Help deciding purchase

[jdoolitt]

I'd like to solicite the help/opinion of you folks regarding a purchase decision I am making. Primer - I haven't turned a piece of wood since 8th grade (35 years ago), so I am going to be very much a beginner. I would like to purchase a lathe to turn spindles, bowls, pens, etc... I have limited funds.

Deal #1: Friends 5 year old Delta ($200.00)
A friend of mine has a Delta 46-701 which he will sell to me. It has the stand, is in great working order (he upgraded) and he is throwing in a Nova Chuck. He lives in another state - but has family which will deliver it a few hours from my house. This lathe has had miexed reviews: http://www.woodnet.net/reviews/archive/lathes/

Deal #2: Harbor Freight 34706 ($169.00 + tax)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34706
Is on sale now for $179 less $10 off = 169.00. There is a HF located about 15 minutes from me... I would get local support / warranty? yadda yadda --- AND there are several folks on this forum and others who have this same system.

Choices, choices??

All input is appreciated -

thanks

[Scottydont]

Reasons to buy the Delta over the HF.

Short answer:
1) Great deal with the Nova Chuck
2) You won't have to struggle putting the HF together with it's crappy instructions.
3) You won't have to remove the cosmoline they put on the HF lathe when you put it together. (YUK!)


The long answer:
I would jump on the Delta Lathe for the Chuck if nothing else. That Delta (or any other lathe of that style including the HF) get bad raps more so because of the skimpy stands. The manufacturers do that to get the price down for "intro class" full size lathes. Their higher dollar brothers are more vibration free when turning larger bowls or roughing out larger stock because the stands are much heavier. That lathe can be improved by adding weight in the form of concrete blocks or sandbags.

Go for it! If it's in Washington or Oregon I would buy it!

[Chuck C]

It looks like the Delta 46-701 is variable speed. That, the free nova chuck and no tax makes me select Deal #1(quickly), The JET seems to be the most popular on this site for small turnings. You'll get all the support you can handle from this forum no mstter what you choose. The people here are more than willing to help you.

[mudder]

That Delta is the better deal by far.

I have a Delta 1400 Ironbed which is the 46-701. I think yours is a generation or two ahead of mine. The delta has done all that I have asked of it.


Mudder

[kwgeorge]

Take the DELTA!

[jdoolitt]

Thanks for the advice all. I'll snag the Delta. Scott - the lathe is in Oregon - but at this point, I probably shouldn't say where.

Thanks again -

Joe (soon to be turnin')

[jdoolitt]

Ugh - Now the JET mini is on Amazon sale (today only) for ~ 175.00 delivered.

First lathe... would this be a mistake, or will I need the headroom the Delta would give me?

[Scottydont]

For me it was more of a "room in the shop" issue. I know many turners who started with the Jet mini and moved up and still keep there mini's around. I am thinking of getting another one to mount a Beall buffer mandrel in. Either way I think you would do fine. If you find that you don't like it you can sell it for at least what you paid for it.

[kwgeorge]

I would still take the Delta deal as it is sweet. The Jet mini's seem to go on sale quite often and you can always get it later.

[bmyers]

No, don't listen to any of them! Get the Harbor Frieght lathe.

Now, what is your friends phone number?

Just kidding. Go grab that Delta and chuck fast.

Bill

[Hoover]

Cosmoline? Don't forget Napalm, saltpeter for the food, salt tablets, C-Rations and penicillin!!!Sorry old GI flashback[:0]

[jdoolitt]

Thanks folks. I'll sit tight for the Delta. Just wanted to avoid a forehead slap tomorrow. ;~)