Old Delta Lathe

[Jacksback]

My Dad was a pattern maker and he had a delta lathe he brought home when he retired. That was a while ago and he has sinced past on.
I know nothing about these tools other than what they are used for. I have no idea if it works. I vagely remember he said the motor didn't work but i'm not sure.
I have attached a few pictures in the hopes someone could tell me if has any potential value.
Thank you in advance

 

[andywander]

That is a woodworking lathe. I would guess you might get $100 for it.

 

[cnc-me]

Put it on E-Bay, most likely it will go in the $250-$300 range.

 

[WWIIjeep]

It's a 12" Model 1460 from the early 1940s, and it's worth far more in parts than it is whole. Do an eBay search for Delta lathe parts and you'll see what I mean.

On the other hand, it was your dad's lathe. Maybe that has some importance to you and you should keep it for yourself, or if you have any kids. Or maybe you'd like to see it go whole to someone who will use it and appreciate it. They were very good wood lathes, better than many new ones, and they can still be made to run well, hence why the parts bring good money.

 

[Jacksback]

Thank you for your replies. I would prefer it to go to someone who has interest in useing it as opposed to someone who would sell it for parts. I would be happy with giving it away to the right person. My mother has had a few people look at it but the never took it.
Again, Thanks for your replies, I apprecite the help.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I just paid $100 for one in better condition with a motor. That is because it was all in parts. Cleaned up and working, they go for $250-350.

jack vines

 

[Jere]

Thats a nice one, it's not that hard to put a new motor in for someone a little mechanically inclined. Some car polish and wax would really bring the life out of that thing. Where are you located?

 

[RCStocker]

That is form the 60's and is a home lathe. I have a 1979 model I have commercial wood turning lathes. I picked this one up for my kids to play with. They never used it. They run $100 to $150 in good shape. Yours has seen a lot of salt air and is not in good condition. It is missing the top pulley cover. It is not worth much. I have been buying and selling tools and machinery for over 50 years. Lathes have really come a long way sense this home version was made. It is worth more to part out. I would put $50 on it and be glad it was gone. I have had my new model in my second hand store for 8 months at $125 and still had no want it. Mine is in mint condition.
If you have any good carving tools or lathe tools you will find you have something good but if they are cheap they are worth very little. I have a lot of pattern makers chisels and carving tools I have huge 2 inch gouges. I have a duplicator and your model lathe is not even good for that. Just simple home turning. As rough as it is I would say the shaft and bearings are shot.

 

[zkling]

That is form the 60's and is a home lathe. I have a 1979 model It is not worth much. I have been buying and selling tools and machinery for over 50 years. Lathes have really come a long way sense this home version was made. It is worth more to part out.

Close, but not quite. Just because someone has been doing something a long time, it doesn't mean that they know what they are talking about.

That is definitely a late 30's to early 40's Delta model 1460, 12" lathe. A very common lathe. Early 40's based on the 3 stripe delta badge and the serial number badge. In the 60's the badges read Delta / Rockwell. OP, post the serial number and I can narrow it down further for you.

Jacksback,

It is a good lathe, and very capable for the home shop. As mentioned the headstock pulley cover is missing. Do you have the motor and respective pulley for it?

Other than that it looks complete. Both face plates, standard tool rest and drive center. Also looks like half of the metal working compound sitting on the table. It is in fair condition given its age. Definitely something that could be fixed up easily. However without a running motor you are probably looking at ~$50 to sell everything depending on what other parts you have. It is going to require some work and money to get it running right. What kind of base it is mounted on? Originally they came with cast iron legs.

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow, when will the hip shooting stop?

A little surface rust does NOT automatically mean the bearings are shot. I DON'T consider that to be in terrible shape for a wood lathe and it would probably clean up beautifully, IMO.

Find someone that would appreciate it. Post your general location and someone here may want it...

 

[WWIIjeep]

Thanks zkling and Outlawmws. You guys saved me some typing. Basically, the only thing RCStocker got right was the missing pulley cover, a very common missing part on those lathes.

I can see enough of the serial number in the OP's first photo to very confidently say the lathe was made in 1941. At the time, it was Delta's top-of-the-line wood lathe. Hundreds--even thousands--of them were used in industrial arts wood shops in schools all over the US for many years.

The OP's lathe is in far better shape than my 1947 lathe of the same model was when I got it. Here's mine, so the OP can see what the missing pulley cover looks like in case it's sitting somewhere in his dad's shop:



As for the spindle bearings, after 72 years, I'd expect them to need replacing. It's an easy fix for anyone with a little mechanical know-how, and then the lathe will be good for another 70 years.

 

[Stuart in MN]

At the time, it was Delta's top-of-the-line wood lathe. Hundreds--even thousands--of them were used in industrial arts wood shops in schools all over the US for many years.

I have the same lathe, from about the same era (mid 1940s). My dad was a high school shop teacher, and bought it for the school shop. By the time he retired the lathe had been sitting in the back room for years, and the school gave it to him. I got it after he passed away. They're great machines, and will last forever.

 

[cnc-me]

Thanks zkling and Outlawmws. You guys saved me some typing. Basically, the only thing RCStocker got right was the missing pulley cover, a very common missing part on those lathes.

I can see enough of the serial number in the OP's first photo to very confidently say the lathe was made in 1941. At the time, it was Delta's top-of-the-line wood lathe. Hundreds--even thousands--of them were used in industrial arts wood shops in schools all over the US for many years.

The OP's lathe is in far better shape than my 1947 lathe of the same model was when I got it. Here's mine, so the OP can see what the missing pulley cover looks like in case it's sitting somewhere in his dad's shop:



As for the spindle bearings, after 72 years, I'd expect them to need replacing. It's an easy fix for anyone with a little mechanical know-how, and then the lathe will be good for another 70 years.

Exactly, he's got a good machine it's worth more than $50
especially with all those other "goodies" shown in the pictures.
I would like to know how the new lathes are much different from this, other than not being made as heavily.
Slap a three phase motor and VFD on it and presto, variable speed.
Someone looking to get into wood turning, or even metal spinning this would be a good machine to get.

 

[sillwic9]

I would be love to add it to my collection of vintage delta tools. I've been learning to restore them. I have the 14" bandsaw and drill press. A 24" scroll saw and a 4" jointer.


Sent from right here.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I would like to know how the new lathes are much different from this, other than not being made as heavily.

To get a better "new" lathe than the old Delta 1460 you have to spend some pretty good money to get into the larger, heavier, sizes of Powermatic or Jet or General lathes, or even more money for a Oneway lathe. For example, the General 16018 or 26020 would be good choices as a step up from the Delta 1460, but they'll set you back several grand. Beginners don't need to start out that way.

As you say, slap a 3-phase motor and VFD on it, and spend a little time cleaning it up and replacing the spindle bearings, and you've made the equivalent of a medium-duty new lathe for a LOT less money.

Allowing for the benefit of the doubt, maybe RCStocker was confusing this Delta 1460 12" lathe with the old Delta Homecraft 11" lathes. There's absolutely no comparison, except that they both used the same tool rests and had the same 1"-8 thread on the spindle. Even at that, a lot of people have done some pretty good work on the old Homecraft 11" lathes.

Someone looking to get into wood turning, or even metal spinning this would be a good machine to get.

For wood turning, absolutely. For metal spinning, it's a little light, although people have used them that way. For metal spinning you'd be far better off with the later heavier Delta 46-400 or 46-450, or Powermatic 90, or Oliver 159M, the latter being truly intended for metal spinning as well as wood turning.

 

[zkling]

Thanks zkling and Outlawmws. You guys saved me some typing. Basically, the only thing RCStocker got right was the missing pulley cover, a very common missing part on those lathes.

No problem man, just trying to keep it informative to the OP. It becomes evident quickly of those members that always have to add their incorrect knowledge, even if it is based on years of "experience"

Although I do still agree and stand by the ~$50 sale price. Just trying to be realistic for a sale on craigslist or the like to the general masses. Very few folks are willing to work on an old machine. I personally love my OWWM Without the motor and being able to see it run, it would only be considered a parts / project machine. Now if the OP decided to part it out it he could get quite a bit more money, but that is his decision.

I would definitely NOT try to spin metal on that lathe. Unless you were talking some super soft metal and minimal forming needed.



Jacksback,
If you ever wanted to get into wood turning, now would be the time. Probably won't find a better machine for the price ever. Plus with the family history and all.

Just remember, machines like this helped win the war, put us on the moon, and helped bring life to many inventions over the years. Most of them are only limited by the operator.

 

[gcw804]

Hi,
Is the lathe still for sale, and do you have additional pictures.

Thanks,

Gary Williams

 

[Jim C.]

That is form the 60's and is a home lathe. I have a 1979 model I have commercial wood turning lathes. I picked this one up for my kids to play with. They never used it. They run $100 to $150 in good shape. Yours has seen a lot of salt air and is not in good condition. It is missing the top pulley cover. It is not worth much. I have been buying and selling tools and machinery for over 50 years. Lathes have really come a long way sense this home version was made. It is worth more to part out. I would put $50 on it and be glad it was gone. I have had my new model in my second hand store for 8 months at $125 and still had no want it. Mine is in mint condition.
If you have any good carving tools or lathe tools you will find you have something good but if they are cheap they are worth very little. I have a lot of pattern makers chisels and carving tools I have huge 2 inch gouges. I have a duplicator and your model lathe is not even good for that. Just simple home turning. As rough as it is I would say the shaft and bearings are shot.

Priceless!!! Yet another classic response from one of my favorite "entertainers" here at the GJ!! Off the cuff, rambling, inaccurate, boastful, and mildly insulting. Well done sir.....

As for the lathe, it is definitely pre-1950s. It's a well made old machine and with a little work will clean up very nicely. Parts are not impossible to find. Check out the Vintage Machiinery site and you'll find more information about that lathe and many other old machines. Old Delta machines have a true fan base, because they're great machines, particularly from that era. Nice machine.

Jim C.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Hi,
Is the lathe still for sale, and do you have additional pictures.

Thanks,

Gary Williams

The original poster hasn't been back here since June, so chances are they won't see this message.

 

[fartymarty]

I'm obviously reviving a very old thread from the dead, but I didn't know where else to post this.

As mentioned earlier (much earlier ), many of the old Delta 1460 Wood lathes are missing the upper pulley cover. The 1957 one I am restoring for my nephew is the same. At first I was thinking I could cut and reshape a piece of Tupperware into a cover that would be good enough but then I thought maybe that should be my fall back plan. Anyway using some steel strap ,and 16p nails, and epoxy, and Popsicle sticks, and Bondo, I made a fairly good replica (in my highly biased opinion) of the original cover. I might have even improved it a bit by adding a blocking plate that will prevent the indexing pin from being accidentally bumped into a spinning pulley. Admittedly my attempt to make it look a bit bumpy like the original sand casting was a bit over done, but I've decided my nephew can fix that up himself if he wants perfection in a gift. It does not have the opening in the back like the original did to accommodate bench mount motor belt clearance. It ended up weighing 2 lbs 1 ounce.

Here are some progression photos bad welding and all.

 

[RoninB4]

I think you did a nice job.