed Unisaw Model 1450 is one of the most historically significant woodworking machines ever produced. Introduced in 1939, it was the very first Delta Unisaw — the world’s first true tilting-arbor cabinet table saw — and it set the benchmark for every professional table saw that followed.
Known affectionately as the “four-footed Unisaw” for its distinctive cast-iron base with four corner legs, the Model 1450 combined industrial precision, power, and safety in one revolutionary design. It quickly became the centerpiece of professional and school woodshops across America, remaining in production (with variations) for decades.
2. History of the Delta 1450
The Delta Specialty Company of Milwaukee introduced the Unisaw in 1939, patenting the tilting arbor mechanism that allowed the blade — rather than the table — to tilt for bevel cuts. This innovation provided greater accuracy, safety, and convenience over earlier tilt-table models such as the Delta 1160.
The original 1939 Unisaw lineup included:
- Model 1450 – Standard 10″ Unisaw with 1½ HP motor and four-legged base
- Model 1451 – Right-tilt version
- Model 1452 – Left-tilt version (optional configuration)
These early machines were finished in Delta’s prewar gray enamel with red and black art-deco badges and “Delta Milwaukee” script. By 1941, the four-footed cabinet was replaced with the later square cabinet base, marking the end of the earliest Unisaw era.
3. Manufacturer Background
Founded by Herbert Tautz in 1919, the Delta Specialty Company grew from a small Milwaukee workshop into a powerhouse of American woodworking machinery. Delta’s prewar designs — particularly the Unisaw — elevated the brand from a home-shop supplier to an industrial leader.
After Delta’s 1945 acquisition by Rockwell Manufacturing Company, the Unisaw continued in production with minimal design changes, solidifying its reputation as the most copied and respected cabinet saw ever built.
4. Design and Features of the 1450
The Model 1450 Four-Footed Unisaw was a mechanical marvel for its time, designed for precision and durability.
From the 1939 Delta Tool Catalog
Here is the new UNISAW-the result of seven years of study and experiment, of building model after model, of discarding designs that were “almost” perfect, of discovering and eliminating the flaws in existing designs, of testing and re-testing until finally a saw was produced that had none of the drawbacks of previous tilting-arbor saw designs!
The new UNISAW is completely self-contained, motor and driving mechanism being enclosed in a handsome, modern, tremendously strong steel cabinet. The saw table, without the side wings, is 20″ x 27″ in size, and will handle work up to 48″ wide and 3711″ thick. With the addition of the side wings, the table is 27″ x 36″ in size. Ripping extension bars front and rear are a standard part of the saw.
Saw blade tilts 45 deg. to right, operation being effected by a large handwheel to the left of the machine. The blade is raised and lowered by means of a similar handwheel at the front of the machine. Dado heads, moulding cutters and all other attachments for the 10″ tilting-table saw can be used on the new UNISAW.
Key Features:
- 10″ blade capacity, cutting 3″ deep at 90°, 2″ at 45°
- Tilting-arbor mechanism for bevel cuts — a first in the industry
- 1½ HP to 3 HP motor (belt-driven, rear-mounted)
- Heavy cast-iron four-legged cabinet base for rock-solid stability
- Cast-iron table and wings with machined miter slots
- Internal trunnion assembly mounted to the cabinet (not the table) for improved alignment
- Early Delta “Jet-Lock” fence system or sliding miter gauge (optional)
- Art-deco “Delta Milwaukee” badging and brass data plate
This design eliminated the need to tilt the table surface — a major improvement in both precision and operator comfort.
Heavy Cast-Iron Four Legged Cabinet Base
Notice the four cast iron feet at the base of the heavy gauge sheet metal cabinet. These stabilized the saw and provided additional weight which helped to cut down on vibration.
Note: The cast iron feet were phased out in 1941 and replaced with the square cast iron base as shown on the right.
Early Delta “Jet-Lock” Fence System
While the design of the rip-gage on the Unisaw is of the same patented type so popular on our other saws, it is of completely new and more massive construction. The bar is of heavy steel, formed, braced and welded into one solid, rigid unit, which will not warp. The gage is carried by a new and very large, husky bracket riding on the front bar, and equipped with quick-acting cam and micrometer adjustment. The micrometer adjustment is of the rack-and-pinion type, and can be snapped into or out of engagement at will.
Delta Jet-Lock Rip Fences for Sale on Ebay
The rip-fence bar extends clear over the rear edge of the table-many inches past the rear of the saw blade. This is an important safety feature, as many operators regard a short fence as extremely dangerous. Not only that, but the fence is locked to both front and rear guide bars, (patented) the rear lock being operated from the front of the gage, so that the operator does not have to reach past the saw blade to lock the fence. And the fence can be used on BOTH sides of the blade.
Three Strand Texrope Drive System
After thorough testing of every practicable drive, including gears and silent chains, it was finally decided to use the famous AIIis-Chalmers multiple “Texrope” drive. Our tests showed that this-while more expensive than a gear drive-was by far the most satisfactory and trouble-free drive that could be adopted, and, in addition, that its efficiency was very high.
Multiple V-Belt Drive Has Many Advantages There is no lubrication problem; no gear case to fill with grease and to prevent from leaking. There are no destructive vibration periods to cause possible trouble.
There is no danger of injuring the drive due to sudden stalling of the saw.
There Is no necessity to cut away vital parts of the table ribbing. Also, repair or replacement of parts, which may be troublesome in the case of the gear drive, is simple and Inexpensive in case of the V-belt drive.
Source: Delta 1939 Power Tool Catalog
Unisaw arbor And Bearing Construction
Note the comparison below between the typical table saw arbors and bearing assemblies in the illustration on the left, compared to the much beefier arbor, pulley, and bearing assembly on the newly designed Unisaw, shown on the right.
Rips to the Center of a 48″ Panel – With Built In Extension Bars
The heavy, tubular guide bars on the Unisaw table are long enough s o that the fence can be moved a full 24 ” to the right of the blade, enabling the saw to cut to the center of a 48″ panel when desired.
The guide bars also extend to the left of the table long enough to provide a 15″ capacity to the left of the blade.
This is a very valuable feature of the saw, in connection. with the fence that can be used on both sides of the blade, as there are many operations in which it is very convenient to be able t o use the fence, with a large capacity, on the left of the blade. In fact, on operations using double- faced moulding-cutter blades, i t is essential to b e able to use the fence on the left side of the saw, and a fence that cannot be used on both sides of the blade is useless for such operations. This capacity on both sides of the blade is available whether or not the side extension tables are used.
Source: Delta 1939 Power Tool Catalog
5. Usage and Applications
The Delta 1450 was built for industrial, educational, and professional cabinet shops, and its design quickly became the standard by which all future table saws were judged.
Common applications included:
- Cabinet and furniture making
- Millwork and finish carpentry
- School woodshops and pattern shops
- Production woodworking operations
The saw’s exceptional accuracy, quiet belt-drive system, and rigidity made it ideal for fine joinery and dimension cutting in hardwoods.
6. Restoring the Delta Model 1450
The Four-Footed Unisaw is one of the most desirable Delta restorations because of its rarity and mechanical beauty. While fewer were made than later cabinet versions, many survive in restorable condition.
Typical restoration steps include:
- Cleaning and lubricating the trunnion and arbor assemblies
- Replacing bearings, belts, and motor wiring
- Stripping and repainting in original Delta gray enamel
- Restoring or reproducing “Delta Milwaukee” decals and badges
- Aligning the arbor and fence to factory tolerances
Collectors often fit restored machines with reproduction fences or custom-built motor covers when originals are missing.
Before Restoration
After Restoration
Parts for Restoring Delta Unisaws
- Delta Jet-Lock Rip Fences
- Delta Auto-Set Miter Gauges
- Delta Unisaw Blade Guards
- Delta Unisaw Cast Iron Extension Wings
- Delta Unisaw On Off Switch
- Delta Unisaw Saw Dust Door
- Delta Unisaw Hand Wheels
- Delta Unisaw Table Inserts
- Delta Unisaw Motors
7. Collectibility and Value
The Delta Model 1450 Four-Footed Unisaw is among the most collectible Delta woodworking machines ever made. It represents both the beginning of the Unisaw legacy and the pinnacle of Delta’s prewar craftsmanship.
A professionally restored Delta No. 1450 “Four Footed” Unisaw can have a value ranging from approximately $800 to over $1,500, depending heavily on the quality of the restoration, included accessories (such as an upgraded fence), and local market conditions.
The value is highly variable and depends on several factors:
- Condition of Restoration: A truly professional restoration, where all parts are original and in excellent working order and the finish is high quality, commands a premium price.
- Originality vs. Upgrades:
- Saws with significant upgrades that improve functionality, such as a modern Biesemeyer-style fence (the original fence was a potential weak point), might be more valuable to a user.
- Saws that are restored to exact original specifications might appeal more to collectors.
- Completeness: The inclusion of original manuals, miter gauges, extension wings, and the goose egg motor cover can add to the value.
- Motor: The condition and power of the motor are important. A motor that has been serviced or rebuilt by a motor shop is a plus.
- Local Market: Prices for vintage machinery can vary significantly by geographic region. Checking local online marketplaces (like Craigslist or eBay) for comparable sales will provide the most accurate local estimate.
- While unrestored or moderately used models in good working order typically sell for $500–$700, a professional restoration elevates the saw’s market position, potentially placing it in a price range comparable to newer, high-end cabinet saws.
Fully restored examples often appear in museum collections or private vintage tool displays due to their design and historical importance.
8. Finding Manuals and Parts
Owners Manual for the Delta
1450 Unisaw
Additional Resources for the Delta 1450 are readily available online:
Original Delta Milwaukee 1450 manuals and catalogs are available through VintageMachinery.org, including exploded parts diagrams and sales literature from the 1939–1941 period.
Reproduction nameplates, decals, and brass data tags are available through OWWM.org members and specialized vintage restoration suppliers.
Accessories for the Delta 1450 Unisaw
No. 1454 Cast Iron Motor Housing
MOTOR HOUSING
This cast Iron cover completely encloses the opening in which the motor swings, and provides an additional safety factor for the machine when used as school equipment. The cover is readily attached to the housing.
Source: Delta 1939 Power Tool Catalog
No. 1471 Super-Safe Splitter Mounted Saw Guard
This guard makes the Unisaw the safest
saw available today because no matter to
what angle the saw is tilted the guard
tilts also thereby completely covering the
saw at all times. Because of this safety
the Unisaw is the first choice in schools
and shops.
The Super-Safe guard is mounted direct_
ly to the saw arbor. The basket is held
rigidly in place but is free to swing and
pivot up and down to accommodate all
thickness of stock.
Supplied with splitter and kick-back
fingers. Guard may be easily removed for
dado or grooving.
No. 1472/1473 swing back Saw Guard
This guard gives perfect protection on
ordinary straight work and is therefore
widely used in production shops. It
pivots freely and provides a clear view of
the cutting line. Does not tilt with saw.
Splitter and kick-back fingers mounted on
saw arbor and tilt with saw-easily removed.
Source: Delta 1939 Power Tool Catalog
No. 1457 Splitter Mounted Saw Guard
This guard makes the Unisaw the safest
saw available today because no matter to
what angle the saw is tilted the guard
tilts also thereby completely covering the
saw at all times. Because of this safety
the Unisaw is the first choice in schools
and shops.
The Super-Safe guard is mounted direct_
ly to the saw arbor. The basket is held
rigidly in place but is free to swing and
pivot up and down to accommodate all
thickness of stock.
Supplied with splitter and kick-back
fingers. Guard may be easily removed for
dado or grooving.
No. 864 Auto Set Miter Gauge
The first automatically indexed miter gage ever offered, and the only one with individually adjustable index stops, the “Auto-Set” Miter Gage offers the following unique advantages :
- Unique tapered pivot insures close fit tor entire life of gage, thus preserving accuracy.
- Massive body, heavier than many gages on production machines, gives full· support and will not spring. (Des. Pat. No. 89.818 ).
- Individual automatic stops- (U. S . Patent No. 1,902,270 ; Canadian Patent No. 340,750) make precision job of cross and miter-cutting. Only miter gages made under our patents have individual Index adjustment, a necessity for absolute accuracy.
- Heavy 3/8″ by 3/4″ bar, very rigid and strong, 17″ long.
- Full 5/16″ diameter stop rods, with two heavy clamps, not flimsy wires that are useless for accurate repetition work.
Source: Delta 1939 Power Tool Catalog
Replacement Miter Gauges
Delta Four Footed Unisaw Model No. 1450 1939 Photos
✅ Quick Reference Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Model | Delta 1450 Four-Footed Unisaw |
| Type | Tilting-arbor cabinet table saw |
| Blade Size | 10 inches |
| Motor | 1½ – 3 HP, belt-driven |
| Construction | Cast-iron four-footed cabinet base |
| Fence System | Early Jet-Lock or parallel guide |
| Production Era | 1939 – 1941 |
| Origin | Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA (Delta Specialty Company) |
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Final Thoughts
The Delta Four-Footed Unisaw Model 1450 is a landmark machine in the history of woodworking. As Delta’s first cabinet saw and the world’s first tilting-arbor table saw, it revolutionized woodworking precision and safety.
Restoring or collecting a 1450 is more than owning a piece of machinery — it’s preserving a cornerstone of American industrial design. Built in Milwaukee with unmatched craftsmanship, it remains one of the most beautiful and enduring tools ever made.
I’ve owned and used several of these amazing saws, and even at 85 plus years old, it’s still one of my favorite Delta tools to use. Yeah, there are a lot of newer saws and new technologies that make them safer, have better guards and dust collection features, but for me, there is nothing better than the feel and sound of the Delta Unisaw.
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