Delta variable speed lathe.

[ni9eofse7en]

Interested in opinions.

I have an old Record CL1 in blue, with a three speed pulley, which I was going to use in my hopefully soon, extended shed, and whilst it is a good lathe the speed limits are very limiting.

I have just picked up a second hand mc420 air filter and a Charnwood (yes I know) W695 dust extractor form a guy who is also going to sell a Delta variable speed lathe, it seems to run ok and there are no obvious vibrations etc. It looks like the following



Its a chinese mass produced and badged as whatever ie





What are these like in terms of usage if anyone has one, what do I need to look for, and what do you think it should be worth. Its used but looks reasonably well looked after, I was thinking about £100. Am I way out and does it seem reasonable.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rayf6604]

You'll be okay with the charnwood dust extractor, I have one and its fine. It's other charnwood stuff that's crap. Can't help with the lathe as I've never seen one but if the vs is on a lever that moves the pulleys or belt I only hear bad things about them. Someone else might be able to shed more light on this

 

[paulm]

I have a small Fox lathe the same as a Delta and its been running day in day out for several years now. Depending on the price I would go for it but don't know anything about the model you've shown.

 

[Themackay]

I have the Fox similar version with cast iron legs have not had a problem so far

 

[kjmc1957]

I bought this model about 5 years ago. still have it in the shed and I will bring it out of retirement soon enough, I had no problem,I only stopped using it cios I wanted to turn bigger lumps and it vibrated, but having said that it was never fixed or weighted so it may have been better if I'd done that. I never had any trouble with mine.

 

[ni9eofse7en]

You'll be okay with the charnwood dust extractor, I have one and its fine. It's other charnwood stuff that's crap. Can't help with the lathe as I've never seen one but if the vs is on a lever that moves the pulleys or belt I only hear bad things about them. Someone else might be able to shed more light on this

I suspect it is. The lever on the main body is rotated to increase or decrease speed. I will look it up but I think Carl Jacobson used to have one in his older videos.

 

[Themackay]

I have heard of users having problems with belts etc with the speed control dare I say it mine is still on its original belt.

 

[Kardav]

I've got the Axminster (about 8 years old) pictured with the variable speed lever (expanding pulleys) and never had any problems. You just need to remember to check and reset the speed before you mount the work, otherwise you could be on full speed with a large, out of balance lump in the chuck. You can only change speed with the lathe running. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Dalboy]

Not got one but have heard various story's about the changing of gears one of which has been mentioned in that you need to make sure that you put it down into the slowest speed at the end of turning a piece. The adjustable speed pulley and shafts need to be kept clean. Following the above should see no problems with it.

 

[ni9eofse7en]

Its one of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZRY30MH0Dw

 

[Jim]

If you get it for 100 quid you have a great deal John .. My mate bought a second hand SIP 01938 which is another clone of the ones above a few years ago and paid over £200 for it .. So go for it if you can my friend ..

 

[Grump]

I have a Charnwood version of that lathe, paid £40 for it if I remember right.
Woody picked it up for me as it was local to him, thanks dad, it was well worn when I got it, a new belt and bearings and never a problem since
I know I can switch it on now and it will do as much as any other lathe of it's size.

 

[Penpal]

All systems go for it mate if you have the room.At least if its kept lubricated and maintained no blowout circuits in that variable speed operation mate.

Peter.

 

[Indie Shed]

If it's a secondary lathe and you're looking at one with more speeds for £100 then there isn't much risk. You already have a lathe that works if you decide you don't like the new one it's always going to be worth what you paid for it, maybe more with a bit of wind behind it?

If it's unbiased advice you're after you wont get it here wherever a "should I buy a lathe" question is posted

 

[wm460]

Those lathe seem quite popular here in Aust, in various colours and stickers.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Take Derek's advice & you should be ok. If you finish on slow speed you start on slow speed next time. It is important to keep your pulled & shaft clean to avoid any problems. Do these simple things & you should be ok.
Remember, it's not often you buy a Rolls Royce for the price of a mini.

 

[kjmc1957]

Our turning club has the Axi version, only got rid of it this year after 8 years of use, used by famous wood turners and not so famous club members, the only issue I have is the articulated tool rest, as I said in my previous post I still have mine and I'm going to keep it, as a by the by, if you do load a big lump of timber on the lathe and discover that you are on high speed, you can turn the lathe by hand and reduce the speed like that, not necessary to take the timber off again, at least you can on the Axi, try it on yours first to be sure.

 

[ni9eofse7en]

Bought it yesterday, £80 with face plate, drive shaft and revolving tail stock. Needs a clean up. Took motor case off to check ok, seems fine. Pulleys operate as expected, seems lubed ok, a bit too much actually, hence clean up of oil soaked dust, not as bad as I seem to be making out.

It's a Delta 46-255, 370 watt motor, same as Sip one I think. One question someone may be able to answer, all speeds seem ok, but notice on max, belt seems slack, is it worth a belt change, or is that normal.

Its in bits at mo so no :nopic:

Methinks once assembled in new shed bit, will advise further.

 

[paulm]

Nice one John, I look forward to hearing how it goes... but no matter what excuse you have you need to get your and then :cameraman:

:nopic:

 

[Bigblackdog]

Bought it yesterday, £80 with face plate, drive shaft and revolving tail stock. Needs a clean up. Took motor case off to check ok, seems fine. Pulleys operate as expected, seems lubed ok, a bit too much actually, hence clean up of oil soaked dust, not as bad as I seem to be making out.

It's a Delta 46-255, 370 watt motor, same as Sip one I think. One question someone may be able to answer, all speeds seem ok, but notice on max, belt seems slack, is it worth a belt change, or is that normal.

Its in bits at mo so no :nopic:

Methinks once assembled in new shed bit, will advise further.

I would replace the belt whilst it is in bits. My jet is tight on all speeds. It may well work fine, but it will all be reassembled then! Easier to do it now.