Delta 40-540 blade insertion difficulty

[JoanneH]

I have a 20 year old Delta 40-540 that I have never used because I can’t figure out how to insert the danged blade into the top holder. It looks like it should be pretty simple, but no matter what I do, the blade just slides back out. The manual I downloaded is not as clear as I’d like. There is a lever that releases the “grip” and a knurled screw that adjusts it as well. It appears that the top of the blade just gets wedged in between the front part of the “grippers” like a pair of pliers and that’s it?   Any suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong would be much appreciated.  

Edit: I may have figured out that the top of the blade simply gets gripped in the front edge of the top blade holder. I haven’t tried actually running it and cutting something with it yet, so I don’t know if it will hold or not. May have been overthinking the blade installation to be something more complex than that. 

Joanne

Edited June 25, 2020 by JoanneH
New info

[Wichman]

Joanne, I use a 40-560 (two speed) with the same blade clamp. Yes it is that simple. The lever on the side should be a little hard to close (but not so hard as to damage the lever). This is a dream to use on fretwork, so simple. Once adjusted, no more worries.

One note, I usually have the slot in the red disk oriented towards the front of the saw; that will allow the blade to come forward when changing holes.

 Have fun, looking forward to project pictures.

 

[John B]

G'day Joanne, I have one of those old girls down the shed. It was a great machine.
By looking at your photos it seems like you have the blade behind the knurled knob. eg on the saw side, The blade should go between the grips from the front (The other side of the knob)
I may just be seeing the pic all wrong.

[jollyred]

I had one of those also, and found that blade clamp to be extremely easy to use, once it is adjusted correctly.  Start by having the lever in the closed position, then insert the blade in till it touches the front of the adjusting screw.  Tighten the adjusting screw till the blade is firmly held in the clamp.  Do not change this adjustment till a different size blade is used.  Now open the lever and the blade is loose.  Put the blade back in against the adjusting screw, close the lever and the blade is secured for cutting.  This is the easiest and quickest method to insert the blade that I have ever used.  The new Jets may have a method that is quicker, but no one else does.  I don't know why Delta did away with this clamp, but it probably cost more than the thumbscrew type most use now.  Another case of profit before user convenience.

Tom

[JoanneH]

Thanks so much guys, I’m looking forward to finally using this saw. Yes, the blade is behind the knurled knob, it’s just kind of hanging there. It was after taking the pics that I went back and fiddled with it a bit more and figured out that the blade goes in front of it.  I wanted to make fancy birdhouses, and I’ve never used it. I’ve had three people try to help me with it, and no one was able to figure it out!  Obviously over-thinking it.  Thanks again. Joanne

[loftyhermes]

Joanne, you've cracked it, the blade does go in the front of the clamp. It doesn't need to be over tight or you will bend and possibly break the lever. I agree with Tom about the pressure needed, it's actually a lot less than you would think.  If it's too loose it will just spring open so the knurled nut will need a little tightening up. After using one for over 25 years I know instinctively when it's enough, my index finger on the nut and just close the lever with my thumb feeling the slight resistance as the lever closes.

[kmmcrafts]

I've got two of those same saws.. LOL Great saws and great clamping system on them once you get the hang of them.. A lot of people "over tighten " the clamping and break them.. so be careful.. those parts are hard to get these days..

[John B]

20 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I've got two of those same saws.. LOL Great saws and great clamping system on them once you get the hang of them.. A lot of people "over tighten " the clamping and break them.. so be careful.. those parts are hard to get these days..

I stripped the bolt through the knurled nut on mine. A standard bolt wont replace it as they just bend. Has to be hardened steel..  Don't misplace the allen key tool for the bottom clamp, they are real buggers to tighten without it.  I'm just guessing

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, John B said:

I stripped the bolt through the knurled nut on mine. A standard bolt wont replace it as they just bend. Has to be hardened steel..  Don't misplace the allen key tool for the bottom clamp, they are real buggers to tighten without it.  I'm just guessing

 You are right! So much so that I made one from a old screwdriver and a Allen wrench.. Having a welder has some advantaged.. now I need to buy a set of screwdrivers, lol  Of coarse as you can figure after cutting the stuff up and welding up a new tool.. I'd find the OEM one in my back pocket when I was getting ready for my shower at the end of the day, 

Edited June 27, 2020 by kmmcrafts

[ozzyoz]

On 6/25/2020 at 3:57 PM, John B said:

G'day Joanne, I have one of those old girls down the shed. It was a great machine.
By looking at your photos it seems like you have the blade behind the knurled knob. eg on the saw side, The blade should go between the grips from the front (The other side of the knob)
I may just be seeing the pic all wrong.

You are correct the blade goes in the front, I had to check my old delta which is making a good home for spiders in the corner of the shed. The only issue I had with the clamp is pulling it apart to rub  sand paper on the sides to get a better grip, they are fiddly to put back together, but they do work a treat

[Fedido]

On 6/26/2020 at 2:48 PM, kmmcrafts said:

I've got two of those same saws.. LOL Great saws and great clamping system on them once you get the hang of them.. A lot of people "over tighten " the clamping and break them.. so be careful.. those parts are hard to get these days..

@kmmcrafts, as always, you are filled with wisdom, but while parts are hard to get as I would expect, I bet I know where two of them are,