Delta Model 34-500 8-Inch Table Saw: A Compact Classic of Delta Engineering

Introduction

The Delta No. 34-500 8-inch Table Saw was one of the first saws I tore apart and rebuilt. It’s was a great 8″ table saw that had a small footprint and was pretty easy to disassemble and restore.

The Delta Model 34-500 8-inch Table Saw occupies a special place in Delta’s lineup of precision woodworking tools. This compact saw was designed for smaller workshops and home craftsmen. It offered the accuracy and build quality of larger Unisaws. All of this was provided in a scaled-down, affordable package.

The 34-500 was produced during the mid-20th century. It became a favorite among woodworkers who valued Delta’s legendary precision. They needed a smaller footprint for garage or basement shops. Today, the 34-500 is a sought-after vintage machine prized for its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of restoration.

Delta No. 34-500 Parts Available on Ebay

Delta 8″ Table Saw No. 34-500 Parts

More Saw… Features… Economy!

An 8″ Tilting Arbor saw that offers more for the small shop, school, maintenance departments, etc. Fence is 24 7/8″ long x 2″ high — extends the full length of the table. It locks at the front and the back and can be used on either side of the saw blade. Accurate channel guide bars are used at the front and the back. The front guide bar is indexed and notched for micrometer setting of the rip fence. The handy adjustment knob provides accurate micrometer adjustment of the rip fence.

Strong, rigid motor mounting tilts smoothly and easily with the saw arbor. It takes small frame motors.

The famous Delta Auto-Set Miter Gage with individually adjustable indexed stops, tapered pivot, and stop rods. The heavy steel cabinet provides a strong rugged base for the saw. The controls are conveniently located to the front of the machine. They are safe and easy to operate.

The big 22″ x 25″ cast iron table surface is scientifically ribbed to prevent warping. It is carefully ground to provide a smooth and accurate working surface.

There is 11 5/8″ of table in front of the saw blade on a maximum 2 1/4″ thick cut. There is plenty of table support for large work.

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History of the Delta 34-500

The Delta Specialty Company introduced the Homecraft series in the late 1930s. Their aim was to bring professional-grade tools to the home workshop market. The company’s flagship Unisaw dominated industrial and school shops. Smaller saws like the Model 34-500 gave hobbyists the same precision. These smaller saws offered a more manageable format.

The 34-500 was manufactured from roughly the late 1940s through the 1960s. It was part of Delta’s evolution into the Delta-Milwaukee and later Rockwell/Delta eras. It had a heavy cast-iron top. It featured smooth arbor bearings. It also had a reliable belt-driven motor. These features made it one of the best 8-inch saws of its day.

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Manufacturer Background

Founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Delta Specialty Company quickly gained a reputation for quality bench-top woodworking machines. After its 1945 acquisition by Rockwell Manufacturing Company, Delta expanded its product lines and introduced innovations that became industry standards.

The 34-500 represents the company’s dedication to precision engineering. It combines affordability with durability. This combination is a hallmark of the Delta brand throughout the mid-century period.

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Design and Features of the 34-500

The Delta Model 34-500 was designed as a contractor-style table saw. It features an 8-inch blade capacity. This design makes it ideal for fine woodworking projects. It achieves this without the bulk of a 10-inch cabinet saw.

Notable features include:

• Cast-iron table and wings for vibration-free operation
• 3/4 to 1½ HP belt-driven motor (typically rear-mounted)
• Arbor assembly with precision ball bearings
• Tilting-arbor mechanism for accurate bevel cuts
• Steel base or optional enclosed stand
• Micro Adjust Fence system, depending on production year
• Cutting depth: approximately 2 inches at 90°, 1-½ inches at 45°

The 34-500 is compact yet powerful. It could cut hardwoods, sheet goods, and joinery stock with the same accuracy. This is the accuracy that Delta users expected from their larger machines.

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Usage and Applications

The 34-500 was popular among serious hobbyists. It was also favored by schools and light professional shops. In these places, space or power supply limited the use of full-size cabinet saws. It was often paired with other Homecraft machines — such as Delta jointers, band saws, and drill presses — in small shop setups.

Woodworkers used the 34-500 for furniture construction, cabinetry, and precision trim work. The saw’s quiet belt drive, balanced arbor, and cast-iron rigidity made it exceptionally smooth for its size.

Accessories can make this saw even more useful and allow for additional applications such as cutting dados or using a molding head.

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Restoring the Delta Model 34-500

Restoring a 34-500 is relatively straightforward, thanks to its simple mechanical design and readily available replacement parts. Many surviving examples are still in excellent mechanical condition and only require cleaning and alignment.

Common restoration steps include:

• Cleaning and de-greasing trunnions and bearings
• Replacing the drive belt and arbor bearings if needed
• Rewiring the motor with modern grounding and safety switches
• Stripping and repainting in Delta gray or Rockwell blue-gray enamel
• Aligning the fence and miter gauge for accuracy

Restorers often appreciate the 34-500’s compact size. It is easier to disassemble and transport. It also fits into smaller workshops compared to larger Unisaws.

Evaporust for Table Saw Restoration

Delta 34-500 Maintenance & Tune Up Guide

See the Delta 34-500 Table Saw Maintenance & Tune-Up Guide to keep your saw in tip top shape. With proper care and maintenance the Delta 34-500 will last for years.

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Collectibility and Value

The Delta Model 34-500 is increasingly collectible among vintage tool enthusiasts. Its manageable size, classic styling, and enduring quality make it an excellent entry-level vintage machine.

Collectors often seek examples with the original Delta badge, Micro Adjust Rip Fence, and factory motor. Prices typically range between $200 and $400 depending on condition and included accessories. A fully restored and aligned 34-500 can bring higher values among Delta enthusiasts.

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Finding Manuals and Parts

More original Delta Homecraft and Rockwell manuals for the 34-500 can be found on VintageMachinery.org and OWWM.org, where PDF scans include exploded parts diagrams, wiring instructions, and alignment procedures.

Replacement arbor bearings, belts, and fences are available from both vintage machinery suppliers and modern aftermarket vendors. The machine’s popularity ensures an ongoing supply of parts and restoration guidance.

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Basic Machine Accessories & Parts

	No. 62-250 1/2 H.P. Motor This was a capacitor start, 115 volt, 60 cycle, 1725 r.p.m. motor with ball bearings and a 5/8″ diameter shaft. The motor speed of 1725 rpm ran the arbor at 3850 rpm or the 8 inch saw blade at 8100 surface feet per minute.
	No. 34-965 V-Belt And Motor Pulley Guard This guard completely protects the operator from the motor pulley and V-belt. It prevents a bystander’s hands from begin accidentally caught between the V-belt and motor pulley while in operation. This assembly was mounted on the end bell of the motor.
	Delta HJ-17 Motor Pulley The motor for the Delta Saw-Jointer Combination unit used different pulleys on each end. This one was used to power the 4″ Homecraft jointer.
	Delta Model 34-500 8″ Table Saw Handwheel Hand Knob – Part number TAB 160. Tapped 5/16″-18 Handwheel – Part number TAB 165S The 8″ table saw came with two of the hand wheels and lock knobs. One was located on the front of the saw for raising and lowering the blade and the other was on the side and was used to tilt the saw arbor.
	Delta Model 34-500 8″ Table Saw Motor Mount Part Number TAB-109-3, Motor Bracket Part Number TAB-117-3, Motor Mounting Plate Part Number TAB-131, Motor Plate Rod, 5/8″ x 4-11/16″ The motor mount allowed the motor to hang off the back of the saw cabinet. The mount was hinged so the weight of the motor would put tension on the v-belt.
	No. 34-961 – Circular Saw Table Insert with Leveling Screws, for use with saw blade.
	No. 34-963 – Dado Head Table Insert for use with Dado Head. These additional table insert can be adjusted so they fit flush with the table surface and are adjustable.
	No. 34-964, Part No. TAB-140 – Solid Cast Iron Side Table Extension, 5″ x 22″ x 1-1/4″ thick. 22 lbs.
	No. 34-500 Toggle Switch Name Plate This was the Delta 34-500 Switch Name plate identified as part No. TAB-138. It measured 1 3/8″ wide by 3 5/8″ tall.
	No. 864 Auto-Set Miter Gage: The miter gage has a 7 inch face. It includes a 3/8 x 3/4 x 18 inch bar. This bar fits the table slot of circular saws and other machines. It can be set at any angle up to 60 degrees to the right or left. It has adjustable stops for instant settings at zero and 45 degrees to the right or left. It can be adjusted to compensate for wear or loosening the head by merely loosening or tightening a tapered pivot screw. No. 864 0 Miter Gage with Stop Rods No. 865 – Clamp Attachment for Miter Gage No. 873 – Extra sliding block complete with clamp screw.
	No. 50-810 – Steel Stand with Machine Screws, Nuts and Washers for assembly. This stand gave the operator the correct working height and a rigid base.

Additional Resources on old-Woodworking-Machines

• Delta Homecraft Table Saw History and Model Guide
• Delta 34-500 Table Saw Maintenance & Tune-Up Guide
• Restoring a Vintage Delta Table Saw (Coming Soon)
• Finding Delta Homecraft Manuals and Parts

Delta 8″ Table Saw No. 34-500 Parts Diagrams

Delta 8″ Homecraft Table Saw No. 34.500 Parts List

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Final Thoughts

The Delta Model 34-500 8-inch Table Saw exemplifies the precision that made Delta a leader. Its craftsmanship also contributed to Delta’s leadership in American woodworking machinery. It bridges the gap between hobbyist and professional tools — compact, accurate, and built to last a lifetime.

You might be a woodworker looking for a reliable vintage saw. Alternatively, you could be a collector preserving a piece of industrial heritage. In both cases, the 34-500 showcases Delta’s engineering excellence. It is a timeless example.

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Quick Reference Summary

Feature	Description
Model	Delta Model 34-500 8-Inch Table Saw
Type	Compact / Contractor-Style Table Saw
Motor	1 – 1½ HP belt-driven
Blade Size	8 inches
Construction	Cast-iron table and wings
Fence	Jet-Lock or Unifence
Production Era	1940s – 1960s
Origin	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

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Delta 34-500 Table Saw Photos

Delta Woodworking Machine Links

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