Delta Lathe - What is this for?

[jd5000]

I have an old Delta Lathe. On the back of the headstock is a metal pin of some kind. Anyone know what this is used for?

 

[Sawmill7]

Looks like a indexing pin for the headstock
Looks like there are holes where the head stock can be stopped for milling attachment

 

[mikegt4]

It looks like a pin that engages the index plate on the belt pulley. The pin has 2 positions, as in the photo to engage the inner series of hole, the lower location to engage the outer series of holes (not very many there). It could be very handy.

 

[jd5000]

OK, thanks.......so how do you use it?

 

[paulsomlo]

OK, thanks.......so how do you use it?

Looks like there's a detent ball on the headstock that fits into the groove in the pin. Move the pin forward to engage a hole in the indexing plate - you probably already know this. What you may not know, is that you can set up a carriage over the work piece, a router rides the carriage lengthwise and cuts things like flutes equally spaced around the circumference of the work piece or say, mortices at 90 deg to each other, for table legs.

Here's an example of using the router carriage to taper legs - different usage, but the wooden carriage for the router would be similar: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2025/10/16/tapered-legs-on-the-lathe

 

[RTM]

I could use mine to turn London pattern chisel handles i imagine.

Lock the head every 45° to plane the flats.

London Pattern Handle

Benchcrafted London Pattern Handles are based on the classic English design. Our version was designed in collaboration with Sauer & Steiner Toolworks. Handle with brass ferrule only - No file included

benchcrafted.com

 

[RoninB4]

-As others have already posted this is an indexing feature. The link by @paulsomlo is an example of how to create features on something that would be more difficult to do by hand on the bench. Using a sled that locates, moves the bed length, or crosswise opens up multiple possibilities. What can be created is only limited by your imagination. Another example of an aesthetic detail is below. The indexing capability is a nice feature to have on any wood or metal lathe.

 

[jd5000]

-As others have already posted this is an indexing feature. The link by @paulsomlo is an example of how to create features on something that would be more difficult to do by hand on the bench. Using a sled that locates, moves the bed length, or crosswise opens up multiple possibilities. What can be created is only limited by your imagination. Another example of an aesthetic detail is below. The indexing capability is a nice feature to have on any wood or metal lathe.

OK, I get it now. It locks the piece in the lathe at a specific spot so you can use another instrument (plane, router, etc) to form horizontal patterns.

Thanks all!

 

[PirateTurner]

Critical piece of hardware when creators are making basket weave illusions on bowls. Unless they have a separate wheel to add more graduations. Lock the pin, set the tool rest near the bowl, and draw a line. Rotate and repeat. You will end up with an equal spacing of axial lines.

That's just one use.

I use mine to lock the bowl in a position of choice to concentrate filling cracks and other imperfections.