Delta Industrial 46-460 12-1/2-inch Variable-Speed MIDI Lathe, Gray

I had to get the shop set up before I could use it I really like this lathe. It's easy to use and I haven't had problems with it.I'm very pleased with this machine and looking forward to my next project on it

Original review circa 12/25/2011:I have been a wood worker for over 35 years and finally decided to try my hand at turning. My family listened and got me my choice of lathes for this Christmas. I decided on a midi-lathe, since a full-sized lathe would have been too expensive and a waste should I not like turning. Who wants another expensive tool to dust off in the shop. However, I have learned a long time ago you get what you pay for. So, I wasn't going to cut my teeth in turning on poor equipment and risk invalidly marring my opinion of the activity. Before I made my selection, I read up on mini lathes all over the 'net and not just here on Amazon, but on turning websites and forums as well. I could not find anything that suggested the 46-460 was not a top of the line midi-lathe.It is not that they are complicated but the ease of use, machining, alignment of turning points, heftiness, speed control, etc. are all factors that separate a good mini/midi-lathe from the next. I got this lathe set up only yesterday and had never turned before. Becuase I had watched many TV shows of our favorites turning, I had some idea on how to do it. Straight out of the box with a set of mediocre chisels, i.e. not of Sorby class, I was able to make my first turning, a handle for a triangular file out of a stick of red oak bound for the fire pit. I bought the chisels here PSI Woodworking LCSIXW High Speed Steel Wood Lathe Chisel Turning Set, 6-Piece as a gift to myself.The 46-460 is a quality machine, very quiet, plenty of power, well-designed, feature-filled lathe. It comes with a face plate, which I haven't attempted to use yet, and one each of the spur and live centers. These fit snugly into the headstock spindle bore and the quill, respectively. You don't have to remove the face plate to insert the spur center. A couple tool rests, 6" and 10", round out the equipment. You can turn the longest piece of wood by moving the 10" tool rest only once. The sliding action on the tail stock and the tools rest is very smooth and uninhibited by rough machining; the lock down handles are easily reached and tighten with less than a quarter turn. In fact, all the machining is top notch, welds are fully ground and smooth, unlike other equipment I've bought made in Taiwan. The movable ribbed-belt on 3 pulleys offers 3 ranges compounded by the electronic speed control provides ultimate flexibility. Although I don't know much about speed control and what to turn at for what process or wood selection, the electronic speed control is a luxury (I'd say). Changing out the belt is quite simple with access from the front and side through two portals; there's a tensioning lever that makes changing pulleys a piece of cake. Since it is a midi-lathe the length of the piece being turned is limited but with a 12 1/2" swing pretty large plates and bowls can be achieved. Also, there is a forward and reverse switch that makes sanding in both directions easy; just remember to return the switch to forward if you are going to turn anymore after sanding! Nothing bad happens but your chisels won't cut...The thing weighs over 100 lbs, which is awesome for being that size. I just put in on my bench top temporarily to get a taste of turning and it never budged an inch. I wasn't turning huge lop-sided pieces of wood but the equipment itself is extremely smooth, no vibrations and well-balanced. I also like the base expandability and optional legs, which are available even for an expanded base.It's only been a day or so but I would recommend getting or upgrading to this lathe. If you turn or want to turn pens or smaller things, like ornaments, tool handles, goblets, etc. you won't go wrong with this tool. I am no wood turner yet, but I know quality when I see it.Update 06/23/2018:I have had this lathe now for over 7 years and it has performed wonderfully. However...it has just died. The motor will no longer rotate. I have tried the reset switch repeatedly thinking I had overheated it but the switch even feels loose and ineffective. I have to confess that I have periodically turned the lathe on with the indexing pin engaged. I would immediately turn off the lathe and disengage the indexing pin.The lathe would start up without fail. Until yesterday...I did it again and this time it will not turn! So, be forewarned and do not get comfortable thinking your lathe will be OK even with the indexing pin locked in just a brief moment. It will accumulate the impact and it will fail. I think a modification which would kill the power circuit, if the pin was engaged, would be a great product enhancement! A new motor costs nearly as much as a new lathe, so replacement of just the motor doesn't seem right. I will see if a repair of the motor can be done and report back later.

I purchased this after reading Fine Woodworking's Midi Lathe Tool Test from Andrew Finnigan. This Delta lathe and a comparable Rikon model were both rated Author's Choice in the under $1300 category. It is a lot of fun to use, seems heavy, well designed. It is very quiet while running, with a pleasant hum from the motor, and the variable speed adjustments are smooth. Seems like a good value for a heavy duty tool. Mine arrived with the FWD/REV switch wired backwards. In order to fix this, you need to locate the logic board and swap the M+/M- wires circled in yellow in my attached photo. The fix was simple enough, and I was expecting this issue after reading that other reviews have had the same issue, so I don't think it is worth downgrading from 5 stars for this minor issue.

I purchased the DELTA midi-lathe after reading the FWW review. I also read the Amazon customer reviews but as with any product there are always a few disgruntled folks. Well, I'm one of those now. To keep the story short I have copied and pasted below the letter I received from DELTA in trying to get a replacement part that was broken when I received it.Thank you for contacting DELTA about this matter. I have checked and it seems that you purchased a Type 1 Lathe. We currently have no stock on this part. Since we recently purchased the DELTA brand, we are working hard to stock up on service parts because there were none acquired during the transition. I do not know when we will receive new service parts for our lathes. At this time the only thing I can recommend is to check on ereplacementparts.com. I am sorry that I cannot provide you with the part you need.The letter speaks for itself. Warranty-yeah right! I'd steer clear of DELTA products if this is the way they provide service/support for their products. Also, there was rebate promotion on this lathe when they knew they didn't have replacement parts. This sounds somewhat unethical to me.Just as an after thought-the service people at Sawstop are the absolute tops in customer support-just in case you should ever be thinking of purchasing a table saw from them (too bad they don't make lathes). They will provide support even if you buy used. Great company-great product.Update on 6/20/12-almost two months after I purchased this lathe through Amazon, DELTA sent me the replacement part. The part, the pully cover door, looks new but it appears that the pulley speed table was scraped off the inside of the door when compared to the original. Hmm, was this part salvaged from a returned lathe-dunno?? Well, at least I got the door without, as DELTA had suggested, going to ereplacementparts.com. Thank you DELTA, you surprised me.Regarding the lathe quality-this lathe is great for small turnings. For someone just starting out this is a good choice. If you stick with the craft then you can look at one of the "big boys", i.e.-POWERMATIC or, even better, a ONEWAY. If you never get there you can still have a lot of fun with this one. Finally, wear a faceshield-no excuses.Update on 1/15/13-the lathe is still working fine and I really like it. (Combined with my Jet 1642 they allow for two setups at a time.) I'm concerned about when it does need parts and I can't get them. I really hope they get their parts supply issue worked out because at some point I'll need a switch or belt or something.I noticed some folks had difficulty getting their rebates ($50) honored. I contacted Delta after six weeks and asked why I hadn't received mine. They told me that they promised six to EIGHT weeks and I should just wait. It did come by eight weeks. They said they were overwhelmed with the demand. To which I said- they filled my ordered in five days but the rebate takes two months-it's just a matter as to who is writing the check me or them.Update 1/20/13-A few days ago I saw that Amazon had made the lathe temporarily unavailable due to some "supply/product issues." I can only assume that it was in response to all of us complaining about the response we've received in trying to get parts or service. Checking back today, I saw the advertisement back up there. Also, I checked the Delta website and there was a parts diagram and an active order form on their website. I hope, maybe knaively, that this is a good sign that Delta is working out their parts supply issues. We'll see. Incidentally-it's a great little travelin' lathe for demos at shows.I probably have used this lathe a total of fifteen hours in the time I've had it (twelve years). I prefer my bigger Jet 1642 lathe and I've not moved on to doing crafts shows where I anticipated using it. If you are in the market for a lathe, join a club and buy a used one from someone trading up.