Delta 46-460 Review
Delta 46-460 Review
I decided it was time to purchase a new mini lathe, so I started shopping prices, features and looking at reviews. The Delta 46-460 vs (variable speed lathe) is in my opinion, far above the rest of the competition! First off, it has a 1 hp motor compared to the next hightest being a ¾ hp. Aside from just the motor though, this is one sweet lathe. Everything is nice and beefy. Changing speeds is a snap compared to other lathes. To change speeds, a cover on the front of the lathe swings up and it actually give you room to get your hands into it to change the belt easily! The banjo and tailstock slide smoothly on the lathe bed and the locking handles are nice and comfortable.
So, I decided to purchase the Jet 1220vs……hahaha
Obviously, you are asking yourselves, “Why would Walt do such a thing if he likes the Delta so much?†Well, there is the long and the short answer. The short answer is service! The long answer is also service; but, the details take a bit more to explain.
Delta recently sold out to another company. The first impact was in transferring the warehousing. It just did not happen apparently. The next issue is more serious. Delta had jobbers manufacture many of their parts for them. When the sale took place, the jobbers were not included and as a result, the new owners did not have anyone to make many of the parts required.
In reading reviews of the 46-460 about 50% of the reviews were in the 1-3 range with 5 being good and 1 very poor. In every case, the reasons stated were the service. Some poor folks had waited for 7-8 months for a part which still has not arrived!
I checked supply with a parts company which stocks Delta parts and 46-460 parts on a priority order status are standard 30-33 days prior to shipment “IF†they are available. Many of the parts are not available and there is no forecast as to when the will become available.
I called Delta and asked for a service manager and talked to her about how things were progressing and what the outlook was. She was very friendly and co-operative, but confirmed many of the problems with warehousing and jobbers. She did mention, however, “It is getting better. Some parts are only taking a couple weeks now!â€
I just could not take the risk. Yes I want a good lathe, but any tool or machine eventually will have some problem. Perhaps it will only be a drive belt, a bearing, spindle shaft or other easily changeable part, but a 5 yr warranty is of absolutely no use if no parts are available. I do not want to let my lathe just site while a company fixes its internal manufacturing and distribution problems.
If the service was any where near what I remember of Delta’s service, there would have been no question about purchasing the 46-460. Perhaps in a few years, things will be better and I can trade up. For now, do yourself a favor and stick with something which has service and especially parts available.
