Seeking advice for a new lathe

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JayLo

JayLo

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2012
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22
Location
Southern California
After reading all the Penturning 101 info and other docs in the library I'm ready to take the plunge. Being a newby, I'm seeking recommendations and advice for a new lathe.
Thanks!
-Jay
 
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Flipping belts gets old fast. Get variable speed. Don't buy too small, someday you'll want to make something more than just pens.
 
Try to buy one with MT2 and a 1"-8 TPI head stock. These are compatible with more accessories.

Variable speed is a must IMO, but you can get away without it.

The Delta has a very good reputation.
 
Variable speed is a must.

I had the Jet and loved it but upgraded to a Delta 46-460.

Here's something no-one has mentioned. Get one with reverse! wood fibers lay down from constantly sanding in the same direction, by spinning the blank in reverse you cut these fibers and get a smoother finish.

I like my Delta 46-460 however, even with bushings for turning between centers I still have trouble getting a perfectly round finish.

Does Powermatic sell a midi lathe?
 
el_d said:
Delta 46-460.
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Until Delta gets their stuff together on replacement parts, I wouldn't recommend a Delta. On Sawmill Creek and AAW forums there were 2 threads about Delta and parts being discontinued on 2 lathes that are still being sold. One was the 46-460. My neighbor has the 46-715, now parts are being discontinued, hard to recommend them when they are shafting the consumer.
 
I started with harbor freight but within 6-8 months upgraded to a Delta 46-460. It is amazing how much better the pens turn out on a real accurate machine!
 
Jay -- If you have the room, and the pocket book -- do not forget the larger lathes.
Robust, Stubby, Powermatic (mustard monster), One Way, Wivamac, Vicmark, etc.

These will do pens as well as big stuff --
 
Delta has been going through a change-over (which will hopefully be a good thing in the long run) which has made their parts division a mess. Our Delta Unisaw at work has worn out 2 arbors in 5 years. Trying to get a replacement recently was a nightmare. We did eventually get it .... about 9 weeks later.

Having said all that, I have the Delta 46-460 and LOVE it! :good:
I think that is where you should start looking .... If you decide you have 3x that much money to play with you might want to think about a Powermatic or Oneway. If $600 is more than you want to spend you might want to shop for a Jet or Rikon. Or watch craigs list for used ones. If you decide to go cheaper there WILL come a day you will wish you hadn't! .... and you will have spent more in the long run.DAMHIKT:frown:
 
knowltoh said:
Jet 1014VS. Love mine.
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Wouldn't trade mine! It is built like a tank and in 6 years and never failed.

I wouldn't try a Jet 1642 for pens, the headstock gets in the way:rolleyes:
See if there is a turning club in your area. It's almost guaranteed that people will have a Delta and a Jet so you can try both and see what you like.
 
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First if you are only going to own one lathe figure out what you will eventually turn. If you buy a small lathe you are limited to small projects. I will admit I do not turn pens on my robust, but that is because I have two smaller lathes to work with. I will probably turn one on it one of these days just to say i did. Ultimately you need to figure out what features you need and what you can afford.
 
I bought the Delta 46-460 as well. I like it just fine but not saying it's better than other name brands. I haven't had any problems with it and hope I don't with all the talk about parts being hard to get. A manager at Wood Craft told me their tech support was pretty bad lately.
I think a metal lathe would be real handy.
 
I'll add praise for the Delta 46-460, got it 8mos ago on sale for about $525 at Woodcraft. Recently saw the 'new' model that looks the same but a different on/off switch but what surprised me was the price. I have been uber-happy with it so far but am going to buy parts to turn btwn centers as I have yet to get a perfectly round end, dang close but not perfect, even after a couple mandrels and trying the PSI hollow live center. User error I'm sure! And variable speed is an absolute requirement as previously stated by others!

I've turned a couple of small bowls as well. I'm with Ken V though, if you have the space and pocketbook go bigger if you ever think you'll want to upgrade!! I really love the 46-460 but I have some serious buyers remorse for not budgeting bigger! And remember, the lathe is the cheap part :smile: didn't really believe that until, oh, 15-20 tools later, a stack of Burl blanks taller than me, couple toolboxes full of pen kits and bottle stoppers.etc,etc.!
 
Woodcraft has the Rikon 1216 VS on sale for $279.00 this month. I just picked one up and its nice. I like the varible speed. My other lathe is a Delta.
 
mtassie said:
Woodcraft has the Rikon 1216 VS on sale for $279.00 this month. I just picked one up and its nice. I like the varible speed. My other lathe is a Delta.
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That is a great deal. Wood magazine gave it high marks awhile back. Said it was a Cadillac for a Volkswagon price...then the price shot up within a month or so.
It 's tempting for me but I may have to stick with my shopfox for now.
 
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