Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Skip

>I thought I had problems with my 1440 but your story tops mine by a mile. I had trouble getting the tailstock to lock. They said it would be 3 months for a redesigned part so I waited. At the end of the 3 months they said it would be another 3 months. I went into space and really let them have it. Short version is I moved up to the 1640 and have been really happy with it. I got full credit from the dealer so felt it was a fair solution. You might want to try that so you don't loose the price of the smaller lathe.

Hope you are able to get things resolved.

It is really too bad that Delta has lost so much in its product line. My shop has lots of white jet tools and it was once all Delta.

Powermatic

Rick Allen

>Get the Powermatic and forget about haveing problems or limitations. In a month you will wonder why you ever were reluctant to get the big lathe.

You can always sell the Powermatic. That isn't something you can say about the Delta.

Good Luck

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta *LINK*

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>My lathe would not forgive me if I did not mention the Vega 2400 Bowl Lathe. It is in the same price range as the Powermatice 3520, maybe a little less. If you only occasionally do spindles (the Vega will do 17" between centers), you might think about a used/new Jet Mini with a bed extension, stored under the bench until you need it, like I do.

Vega is making some changes, like more range on the tailstock spindle, and I am testing a prototype of a bed extension.

But if the conventional bedded lathe is what you want/need, then I do not think you can go wrong in that price range by getting the Powermatic.

Mark


http://www.vegawoodworking.com

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

John Lucas

>Ed

I finally stepped up to the powermatic and love it but if was going from where you are I would look real hard at the Jet 1642. there are a lot of happy customers with that lathe. If you stick with turning you will probably end up with a Powermatic or bigger in the long run anyway.

How about a Jet JWL-1642?

Dominic Greco at home in Richboro, PA

>

Pretty much everyone here at Wood Central knows which lathe I recommend! :>) I wrote a review of my Jet JWL-1642 when I first purchased it almost 2 1/2 years ago. To date, I am still very very happy with that purchase.

See ya around,

Dominic


Unofficial Jet 1642 Spokesman

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

keith tompkins

>Hi ED, I knew your name sounded familiar....we met at NWA Showcase, and have e'mailed each other.

I suppose the good news is: any machine you buy will be better than the Delta. I would go for the Powermatic, and let that be the end of it. The earlier quality problems seem to be solved, and many turners on WC are thrilled with their machines.

If you purchase the Powermatic, you won't be worrying about another upgrade. How was the L.I. show?

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Ed Kelle

>Thanks Skip, unfortunately, Woodworkers Warehouse went out of business so I have nobody to turn to for credit towards another. Wish I had gotten it at Woodcraft but the nearest one to me is in Connecticut.

I'm glad your new Delta is working well, but right now I have no confience in their brand any more. I have seen other issues with other recent Delta products, plus our local repair shops to not do Delta warranty and the local factory service center is closing soon. Not a good sign. thanks for the advice

Re: Powermatic

Ed Kelle

>Very good points. Though I can turn the Delta into an anchor.

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Ed Kelle

>Thanks Mark, I am going to take a good look at it.

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Ed Kelle

>Thanks John. I plan on sticking with it in the long run. So I am considering the Powermatic

Re: How about a Jet JWL-1642?

Ed Kelle

>Thanks Domenick, did you end up filling it up with sandbags? and did you notice a difference?

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Ed Kelle

>Hey Keith,

Yes I am thinking along the lines as you mentioned. Just do it right and once and for all. Man that Delta is killing me. I had gotten it back about 2 weeks ago, and last week, figured that I would try to turn something quick for the LI show, but quicly noticed that now I could see my chucks wobbling. ugh. worse than before.

The LI show was really great. The only problem is that unlike Saratoga, we has 70� and sunny, so most people wanted to be outside. We had Strother Purdy, Mario Rodriguez, Ernie Connover, and Aimee Fraser there. They have all been supportive of our club for years and gave excellent seminars.

Next year we are scheduled for our show April 1 and 2.

Once I get a working lathe again, I want to see about taking a class. Considering David Ellsworth or Bill Grumbine, but let me know if you are teaching anywhere near me. I'll keep you in the loop with my results. Thanks

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Paul Porter in Phoenix, AZ

>Buy more lathe than you think you'll need. You will grow into it real fast. And you won't be saying "I wish I'd bought a..."

~Paul

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Jerry Whitaker

>Also, wasn't Delta bought out by Black & Decker? If so, not a good sign either.

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Fog Tanner

>I bough the steel bed Delta and have had no problems, I still use it for some things. But, I bought a Vicmarc 300VL, the 1000lb longbed beacuse I wanted to do some things that were beyond the Delta. And I didn't want another sliding head lathe, which ruled out the Powermatic, that and its too small. My Delta has been a good machine, but I wish I would have bought the Vic first. Go for the best you can afford and then buy the next one up, you won't be sorry in the long run. You will also save some bucks when you don't buy several lathes to get to the one you really want.

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Well Ed, you know what I did. I got rid of that POS Delta 1440 (I know you read my review in the articles section) and replaced it with a 3520 Powermatic. Changed my turning overnight. I've noted only 2 drawbacks that I'm unhappy with - a sloppy spindle lock, which may not be any worse than everyone else's, and no indexing built in. Other than that, that lathe is a wonderful machine. Plenty of power, flexibility, and rock solid. Do it and don't look back.

Re: How about a Jet JWL-1642?

John Lucas

>Ed

I put 300 lbs of gravel under my Powermatic. It made a huge difference when turning out of balance work. You'd think a 700lb lathe wouldn't vibrate but it does when you crank up the rpm and turn something out of balance.

Somehow, I knew someone would ask

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>

About adding weight to that lathe! :>) That's the subject of my other article on Wood Central!

Adding a Ballast Box and Trestle Legs to my Jet Lathe

If you read the article, you'll see the advantages of adding all that weight. It was one of the best Shop Built add-ons I've made so far.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Ed Kelle

>Indeed, and I have been getting all sorts of excuses from Delta regarding that fact. My local factory service center, which took 10 weeks to "fix" my lathe, is being closed this summer. So then where do Delta owners turn for assistance? Plus the places Delta told me to take it will not do warranty work. People inside Delta are being either reassigned or laid off. Not a good sign at all.

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>Even if the Black and Decker acquistion turns out to be a good thing, I read the other day that when one company merges with another, it takes a full year for that company to return its' focus to its' original business operations.

Doesn't do much for those, like yourself, who are current owners with warranty issues. Good luck with a bad situation.

Gary

Delta was sold to Ryobi!

Richard Allen

>B&D bought Delta a long time ago. The recent sale of Delta was to the folks that bring you Ryobi.

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Brad Vietje

>Ed,

Sorry for your troubles.

While there seems to be quite a Powermatic chorus, I note that no one asked what sort of turning you do ? Mostly spindles ? Bowls ? Itty bitty boxes ? 4 Foot tabletops ?

Given that you don't want to spend as much as the Oneway, VB36 or Vicmarc class, for spindle work I'd suggest you consider the DVR. For bowl and faceplate work, the PM 3520 is a sure bet, but the larger sized electronic variable speed General lathes are another great value. I also have two friends that love the Vega 2400 bowl lathe, but the tailstock is a weak link there.

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Recommendations for replacing a Delta

Ed Kelle

>Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I seem to be leaning towards the Powermatic, both for its reputation, and the fact that it can be taken down stairs in pieces more easily than one of the larger bowl lathes. I figure 20" over the bed would really hold me for a good long time. If I ever get to the point where I need more, then that would mean getting a ground level shop and going to the larger ones.

As of today, after asking to speak to a manager again, and being told that they would have one call me, I got another call from tech services, who told me they would need to build up another motor/headstock assembly and that would take a few days again. I requested that after such assembly, that they test it to see that it is running true, stable, and quiet prior to shipping it to me. I also requested they they package it more securely than just nailing together a wooden box and putting some PAPER inside. Yes paper for a 45 lb motor. BTW, today I also noticed the spindle on this replacement was now bent due to this in transit abuse. Delta does not even want it back but UPS insists that I package up this destroyed crate so they can ship it back, because they will not pick it up if not packed. But they had NO problem leaving it here that way. nice.

I had email addresses for 3 VP's at Delta and wrote to them in effort to get this resolved but of course they all came back immediately with "user not listed". I guess Delta has made everyone unavailable for emails now.

anybody have contacts in Delta for me besides the usual tech support people?

Thanks for all the advice

Stay tuned as the story continues to unfold...

Ed

Re: Delta was sold to Ryobi!

Jerry Whitaker

>Did not know that but I am not sure that is any better.