Delta 46-250 Midi Lathe Question

[BobS]

Long time since I've posted here but been doing a lot of lurking in the
background the past year.

Had a flood last year and thought I had everything in the shop rebuilt /
cleaned-up / tested and repaired....well almost. Had not used the Delta
midi until today and found that the motor was frozen - solid. After
disassembly, I'm not sure it's worth rebuilding - lots of rust. Replacing
the bearings is no big deal but from what I can see, lot's of crude and
corrosion on the windings so it will most likely short out at some point in
time.

An original replacement motor is $147 from DeWalt (Delta) for the 1/2hp
motor (made in China). Was wondering if others had to replace their lathe
motors and found a better replacement than the stock offering? The LA-200
and the model 46-250 (Type 2) use the same motor (#1341864). I've done some
searching for replacements but nothing is coming up as a replacement motor.

I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital)
motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on their
site.

Your comments appreciated,

Bob S.

[BobS]

Post by BobS
I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital)
motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on their
site.
Your comments appreciated,
Bob S.

Just to follow-up. I've requested a parts breakdown on the Jet midi
(708375VS) with the variable speed motor. From the pictures, the frames
look identical and may be possible to use their motor and controller but....
the top pulley is most likely not a step pulley and I would have to replace
that?

Unfortunately, there is no woodworking stores any longer in our area that
carry these items in stock so I can go touchy-feely and see if this is a
possible upgrade. May be just as cost effective to purchase the Jet midi
VS........???

Bob S.

[Patriarch]

Post by BobS

Post by BobS
I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital)
motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on
their site.
Your comments appreciated,
Bob S.

Just to follow-up. I've requested a parts breakdown on the Jet midi
(708375VS) with the variable speed motor. From the pictures, the
frames look identical and may be possible to use their motor and
controller but.... the top pulley is most likely not a step pulley and
I would have to replace that?
Unfortunately, there is no woodworking stores any longer in our area
that carry these items in stock so I can go touchy-feely and see if
this is a possible upgrade. May be just as cost effective to purchase
the Jet midi VS........???
Bob S.

The Jet Mini VS is a really popular little lathe here in the SF Bay
area. When folks resell them, they get back a pretty good piece of
their original investment. A lot of folks though, hold on to them for
the portability and practicality of having a 'to go' tool for the
smaller stuff, even if they let their credit card loose on a larger toy.

In our group, I don't know of anyone using a Delta lathe. Lotsa
Powermatics and Jets, though. Mine's a Jet 1442 with a bed extension.
And the Shopsmith has been relegated to being a disk sander and buffing
station over in the other corner.

Good luck with your repair/replacement. I don't think I'd drop any more
cash on your current lathe. YMMV, though.

Patriarch

[BobS]

Post by Patriarch

Post by BobS

Post by BobS
I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital)
motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on
their site.
Your comments appreciated,
Bob S.

Just to follow-up. I've requested a parts breakdown on the Jet midi
(708375VS) with the variable speed motor. From the pictures, the
frames look identical and may be possible to use their motor and
controller but.... the top pulley is most likely not a step pulley and
I would have to replace that?
Unfortunately, there is no woodworking stores any longer in our area
that carry these items in stock so I can go touchy-feely and see if
this is a possible upgrade. May be just as cost effective to purchase
the Jet midi VS........???
Bob S.

The Jet Mini VS is a really popular little lathe here in the SF Bay
area. When folks resell them, they get back a pretty good piece of
their original investment. A lot of folks though, hold on to them for
the portability and practicality of having a 'to go' tool for the
smaller stuff, even if they let their credit card loose on a larger toy.
In our group, I don't know of anyone using a Delta lathe. Lotsa
Powermatics and Jets, though. Mine's a Jet 1442 with a bed extension.
And the Shopsmith has been relegated to being a disk sander and buffing
station over in the other corner.
Good luck with your repair/replacement. I don't think I'd drop any more
cash on your current lathe. YMMV, though.
Patriarch

Patriarch,

Thanks for the info. It may be better choice to purchase the Jet -if- my
Vicmarc chucks and jaw accessories will fit the Jet. Need to check that out

Thanks,

Bob S.

[r***@gmail.com]

Post by BobS
Thanks for the info. It may be better choice to purchase the Jet -if- my
Vicmarc chucks and jaw accessories will fit the Jet. Need to check that out
Thanks,
Bob S.

You should be OK moving your chucks and accessories from the Delta to
the Jet. The two machines have very similar tool interfaces. Both
the Jet Mini and the Delta Midi have the same 1" x 8 headstock threads
and MT #2 taper. Both tailstocks are MT2, also. Even the two tool
rests have the same 5/8" post hole.

Bob from NC

[BobS]

Post by r***@gmail.com

Post by BobS
Thanks for the info. It may be better choice to purchase the Jet -if- my
Vicmarc chucks and jaw accessories will fit the Jet. Need to check that out
Thanks,
Bob S.

You should be OK moving your chucks and accessories from the Delta to
the Jet. The two machines have very similar tool interfaces. Both
the Jet Mini and the Delta Midi have the same 1" x 8 headstock threads
and MT #2 taper. Both tailstocks are MT2, also. Even the two tool
rests have the same 5/8" post hole.
Bob from NC

Thank you.....

Bob S.

[Prometheus]

Post by BobS

Post by BobS
I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital)
motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on their
site.
Your comments appreciated,
Bob S.

Just to follow-up. I've requested a parts breakdown on the Jet midi
(708375VS) with the variable speed motor. From the pictures, the frames
look identical and may be possible to use their motor and controller but....
the top pulley is most likely not a step pulley and I would have to replace
that?

It wouldn't surprise me if there *is* a step pulley on spindle of the
Jet mini VS. My reeve's drive Delta has one- changing the pulley
location will just shift the possible range of speeds one way or the
other.

Post by BobS
Unfortunately, there is no woodworking stores any longer in our area that
carry these items in stock so I can go touchy-feely and see if this is a
possible upgrade. May be just as cost effective to purchase the Jet midi
VS........???

If you have any way to fabricate a mount for it, I don't see why you
wouldn't be able to use just about any electric motor. In a
worst-case senario, you might have to mount the motor on a shelf below
the table that the lathe is on, sacrificing some portability, but I
can't see any huge problem with using whatever you can find- I'm sure
a 1/2" hp motor can be had for far less than the cost of a new lathe.

[BobS]

Post by Prometheus

Post by BobS

Post by BobS
I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital)
motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on their
site.
Your comments appreciated,
Bob S.

Just to follow-up. I've requested a parts breakdown on the Jet midi
(708375VS) with the variable speed motor. From the pictures, the frames
look identical and may be possible to use their motor and controller but....
the top pulley is most likely not a step pulley and I would have to replace
that?

It wouldn't surprise me if there *is* a step pulley on spindle of the
Jet mini VS. My reeve's drive Delta has one- changing the pulley
location will just shift the possible range of speeds one way or the
other.

Post by BobS
Unfortunately, there is no woodworking stores any longer in our area that
carry these items in stock so I can go touchy-feely and see if this is a
possible upgrade. May be just as cost effective to purchase the Jet midi
VS........???

If you have any way to fabricate a mount for it, I don't see why you
wouldn't be able to use just about any electric motor. In a
worst-case senario, you might have to mount the motor on a shelf below
the table that the lathe is on, sacrificing some portability, but I
can't see any huge problem with using whatever you can find- I'm sure
a 1/2" hp motor can be had for far less than the cost of a new lathe.

Thank you for your input. As I said, I requested a parts manual from Jet but
have not receieved it yet. Portability is a factor with my small shop since
I have no permananent spot for one. When I do want to use it, I clamp it my
bench. Obviously I don't do much turning or it would have a dedicated
spot....

Thanks,

Bob S.

[Prometheus]

Post by BobS

Post by Prometheus
If you have any way to fabricate a mount for it, I don't see why you
wouldn't be able to use just about any electric motor. In a
worst-case senario, you might have to mount the motor on a shelf below
the table that the lathe is on, sacrificing some portability, but I
can't see any huge problem with using whatever you can find- I'm sure
a 1/2" hp motor can be had for far less than the cost of a new lathe.

Thank you for your input. As I said, I requested a parts manual from Jet but
have not receieved it yet. Portability is a factor with my small shop since
I have no permananent spot for one. When I do want to use it, I clamp it my
bench. Obviously I don't do much turning or it would have a dedicated
spot....

One idea, if you're looking to salvage the existing lathe, might be to
put a little trap-door on the surface of the bench you normally clamp
the lathe to. If you've got any room under the benchtop, you could
just let the motor hang, and pull the belt up through the trapdoor
when you want to use the machine. Most of the little wood lathes have
small motors, and it shouldn't be too much of a problem weight-wise.
Probably could get away with a simple hinge on the motor, and allow it
to tension the belt with it's weight, similar to a contractor-style
table saw.

[John Siegel]

Post by Prometheus

Post by BobS

Post by Prometheus
If you have any way to fabricate a mount for it, I don't see why you
wouldn't be able to use just about any electric motor. In a
worst-case senario, you might have to mount the motor on a shelf below
the table that the lathe is on, sacrificing some portability, but I
can't see any huge problem with using whatever you can find- I'm sure
a 1/2" hp motor can be had for far less than the cost of a new lathe.

Thank you for your input. As I said, I requested a parts manual from Jet but
have not receieved it yet. Portability is a factor with my small shop since
I have no permananent spot for one. When I do want to use it, I clamp it my
bench. Obviously I don't do much turning or it would have a dedicated
spot....

One idea, if you're looking to salvage the existing lathe, might be to
put a little trap-door on the surface of the bench you normally clamp
the lathe to. If you've got any room under the benchtop, you could
just let the motor hang, and pull the belt up through the trapdoor
when you want to use the machine. Most of the little wood lathes have
small motors, and it shouldn't be too much of a problem weight-wise.
Probably could get away with a simple hinge on the motor, and allow it
to tension the belt with it's weight, similar to a contractor-style
table saw.

I received a new catalog from Penn State Industries today. They have a kit
called a variable spped upgrade that they say fits both the Jet and
Delta. It has a 1/2 Hp motor and variable speed controller. The blurb
says you may have to drill three holes in the motor mount and it comes
with a template. Price class is $100.

[BobS]

Post by John Siegel
I received a new catalog from Penn State Industries today. They have a kit
called a variable spped upgrade that they say fits both the Jet and Delta.
It has a 1/2 Hp motor and variable speed controller. The blurb says you
may have to drill three holes in the motor mount and it comes with a
template. Price class is $100.

John,

Took a bit of searching and calling PennState to find that VS motor but it's
listed as "TCLVSKIT" code E-10330B and is on special for $84.95 (+ $10
shipping)

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/e-10300b.html

One thing was confusing about the description. They say it fits the "mini"
lathes but after talking with one of the guy's there, it does fit the Delta
46-250 "midi" and even though it's not stated on the page, it's supposedly a
1/2hp motor.

I ordered it and we'll give it a try. They have a 30 return policy and
since I have several other products from Penn State that work as stated - no
big risk.

Thanks to all for your input and I owe you one John.

Thank you,

Bob S.

[mac davis]

On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:51:39 -0400, "BobS" <no-***@here.com> wrote:

As I remember from shopping for my Jet mini, I think the Delta "midi" is the
same size ( 10/14? ) as the Jet mini...

Sort of like labeling condoms as large to aid the ego.. ;-]

Post by BobS

Post by John Siegel
I received a new catalog from Penn State Industries today. They have a kit
called a variable spped upgrade that they say fits both the Jet and Delta.
It has a 1/2 Hp motor and variable speed controller. The blurb says you
may have to drill three holes in the motor mount and it comes with a
template. Price class is $100.

John,
Took a bit of searching and calling PennState to find that VS motor but it's
listed as "TCLVSKIT" code E-10330B and is on special for $84.95 (+ $10
shipping)
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/e-10300b.html
One thing was confusing about the description. They say it fits the "mini"
lathes but after talking with one of the guy's there, it does fit the Delta
46-250 "midi" and even though it's not stated on the page, it's supposedly a
1/2hp motor.
I ordered it and we'll give it a try. They have a 30 return policy and
since I have several other products from Penn State that work as stated - no
big risk.
Thanks to all for your input and I owe you one John.
Thank you,
Bob S.

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[John Siegel]

Post by mac davis
As I remember from shopping for my Jet mini, I think the Delta "midi" is the
same size ( 10/14? ) as the Jet mini...
Sort of like labeling condoms as large to aid the ego.. ;-]

However the Delta came out first. Midi makes some sense since it is
between full size lathes and minis like the Carbatec.

The Delta is also 10" swing. With the bed extension I have done full
size (3" square stock) dining table legs - not bad for a midi.
John