Delta Industrial 46-460 12-1/2-inch Variable-Speed MIDI Lathe, Gray

This is my sixth lathe, two of which I still use. This Delta and a 24 inch lathe. This Delta, in my estimation is the top dog in the small/mini/midi lathe category. It has everything the others have, plus. The only one with 12 1/2 inch swing and the only one with reverse turning, which is great for sanding. It also has a full 1 HP motor which handles the larger items with ease. Yes, it is a little on the healthy side, weighing in at 97 lbs. However, the extra weight is what gives it the stability and and solidness to deliver on the larger, more unbalanced pieces. The fit and finish is uncompromised. In less than an hour from delivery I had it unpacked, metal preservative removed, and ready to turn my first item. Changing the belt on the step pulley is a breeze. A lever raises the motor, two doors provide access, and in no time the belt is shifted to another step on the pulley and you are ready to get back to making shavings. The lever assures correct belt tension each time the belt is changed. Controls are conveniently placed, tail stock and tool rest banjo change position with ease, and the metal locking levers insure lasting durability. I like to turn outside when possible and this lathe provides the ability to do that. My other lathe weighs about 600 lbs. so I don't move it. This one, I can pick up, I didn't say easily, I said pick up, and place it where I want it. My patio is the perfect place. To say I like this lathe is an understatement. I look forward to many hours of turning and the enjoyment of using a tool that does exactly what it was designed to do. Amazon and UPS had the lathe here exactly when they said it would be here and the great Delta packaging got it here safe and sound. Get one and let the shavings fly.Jerry M

I purchased this after reading Fine Woodworking's Midi Lathe Tool Test from Andrew Finnigan. This Delta lathe and a comparable Rikon model were both rated Author's Choice in the under $1300 category. It is a lot of fun to use, seems heavy, well designed. It is very quiet while running, with a pleasant hum from the motor, and the variable speed adjustments are smooth. Seems like a good value for a heavy duty tool. Mine arrived with the FWD/REV switch wired backwards. In order to fix this, you need to locate the logic board and swap the M+/M- wires circled in yellow in my attached photo. The fix was simple enough, and I was expecting this issue after reading that other reviews have had the same issue, so I don't think it is worth downgrading from 5 stars for this minor issue.

This is the third lathe I have owned over a 45 year period. The first was an old Sears tubular lathe. The second was a 100 year old massive metal lathe that I also use for wood. Previously, I only turned handles and component parts needed for some other project. Now, I would like to learn to turn Christmas ornaments, lidded boxes, and other small items.I bought the Delta because I felt it was the best value for the money and for what I wanted to do with it. I considered the Jet 1221 for its longer spindle turning ability, but just couldn't justify the additional cost. so I got the Delta 46-460.I have had it for about two weeks and have used it almost daily. So far I have only been practicing on 2 inch by 12 inch blocks of wood. Spindle turning only. I like and enjoy the lathe. It is quite and vibration free. (I have it bolted to a custom made wall mounted bench) It does what I expected it to do, based on Delta's description of its abilities.The only nit I have is the tool rests. I think they look flimsy and don't feel comfortable to my hands. I am considering replacements that have more heft. Still, they work and are sized no different than those on other lathes of similar size.For any one considering buying this lathe, I am happy with my purchase. I own several Delta woodworking tools, including their contractor's saw. I have had zero problems with any of my Delta tools. Hopefully, this one will be the same.

I ordered the Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe from Amazon on 12/11/12 after doing lots of research and reading mutiple reviews on lots of midi lathes. I was hesitant about going with the Delta because of some of the negative reviews. So I decided to go to Phoenix to the Woodcraft store and check out the machines they had on display. Hands down the quality of fit and finish on the Delta stood out above the Jet and Rikon machines. I would have purchased the machine from the Woodcraft Store, but all they had available was the floor model and I wanted a one new out of the box.On 12/11/12, I ordered the machine and the Delta G3-D chuck which included free shipping, it arrived promptly the next day from Amazon. Needless to say I was excited, I opened the box and started the unpacking process. It's definitely a heavy machine so I had my step-son help me remove it from the box. After setting it up on the floor and unpacking everything, then I started the pocess of checking out the machine. I then noticed that the on/off lever was broken. In checking it out further, I also noticed that the housing right below the switch was also broken.I wasn't going to deal with Delta because of all the negative reviews I had read about their customer service. So I immediately went to the email from Amazon and did a return notice and reordered another Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe. The next day the UPS driver arrived with the new lathe and picked up the broken lathe. This time I noticed that the problem with the broken switch that I have read about is because of the way it is packaged in the carton. The lathe is totally packaged in heavy styrofoam, however, the highest point on the lathe is the switch which does not have any styrofoam above it. It can totally touch the cardboard on the box with nothing to protect it, so if any pressure is exerted at that point on the box, it will break the switch and maybe even the housing. Fortunately for me, the second machine arrived with no broken parts. SO MY ADVISE TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS: check out that part of the machine before going any further, because if anything is broken it will be that part.The lathe operates quietly, it runs smoothly and appears to have plenty of power. I am new to wood turning and so far it has been fun. I have turned 3 small items and really am glad that I paid the extra money to get this machine with variable speed and the reverse feature. I would have given it 5 stars, but Delta should change their packaging in order to avoid the broken part; it would be a really easy fix for Delta to do this. As for the machine, it is great and operates just as I expected from the positive reviews that I had read.As for Amazon, they were really tremendous; next day delivery (for free), return pick up of the broken lathe and another new lathe delivered. I saved $20.00 on the price over the one in the Woodcraft store and saved another $65.00 because I didn't have to pay sales taxes through Amazon. I can't say enough good things about Amazon. Thank you Amazon you get a 5+ star rating!!!

This is a late review that I am writing because I have seen quite a few people reporting bad customer service and I want to share my experience in that area. I couldnt ask for better customer service than what Delta gave to me. I bought this lathe 10 months ago and I loved it. Then, a problem occurred where the motor stopped running. I communicated with Delta and after several emails back and forth, they called me and said that a brand new lathe would be shipped to me. They did so and I am very pleased with Delta as a company.I I have been turning for many years using a few different wood lathes. They got the job done, but lacked many nice features and ease of use. I researched available lathes on the market very thoroughly, and could not find a single reason why this Delta 46-460 didn't blow the others out of the water, but I admit JET was a close second. But I finally settled on this one am I glad I did. It does everything that a mid-size lathe should do and it does it well, easily, and elegantly. It was clearly designed by people who know wood turning. It is designed perfectly, and made with outstanding quality. I am one happy customer.

Shipping was timely, but the lathe arrived with a broken on/off switch. Literally a simple plastic tab had broken off, which was less damage than I expected because the well padded carton had forklift holes in it. I looked up the part number to see about simply ordering the switch - it said - "contact an authorized service center". They told me the part was back-ordered but that when it arrived they would replace it for me - as long as I brought the lathe to them. I asked about the cost of the part, thinking I could simply buy it and install it myself, rather than packing up a 100 Lb. tool and waiting for the service center to swap out the part. They were unable to tell me, and expressed their own frustration trying to get parts and information from Delta Machinery, the company that has now purchased the Delta tool line from DeWalt. They said they had tools there in the service center waiting months for parts to complete repairs.So, I knew getting parts might be tough, and wondered if I should gamble - something else could go wrong on a replacement. Still the obvious quality of the product (and, a great price) led me to conclude I could risk it. I returned lathe #1 to Amazon for a replacement, which is a painless process. Because of the weight of the item they had the original carrier (hint, the brown one) pick up the return. Carrier showed up with the replacement the very next day (amazing) with an undamaged box holding my new lathe. They left with my original lathe. NOTE TO SELF - that would prove to be an unfortunate choice on my part. Lathe #2 was unpacked to discover a broken casting. Literally the cast iron dog ears that enable bolting the lathe to a bench were broken off. The significant styrofoam packaging was trashed. Although the outside of the box looked fine, this machine is trashed - except of course, for the perfectly intact on/off switch.So, I needed to return lathe #2. Had I just held on to lathe #1 until I opened lathe #2 I would have simply pulled the on/off switch switch, if you get my drift, and then sent back lathe #2 instead of lathe #1. Feeling more than a bit frustrated, I managed to uncover the best-hidden customer support phone number in the world and talked to an Amazon employee (Anita, extremely nice - and whip smart- somebody should promote her to director of customer service training). She assured me that she'd get, wait for it. . . a third lathe sent out via a different carrier (think blue and orange) the very next day. She then advised me NOT to return lathe #2 until I was sure between the two I could arrive at a point where one lathe was in NEW condition (well doh, not making that mistake again). Well today Brown stopped by to pick up lathe #2 and I asked them to come back tomorrow. Blue/Orange arrived and carried a pristine carton gingerly on to my porch. I've unpacked lathe #3 and it's perfect. I've packed lathe #2 up (I'm getting pretty good at that, unfortunately)and will entrust it to Brown tomorrow when the saga (with the three part harmony) should reach it's conclusion.Oh, the product? It's a great lathe, love the variable speed, extremely well machined, no run-out and I got a very good price. The only knock I have is the live center for the tail stock has a hollow MT mandrel. The lathe comes with a little bar with a knob - think phillips head screwdriver without the tip - so you can push it thru the head or tail stock to knock out whatever get's stuck in there. With the hollow mandrel on the live center it doesn't work. Nothing a longer bar didn't fix, and the only knock I've found. It's the risk of not being able to get parts that rates the product 3 stars - Delta Machinery needs to get their act together.As for Amazon's customer service - world class.

Quite and works the best of all the mini I have had ... all most all of them trying to get one that would the job of accurately do the work I needed it to do, this is the first one that would with out a great deal of vibration which as we all know is unwanted marks in the work, it is QUITE as it runs from 250 to the 4000 rpm. Changing the belt on the step pulley is a breeze. (the three changes of the belt are not hard to do in fact it is the easiest belt changing I have done. I'm a retired Maintenance Man and have changed all types of belts and worked on metal lathes as well as wood). I find this to be the best one I have worked with.Yes, it is a little on the healthy side, weighing in at 97 lbs. However, the extra weight is what gives it the stability and and solidness to deliver on the larger, more unbalanced pieces. The fit and finish is uncompromised. In less than an hour from delivery I had it unpacked, metal preservative removed, and ready to turn my first item.Forward and reversing function allows you to sand with and against the grain for the ultimate finish ... boys is this the truth. I just can say enough good about this lathe.

I purchased this Delta Lathe from Amazon, knowing full well that Delta Service and Parts could be a nightmare, based on the other Amazon Reviews. I made my choice from reviews in Fine Woodworking (and others), that it was the best one of its class of lathes, although I have always been wary of buying anything from Delta. I was just hoping I would be one of the lucky ones and get a good tool.It wasn't to be as sure enough, it arrived damaged. There was insufficient packing material around the power switch, causing it to be struck and broken somewhere in transit. So I called Delta and they referred me to a service center (a Dewalt service center, curiously enough) which I delivered the lathe too, still in the box. It has been there for almost three weeks now (UPDATE: now almost 2 FULL MONTHS!), still the same lame excuse(s) as other owners have experienced about Delta moving their warehouses so parts weren't readily available.Maybe someday I will get to use my lathe and will able to actually write a review about its performance instead of how terrible Delta is as a company. But I know one thing for sure: they will never see another tool purchase from me.

I am a military member who has been waiting for this product to become available again for months. I pre-ordered it and was about to give up and buy it in the states when I received an email that it was being shipped while I was in Quebec on pre-deployment training for Afghanistan. I finally got back home and went to the states to pick up the 46-462 lathe stand and immediately put them both together this weekend. My father pointed out that the controller box (part #DPEC000471) was cracked exposing some wires inside, took a photo. The box was in good shape and the lathe was wrapped in packing plastic and secured in manufacturers custom polystyrene. It went from the box to the stand with no opportunity to be damaged on this end and the shipping is unlikely a problem either. I do not believe this will compromise its function, it seems to run smooth, but I will likely have to seal the controller box to prevent dust/debris from getting inside (another job for duct tape or equivalent). I may contact delta to order a replacement part; however, in order to replace it I believe i have to disconnect some of the wiring in order to remove the box... I am not interested in messing with that. Just my luck one of the couple plastic parts on my unit is busted.... I highly recommend potential buyers to buy the optional chuck 46-461. The spur center the lathe comes with is rudimentary at best.