Which lathe to buy????

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shawndakin

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I have around $500 dollars to spend on a new midi-lathe and am wondering which one would be the best one to purchase. I am currently using an older delta shopmaster. I want one that has variable speed and a larger capacity for turning. Got any suggestions?
 
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Woodcraft currency has the Delta mini on sale for $549. That is a lot of lathe with a 1 HP motor, forward and reverse capabilities. It has been on the market for over a year and gets stellar reviews. My neighbor has this lathe. He loves it and the few times I've used it I was very impressed.

I have a Jet 1014 VSI that is about 4 years old. It has been flawless and the 1/2 HP motor meets most of my needs. If you look, you can find this lathe for about $430 with free shipping.

With a +/- $500 budget, these two lathes would be my choices. The reason I bought the Jet and not the Delta is because the Delta was not available when I needed to replace my old lathe.
 
That Jet is a nice lathe for the money but I don't think it is a variable speed. I think you have to keep adjusting the belts.

Andy is spot on about the Delta.

I bought the Delta 46-460 on sale at WoodCraft for $499 (they go on sale often) and here is my review at Lumberjocks.com. It has replaced my Powermatic 3520b as my every day lathe. As a matter of fact, I just sold my PM because it just sat there and was never used!

I also just bought the Rikon mini-variable speed at WoodCraft for $279. It is also a very nice machine. I know our Woodcraft here in Manchester, CT still has lots of them. You could get the lathe and the floor stand for $458.00. If you ever watched Nikitas' webcasts, he uses the same lathe only the non-variable speed model. Runs quiet, straight and true.
 
Last edited:
shawndakin said:
I have around $500 dollars to spend on a new midi-lathe and am wondering which one would be the best one to purchase. I am currently using an older delta shopmaster. I want one that has variable speed and a larger capacity for turning. Got any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I guess my suggestion wouldn't give you a larger capacity!
http://www.deltaportercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19220
If I hadn't have been lucky enough to snare my Oneway 1224 at a steal, that's the one I would have purchased. Or maybe this one
http://www.general.ca/site_general/g_produits/lathe/25-200.html
It would have been a toss-up!
 
You don't say how much capacity you need or what you are going to be turning. I have a Jet 1014VS and love it. If you plan on turning small bowls or drilling out pepper mills then you should not get the Jet 1014VS as I find it is underpowered for this with the 1/2 HP motor.
 
Shawn...

I purchased the Delta 46-460 (midi variable speed) about a year ago. Great machine with a 5-year warranty. I would highly recommend it!

Wade
 
Which ever lathe you decide to buy, the few extra dollars for variable speeds and indexing would be dollars well spent.

To make most non variable lathe variable means a motor change and about $150 more money.
 
I'm with Indy Pen Dance, The Jet would be my choice. I bought a new Delta a couple of years ago and it was not built well. The centers didn't line up, the motor was iffy on the RPM and it rattled, yeah, rattled and the set screws were loose from the factory. I sold it after one use for a little less than I paid for it. I just believe the Jet is better made and the fit and finish are well done.
WB
 
Wood Butcher said:
I'm with Indy Pen Dance, The Jet would be my choice. I bought a new Delta a couple of years ago and it was not built well. The centers didn't line up, the motor was iffy on the RPM and it rattled, yeah, rattled and the set screws were loose from the factory. I sold it after one use for a little less than I paid for it. I just believe the Jet is better made and the fit and finish are well done.
WB
Click to expand...

Just wondering, what model was that? My 46-460 is built very well. The centers line up very nicely, the machine doesn't shake at all, and everything seems to be set up nicely from the factory. Maybe you got a dud?
 
I bought the General 25-200 Maxi-lathe several years ago at $500. I think the price is more in the $750 range today. Very pleased with the heft and alignment. It also has a 3/4 hp and variable speed. Good luck with your choices. I know I struggled with the decision for months.
 
bking0217 said:
Wood Butcher said:
I'm with Indy Pen Dance, The Jet would be my choice. I bought a new Delta a couple of years ago and it was not built well. The centers didn't line up, the motor was iffy on the RPM and it rattled, yeah, rattled and the set screws were loose from the factory. I sold it after one use for a little less than I paid for it. I just believe the Jet is better made and the fit and finish are well done.
WB
Click to expand...

Just wondering, what model was that? My 46-460 is built very well. The centers line up very nicely, the machine doesn't shake at all, and everything seems to be set up nicely from the factory. Maybe you got a dud?
Click to expand...

Boy, if it was the 46-460 model Delta, you got the first and only lemon I have heard about. I bought on early this fall and it is a great lathe. I haven't even turned on my Nova 1624 since I got the Delta.
 
Sold my Jet mini and bought the Delta 46-460
I paid just under $600 but it was money well spent!
It's a joy to use, very smooth running and the centers line up perfectly right out of the box!
 
Chip,
I just looked up that Rikon because that seemed like a great price and woodcraft has a slightly different price on it http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2082334/32792/Rikon-Variable-Speed-Mini-Lathe-Model-70200EVS.aspx


Padre said:
That Jet is a nice lathe for the money but I don't think it is a variable speed. I think you have to keep adjusting the belts.

Andy is spot on about the Delta.

I bought the Delta 46-460 on sale at WoodCraft for $499 (they go on sale often) and here is my review at Lumberjocks.com. It has replaced my Powermatic 3520b as my every day lathe. As a matter of fact, I just sold my PM because it just sat there and was never used!

I also just bought the Rikon mini-variable speed at WoodCraft for $279. It is also a very nice machine. I know our Woodcraft here in Manchester, CT still has lots of them. You could get the lathe and the floor stand for $458.00. If you ever watched Nikitas' webcasts, he uses the same lathe only the non-variable speed model. Runs quiet, straight and true.
Click to expand...
 
USAFVET98 said:
Chip,
I just looked up that Rikon because that seemed like a great price and woodcraft has a slightly different price on it http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2082334/32792/Rikon-Variable-Speed-Mini-Lathe-Model-70200EVS.aspx


Padre said:
That Jet is a nice lathe for the money but I don't think it is a variable speed. I think you have to keep adjusting the belts.

Andy is spot on about the Delta.

I bought the Delta 46-460 on sale at WoodCraft for $499 (they go on sale often) and here is my review at Lumberjocks.com. It has replaced my Powermatic 3520b as my every day lathe. As a matter of fact, I just sold my PM because it just sat there and was never used!

I also just bought the Rikon mini-variable speed at WoodCraft for $279. It is also a very nice machine. I know our Woodcraft here in Manchester, CT still has lots of them. You could get the lathe and the floor stand for $458.00. If you ever watched Nikitas' webcasts, he uses the same lathe only the non-variable speed model. Runs quiet, straight and true.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Slightly different ? :eek: See how it pays to shop around ?:wink:
 
Sold my turn crafter last year. Bought the Delta, no regrets, well made, centers are spot on. Has power and capacity. I did a review of this lathe, check the library. Can't go wrong with this one, even if a little out of your budget.
 
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