Delta 12-1/2" Variable Speed Midi Lathe
Not everyone needs a large, stationary lathe. If you turn small items, such as pens, tool handles, small bowls and platters, furniture hardware and the like, or if you're just taking up woodturning, then a midi lathe can be an excellent choice. They're less expensive, don't require much space, and can be more easily moved out of the way, or stored, when not in use.
The Delta 12-12" Variable Speed Midi Lathe (46-460) has all the standard features you'd expect to find on a good quality midi lathe, plus a couple of extras that set it somewhat above the competition.
The 46-460 has a fairly small, 7" x 31" footprint, making it compact enough to fit just about anywhere, even a small closet. The body is primarily cast-iron, which accounts for the hefty 97 pound weight. I don't begrudge the weight, as it helps reduce vibration. Coupled with a 1 HP belt drive induction motor (which sits underneath the bed of the lathe), the 46-460 is virtually vibration-free and super quiet, at any speed level. I measured the decibel level at 74.5 at 4,000 RPM (no load). Even though vibration isn't an issue, you'll still want to secure the lathe to a work bench or stand, using the four pre-drilled holes in the base. Delta offers a nice optional stand (46-462), though you can easily make your own from one of the many plans available over the Internet.
It's important that the banjo (the tool rest base) and, to a lesser extent the tailstock, glide smoothly across the ways (the top of the lathe bed). The banjo is frequently adjusted sideways, forward and backward, as you turn. The ways on the 46-460 aren't as smooth as I would have liked; they have slight milling marks on the surface. Nonetheless, the banjo glides quite well across the ways; even more so if you regularly spray the ways with something like WD-40 or Boeshield's T-9, which both lubricates them, and keeps rust at bay.
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I found the reversing feature very handy; sanding against the grain noticeably speeds up the sanding process, giving a smoother finish sooner. At the very back of the headstock is a 10 Amp manual reset circuit breaker. If there is a overdraw of current, the breaker will trip. Delta recommends that you use the 46-460 on a separate, dedicated circuit wired with #12 cable, though I didn't experience any problems with the lathe connected to #14 cable (and a dedicated 15A circuit).
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I like the V-belt that Delta uses. It has a series of six lengthwise v-grooves that better resist slipping than standard flat belts. The belt tracks on matching v-grooves on the pulleys. There's a handy belt chart on the inside of the pulley cover, and a speed selection chart on the side of the headstock. I usually use the first (250-700 RPM) and third (1,350-4,000 RPM) speed ranges, so belt changing is even less of an issue. The variable speed system is very smooth across any speed range, running in forward or reverse direction.
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The clamping mechanisms that secure the banjo, tool rest and tailstock work well, though I felt the tool rest and tailstock quill locking handles could be a tad longer in order to effect a better grip. Apart from the tailstock crank all the handles are metal, which are much more durable than plastic.
The 46-460 comes with a standard spur center or drive spur (goes in the headstock spindle), live center (goes in the tailstock spindle), 3" faceplate, 6" and 10" tool rests, knockout bar and wrenches. The knockout bar and wrench bit conveniently in a slot at the back of the lathe. The spur center has four prongs with a center point that projects about 3/16" above the prongs. It works well as long as the ends of your stock are flat and square. In order to hold the stock securely, all four prongs should engage the wood. Spur centers with 2 prongs hold uneven stock more securely, and fortunately they aren`t overly expensive. Many turners prefer the Sorby Stebcentre spur center, which holds just about anything, but at a wallet thinning price. The live center (so called because it has a bearing that freely rotates the center pin) is again, a fairly standard, but highly reliable, design. As with the spur center, you can purchase different models, one of the most popular being the Oneway Live Center.
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The 46-460 is compact, heavy, vibration free, powerful (thanks to a 1 HP motor), has a wide range of speeds (variably controlled between speed ranges), a reversing function (that reduces the onerous task of sanding), a super easy belt changing system, indexing feature, the ubiquitous 1" x 8 TPI spindle with a #2 Morse Taper, and a 5 year warranty.
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Woodturning is not an overly expensive undertaking in contrast to other woodworking hobbies. Before purchasing a lathe, you might consider buying a couple of introductory books on turning, such as 'Turning Wood with Richard Raffan' or 'Woodturning Tips & Techniques'. There are numerous woodturning clubs across the country, always eager to welcome new converts to the fold. They provide a great way to meet people with similar interests, and you'll get lots of advice and support as you begin your foray into turning. Turning clubs often have lending libraries, and members can recommend resources that they've found useful. You may even be able to score good quality used turning tools and accessories.
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If your interest lies in faceplate turning, then you might also want to consider purchasing a four-jaw chuck. A good source of inexpensive (often free) practice wood can be had in the form of 2 by spruce, pine or a similar softwood from your local lumberyard or at a nearby construction site (of course, courtesy suggests that you ask before taking). There is no end to the amount of money you can spend on woodturning tools and accessories. Bear in mind however, it's not the gear that makes the turner, it's the practice.
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- 1 HP motor
- Electronic variable speed control
- Forward and reversing function
- 250-700, 600-1,800 and 1,350-4,000 RPM
- 12-1/2" swing over the bed
- 9-9/16" swing over the banjo (tool rest base)
- 16-1/2" between centers
- 1"x 8 TPI right hand spindle thread
- #2 Morse Taper
- 2-1/4" of tailstock spindle travel
- Patented belt tensioning system
- 22 position index pin
- Cast-iron construction
- 7" x 31" footprint
- 97 pound weight
- 5 year warranty
- Includes: Live center, spur center, 3" face plate, banjo, 6" and 10" tool rests, knockout bar, faceplate wrench, hex wrench, instruction manual
- Optional: Stand (46-462), 25-1/2" bed extension (46-463), Nova G3-D chuck (46-461)
| Manufacturer: | Delta |
| Available From: | Tool and equipment suppliers nationwide |
| Retail Price: | $719.00 |
| Model #: | 46-460 |
| Made In: | Body: Taiwan Motor: China |
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