I have a Delta 46-460 Midi Lathe and love it.  The sole item I would change on it is the spindle stop.  It is a spring pin that has to be pulled out and twisted to the right spot to keep it out or to let it in to a hole in the pulley to lock it.  It is also used as for indexing so I didn't want to alter it.  It is nestled between the body and the hand wheel making it less than easy to use.

 

The spindle has 5/16" holes for a Tommy bar on the spindle and I decided to use those in my plan.  There is also a couple of unused threaded holes in the head stock I put into the plan so as not to drill anything new.  I used a 1/2" square aluminum bar but had to thin it down some.  The red knob is a wire nut which was a perfect fit and the right color.

 

 

I drilled the pivot hole and left just enough length below it so it just touches the ways for some extra support.  Screwed it onto the lathe and marked, drilled and threaded a hole for a 5/16" bolt with the head cut off for the hold pin.  Mounted it back on the lathe and tested it out.  Worked well but worked better after I added some spring washers to give it some resistance to keep it in place while the lathe is running.

 

 

Part way up from the pivot screw was another threaded hole I wanted to use as a stop but it held the lever a bit too close so I cut the bolt some for extra room shown in this next photo.

 

 

 

It works well and is much easier to use than the factory twist spring pin.

 

 

 

 

 

that's a sweet marvel of KISS/MISS..

the wire nut borders on genius...

Edited January 27, 20197 yr by Stick486

Super Mod!

 

My Delta has a similar locking mechanism although it is in a little more convenient location but still near the hand wheel. I've really have had to force myself to remember to turn the lathe by hand before starting. I was constantly forgetting I had engaged the stop. On a couple of occasions, I hadn't completely set the stop in it's "out" position and it vibrated into the "in" position. Boy that's wake you up!!

Some nice engineering on that Dan. I can see others copying your idea.

 

Steve

Great idea Dan. May have tto add that to mine. A thought would the knob standing up above the lathe does it get in the way?

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

Great idea Dan. May have tto add that to mine. A thought would the knob standing up above the lathe does it get in the way?

 

It is about even with the top and hasn't but I had thought about lowering it to keep from catching a sleeve on it or bumping it.  Haven't done it yet but plan to.  Good eye.

Dan, you get the "At-A-Boy" award for the week. You really have come up with a great idea. 

 Great problem solving solution. Thanks Dan.