Opinion needed on DELTA LA200 MIDI LATHE

That lathe & chuck for $200 is not bad if it runs smooth and complete. Won’t know until you go look, see, & hear the lathe run. Cannot answer whether good beginner lathe until know what want to turn. Small bowls & spindle projects should not be a problem with lathe if runs good.

-- Bill

price is pretty good if in good shape,new about 600.i had one years ago that i used for pen turning.it’s a good lathe to start with to make pens small turning’s or small bowls.mine didn’t have vs so ive now got a small jet with vs.if it’s in good shape id go for it.

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

If it is in good shape, that is a decent price I would think. The sell new for $600 stand is another $170. I have had one for quite a few year. Still running strong. Good lathe for beginning. You won’t make anything real big on it. I actually went from a big lathe down to the mini because I had no desire to make big stuff. I could save some space in my little shop.

-- “We all die. The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk

As others have pointed out, price isn’t bad if it runs and hasn’t been mistreated or shows excessive wear and tear.

Be advised, however, that Delta discontinued this lathe a long time ago, and parts/service may be difficult/impossible.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

As others have pointed out, price isn t bad if it runs and hasn t been mistreated or shows excessive wear and tear.

Be advised, however, that Delta discontinued this lathe a long time ago, and parts/service may be difficult/impossible.

- TheDane

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Here is the lathe I mentioned above.

The chuck alone is probably worth half the asking price.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

oopss I miss spoke. I was thinking 46-460, which is what I have. I don’t know what the difference is but I do not know anything about a 49-460. It looks a lot like mine. I wonder if the parts are interchangeable.

-- “We all die. The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk

Ok so something’s have came up and I have not picked up this lathe yet, however a couple others have popped up all for the same price.

DELTA LA200 MIDI LATHE Model 49 The lathe and chuck for $200

WEN 8” x 13” wood lathe with 1/3 HP variable speed drive (New) for $200

Central Machinery Lathe with carving tools, pen press kit, assorted pen blanks and aftermarket NOVA chuck for $200

How do these three compare?

Unless there are problems with the Delta, I wouldn’t touch either the WEN or the Central Machinery (Harbor Freight) lathes.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

The Delta is probably a better lathe than either the HF or Wen. The HF mini lathe is not a terrible lathe and you get the pen press and turning (not carving?) chisels but you don’t say which chisels come with it so it is hard to say whether they are even worth having.

-- Nathan, TX -- Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

yeah of the 3 id stay with the delta.

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I have the Delta 46-250 which is the LA200 before they changed the name. Mine came out of a Jr high school wood shop a couple years back and seems to have survived well. The only visible damage was that the belt had been broken and the point on the drive center was broke off. Likely from a drop on the concrete. Replacement belts are easy to find on the internet and even available through amazon. If I remember correctly I paid ~$150 for the lathe only; this was part of a bulk purchase hence the estimate. I later added a Nova G3 chuck. It is my first lathe and my turning is infrequent. So far it has been a solid little lathe for my needs. I just wish I could find a bed extension which is a bit of an Easter egg hunt given it has been discontinued.

Here is a pic when I first brought it home.

And the first bowl I turned on it.

Old lesson “if you snooze you lose,” certainly true for OP’s original post
looks like that Delta no longer available!
https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/search/tla?query=wood+lathe

Could this one be in the running?
https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/tls/d/delray-beach-delta-wood-lathe/7010044266.html

Only lathe on the page that thought worth a look cause not sure if ever saw one before:
https://www.harveywoodworking.com/products/turbo-t-40-wood-lathe

Could be wrong but think this lathe a Jet 1642 even if wrong worth the money if runs good. Yes would try and bargain for better price!
https://staugustine.craigslist.org/tls/d/saint-augustine-jet-wood-lathe/7019157262.html

-- Bill

yeah good deals wait for no one

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.