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Experiences on Delta DL40 variable speed?

Joined
Mar 3, 2010
Messages
29
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Location
San Marcos, CA (North San Diego)
Anyone out there have any experience with this lathe? This is a 16" throw lathe. I have found a 1995 unit for about $800. and cannot find much info out there as it doesn't seem to be on the market anymore.

Thanks,
Ron
 
I think the lathe you are talking about is the Delta 46-400. If I remember right it was a very nice well built lathe but it was electronic controled and the had a few issue with the circuit board( don't quote me I am just going off memory) If it runs and not to beat up it might not be a bad price as long as it does not cost a lot for shipping. Much more and you can get a new Jet 1642
 
The price is close to right, and the quality of the lathe is what a 1642 wishes it could achieve. If the controller goes bad you might have to buy another. Has to have the same spec, not be the replacement part.

If your total invested to get it on your floor is 800, you should get it
 
Delta DL-40

I have had this lathe for about 4 years and think it's a great lathe! I bought the lathe at a school auction and had to replace the bearings, spindle and add a controller. I had an electric shop match up a Baldor controller to the lathe and it works great! There is a design flaw that you need to be aware of before you buy the lathe. The spindle on this lathe has 2 spacers on it, one inboard and one outboard. They are about 2" in diameter and 1/2" thick and provide a bearing surface for faceplates and chucks to seat against. If these are missing, there's a good chance the spindle has been bent, which is about $150 to replace. My lathe originally had a single pulley set up but there's an accessory package that provides a dual pulley set up to get a low speed, high torque speed range that costs about $65 and is worth getting. The outboard table allows you to turn 24" without any other equipment, which is a huge benefit! The lathe does need additional weight or to be secured to the floor to minimize the shaking with a large off-balance blank on the lathe. However, if the original controller allows the lathe to start at 0 rpm and move up, the shaking can be easily controlled.
Tim Carter
 
Delta

If it has the original delta electronics you may need to replace the controller before long.

Delta was very accomodating when repairing my unit years ago. I really liked the long bed but disliked the controller. Wished it had a wider foot print but that could be remedied with a little carpentry

Overall a good lathe

A
 
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