So in the last few months purchasing my new band saw and my pressure pot, I've come to the realisation that the HF lathe was going to cause some draw backs to types of projects that I eventually would like to do with a wood lathe.   How ever with the most recent covid package passing last night it turns out that it is more than likely coming that I will be getting a new lathe very soon.  I was looking at the delta how ever  I couldn't find any of the model that you guys have been using.  How ever the wen lathe peaked my interest a bit.  I've had the old wen lathe of course it worked out quite well as it turned out I bought an older model.  Either way the new lathe I'm looking at yes is a wen.

 

Specs

6 amp Motor

Work piece sizes 14 inches by 20 inches

Variable speeds anywhere from 250 to 3550 RPM

REVERSABLE

 

So with these specs in mind yes having a lathe that would be able to spin in reverse will be quite nice.  So with the check in coming of course Id have to spend a little bit of my own money with purchasing this but at least a majority of the big costs will be covered.  I wont need to buy a bench since I built a nice bench for the harbor freight.  I'll just have to modify that bench to fit this lathe.  The other bonus on this is I already have the extension for the lathe.   I bought that before my old lathe broke down the 12 by 18 inch one.  I'm also hoping that this being a newer model will last me a lot longer as well.

 

Andrew you never take our advise but I just hate to see people throwing money down the toilet so I am URGING you NOT to buy the Wen. Instead look at Powermatic, Jet, Laguna and yes there are several higher end than that will also be excellent choices. If you want advise and are not biting the bite we would be glad to help But if not just don't tell use what you did. I apologize for bluntness but That is kinda me .

6 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Didn't we have this conversation just recently?

Yep I was actually browsing the Lathes again last night and this morning.... I was actually thinking and strongly considering buying the Delta 46 460 Lathe....  I did find it on home depot so I wouldn't have to buy from Lowes LOL.  I have a strong sense of not buying tools from Lowes.  Either way I'm strongly considering the 46 460.

Hang on, you may get enough money in that stimulus check to buy a Robust lathe. Sounds like they're reviewing how much it should be.

Yep I saw the news on that this morning.... If they pass the new amended you already know that's going to a lathe.  So I just have to wait a bit and see what happens on stuff being signed.    They're saying now it may be a 2K stimulus check instead of a 600 dollar stimulus check.  So that's why I'm waiting to find out.  But it will be good money to have to purchase a new lathe.

21 hours ago, AndrewB said:

They're saying now it may be a 2K stimulus check instead of a 600 dollar stimulus check. 

 

Brakes got slammed on, so it looks like back to the drawing board. 

 

Edited December 24, 20205 yr by Larry Buskirk

What I told our daughter back in March or April - don't spend it until you see it in the bank; and better yet, don't even plan on it until you see it in the bank.

Welp I made the purchase I wound up going with the Delta 46 460 Midi lathe.  It should suit my purpose for wood turning for a while.  Either way the purchase was made I should have it buy January 6th which will be nice just need to figure out how to safely get the other lathe off the bench LOL.  I'll have to modify the lathe bench a bit but that shouldn't be too huge of an issue to do.  I ultimately chose this one it costed me a bit but its what I could afford via stimulus stuff.

Edited January 4, 20215 yr by AndrewB

You're going to love it.

Well I hope it tops the harbor freight hunk a junk I've been using LOL.  It will be the last lathe I buy for quite a while hopefully....

Is there a bed extension?  It appears short.  What's the length of the bed?  

27 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Is there a bed extension?  It appears short.  What's the length of the bed?  

 

Yes there is.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Industrial-46-463-Midi-Lathe-Extension/dp/B0030MMB2A

 

 

Awesome.  You can attach 2 if desired. I did read that Delta recommends that not more than two extensions be used.  I can't understand if there is any weakness as they each have their own foot.  And, if you have it on a sturdy bench, it should be good.  But, I don't own either, so I'll not pass up a good opportunity to shut up.  LOL

 

Thank you, Dan.  

Typically we don't turn long items.  Last long turning I did was a cane and I did it in two sections that screw together so the 46-460 was long enough.  I do have a full sized lathe.  Next to never use it. 

So this morning I decided since I was getting a new lathe.... I basically disected the harbor freight lathe just to see what makes it work.  Of course in the process of doing this I completely ruined the HF lathe.  But no matter I'm getting my new one LOL and I had fun being destructive to the thing.  I still couldn't for the life of me figure out why it weight 386 pounds.  Considering the bed was made from pretty much solid or what is to be believed as solid cast iron.  Once I dismounted and disconnected the motor SNIP SNIP fortunately I have a personal electrician if I ever want to use the motor again.  the entire thing weight maybe about 50 to 60 pounds.  So I could only assume that most of the weight was with in the motor itself but I don't understand exactly how because the motor was NOT that big at all.  Yes I know I ruined a perfectly good lathe but it was fun doing so.  So don't scold me too much for having a bit of destructive fun while waiting for the new lathe.

3 hours ago, AndrewB said:

Of course in the process of doing this I completely ruined the HF lathe.

A clever friend once told me that he couldn't afford to buy cheap tools.  Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of that when I was in my 20s!

Edited January 5, 20215 yr by JimM
added info

Cheap can some times be a bargin.  When I was into black smithing and knife making I had purchased a 5 dollar 3 pound hammer from harbor freight and I loved the thing did everything I needed it to do.  So cheap is I guess determined by the person trying to purchase the tools or item. 

Well my new lathe finally arrived the box was huge and the thing weighs about 100 pounds.  Still gotta get everything bolted down and what not its a bit taller than I expected it to be.  How ever I'm happy with this buy not to mention having the luxuary of reverse drive.  Some how I've always wanted that and another bonus the thing is extremely quiet.