Anyone convert a 10" Delta midi for outboard turning?

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redfishsc

redfishsc

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Anyone have any plans or ideas for converting a Delta Midi for outboard turning?

I need to be able to mount my faceplate and my Barracuda chuck on the outboard part, and I need to be able to mount a toolrest on the other side.

I have a customer who wants a couple collection plates, and I need to be able to turn something around 12" diameter.

I'm hoping to pull this off so I don't have to buy a larger lathe.

But.... I may get the Rikon 12" if I have to....
 
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I think the motor is severely underpowered for such a task. Could you turn a 12" bowl/collection plate with its motor - yes, but it would be exponentially easier with a lathe & motor that is designed for larger pieces.

I have no experience with the rikon, but I would speculate that it would also be underpowered. If I were in the market for an upgrade from a delta midi, I would jump up to at least a 1hp model while seriously considering even larger models.
 
Yes, I know it will be underpowered. I do not do very much larger work at all right now (just too many irons in the fire to try yet another "market"), but this is a special sitiation.


I am prepared, if necessary, to spend $400-500 on a larger lathe, but that won't get me a 1hp machine. At best it will be the 12X20 Jet or Grizzly, which come with a 3/4hp motor.

Also, my lathe setup is at the seminary maintenance shop inside of a large cabinet "stand", and I do not have room for a larger floor model that has it's own stand.

Still, for the 4 plates I need to make, I believe I can make the Delta work.
 
Matt:

As I recall, the handwheel and driven pulley on the Delta midi are located on a longer unsupported section of the HS spindle. The outboard end of the HS spindle most likely will have a reverse thread so your chucks and faceplates won't work. You can probably find a faceplate with a matching thread that you could install; but hanging it out on the end of a long section of unsupported spindle is going to put a lot of extra strain on that outer bearing.

If you really want to do this. I would give a close look at the Grizzly 12x20. My catalog shows an intro price of $375 + $69 (which may or may not still be in effect) and you could recover some of that by selling your Delta. (Note the Grizzly is a VS which you might like to have as an upgrade.)

To do a 12" plate inboard on the Delta, you could cobble up some riser blocks and raise the headstock up an 1/1/2 or 2". You would also need to get a longer belt and some longer HS screws; but it would be an inexpensive conversion and your faceplates and chucks would work. I think you could make the riser blocks out of a good hardwood so no expensive machinist work would be required. It would be a little inconvenient to set up; but probably not a big deal if this is just a one-time project. If you have any reason to suspect that this will be an on-going activity, think Grizzly or Rikon if you prefer.:wink:
 
Thanks for all the replies, folks!

Randy, you are right about the Grizzly. I have been eyeballing that machine ever since it came out.


I decided to pass this job along to a buddy whom I owed a favor anyhow, a man who's taught me a LOT about woodturning. He's the fellow who first showed me how to make a pen (slimline). Was my pleasure to send him some business!:cool:

Thanks all!
 
Randy_ said:
Best solution, I think!! I was going to suggest that in my original post; but somehow got the idea this was a gratis project for a friend and you wanted to save the guy some money.
Click to expand...


Yeah, had it not been for the fact that I just started a new class semester at the Seminary, I would have jumped on this job and just bought a new lathe, I would have broke even on the cost and come out with a nice 12-14" lathe.

As for "gratis" projects, since I am a cabinet maker by trade, I almost ONLY---- repeat ONLY do "gratis" jobs where there is a need for something important. Personally, I wouldn't consider specialized collection plates as a "need".

Basically my pricing policy is "all or nothing" and it depends on the circumstance. The reason I say this is because of Proverbs 16:11 A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

I don't see it as fair to give "buddy discounts" to one guy and charge another full price--- that is an "unjust scale" and personally believe it to be unethical.

In other words, I don't give discounts to folks just b/c they are my friend, but I will do some free work if there is a need for it.
 
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