Delta 46-455 lathe

Thanks, Robert, I really appreciate your thoughtful response. I think I
am close to a deal on a CL Rikon with a full set of tools -- about 20
gouges, scrapers, face plate, etc. and a box or two of turning blocks.
Details to come when it is all in hand.


On 2/24/2012 4:01 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Feb 23, 8:25 pm, Gramp's shop<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Two questions: Anybody have
>> any experience with this lathe in comparison to Jet or Rikon mini?
>
> I have used the Delta, and it is pretty nice lathe. But for a long
> time, they had problems with the castings, and fracture/breaking
> problems. All the boys in the turning club took their back and went
> to Jet. When I was teaching woodturning to a couple that were going
> to strike it rich making pens, they bought a Delta (which was more
> than the Jet at the time!) because Woodcraft didn't have the Jets in
> stock. After a crack appeared in the ways on the Jet, Woodcraft
> exchanged it and made up the difference.
>
> When I was going to the turning festivals, there was a lot of buzz
> about how the Delta lathes didn't hold up over time, and the support
> was terrible.
>
> I have two Jet midis. One is in pretty good shape, and the other
> looks like I drug it around behind the truck. It has been used hard
> and long, and when I had the bug in a big way, I would turn on that
> one for **hours** a day for fun. I chucked stuff up that made the
> whole stand jump, and simply clamped the lathe to the stand to keep it
> from coming off. The lathe has been indestructible, reliable, and has
> remained very accurate. Customer support (bearings and a drive belt)
> was outstanding, and when I told them I was embarrassed to haul this
> thing around with as much finish, glue, scratching and all the other
> battle damage it has accumulated over the last 13 - 14 year of its
> life, they told me to let them know and they would send me new
> stickers!
>
> I used the other lathe when I used to demo as it looked more
> professional to keep it really clean.
>
> If I were to start again and was unsure if I was going to like
> turning, I would probably buy something like the HF lathe that was
> brought up here a couple of weeks ago. Then if I upgraded, I could
> use that lathe as a rouging station,or with the polishing wheel
> system, use it as a buffing station.
>
> Then I would buy the lathe I wanted after I was sure I was doing
> something I would like. As mentioned here, and every woodturning
> venue, this isn't a cheap hobby. After you find what you like and get
> it, it is really inexpensive if you like to turn your own designs and
> have your own wood. But buying all the ancillary tools to use with
> the lathe is where all the real dollars come in.
>
> I would tell you the same thing I have always preached to someone
> interested in turning. Find someone that likes to turn, and see if
> you can spend some time with them to see what they have, how much it
> costs, and see what you don't and do like about it.
>
> Second, the best way, is to join a club or group. Never met a group
> of amateur and even most professional turners that didn't really love
> to teach and share the craft. Especially when the bug first bites the
> craft can be a real joy, and they are anxious to share it.
>
> Let us know what you decide - there are a few turners left here on the
> rec.
>
> Robert

The only difference I *might have to Robert's advice is the order of
his suggestions. Join a club, then find someone, in the club, to
personnally advise & help you.

I recently inherited a lathe and have enjoyed limited turning, for the
few pieces I've been practicing on. I have spoken with members of the
local club, but haven't, yet, joined. I have also joined the
"Woodturning Online" forum, to get some info, general understanding,
the "feel" for the art, etc. I have already been criticized for some
of my thoughts and practice techniques.... after trying to learn on my
own (reading an old book that came with the lathe), then showing pics
of my practice work: simple spindles, bead and cove techniques
mainly. I don't even know the tools properly, yet. The criticism
was helpful. Good constructive criticism, that way, is welcome, so I
would recommend you don't take criticism personnally, when you do get
help. I had initially questioned someone's advice and he was quick to
point out it dealt more with a safety factor, than the actual
turning. You can't beat that kind of help.

Sonny

[email protected] wrote:
> On Feb 24, 7:56 pm, "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>> Gramp's shop wrote:
>
>> Might I take the opportunity to point you over to Robert
>> (nailshooter)? He's always up for learing a "new trick". If he
>> doesn't know it, he will research it for you...
>
> Well, it's true.
>
> Why, just the other day I learned what scruffing "wood" was about from
> Mr. Marlow.
>
> I would have >never< known anything about that practice had Mike not
> advised doing that. There are times I am exposed to things here that
> I didn't even know existed, and I am glad to tuck those things away as
> new knowledege.
>
> I won't be scruffing my wood or let anyone scruff it for me, but I am
> certainly open minded enough to respect the preferences of others to
> do as they please.
>
> :^)
>
> *cough* *cough*
>
> Robert

I'm not going to reply to this. Not gonna do it. Nope...

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

On 2/24/2012 12:37 PM, Sonny wrote:
> The only difference I *might have to Robert's advice is the order of
> his suggestions. Join a club, then find someone, in the club, to
> personnally advise& help you.
>
> I recently inherited a lathe and have enjoyed limited turning, for the
> few pieces I've been practicing on. I have spoken with members of the
> local club, but haven't, yet, joined. I have also joined the
> "Woodturning Online" forum, to get some info, general understanding,
> the "feel" for the art, etc. I have already been criticized for some
> of my thoughts and practice techniques.... after trying to learn on my
> own (reading an old book that came with the lathe), then showing pics
> of my practice work: simple spindles, bead and cove techniques
> mainly. I don't even know the tools properly, yet. The criticism
> was helpful. Good constructive criticism, that way, is welcome, so I
> would recommend you don't take criticism personnally, when you do get
> help. I had initially questioned someone's advice and he was quick to
> point out it dealt more with a safety factor, than the actual
> turning. You can't beat that kind of help.
>
> Sonny
I've been married for 33 years, so I am used to criticism. And this is
one old dog who likes to learn a new trick now and again.

Gramp's shop wrote:

> I've been married for 33 years, so I am used to criticism. And this
> is one old dog who likes to learn a new trick now and again.

Might I take the opportunity to point you over to Robert (nailshooter)?
He's always up for learing a "new trick". If he doesn't know it, he will
research it for you...


--

-Mike-
[email protected]


hehehehehehehehe.......

On Feb 24, 7:56=A0pm, "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Gramp's shop wrote:

> Might I take the opportunity to point you over to Robert (nailshooter)?
> He's always up for learing a "new trick". =A0If he doesn't know it, he wi=
ll
> research it for you...

Well, it's true.

Why, just the other day I learned what scruffing "wood" was about from
Mr. Marlow.

I would have >never< known anything about that practice had Mike not
advised doing that. There are times I am exposed to things here that
I didn't even know existed, and I am glad to tuck those things away as
new knowledege.

I won't be scruffing my wood or let anyone scruff it for me, but I am
certainly open minded enough to respect the preferences of others to
do as they please.

:^)

*cough* *cough*

Robert

On Feb 23, 8:25=A0pm, Gramp's shop <[email protected]> wrote:

>=A0Two questions: Anybody have
> any experience with this lathe in comparison to Jet or Rikon mini?

I have used the Delta, and it is pretty nice lathe. But for a long
time, they had problems with the castings, and fracture/breaking
problems. All the boys in the turning club took their back and went
to Jet. When I was teaching woodturning to a couple that were going
to strike it rich making pens, they bought a Delta (which was more
than the Jet at the time!) because Woodcraft didn't have the Jets in
stock. After a crack appeared in the ways on the Jet, Woodcraft
exchanged it and made up the difference.

When I was going to the turning festivals, there was a lot of buzz
about how the Delta lathes didn't hold up over time, and the support
was terrible.

I have two Jet midis. One is in pretty good shape, and the other
looks like I drug it around behind the truck. It has been used hard
and long, and when I had the bug in a big way, I would turn on that
one for **hours** a day for fun. I chucked stuff up that made the
whole stand jump, and simply clamped the lathe to the stand to keep it
from coming off. The lathe has been indestructible, reliable, and has
remained very accurate. Customer support (bearings and a drive belt)
was outstanding, and when I told them I was embarrassed to haul this
thing around with as much finish, glue, scratching and all the other
battle damage it has accumulated over the last 13 - 14 year of its
life, they told me to let them know and they would send me new
stickers!

I used the other lathe when I used to demo as it looked more
professional to keep it really clean.

If I were to start again and was unsure if I was going to like
turning, I would probably buy something like the HF lathe that was
brought up here a couple of weeks ago. Then if I upgraded, I could
use that lathe as a rouging station,or with the polishing wheel
system, use it as a buffing station.

Then I would buy the lathe I wanted after I was sure I was doing
something I would like. As mentioned here, and every woodturning
venue, this isn't a cheap hobby. After you find what you like and get
it, it is really inexpensive if you like to turn your own designs and
have your own wood. But buying all the ancillary tools to use with
the lathe is where all the real dollars come in.

I would tell you the same thing I have always preached to someone
interested in turning. Find someone that likes to turn, and see if
you can spend some time with them to see what they have, how much it
costs, and see what you don't and do like about it.

Second, the best way, is to join a club or group. Never met a group
of amateur and even most professional turners that didn't really love
to teach and share the craft. Especially when the bug first bites the
craft can be a real joy, and they are anxious to share it.

Let us know what you decide - there are a few turners left here on the
rec.

Robert

On 2/23/2012 8:25 PM, Gramp's shop wrote:
> Amazon has this lathe at a net of $399 with free shipping -- about $200
> less than I've found elsewhere. They say "usually ships within 1-2
> months."...

No knowledge of the lathe itself; I'll caution on the shipping, though.

I had a order for planer knives that never was fulfilled after about 18
months of continually checking that "yes, I _do_ still want these".

I think it was a loss-leader ad that they never had any intention of
fulfilling but thru Amazon was no way to force the issue that I could see.

So, take a chance if they don't charge your card until shipped and see
what happens. Just don't be too disappointed if you're still waiting a
year from now...

$0.02, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

On Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:48:17 -0600, Gramp's shop wrote:

> I've been married for 33 years, so I am used to criticism.

Chuckle. I've been married for 42 (2nd time) so know what you mean. But
I'm more critical of my WW and turning than she is. Her complaints are
more about my driving :-).

Since I've been driving for about 60 years and have only been involved in
3 non-injury accidents, none of which was my fault, I consider her
criticisms unjustified :-).

But if I want to get rid of a turning I consider crappy, I have to do it
before she sees it - she always wants to keep them.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw