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Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

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Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#1

Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

Tom Lightner

I have become very frustrated of late trying to find new Delta 46-460 lathes in the marketplace. The few I have located are being offered at grossly inflated prices. i had been purchasing these lathes through Home Depot and Lowes that includes free shipping. Neither of the these stores have the lathes available for on line ordering.

I have had very vague responses from Delta Machinery Inc. that range from: back ordered from factories in Taiwan due to shipping delays to not enough available except for special order customers to not enough available until after September 2018. What is the real story? Is Delta withholding the lathes to drive up the prices?

So my question is: Is anyone else having this problem? I have a large number of these lathes in use for a woodturning program for veterans in the San Diego area. Some of these lathes need to be replaced and I do not wish to switch to another brand of lathe for several reasons of no concern here.

Thanks for any insights!

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#2

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

john lucas

I would not buy a Delta lathe. I don't know what's going on with the company but they aren't supporting the equipment at all. For the last few years I have heard nothing but bad things. Delta used to have a factory in my state and was a great company. I have a Delta midi and I love it but from all I hear if it breaks it's going to be up to me to fix it. Jet and Grizzly have equal or better quality lathes and you can depend on them.

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#3

Shortage of castings

Dick Coers

Grizzly reports all of it's long list of backordered machinery is due to a dramatic shortage of cast iron parts. Likely the same for everyone. I've heard even Jet has some supply problems going on.

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#4

I suggest that the Rikon Midi..........

jamiedonaldson

.....lathe would be a viable replacement for the Delta, and it seems to be readily available with better support.

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#5

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

Bruce Schoenleber

I agree completely. Delta used to be a manufacturer of quality, durable machinery. Those days are gone and they are living off of their legacy selling cheap tools for the same quality price. Good luck getting replacement parts also. The internet is full of tales from people trying to get basic parts for not-so-old delta equipment. It is a shame what has happened to the "old-guard' american tool manufacturers.

If I was in the market for a midsize lathe I would call the CS departments of my leading contenders and try to order a part of some kind. See how that goes and then purchase from the company that can get it to you the same week. It won't be Delta.

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#6

Bill Blasic

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

Bill Blasic

As far as the main gripe I have heard for years about the Delta 46-460 was the on/off switch. I have 2 of them and had them since they came out and have made group buys twice totaling 13 lathes, Not one of these lathes has had any problem what so ever. When I saw folks talking about not being able to get these switches I called Delta and easily was able to locate these switches for purchase. So perpetuate that myth if you want, just because you read it does not make it true.

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

#7

Re: Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe

Tom Lightner

Many thanks for all your responses/recommendations. Will be looking at alternative lathes in the future.

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