Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe Review [Expert Recommendation]

So, today in this article, we’ll talk about one of the top-rated wood lathe machines which is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. You can work on different small projects on this machine that includes bowls, pens, turning spindles, ornaments, and more. It also won the Editor’s Choice Award. The ratings of this lathe are pretty good online that itself shows how good this thing is.

Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional woodworker, it has something for everyone. It comes with a variable speed option which allows you to have effective results. The cast-iron build provides it a sturdy build quality and makes it durable for years. It has a steel knockout bar system with ball bearing live center. The onboard storage is pretty good where you can store all the essential tools of the lathe machine.

This comes with a 1HP motor which can run at the speed of 1275RPM. You can control the variable speed with the help of the pulley system. It can rotate in both forward and reverse position that gives you better consistency and ease of use. According to the company, they have patented belt system which can smoothly work in faster speed change and also provide tool a longer life. It comes fully equipped with all the required tools which include 3inch faceplate, 6 and 10inch tool rests.

Earlier, the lathe machines used to be very big, but now with the compact size lathes, things are changing drastically. Delta 46 460 is no doubt one of the best in the market. What i love about this lathe that it is straightforward to use and you can quickly do adjustments in tool rest position, tailstock and spindle speed.

In this post, we’ll cover the unbiased review of the lathe. We will dive deep into different important aspects. Also, cover the advantages and disadvantages of the machine that give you a better idea about the product. We’ll also do a comparison with other products. So, read the whole article thoroughly, so that in the end, you know all the features of the product that you are buying.

Table of Contents

Technical Specifications

46-460 Midi Lathe	Specifications
Weight	97 lbs
Motor	1 HP max, 120V
Variable Speed	Electronic
RPM	up to 4000 RPM
Length	36″
Width	11″
Height	17-3/4″
Tool Rest	6inches & 10inches
Warranty	5 years

Review

In this section, we’ll talk about the different essential aspects of the lathe machine that you should be aware of. We’ll cover the build quality, maintenance, warranty, and more. So, let’s dive into each aspect one by one.

Build Quality
The Delta 46-460 comes with the fantastic build quality. It has two legs which are also made up of metal. This creates the support of the lathe for the bed to stand. The bed extension is around 25.5inches in length. Most of its body is made up of cast iron, which makes it durable, and it lasts for years without any problem. The headstock comes towards the front leg of the lathe. The curved portion is made of thick plastic and of black color. Under the cast iron body, you’ll have a speed control system and a handle for adjustment.

Then, the tailstock comes with a fixed tail spindle which perfectly syncs with the front spindle. Overall, the quality is pretty good; it looks aesthetically decent as well. Because of its durable build, the company gives 5years of warranty.

Performance
Let’s talk about the performance of the lathe as well. It is a very quiet machine, free from any kind of vibration. You can easily change the speed and use it at your disposal. Once, you set the tool rest position; you have to adjust the spindle speed frequently. It comes with a 1HP motor, driven by a three-step pulley system. You can control the torque depending upon at what speed you are running the lathe. You can also spin it in both the directions which makes the use of the lathe quite convenient. This feature is quite handy when you are doing the sanding process. You can sand it in both the direction. To make it run in the opposite direction, you can use the reverse switch.

Power
As we have already mentioned that it comes with 1HP Power. Though the power is decent enough, but still a lot of users are not happy with it. It is suitable for small woodturning; if you want to work on bigger projects, then probably you have to buy some different model. The machine is calibrated correctly, and its swing size is around 12.5, which is also decent enough. The power, you can control with the speed regulation. T

Speed
You can change the speed of the motor in two ways. You can change the speed manually by changing the belt or also by an automatic speed control system. When using the speed control setting, there are three-speed settings that you can use. You can access it by lifting the headstock and there, you can change the gears. At setting one, you’ll have 250 – 750 RPM, in second gear, you’ll have 600 – 1,800 RPM, and at third setting, you’ll have 1,350 – 4,000 RPM.

Affordability
The price of the lathe is around $700, which is a bit higher for some users. Though, i would say that considering the features it has, it is worth its investment. If you are a hobbyist, then there are other affordable models as well that you can go for. You can buy it offline and online as well.

Accessories
The lathe comes with all the accessories that you will need with them. It comes with 6″, and 10″ tool rests. It also has 3″ faceplate as well. It comes with #2MT Tailstock and headstock taper and 1inch 8TPI headstock spindle. You also get the wrench and hex key for locking the faceplate. You can also buy some accessories separately that includes 25-1/2″ Bed Extension, extension stand and a stand with built-in tool storage.

How to Setup

Setting up the lathe machine is quite straight forward. Once, you set the lathe on the bench, make sure that you set the spindle properly at the center. The tailstock handle is of perfect size, and you get a very good grip over it. While using the machine, you have to do the frequent adjustment with the tool rest, which can be done very quickly.
For more information, you can watch the below video, and it will give you more information about the setup process.

Watch the Video till End

Pros & Cons

Pros

It is a versatile lathe machine which can be used for a variety of different small DIY works. Whether you are making a pen, bowls, or anything else.
It has a very sturdy build, and you can use it daily for years without facing any kind of problem.
It is also very easy to use. Even though you are a beginner, you’ll get used to all the features pretty quickly.
It is also suitable for big woodwork, but you can work on baseball bats and table legs.
It also has the reverse feature that saves a lot of time, especially while you are sanding the wood.
You can easily change the speed ranges with three pulley system that you can access by lifting the headstock.

Cons

This lathe machine is not suitable when you are dealing with the bulky wood. It is built for small DIY stuff only. The largest size that you can get with it is 16.5inches long and 12inches in diameter.
If you want to work on larger projects, you have to go for bed extension that you have to buy separately.
The motor HP is one only; you can find the lathe up to 2.4HP at this price range.
Some users also complained about the unavailability of the spare items.
Their customer service is also not very great. If you face any problem in the future, be ready to handle it by yourself.

Delta 46-460 vs. jet 1221vs

A lot of people were asking the difference between these two models. So, in this section, we’ll cover some of the main differences. Delta comes with the 1HP motor while Jet has 3/4HP Motor. The speed ramping in Delta is smoother than the Jet, and you’ll also get more power at the same time. Some users reported that Delta motor starts heating after longer use, while Jet one remains cooler. When it comes to changing the belt and locking system, Delta is more easy to use than the Jet. The belt is also wider, which gives better grip and chances of slipping is very less.
You also have the reverse feature in Delta that you don’t have in Jet, which saves a lot of time. Warranty is the same in both cases. You get five years of warranty in both.

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Conclusion

This lathe has all the features that you need in one. You can work on different kinds of DIY work on this lathe. Its variable speed allows you to control it at your disposal. It comes with a good warranty period; in case you are not happy, they also have a money-back guarantee as well. It is suitable for small DIY works, but you can also turn baseball bats and table legs. Its slowest speed is 250RPM and highest is 4000RPM which provides you an ample amount of range to choose.

If you are a hobbyist, you can go for the cheaper version. But, if you want to use it for professional use, it is worth its investment. It comes with all the necessary tools that you need for this lathe; you don’t have to buy anything separately. We have covered everything that you need to know about this lathe, in case you have any confusion, you can let us know in the comments below, we’ll try to respond as soon as possible.

FAQs (Must Read)

Where is the Delta 46-460 made?
It is made in the USA.

Does it come with indexing feature?
Yes, you can use the indexing feature by using the pin to lock the spindle.

Is this machine mt1 or mt2?
Mt2

Does it come with spindle speed indicator?
There is no digital gauge with the lathe machine, but there are three different pulley choices that will help you in determining the speed of the machine. Below are the three options that you’ll get.
250-750 RPM
600-1800 RPM
1350-4000RPM

What’s the tool rest post size?
The size is 5/8”. If you want more size, i would recommend you to go with a larger banjo.

Can i use it for turning bowls?
It is suitable for for pens and other small work. But, you can also work on the bowl up to 12inches. It also depends on you. If you are skilled enough, you can work on every kind of bowl.

What is the use of the reverse feature in the lathe?
When you are sanding the wood, you can do it in both the direction. It saves a lot of time and also a very convenient feature once you get used to of it.