Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
DL40 lathe opinions
cameron youngstrom
I've been debating getting a lathe for a long time, got close to pulling the trigger on the 3520b earlier in the year when they had their sale but got skittish with the price and my job status... Today I see an add on CL for a DL40 for $650 with a pile of chiselss included (not sure if there is a chuck). The picture looks like it's in good shape... Any opinions on this? Things to look out for or design flaws?
Thanks
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Dick Coers
No experience with that machine. Isn't it a reeves drive? Since it's Delta, there are no parts available. That would be two strikes against it in my opinion. Also the price seems high for that vintage. Strike three?
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Lyle Jamieson
1 inch 8 spindle...Strike four
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Roy Girolami
If I'm thinking of the right lathe, that was one that came out about 20 or 25 years ago with a DC drive. The Craft Center at NCSU had one and had a lot of trouble with the drive. If you are willing to experiment with the circuitry, it was a substantial lathe.
Roy
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Doug Ladendorf
Here is the manual: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=5676
No Reeves drive. Came with a DC motor and electronic controller plus a jack shaft. You could swap for a 2HP three phase motor with VFD as well. Looks substantial.
Doug
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Lyle Jamieson
Why put a 1 inch spindle on a "substantial" lathe?? Its like a mini lathe on steroids, the spindle is still the weak point and will cause significant limitations.
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Bob Lalonde
I sold my Delta 1440 iron bed a couple of years ago for $400. The thing was really poorly made and was glad to get rid of it. The reeves drive was horrible and the tailstock kept slipping no matter how carefully I adjusted it. Hope the new owner is not feeling ripped off.
Then there's the parts issue. I have a number of delta power tools in my shop (3) and the inability to get parts is a real problem.
I opted for a Jet 1642 EVS 2HP and am very happy. It's $1500 less than they 3520B and suits my needs very well.
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
cameron youngstrom
It looks like the opinion is generally pretty bad, think I'll pass on this one and just keep hoping I win the lottery and eventually find a used 3520 (yeah, right)
I have been very impressed with......
JamieDonaldson
....the new Laguna REVO lathe, and have recommend them to several new turners. They are well made and feature rich, and at a price point of $2500 the local Woodcraft store has now sold more than 25 out of the Lexington KY location. That's alot of lathes for a relatively small market area, and so far the buyers have been very pleased with their purchases.
Re: DL40 lathe opinions
Michael Schneider
Cameron,
Do you like tinkering/fixing up your equipment, or do you want to buy and go straight to turning? Are you comfortable with the idea of buying something then adding a vfd and 3 phase motor?
The answer would be different based on your interests.
I like fixing up/building machinery as much as workworking/turning. So I tend to buy old iron, or parts and build. (I am much better at building lathes then using them :-) ).
I am currently building up a vicmarc 300, after buying a bare lathe. I had the vfd and motor, so new price for vicmarc 300 + bed extension + shipping was a bit over $3000. I will have probably 20-30 hours in building it and about $75 in misc + what I already had on hand.
You can buy a new grizzly, Laguna . powermatic in the similar range (some little more, some little less).
You might think about how much sweat equity (time/effort) you want to put into.
If you make money from your turning, you are costing $$ to do the build, if you are like me and enjoy both fixing up equipment and wordworking/turning you might save some $$$ with a build up like a bare vicmarc 300, or buying old iron and adding a vfd.
Good luck,
Michael
