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Machinery Photo Index
Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl.
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class: Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type: Lathe, Wood
Machine Size: 14/11
Submitted By: Frans Grove
Machine Specifications
Description/Model: 46-111 4-speed wood lathe
Date of Manufacturer: 1980
Serial Number: LG1250 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated 4/14/2006 3:54:57 PM

Comments:
This is a Rockwell era lathe I purchased on ebay in December 2005. The seller had a full furniture making workshop when he got divorced and he then stored all his tools in the basement of the townhouse he was living in for the last 8 years. He had it listed for $200 without any photos, but got no bids. I contacted him afterwards and got it for $150. He bought it at a used machine tool dealer around 1990.

I knew the Rockwell era tools cannot compare to the earlier pre-1970 Delta in quality, but this lathe is great condition and was not used a lot. The important point for me was that it was not badly damaged and it was complete with all the parts. It even came with the original Delta 8 piece lathe tool set. The only part in the pictures below that's not original is the 6" (non Delta) steel faceplate. I bought that from fellow OWWMer Mike Heidelbaugh. The seller told me he still has the original 3" faceplate somewhere in a box and he will send it to me when he finds it.

It came with a very nice 3/4 HP Craftsman motor that looks like it was hardly used. It also has a nice ball bearing live center that's in good shape. The spindle bearings were bad and had to be replaced. All the exposed metal had significant rust. The seller said when he was moving into the townhouse, it was raining and the movers left all his tools in his driveway in the rain. All the rust cleaned up very nicely with a wire brush wheel, razor blades and scotch brite pads with WD40. I did not like the black paint, which looked like it was the original. After cleaning and rust removal I repainted with Rustoleum Dark Machine Gray.

This was a great restoration and I am very happy with its performance. The only part that I plan to replace is the switch. It works, but it looks horrible and I do not like the "light switch". I will replace it with a push button switch.

Photo 1:

Comments: As I brought it home
Source: My
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Photo 2:

Comments: Completed
Source: My Kodak PowerShot
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Photo 3:

Comments: Close up of tools & accessories
Source: My Kodak PowerShot
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