DeltaMIDI‑LATHE Modular Bed Extension

It fits my Delta lathe easy with 6 bolts - 4 to the main lathe bed and 2 to the bench. Aligns perfectly.

Wanted a Time Saver Got a Time Eater.Had an older Delta Midi Lathe. Needed an extension to do some longer pieces. Extensions for my older lathe were no longer available. Seriously looked at some very nice longer lathes. Decided to buy a new Delta lathe with extension table and stand. I was not prepared for all the work required to put it in to operation. I am NOT a perfectionist. Just needed something to turn some items longer than 15 inches. I hope to someday be happy with this machine. So far it has been a time eater with nothing to show. This review is for all three components:1. Delta Industrial 46-460 12-1/2-Inch Variable-Speed Midi LatheSpent a great deal of the time just getting the lathe ready to use. The basic machine seems to ‘operate’ the way I would expect. I AM looking forward to actually using it. But for now, because of the issues with the lathe bed, the extension and the extension stand, I had to use a friend’s lathe for the intended project. Honestly, I’ve not been able to do much more than get it usable in the weeks I’ve had it. My time working on the turning project was spent on a friend’s machine.Bed Bumps. The bed has several casting spurs underneath that prohibit the tools from moving easily along the surface. Especially near the edge furthest from the head stock. Spent a great deal of time grinding, filing and sanding. (See Pictures)2. Delta Industrial 46-463 Modular Midi-Lathe Bed ExtensionMANY HUGE BED BUMPS edges and underneath. Lots of time getting this extension to fit properly and allow the tailstock and tool-rest to move the length of the bed. (Picture)3. Delta Industrial 46-464 Midi-Lathe Modular Stand ExtensionOMG! Center post had to be for a different model. The threads for the center support were too small (had to tap them to accept the foot). However, even when the foot was fully extended, it would not reach the floor. None of the holes were appropriately placed on the top and I had to essentially measure and drill new holes to set the center platform correctly. (Pictures)Even my dog was wondering why I was spending so much time on this. I’ve now got it into my shop and could actually start using it. I even bought a new set of carbide cutters …..But every time I look at it, I get a bit angry. I love my shop and my tools. Emotions come unbidden. I’m looking forward to feeling better about this purchase, but I smack myself for not getting one of the higher end machines with a longer bed.

The media could not be loaded.  1. The Lathe Bed Extension (LBE) MUST BE ABSOLUTELY FLUSH with the lathe bed. I had the lathe bed and the extension probably about 1/128th or less difference in vertical or horizontal alignment and the tail stock would not slide over without my beech wood mallet forcing it over. See Video. What FINALLY got it to work was to loosen each of the 4 screws a tiny bit, then whale on it with the beech wood mallet until it aligned perfectly....which took about 10 seconds of whacking. then I re-tightened the 4 connecting screws real tight. I read all the reviews on Amazon saying that they don't line up properly, or they are not milled properly... but i have to say it may be the purchaser...NOT IN ALL CASES... but if what they experienced was what I experienced then it was just lack of knowledge.. I did go through a series of trial and errors to fix the problem which took probably around 30-60 minutes to solve, and you can see what I thought were the solutions in the video attached. email me with any questions you may have....nick@valenzawood.com

Well made, stout and rock solid sums it up pretty well.. I finally got around to rebuilding my bench to accommodate the extension. After some initial fit up issues caused by my inattentiveness, it went together well. There is a slight difference in the slot width that makes the key at the bottom of my tailstock bang into the joint where the two pieces meet, but I light touch with a dressing stone from my Dremmel tool smoothed it out. The important alignment, that of the top milled portions of the beds went well. As a previous reviewer stated, alignment of the tops of the beds is simplified by using the tailstock as a clamp. I only glanced at the installation instructions from Delta and went about making the bolted connections only find that I had aligned the tops of the beds, but the slot opening was off a little and my tailstock was caught. After reading the instructions closely, I found that there were clear instructions about how to align the slot before aligning the bed tops. After final set up, everything works smoothly and I am looking forward to the extra capacity this will give me.

I had read a few reviews of the extension and If Delta would cast in a tenon and grove it would be even easier to install, If you take your time and align one side using the top bolt on that side then slowly move other side up to be flush then your done very easy. I wonder of the folks who had troubles ensured their bench was level and square, Mine was not, So I fixed that and the rest was easy. Made my 46-460 even better tool.

There were 2 ereas of concern. First the finsh was rough it definitely dies not have the polished bed like the lathe. Second the bed is not the same size as the lathe bed. What i mean by that is the cut out area where the banjo and tail stock attach is slightly smaller than the lathe its self. However it does just work after some really fine adjustments.Over all this product works as it should but took extra adjustments to get it there. I was close to thinking it may need to be returned. So I will give it a rating of 4 stars because of the fit and finish issues.

Put together and the tail stock wouldn't slide past the joint. Loosened the bolts used the tail stock for a clamp and retightened. Done. Didn't have bolts to fasten the end down will have to get some in the AM. I would recommend highly.

I did have to drill out the holes a little as stated in a few other reviews but that was a small inconvenience. After drilling the holes out I used the tail stock to align the extension and locked down the bolts. I am happy with this purchase and have used the extra length for a few projects already.