Delta 46-460 question

[SteveG]

I am about to purchase a new lathe. Can someone tell me the amount of usable travel provided by the tailstock of the 46-460 for drilling blanks. My Jet 1014 comes up a bit short in this department. Thanks Steve

 

[turbowagon]

A little less than 2".

My drill chuck bottoms out at about 0.5" on the scale, and the quill extends to about 2.25"

- Joe

 

[bking0217]

If drilling blanks is your goal, it does the job well. I have a bench-top drill press that bought from Harbor Freight but I've never used it because my lathe drills all my blanks.

 

[moke]

My Drill chuck must not be as good as Joe's. Mine bottoms out at .75. So I only get about 1.5" of total travel. Which is ok, I just reposition and continue in.

I had lots of problems drilling at first and noted that there was lots of slop in the tailstock---I tried tightening the screw underneath but that was not the issue...I returned the tailstock to the local vendor where it was purchased, they gave me another right out of a box and I have had zero problems since....it is a great piece of equipment.
Moke

 

[SteveG]

Thanks for the responses. I had hoped the travel were a bit longer, and not need the repositioning of the tail stock. One thing, Moke, I think you can cut off the tail end of the MT2 for the drill chuck, and get more travel. I expect to do so with mine once I get the new lathe. My goal is to drill MOST blanks without repositioning the tail stock. Happy turning to all.
Steve

 

[moke]

Hey thanks Steve!!!
I can't believe I never thought of that!!! I'm on it----
Moke

 

[bradh]

One thing, Moke, I think you can cut off the tail end of the MT2 for the drill chuck, and get more travel. I expect to do so with mine once I get the new lathe.

The sad thing is the centres that came with my 46-460 bottom out between 1/2" and the 1" travel mark. There is an opportunity for improvement for the Delta people.