New lathe, Delta 46-460 or Nova Comet II

[Wendell Steele]

Great site everyone. Going to charge one of the above at Home Depot. Will be doing smaller bowls and vases etc. I know the 46-460 seems better but has had issues in the past with switches.

Thanks for any help.

[Harold Wright]

I had a 46-460 for 3 years. Turned lots of stuff including bowls. Never had a minute of trouble. Parts are available if needed.

[Wendell Steele]

Thank you for your input Mr. Wright.

[Michael Mason]

I too have had a 46-460 for three years and have had no issues. It turned several hundred bowls before I got my large lathe. It is still working fine.

[Dick Strauss]

I just noticed a price of $530 at HD with free ship to home or store. Amazon has this price too. I think it is a good little lathe.

[Wendell Steele]

Thank you, gentlemen. I want the delta but reading the stories from a few years back was making me hesitant on getting it.

[Doug Ladendorf]

What is the "Nova Delta"? Do you mean the Comet?

[Wendell Steele]

What is the "Nova Delta"? Do you mean the Comet?

Yes meant the Nova Comet II.

[David C. Roseman]

Wendell, the Delta 46-460 is well regarded, as comments in this thread show. I have turned a bit on both it and the Nova Comet II, and they are both nice little lathes. However, for what it's worth, I'll pass on something an international rock-star turning instructor pointed out to us at a workshop recently regarding the construction and rigidity of the Delta's headstock casting. With the belt-access cover flipped up, notice that the back side of the inboard wall of the headstock casting is unsupported across the top and on the side that faces the operator. With moderate pressure with his hand on the inboard side, simulating firm pressure with a gouge while turning, he was able to flex the casting.

This isn't an issue turning small objects, but the lathe is marketed as having a 12-1/2" swing. The instructor's point was that on a bowl approaching that size, the flex in the headstock casting can significantly affect the quality of cut. He says he pointed this out several years ago to the Delta engineers.

By contrast, on the Nova Comet II, there is a brace across the top of the belt-access opening on the operator side to stiffen the headstock against that type of flex.

As I say, I pass this comment along for what it's worth to you. It may not be an issue for the type of turning you plan to do.

[Dan Masshardt]

Supposedly the parts issue has been worked out with delta.

I have and like the jet 1221 but I think the newer rikon is one of the most midi lathes for the money.

[Michael Mason]

Wendell, the Delta 46-460 is well regarded, as comments in this thread show. I have turned a bit on both it and the Nova Comet II, and they are both nice little lathes. However, for what it's worth, I'll pass on something an international rock-star turning instructor pointed out to us at a workshop recently regarding the construction and rigidity of the Delta's headstock casting. With the belt-access cover flipped up, notice that the back side of the inboard wall of the headstock casting is unsupported across the top and on the side that faces the operator. With moderate pressure with his hand on the inboard side, simulating firm pressure with a gouge while turning, he was able to flex the casting.

This isn't an issue turning small objects, but the lathe is marketed as having a 12-1/2" swing. The instructor's point was that on a bowl approaching that size, the flex in the headstock casting can significantly affect the quality of cut. He says he pointed this out several years ago to the Delta engineers.

By contrast, on the Nova Comet II, there is a brace across the top of the belt-access opening on the operator side to stiffen the headstock against that type of flex.

As I say, I pass this comment along for what it's worth to you. It may not be an issue for the type of turning you plan to do.

Maybe I was just lucky, but everything I turned on mine was near maximum swing and I hogged it off with a 5/8 gouge as hard as that little motor would go.

[Wendell Steele]

Supposedly the parts issue has been worked out with delta.

I have and like the jet 1221 but I think the newer rikon is one of the most midi lathes for the money.

Which Rikon model ?

[Wendell Steele]

Wendell, the Delta 46-460 is well regarded, as comments in this thread show. I have turned a bit on both it and the Nova Comet II, and they are both nice little lathes. However, for what it's worth, I'll pass on something an international rock-star turning instructor pointed out to us at a workshop recently regarding the construction and rigidity of the Delta's headstock casting. With the belt-access cover flipped up, notice that the back side of the inboard wall of the headstock casting is unsupported across the top and on the side that faces the operator. With moderate pressure with his hand on the inboard side, simulating firm pressure with a gouge while turning, he was able to flex the casting.

This isn't an issue turning small objects, but the lathe is marketed as having a 12-1/2" swing. The instructor's point was that on a bowl approaching that size, the flex in the headstock casting can significantly affect the quality of cut. He says he pointed this out several years ago to the Delta engineers.

By contrast, on the Nova Comet II, there is a brace across the top of the belt-access opening on the operator side to stiffen the headstock against that type of flex.

As I say, I pass this comment along for what it's worth to you. It may not be an issue for the type of turning you plan to do.

Thanks for the info. While watching some videos on the Comet I noticed some slippage on a 10in bowl. Dull tools could have attributed to it.

[Brian Kent]

I would like to know more about Delta resolving their parts issue. I had to get to Better Business Bureau and certified letter to the president before I got a part. That was a couple of years ago. Has anybody been able to get an on/off switch or speed control in this last year?

IF the parts problem is solved, then I would recommend the lathe. It is very smooth. I plan to upgrade next year for size, but it has done all I asked of it.

[Michael Mills]

I have the Comet and have not had a problem. You do have to take lighter cuts as the size increases. I can not compare it to the Delta.
I do not know HD's price but Tools Plus has the Comet for $515 with a free G3 (& free shipping).
http://tools-plus-neutron2.ecomm-search.com/searchresults.html?query=nova+comet&et=4b04840e&vwentropy=1258487150&x=25&y=13

[Dale Barger]

I have the Nova Comet II and I really like the lathe. I mostly turn small items such as pens. But I also have been turning small segmented vessels lately. I have no real complaints about the Nova. I have turned a vase that is just over 9inches in diameter and 14 inches tall. This vase was about the max for the lathe as far as size is concerned. I was really impressed with the power to turn that big of a piece with no real problems.

I have never turned on the delta so I cannot offer anything of value there. However, if I were in the market for a midi lathe the Nova Comet II would be at the top of my list.

[Marvin Hasenak]

Which Rikon model ?

I think he talking about the Rikon Midi lathe 70-220vsr, about $650 at most of sellers. I have the low end Rikon in my shop in New Mexico, none of the bells and whistles, and I love it. I used to bleed Delta grey, but after the parts fiasco with the new owners, I went with the Rikon brand in my little shop in New Mexico, I have their lathe, a drill press, a grinder, and their bandsaw. My only Delta there is my old 1972 lathe that I use for long spindles, for it I don't need Delta parts, I can buy the bearings anywhere over the counter.