What is the general opinion on this lathe? Always dismissed it as to light and not suitable for moderately serious bowl turning. But I found a used one for $200. Maybe I should consider this? I have been holding off hoping to find an old Rockwell/ Delta (commonly used in school shops) model with plans of adding rises blocks.
Does the head pivot on these so it could be used for outboard turnings?
I owned a 46-700 and would not consider it for anything but miniture = bowl turning and would not pay $200 for a new or used one. You would be = better off with a jet mini.
Craig
If you remove the "plastic" headstock cover you will see the pathetic amount of cast iron Delta used around the spindle bearings. One good catch and you could crack the cast iron around the bearings. Delta should be embarrassed for producing this lathe. The lathe is so light duty it makes the pivoting headstock useless for outboard turning. The pivoting headstock is only good for easier access to miniature turnings.This is just my opinion formed from my personal experiences.
Craig
Your opinion is what I was asking for. :-) Humble or not.
Thinking about it last night I had about decided it was not what I was looking for anyway. I REALLY want a Delta/Rockwell or Powermatic 90 of something along those lines.
I agree with what everyone else said about the 46-700. It's fine for small projects - weed pots, spindles, boxes, etc. - but it really is kind of just a big mini-lathe. I made a lot of bowls on mine, but beyond 8" was not fun.
For "moderately serious" bowl turning you need beef and power. "Beef" meaning a lot of cast iron, and "power" meaning 1.5 hp minimum, 2 hp is better. You will often be frustrated with a 1 hp motor. Get a heavy lathe and make it heavier yet with sandbags. Any lathe I have ever owned has performed better when I got the total weight of lathe+bench+sand up to around 1,000 pounds. It really does make a difference.
-mike paulson, fort collins, co
I can't speak for the Delta 46-700, but a Jet Mini would be a very decent starter lathe. You can be turning while you search for a larger lathe. I bought one, although my wife tried to talk me up to the Jet 1242, which is roughly a counterpart of the Delta, I believe. I think the Jet Mini is a better lathe than either of the 1242's.
Barry
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