Vintage Delta Table Saw & Jointer Combination Machines: Compact Power for the Small Workshop

Introduction

For many mid-20th-century woodworkers, space and budget were major considerations when setting up a shop. Delta responded with an innovative solution: table saw and jointer combination machines. These compact units paired two of the most essential woodworking tools in one footprint, giving hobbyists and small shops the ability to rip, crosscut, and joint boards on a single cast-iron base. Today, these machines are collectible artifacts of woodworking history and remain highly functional for small-shop use.

History of Delta Combination Machines

The Delta Specialty Company, founded in Milwaukee in 1919, became known for making practical, affordable woodworking tools. By the late 1930s and 1940s, Delta recognized that home woodworkers often lacked the space (and money) for multiple large machines.

To solve this problem, Delta introduced table saw and jointer combination machines in its Homecraft line during the 1940s. These machines mounted a 4” jointer alongside an 8” tilting-arbor table saw on a shared cast-iron base.

After Delta merged with Rockwell in the late 1940s, the Delta/Rockwell brand continued to produce and refine these combination machines into the 1950s and 1960s. They became popular in home shops, schools, and small cabinet shops.

Notable Delta Combination Machine Models

• Delta Homecraft 8” Table Saw & 4” Jointer Combo
  One of the most common models, introduced in the 1940s. Compact and practical, it allowed small-shop woodworkers to have two machines in one unit.

• Delta 1160/1170 Series Combos
  A variation of the Homecraft combination, often paired with Delta’s popular 37-110 jointer. These machines were sold through catalogs and hardware stores nationwide.

• Delta/Rockwell Upgraded Combos
  Postwar models offered heavier-duty stands, improved fences, and stronger motors, making them better suited for more serious woodworking tasks.

Design and Features

Vintage Delta table saw & jointer combos were designed to maximize efficiency in small shops. Standard features included:

• Cast-iron 8” table saw with tilting arbor for bevel cuts.

• Cast-iron 4” jointer mounted to the same base.

• Shared motor drive system, often belt-driven, powering both machines.

• Compact cast-iron base or steel stand, minimizing footprint.

• Adjustable rip fences and miter gauges for accurate sawing.

• Tilting jointer fence for bevel jointing.

These combination machines provided a surprising level of capability in a relatively small package.

Usage and Applications

The combination of a table saw and jointer in one machine gave woodworkers the ability to:

• Rip and crosscut lumber accurately on the table saw.

• Bevel and miter cut with the tilting arbor and miter gauge.

• Flatten and square board edges on the jointer.

• Prepare rough stock for furniture, cabinetry, and general woodworking.

These machines were especially valued in home shops and educational settings, where space was limited but versatility was essential.

Collectibility and Value Today

Vintage Delta combination machines are popular among collectors of Homecraft tools and small-shop woodworking equipment.

• Homecraft models are widely collected and often restored for active use.

• Machines in original condition with complete fences, guards, and motors are the most valuable.

• Their compact design makes them attractive to modern woodworkers with limited space.

Prices generally range from $300–$700 for complete units, with fully restored examples often fetching $800 to $1,200, depending on condition.

Manuals, Catalogs, and Resources

Delta produced detailed manuals and catalogs for its combination machines, which are invaluable for identification and restoration. Many of these documents are available online:

Tips for Restoring and Maintaining Vintage Delta Combination Machines

• Check arbor bearings on the table saw and cutterhead bearings on the jointer.

• Replace worn belts in the shared drive system.

• Flatten and wax tables for smooth stock movement.

• Inspect and align fences for accuracy on both machines.

• Upgrade safety equipment, including blade guards and power switches, for regular use.

Conclusion

Vintage Delta table saw & jointer combination machines are a brilliant example of Delta’s innovation in small-shop machinery. By combining two essential tools in one compact package, Delta made woodworking more accessible to hobbyists and space-conscious craftsmen. Today, these machines remain collectible and functional, embodying Delta’s reputation for quality and practicality.

Keyword Focus Phrases:

• Vintage Delta table saw and jointer combos

• Delta Homecraft combination machines

• Delta 8 inch table saw with jointer

• Restoring Delta combination woodworking machines

Delta Combination Table Saw Jointer Images:

1. “Vintage Delta Homecraft 8-inch table saw and 4-inch jointer combination machine on cast-iron stand.”

2. “Restored Delta/Rockwell table saw and jointer combo from the 1950s with gray finish.”

3. “Vintage Delta catalog page showcasing table saw and jointer combination machines.”

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Vintage Delta Tool Parts for Sale

Delta Table Saw Parts
Delta Band Saw Parts
Delta Scroll Saw Parts
Delta Jointer Parts
Delta Disc Sander Parts
Delta Belt Sander Parts
Delta Electric Motors
Delta Shaper Parts
Delta Disc Sander Parts
Delta Belt Sander Parts
Delta Wood Lathe Parts
Delta Rip Fences
Delta Miter Gauges
Delta Tool Stands

Vintage Delta Woodworking Tools

Also see the these other Vintage Delta tool pages.

• Vintage Delta Table Saws
• Vintage Delta Band Saws
• Vintage Delta Scroll Saws
• Vintage Delta Radial Arm Saws
• Vintage Delta Jointers
• Vintage Delta Drill Presses
• Vintage Delta Disc Sanders
• Vintage Delta Belt Sanders
• Vintage Delta Shapers
• Vintage Delta Lathes
• Vintage Delta Combination Belt Disc Sander
• Vintage Delta Combination Table Saw Jointer

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Click here to share Your Own Delta Tool & Machine Photos & Information

Delta Power Tools by Year

Delta Rockwell Power Tools - 1937
Delta Rockwell Power Tools - 1939
Delta Rockwell Power Tools - 1957

Vintage Delta Table Saws

Delta 10" Tilting Table Table Saw Model No. 1160
Delta 10" Contractors Saw
Delta 10" Unisaw
Delta 10" Tilting Arbor Unisaw (1948)
Delta Auto Set Miter Gage
Delta Rip Fence

Newer Delta Table Saws

Delta Table Saws
Delta Contractor Saw
Delta Cabinet Saw
Delta 36-715 10" Hybrid Saw
Delta 36-716 10" Hybrid Saw
Delta 36-717 10" Hybrid Saw

Vintage Delta Band Saws

Delta Homecraft 10" Band Saw No. 768 (1937)
Delta 14" Band Saw Model No. 28-207 (1949)
Delta 14" Band Saw Rip Fence

Old Band Saw Restoration Tips & Stories

Vintage Delta Jointer Models

Delta Homecraft 4" Jointer
Delta 4" Jointer No. 290 (1937)
Delta 6" Jointer
Delta 6 " Deluxe Long Bed Jointer Model 37-220

Vintage Delta Shaper Models

Delta Homecraft Shaper
Delta Heavy Duty Shaper Model 43-205

Vintage Delta Belt and Disc Sanders

Delta 12" Disc Sander No. 1426 (1939)
Delta 6" Belt Sander No. 1400 (1937)
Delta 6" x 48" Belt Sander
Delta Combination 12" Disc & 6" x 48" Belt Sander

Vintage Delta Scroll Saw

Delta 24" Scroll Saw No. 1200 (1948)

Vintage Delta Wood Lathes

Delta 11" Wood Lathe No. 930 4 Speed (1937)
Delta 12" Wood Lathe (1948)
Delta 12" Wood Lathe No. 1460

More Old Woodworking Tool Links

• Old-Woodworking-Tools.net Home Page
• Delta Rockwell Woodworking Tools - Industrial Line
• Delta Homecraft Tools - For Home Shop
• General Woodworking Tools
• Sears Craftsman Tools - Favorite of home craftsman
• PowerMatic Woodworking Tools
• Jet Woodworking Tools
• Boyce Crane Tools
• Oliver Woodworking Tools
• Walker Turner Tools
• Stanley Planes

Visit Our New Woodworking Websites

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Old Woodworking Machines - www.old-woodworking-machines.com- Information about motorized woodworking machinery.

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