A Eulogy for my Delta

[Jim McDonald]

My pawn shop purchased single speed Delta is no more. I field stripped it last night for parts useable on the high school's two-speed Delta and with only a very mild tinge of sadness, I hoisted the carcass into the back of the truck to make that last trip to the scrap yard. (Might as well get a buck or two for scrap iron.)

For a newbie, it served me well, cutting out Pinewood Derby cars for my son, a few Christmas ornaments and some picture frames, but once the air blower nozzle got broken right at the top of the frame and there are no replacements, I decided it was time.

Except for a couple of sanding jobs, it spent the summer in the back of the shed, envious of the new Hitachi that always got the cutting jobs and looked forlorn. Armed with a 3mm Allen wrench and a Phillips screwdriver, I put my trusty old friend to rest. I was astonished at how fast it was all over, but now, I can deliver a box of pieces that will eventually fail to the school and keep the art department's saw operation for a little longer--at no expense to the school system. (Plus parts are getting hard to obtain and the shipping is generally more than the parts you needed.)

I know the frame and table will become part of a street grate or manhole cover, but the blade clamps, hold down and other pieces will live on and just maybe, some high schooler will take up scroll sawing somewhere down the line after seeing one operate in the classroom. It's just too bad there is a prohibition on students operating the saw.

[Tor]

RIP Delta. Hope those parts keep that other saw going a long time, and they allow the kids to use it properly.

Tor

[GrayBeard Phil]

I extend my sympathies to brother Jim in his time of sorrow and remembrance. For the Delta saw was a good saw, one who held true promise as a member of an entire generation of Delta saws.

When his Delta saw was brought into being, there were a host of Delta scroll saws sold, being made, or on the drawing board for future manufacturing. The potential for success was wide open. Every Delta product held their head up and with pride swaggered into the marketplace. Joining his brethren of type to proudly wear the label of Delta. For the distinctive paint of Blue/Green was upon him.

But all empires eventually become the dust of time. So too with the Delta scroll saws. Only the echo of the stalwart rear guard of the P-20's continue the tradition of the Delta Scroll saws. Old veteran war-horses of the "C" arm traditions surface now and then to recount the history as told only as old surviving veterans can of the carefree Halcyon days of the full flower of Delta Machinery scroll saw's manhood.

Rest in Pieces, oh ye member of the gallant few.

[Plaquerd]

RIP old friend.

[minowevie]

Ok, Jim you got me crying. I think I would scrap out my 4x4 ford truck, before I could my saw. I feel you pain, hope you can buy a new horse, and get back on, and bring all the exsperance that, that old gal tought you, a new saw can never replace the love, but can keep you going, and hopefully, you will learn to love again, hope you have saved some of her, and framed them, put them on the wall. as a memmery, to her efforts to guid you in the art of scrolling. and may her parts searv man in other ways, keeping a man safe from harm in a man hole . only to live another day. I know it took great streanth, to unasembale her. but you and she is better off now. going on to biger, and better things. hope you have soles in that you was loved buy her, and her you. but its time to go on, and be the bigger , man. my hart just goes out to you both. your friend Evie

[GrayBeard Phil]

Can we get an AH-MEN, for sister Evie?

Let's Here it!

[minowevie]

HEHE. sister Evie

[lucky788scroller]

I hear Taps playing in the distance....................................follow ed by a delivery truck carrying a newcomer to your family! Happy scrolling again soon!

[Jim McDonald]

Originally Posted by minowevie

Ok, Jim you got me crying. ..buy a new horse, and get back on, your friend Evie

Not to worry--that Hitachi CW 40 probably has better than 75 hours on it already. (At least it seems like I've gone through a gross of blades this summer!)

[f250]

My heart is heavy and yet light and happy at the same time. Like all good organ donors out there, when his life had expired he gave selflessly of himself to keep someone else alive.

Oh things are good in the magic land of sawdust

Tom