Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• Heavy duty 3/4 horsepower induction motor
• 40 inches between centers for turning spindles
• Extra long tool rest base control handle for easy positioning
• Complete with steel stand for stability and ease of use

Reviews (16)

Best Value
This is a great lathe, and a bargin for the money. All the features you could ask for and more in this price range. Sturdy frame, solid motor, and quality hold-down levers. The ability to rotate the headstock is great, and the ability to slide the headstock down the bed for small work allows you to use large tools with small bowls. With the added arm for the tool rest you can work up close to a bowl without losing the distance the "banjo" or tool rest base usually takes. This allows for a full 7" radius (14" diameter)
Speed adjustment is great (just remember to slow it down before you turn it off so it is set properly for next time!). Spindle lock feature is a nice necessity, and the 24 position segmentation feature is nice as well.
Get this lath - you won't be sorry!

Okay, but problems to know
I have been using this lathe for approximately 1 year and this is what I have found.
I bought the lathe as a first lathe. I was inexperienced and on a budget. With those things in mind, it did well for the first few months. All the items were there, it shipped fast and was not difficult to assemble without assistance from anyone else, though I recommend getting a friend to help with some of the lifting.
I noticed a rattle and some vibration, but it was very minimal and it didn't seem to affect performance. I satisfactorily turned several bowls and a lot of spindle work. The motor gets a lot of bang out of the 3/4 horses. The mobile headstock is very versital. The tool rest is quite good. For a starter lathe it is a nice tool.
Now to the problems.
1) The base is not heavy or rigid enough. That is an easy fix and not a real detractor.
2) The tailstock base does not lock down well enough and I find myself retightening it frequently.
3) The biggest problem now is the constant worsening of the rattling and the vibration it causes, which translates into the spindle and handwheel. It makes it impossible to rechuch anything accurately and vibration is extreme, even with small loads. One of the pulleys is definately mis-machined and has both horizontal and vertical displacement while running. Delta has the pulleys on back order from their overseas supplier. I therefore took it in to the local authorized dealer and have yet to hear back. A wobbley handwheel and spindle movement make turning unenjoyable.

Searching the web and the message boards, I have seen about an even number of people saying they have had no problems as those who have had worse problems than I have. Most seem to revolve around the reeves drive and quality control...Perhaps the overseas manufacture of this lathe is at fault, I don't know.

If Delta could fix the problems with the drive and pulleys, this could be a great mid range lathe. With the mechanical difficulties I am having now with only moderate use (1-2 weekends a month), I could not recommend this lathe unless you test the specific one you are buying to make sure it is in good working order.

No problems!
I purchased my Delta 46-715 lathe from Amazon.com. It and the free goodies that were promised were delivered promptly. This is my first lathe so I have nothing to compare with the Delta but thus far, I've nothing to complain about. Assembly and set-up was easy, the machine works exactly as advertised, it's heavy (and thus stable) and now, I understand why woodturners are always grinning.

Not Pleased with Delta Quality
I'm in the market for lathe. Considered buying the 46-715 due to price and features - and then I remebered my frustration with my Delta machines. My 6" jointer came with a fence that was badly misaligned. Customer service told me to ship it back - not an easy thing to do, especially when it's already been assembled in my shop. Called local repair centers - they said it would be months before they'd be able to get to it. So, I fixed it myself with some shopmade shims. Works fine now. My 14" bandsaw with riser block was so terribly misaligned that my blade popped off the wheels. Sent it back for another. Pain in the neck! Went ahead and ordered table shim kit and upper wheel alignment shims from Iturra Designs knowing that I'd have to use these on the replacement bandsaw. Seems like Delta would fix these problems. So, with this in mind I'll spend the extra money to steer clear of Delta. Sorry Norm.

Many manufacturing and design defects in this lathe...
My neighbor got a Delta 46-715 as a birthday present. After setting it up, he and I were checking it out and discovered that the variable speed mostly didn't work. Total change was perhaps 500 RPM, if that. After a lot of head scratching and several calls to Delta Service (who basically said "ship it back") we figured out that the pulley was binding on the shaft. After taking the whole variable drive assembly apart we found a manufacturing defect on the drive shaft. Fortunately my neighbor has access to a machine shop and we were able to turn the defect out of the shaft and now the lathe changes speed fine. A year later, we decide to take apart the tailstock because the quill was binding. We find that the key way for the quill was completely torn up (it looked as if the key way had been badly cut, then brazed, then recut), that the quill itself was badly out of round, the design for the hand wheel relies on friction alone to turn the quill (just a single set screw pressured against the threads of the spindle bolt), the end of the quill locking bolt was completely out of round, and the mechanical drawing of the tailstock shows a long key holding the quill in place (the correct way to keep a cylinder in a sleeve from rotating) which certainly isn't how the tailstock was manufactured. Basically the entire design is pretty cheap and the manufacturing process that released the parts and assembly was definately defective. It took us a year to notice the tailstock problems because I've mostly been doing facework and have only recently (the last few weeks) been doing a lot of center work. So the tailstock fell apart basically after 3 weeks use or so.

Essentially a lathe only has two parts, the headstock and the tailstock and on this lathe both have had major defects in either manufacturing or design or both. I give this lathe only one star, for ease of assembly. For the price it certainly isn't worth it.

For the record. I bought one of these for light production work on my farm, but I bought it used and got a clean one for very little money. If it gives me too much trouble I can always just scrap it or donate it to a school and take the deduction. I would certainly never buy one of these at retail prices. Spend a little more money and go with any of the other major tool manufacturers.

Some further data is now in. I ordered replacements for the quill and the screw that moves the quill. I was told that both parts were in stock, so I sprang for the next day shipping. The quill arrived the next day, without the screw, which had been backordered. I called the next day and was told the screws would be back in stock and shipped the following Monday (3 days), it's been nearly a month now and I'm still dead in the water. Delta service really bites. I certainly wouldn't buy this product (and, at this point, any Delta product) unless I was forced to. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Turning is great fun--try it once, and you'll be hooked. This is the perfect lathe to feed your need to turn. Durable cast-iron construction houses a powerful 1/2-horsepower motor with access to six speeds from 500 to 3,700 rpm for a variety of materials. This Midi-Lathe offers a 14-1/2-inch distance between centers, which is perfect for smaller projects such as pens, candlesticks, bowls, and other vessels--but buy the bed extension accessory and you've got yourself a full-size lathe for turning objects as long as 37 inches. Even without the accessory, you get a 3-inch faceplate and a 6-inch cast-iron tool rest. This lathe is a great way for the home woodworker to get into turning--and the nice part is, it's the only lathe you'll ever need to buy. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 1/2-horsepower induction motor for plenty of turning power
• Six speeds from 500 to 3,700 rpm to match a variety of applications
• All cast-iron construction for provides stability and durability
• Optional extension bed (sold separately) increases capacity to 37 inches

Reviews (4)

Way disappointed
Saw the engineering original of this lathe at a show before initial production units were available. Looked very impressive. Bought one as soon as available. Very disappointed. Made in China and showed it. Drive and center points didn't line up, bearings ground loudly, the tailstock locking handle and belt cover were plastic. Both headstock and tailstock handwheels wobbled which created vibration when running, even after trying to align and tighten them better. I checked a number of other Delta's on display at three different retail stores in my area. All showed the same problems. I returned the Delta and bought a Jet. Wonderful machine in comparison.

Get What You Pay For
The unit was shipped and received as promised. It only took a few minutes to unpack and put everything together, and within the half of an hour I had wood in it and was turning. It is a little underpowered for a lathe (I can stop it with a piece of sandpaper on the wood), but this was expected. I bought it mostly for sanding and small jobs knowing I might have to get another bigger lathe later, but this is a great starter. Well built and stable (especially with the bed extension installed), a very decent quality machine. Considering that you can expect to spend another few hundred dollars on a chuck and some other tools to get started, the low cost of this quality lathe helps ease the burden. If you want to seriously turn large items this is not the correct machine to invest in, but for smaller spindles and sanding it is excellent.

This is my first lathe and the buying decision was difficult. The nightmare with me is always that I will pay for a machine or a tool that doesn't quite do the job and end up with more machines than I wanted. Just realize before you buy this one that there are always trade-offs between cost and purpose. Decide what you want to do first, and if you are doing smaller projects or need a starter machine this is a good one to get.

Great intro lathe
I wanted to get into turning so I couldn't decide between this lathe and the equivalent JET model. The Delta was a tad bit cheaper so I went with it. I would mostly be turning small objects but some long objects so I bought the bed extension.

I must say that I was impressed when I pulled it out of the box. It was simple to set up. It has plenty of power for any project. I only wish that it came with some more chucks. I ended up buying the Talon chuck from Oneway along with some other accessories.

In the end, I couldn't be any happier with this lathe.

Just started turning
Have to be honest and say I have never turned anything. Got the lathe out of the box, fairly simple set up, as that is about all there is to it.

Seems to be operating great, no noise, or vibration. Got the free chisle kit with mine and they are fine for me.

Local store told me not too much difference between the Delta and jet, only the color as far as specs go. However the jet did cost about [$$$] more. The Delta also has more speed, don't know if that will make a difference.

Well see how I did on my purchase, so far so good. Had to get the Delta as I am a die hard Deltaboy and have had good luck with them (Knock on wood). I intend to turn some pens soon. ... Read more

Features

• 4" face plate, Baldor variable frequency drive and wrenches
• 2HP, 230V single phase, 60hz motor
• 0-3000 Varaible speed
• Spur center, live center, knock-out bar
• 12" tool rest and base

Amazon.com Review

If you're into turning, you'll love this lathe. Its 16-inch steel-bed design is 20 times more torsionally stable than the traditional cast-iron bed, and with 42 inches between centers, it offers all the work room you could want. The head spindle lock is a great design--rugged yet easy to use--and has a 24-division indexer for ornamental work. The cast-iron tool rest is a full 12 inches long, and its base travels smoothly on the ground bed for the widest range of tool placement. Powering the whole thing is the big-name Baldor 1-1/2-horsepower motor and Poly-V belt for maximum torque and minimum vibration. Delta has thought of everything with this model--the steel-tube construction offers additional stability because the feet will accommodate four-by-four lumber for a bigger footprint and safer turning on large workpieces. There are even brackets below the bed so you can add a shelf if you'd like. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Variable frequency Baldor motor provides three speed ranges from 0 to 3,200 rpm
• Steel bed has 20 times the stiffnes of cast iron beds
• Cast iron head stock for vibration resistance
• Heavy-duty steel legs have built-in shelf mounting brackets and accept 4-by-4 extensions and ballast for more stability

Reviews (5)

Great Lathe for the price
I've had this lathe now for 10 months I have made all kinds of things on it. This machine is a serious work horse. I have not had any problems with it at all. If you are looking for a true value this machine has it all.

Excellent smoothness and stability
I would definately recommend this lathe to anyone but production woodturners. It's very smooth, especially after filling the hollow legs with sand. It has a much beefier spindle than the smaller Delta, which is a major consideration if you are turning larger bowls. As a matter of fact, I bought this lathe after killing the headstock on my smaller delta lathe doing just that. The Baldor motor and DC controls are very nice also.

My only qualm is with the control stalk. Due to it's position, it both picks up dust and is in the firing line for items that shatter while the lathe is at speed. Luckily it seems fairly beefy, as it withstood a large chunk of cherry at 1800 RPMs. Otherwise, this lathe is fantastic for the price. I'm very happy with mine.

Excellent stability and control
I recently upgraded from the Delta 46-700, and there is no comparison. To start with, the stand is very well built, and very rigid. The legs are hollow, and easily filled with sand. The stability was good before, but now I get almost no vibration, even when turning large bowls.

The spindle is also much beefier than the smaller model. I managed to warp the spindle on the 46-700 by turning a large Ash bowl. I doubt I could warp the spindle on this if I bashed it with a sledge.

The DC motor and controls are very good. The only flaw I've seen is that my controls occasionally go into fault mode for no noticeable reason. The only way I've found to clear it is to kill the power and restart it. This only seems to happen with the drive is stopped, so it hasn't been a big problem for me.

This lathe is no toy!!!!!
After buying all the shop equipment I needed to outfit my wood shop I set my thoughts on a lathe. I did research and found one very important factor when choosing a lathe, don't go cheep! I choose the Delta 46-745, and I'm so glad I did. The baldor motor is the finest in the industry, and the control you have over speed is fantastic. The other great feature is low to no vibration, Delta even gives tips on totally eliminating vibration by either, filling
the legs with sand or the ability to use 4x4's to widen the lathes foot print or secure the lathe to the floor. This lathe is both smooth and very powerful, everything is accesable and very easy to setup, all tooling has it's place in the leg tops and the control box is right at eye level.This lathe is now my favorite machine in my shop!! You have to have one of these bad boys!!!!

Nice Lathe but I question the longevity of the Controls
Lathe is very nice and works very well. Fit and finish is good as well as ease of assembly. My concern is that the electronic speed control is mounted where two things can happen:

Debris can damage it because of location if something comes off the lathe.

Dust is going to keep the electronics coated continuously due to location and large vent holes in side of control. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Heavy duty 3/4-hp motor for efficient, powerful operation
• 36 inches between centers for turning spindles
• Maintenance free sealed, lubricated for life ball bearing head spindle
• Extra large tool rest base control handle for easy positioning

Reviews (3)

A good choice for a beginner or a small shop
I've had this lathe for five years, and have now outgrown it. But for a beginner it was easy to set up, has good smooth variable speed control, and its easy to find chucks and accesories for it. If you are just getting started and want a lathe that you will be able to use until you become really serious about turning, this is not a bad choice at all. But a lot of people have had problems with bearings in the first couple of months - so if it does not work well right away, get a new one. Delta has good customer service and support. I have no regrets about this machine at all, and am likely to keep it in the shop for smaller jobs after I have moved up to something bigger.

A little on the wobbly side
This is a good basic lathe. If I didn't get such a good deal on it, I probably would have gone for the JET.

It does have some wobble so be sure to mount it on a sturdy bench, or use the stand and mount it to the floor.

If your an ocassional lather, it should be fine, but if you into serious lathe work, look for a more sturdy tool.

Needs a TEFC Totally Enclosed Fan Motor!

An OK Lathe
I have found this lathe to be pretty functional, but not as good as the JET 12" variable speed lathe that my brother just purchased. For the $, the Jet is a better buy -- heavier, nicer finish, and has less wobble than the Delta lathe. I wish I had purchased the Jet.. ... Read more

Features

• 1/2-horsepower induction motor for plenty of turning power
• Six speeds from 500 to 3,700 rpm to match a variety of applications
• Ball-bearing live center with 3" face plate
• Includes 5-piece micro turning tools set--over $40 value
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 1/2-horsepower induction motor for plenty of turning power
• Six speeds from 500 to 3,700 rpm to match a variety of applications
• Ball-bearing live center with 3-inch face plate
• Optional extension bed (sold separately) increases capacity to 37 inches

Reviews (6)

Use it for what it was intended.
I've had the Midi for two years now and can't count the number of items I've turned! Ranging from pens/pencils to the maximunm size wood bowls it would take. Never a problem with power while turning bowls or platters. Obviously your tools must be SHARP, no matter what lathe you use.

For an entry level lathe I feel it can't be beat. When I upgrade to a larger more sophisticated unit, the Midi will still have a place in my shop.

Delta 46-250 Midi Lathe
I have used this lathe for nearly a year turning pens, bowls and
other small turnings without any real problems. The only complaint I have is that the tool rest nicks very easily and does not adjust to the large diameter (10 inch) turnings to give
proper spacing and support for the turning tool. My shops equipment is all Delta, including a 9" table saw/4" jointer that
the owners manual is dated 1958, which I can still get parts for.
That is one of the reasons that I buy Delta products. I would reccommend Delta products to anyone that is in the process of
buying new woodworking machines.

Best Mini Lathe Value
After carefully studying both the Jet JML 1014 Mini Lathe and the Delta 46-250 Midi Lathe, I decided to purchase the Delta. I'm glad I did. Both machines are well designed and very well made, but the Delta simply offers the best value for a quality lathe in this class. It is slightly larger and heavier than the Jet, which helps dampen vibration and enhances stability, especially when roughing out spindles and bowl blanks at slower speeds. Other advantages include more convenient belt access than the Jet for quicker and easier speed changes, and an available cast iron bed extension that increases the spindle capacity of this machine to 37 inches. The fit and finish on the Delta is excellent in spite of its Chinese origins (the Jet is made in Taiwan) and the layout of the machine indicates a greater attention to ergonomics than the Jet. None of this is meant to suggest that the Jet is an inferior machine. Quite the contrary, the Jet JML 1014 is a superbly made machine and a first-rate performer. It certainly will not disappoint anyone who purchases one. But at a price that is at least $30 higher than the Delta in most places, and with fewer conveniences, it simply doesn't offer the same value as the Delta. I do have one small beef with the Delta, however. For all the care and workmanship that obviously went into the design and manufacture of this machine, I'm disappointed that Delta chose to use plastic handles for the tool rest and motor tension adjustment bolts. These handles have a cheaper and flimsier feel than the cast metal handles that come with the Jet lathe, and they have the added disadvantage of being in places where they will receive plenty of wear and tear. Also, the headstock belt pulley cover on the Delta lathe, while more conveniently located than the one on the Jet, is made of a flimsy plastic and sports a large protruding knob that some turners might find annoying. I pay attention to small details like this when looking at Delta machines because my experience with Delta customer service in recent years has shown that replacement parts for their machines, even such small items as plastic knobs, are usually outrageously overpriced and at times difficult to obtain without lengthy delays due to backordering. If these parts break prematurely (as they are very apt to do), replacing them could be something of a nuisance. Still, with a two year product warranty, excellent fit and finish, superb performance, easy expandability and a price that beats their toughest competitor, this machine is simply the best value you're likely to find in a mid-size lathe.

Delta 46-250 vs. Jet JML-1014
I own both the Delta and Jet. I use both for turning pens, small bowls, tool handles, etc. The weight, construction, fit, finish, power, and noise are very close. I don't feel that either has an advantage over the other in those categories. The differences are in the convenience of speed change. The Delta has front access to the upper spindle; whereas the Jet has a, somewhat awkward, rear access. Also, the Jet has an annoying spring-loaded side door for the lower spindle. It is so difficult to operate,that I modified mine to a more conventional snap type which is found on the Delta. The power switch is located on the lower right on the Jet and above the upper spindle on the Delta. I think the preference is the Delta because, I am right handed and can manipulate it with my left hand while holding a chisel with my right. The Delta makes provision for adding an accessory extension bed for turning longer stock. It is approximately $50.00 and easily bolts up to the lathe. I use both lathes and enjoy them equally. I don't hesitate to recommend either machine as both are quality products. If I could only have one, I would choose the Delta based upon the convenience of speed changes, power switch, and the ability to add the bed extension.

jet vs. delta
this person who wrote the last review must work for delta i have the jet lathe and have used the delta midi lathe there is no comparison. the delta is not close to being as good as the jet mini-lathe. the delta has a plastic door over the belt that is junk ,thats the best i can say about it.also the deltas motor seems to be a little weaker with more vibration. i would not take two deltas for my jet. ... Read more

Features

• Includes 3/4¿ roughing out gouge, 3/8¿ spindle gouge, 3/4¿ oval skew chisel, 3/16¿ diamond section parting tool, 1/2¿ round nose scraper, and 1¿ square end scraper
• Designed by renowned woodturner Robert Sorby
• High speed steel blades
• Hand-polished ash handles
• Individually hardness tested

Amazon.com Review

Meet the king of lathes. Its 16-inch steel bed design is 20 times more torsionally stable than the traditional cast-iron bed, and with 42 inches between centers, it offers all the work room you could want. The head spindle lock is a great design--rugged yet easy to use--and has a 24-division indexer for ornamental work. The cast-iron tool rest is a full 12 inches long, and its base travels smoothly on the ground bed for the widest range of tool placement. Powering the whole thing is a big-name Baldor motor packing a whopping 2 horsepower and Poly-V belt for maximum torque and minimum vibration. Delta's thought of everything with this model--the steel-tube construction offers additional stability because the feet will accommodate four-by-four lumber for a bigger footprint and safer turning on large workpieces. There are even brackets below the bed so you can add a shelf if you'd like. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Variable frequency Baldor motor with variable frequency control provides three speed ranges from 0 to 3,200 rpm
• Steel bed design is 20 times torsionally stiffer than typical cast-iron beds
• Cast-iron headstock travels entire length of bed for vibration resistance
• Heavy-duty steel legs have built-in shelf mounting brackets and accept 4-by-4 extensions and ballast for more stability

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 2HP, (230V 1 Phase input) 3 phase induction motor for smooth power and long performance
• Spur center, live center, knock-out bar
• 12" tool rest and base
• 4" face plate, Baldor variable frequency drive and wrenches