Capacitor failures
I can't say whether this applies to the Delta midi, but there has been a rash of reports on the various woodturning discussion groups about the capacitor on Jet mini lathes failing. I can't say for certain, but the capacitor sure does look a lot like a start capacitor and not one designed for start/run service which are typically oil-filled and resembles a Prince Albert can. Start-run capacitors are typically used on HVAC blower motors and also are normally mounted on the blower housing rather than the motor frame to avoid soaking up heat from the motor. The same idea would be good for capacitors on mini lathes because those motors can get very hot. When the capacitor on my Jet mini poops out, I plant to find an oil-filled start/run capacitor at Grainger of the appropriate capacitanced and working voltage and to attach it to the underside of the lathe rather than in intimate contact with the motor frame. This also removes the need to worry about form factor.
All motor capacitors will eventually fail, but I don't see any need to help speed up the process by heat-soaking it.
Bill