Looking for a new lathe

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
I have the delta 46-460 and it is a fine machine, but now that I am trying to learn to turn between centers this is just not working out. My problem is with the tailstock. In my opinion, after using my powermatic 90 tailstock, this is far from precision. When moving it there is slop, but the big problem is the spindle lock. It creeps loose. So my blanks just slip after a few passes.

So does anyone really love their lathe and especially the precision tailstock? Electronic variable speed with readout would be nice, but the tailstock is my #1 priority. If i find something like, then I may sell the delta or make it a stand alone buffing station.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

FGarbrecht

Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2019
Messages
618
Location
NY
Sounds like you're looking for an excuse to buy another lathe :p. Why don't you just fix the spindle lock or replace the tailstock assembly?
 

leehljp

Member Liaison
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
9,314
Location
Tunica, Mississippi,
I have the delta 46-460 and it is a fine machine, but now that I am trying to learn to turn between centers this is just not working out. My problem is with the tailstock. In my opinion, after using my powermatic 90 tailstock, this is far from precision. When moving it there is slop, but the big problem is the spindle lock. It creeps loose. So my blanks just slip after a few passes.

So does anyone really love their lathe and especially the precision tailstock? Electronic variable speed with readout would be nice, but the tailstock is my #1 priority. If i find something like, then I may sell the delta or make it a stand alone buffing station.

Read this link:

Go down to the # 3 post; click on the link "Tail Stock Clamp". Rick Herrell has a fix for some; Not sure if it does your or not, but if you call, email or PM Rick, he can tell you what you need for your lathe.

EVS IS the way to go. I don't blame you. I hate the belt changing!
 

Fred Bruche

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2018
Messages
972
Location
Philadelphia 19146
I have recently replaced the tailstock on an "old" Turncrafter commander 1018, the threads for the spindle lock were worn out (an apparently common problem for castiron versus steel), could that be your problem?
That said, so far I'm quite happy with my new NOVA Comet 14 DR :)
 

magpens

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
15,913
Location
Canada
I would recommend that you consider a small metal-working lathe ... great for turning between centers ( where you are relying on measurement accuracy ) because you have very fine control of the tool cross-feed. . Check out ... www.LittleMachineShop.com ... for ideas and accessories. .
LMS have a range of options but their prices are not the cheapest. . Probably the cheapest practical model would be a Sieg 7x12, or equiv., and you would have to shop around, and ask around, for best price.
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
I would recommend that you consider a small metal-working lathe ... great for turning between centers ( where you are relying on measurement accuracy ) because you have very fine control of the tool cross-feed. . Check out ... www.LittleMachineShop.com ... for ideas and accessories. .
LMS have a range of options but their prices are not the cheapest. . Probably the cheapest practical model would be a Sieg 7x12, or equiv., and you would have to shop around, and ask around, for best price.

I'm going to look into this! Thanks.
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
Read this link:

Go down to the # 3 post; click on the link "Tail Stock Clamp". Rick Herrell has a fix for some; Not sure if it does your or not, but if you call, email or PM Rick, he can tell you what you need for your lathe.

EVS IS the way to go. I don't blame you. I hate the belt changing!
Hank, I didn't explain well enough with the proper terms. It seems my problem is the "quill locking screw". It isn't a very robust system, it just comes loose. Also my old hands hurt cranking that thing down constantly. I did read the tailstock threads and they were very informative, thanks.
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
Sounds like you're looking for an excuse to buy another lathe :p. Why don't you just fix the spindle lock or replace the tailstock assembly?
Lol, I do kind of want a new lathe, but this tailstock is the real problem. It is actually the "quill locking screw" that is giving me problems. I have been looking online for an upgraded tailstock. Delta doesn't seem to list any. Do you know of any high end precision tailstocks that would fit my delta? I'm thinking of looking at metal lathes as suggested by Magpens below.
 

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,523
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
IF I am following you, you could probably purchase the quill and locking screw and the unit would be fixed. Here is a link to the drawings


My interpretation of what you are saying would necessitate you purchasing item 52 and 46, for a total cost of $81.70 plus shipping.

OF course, once those are replaced, there may be a half dozen other things that need replacing, if your projects go as well as my projects!!!
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
I have recently replaced the tailstock on an "old" Turncrafter commander 1018, the threads for the spindle lock were worn out (an apparently common problem for castiron versus steel), could that be your problem?
That said, so far I'm quite happy with my new NOVA Comet 14 DR :)
Thank you, Fred! I will look at the 14 DR šŸ˜.
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
IF I am following you, you could probably purchase the quill and locking screw and the unit would be fixed. Here is a link to the drawings


My interpretation of what you are saying would necessitate you purchasing item 52 and 46, for a total cost of $81.70 plus shipping.

OF course, once those are replaced, there may be a half dozen other things that need replacing, if your projects go as well as my projects!!!

Thanks for the information! The lathe is actually very new. In my opinion the design is flawed. Having said that, I went back to high speed steel tonight and things went much better. Mr. Tony, from Georgia told me he sharpens 4 times turning hard material. It just may be that it isn't all the lathe's fault, lol šŸ¤”
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
Life is very short, get a new lathe and fix the tailstock. You can't have too many lathes :)!

That was the final nudge I needed. I guess I'm driving to woodcraft tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Tony. I am getting a new lathe, but I am going to focus on the basic 4 cuts and sharpening tools frequently, as well. I suppose I could learn to use carbide correctly, but as you pointed out to me, steel is a smaller molecule than carbide and will always be sharper than carbide. I have the tormek wheel so there really is no excuse for dull tools.

I'll keep you updated fellas, but I'm probably buying a new lathe tomorrow, lol. Thanks again, Tony. :)
 

eharri446

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
1,035
Location
Marietta, GA
You might want to wait until Woodcraft's new sales period starts. They have the Rikon Midi Lathe Model 70-220VSR on sale for $599.00. That is a $100.00 of the normal price.
 

TonyL

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
8,902
Location
Georgia
That was the final nudge I needed. I guess I'm driving to woodcraft tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Tony. I am getting a new lathe, but I am going to focus on the basic 4 cuts and sharpening tools frequently, as well. I suppose I could learn to use carbide correctly, but as you pointed out to me, steel is a smaller molecule than carbide and will always be sharper than carbide. I have the tormek wheel so there really is no excuse for dull tools.

I'll keep you updated fellas, but I'm probably buying a new lathe tomorrow, lol. Thanks again, Tony. :)
Happy to spend your money :), If you are ever on the fence again, just give me a call :)
 

KLJ

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
410
Location
Flat Rock North Carolina
I agree with John. I started with the rikon 70-220 vsr and it did a good job, got a Laguna 18-36 and it is not comparing apples to apples but it sure is much better and opens up a lot of possibilities.
 

Scraper_1

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Washington state
Well, I'm not getting a new lathe yet. If I sell all my pens this spring and summer, the laguna it is. $3000 is good chunk of change to an old tightwad. That is about what the laguna will end up setting me back. My first day of trying to turn on centers was really disappointing. My delta is just fine for now.
 
Top Bottom