Wherefore Beaver?

Someone in Canada in search of parts has inquired which model of Beaver lathe most closely resembles the Rockwell/Delta 46-140. It is the Beaver 3400 lathe. They have inboard and outboard spindle thread sizes in common, thus faceplates and drive centers will be interchangeable. Just from looking at the photos over at OWWM it is almost certainly the case that the bed ways, headstock and tailstock of the later models will be interchangeable with the 46-140 as well. Look up the Beaver 3400 lathe on OWWM and you'll find considerable information there, including a manual that describes the procedure for removing the spindle from the headstock. The most significant difference (from reading the manuals -- I do not own a Beaver nor have I ever touched a living, breathing 3400) is that the headstock spindle of the older models from the early 50's would accept #2 MT tooling, whereas later ones were solid. I have no idea whether the spindle from one will fit the other or vice versa.

Replacement Headstock Spindle Bearings

Fortunately for me, I have never had to replace the spindle bearings on my lathe. However, the guys over at OWWM who have traveled this road before highly recommend that you call the Accurate Bearing Company for parts and guidance. Here is some important guidance on how best to proceed with placing your order.

At the time of this posting, here's a link to the only discussion I can find over at OWWM on how to remove the headstock spindle and bearings for the 46-140 and similar Beaver lathes. If you're at all unsure how to go about it then by all means join OWWM and post a question there.

Source of Accessories In The U.S.

Updated 25-Oct-2010

Busy Bee's web site says that they will ship internationally. You have to phone them however to ascertain shipping costs. I don't know how recent this development is or how expensive it is, but I just happened to notice it this evening. Anyway, at least there is a theoretical possibility that owners of the 46-140 and Beaver 3400 lathes can get parts a little more easily.

N.B. After doing a little more searching I have learned that the Grizzly and Busy Bee faceplates are Steelex brand. These faceplates and their respective inserts will occasionally turn up on Amazon and eBay and various other online tool retailers.

• 8-inch faceplate (unthreaded)
  
  
• 4-jaw independent chuck (unthreaded)
  
  
• 7/8-14 spindle adapter (for inboard use)
  
  
• 3/4-16 left hand spindle adapter (for outboard use)

I personally do not own any of the above so I can't vouch for the quality of the items. If you have one or more of these you are invited to post a comment to this article for the benefit of those who follow.

I have since acquired a Steelex faceplate. See this post.

Canadian Source of Parts and Accessories

N.B Hyperlinks updated as of 21-Sep-2010.

U.S. Shipping info added 25-Oct-2010

Busy Bee of Canada stocks a number of 7/8-14 RH and 3/4-16 LH headstock accessories as well as Nova and Oneway scroll chucks, accessory jaw sets and standard Morse Taper tooling. Since the 46-140 was manufactured in Ontario it makes sense you'll be more likely to find parts and accessories there. Their web site says that they now ship to the U.S. and generally internationally, which formerly had not been the case, however it is necessary to phone them to find out the shipping costs involved.

• 6-inch faceplates (already threaded for 7/8-14)
  
  
• 8-inch faceplate (unthreaded) and required 7/8-14 spindle adapter (for inboard turning) or required 3/4-16 left hand spindle adapter (for outboard turning)
  
  
• 6-inch, 4-jaw independent chuck (for holding square and irregularly shaped objects) and required 7/8-14 spindle adapter or required 3/4-16 left hand spindle adapter (for outboard turning)
  
  
• 6-inch, 3-jaw independent chuck (for holding square and irregularly shaped objects) and required 7/8-14 spindle adapter or required 3/4-16 left hand spindle adapter (for outboard turning)
  
  
• 7/8-14 insert for Nova scroll chucks
  
  
• Cole jaw set for Nova chucks
  
  
• No-name brand scroll chuck and required 7/8-14 spindle adapter.
  
  
• Accessory pin jaw set for no-name scroll chuck, above.
  
  
• MT#1 live tailstock center

Obtaining Replacement Factory Parts

Delta does not seem to maintain online information for this lathe. However, it may be possible to obtain parts or service from one of Delta's factory authorized service centers.

Alternatively, online sites such as ToolPartsDirect or Ace Tool Repair appear to have many but by no means all factory authorized replacement parts available online. (Scroll down past the schematics to see the parts price list.)

As you will discover these are by far the most expensive options for those of you who may be trying to restore a vintage lathe. I have personally not had the need to go this route myself, but would be interested in hearing from anyone who has. Please feel free to post a comment to this article.

I have observed that parts, chisel sets, faceplates, and entire lathes do occasionally turn up on auction sites like eBay (that's how I got my lathe, as it happens). When dealing with headstock accessories in particular, it would be wise to ask the seller to provide the Delta part number that is cast into say, the back of the faceplate. That way you can check it against the published parts list to ensure that you're getting one that will actually fit your lathe. Many sellers don't know or have the means to measure the thread pitch of the items they sell.

You may also have luck finding used machines or parts at the Old Woodworking Machines "Bring Out Your Dead" forum. You must first register with owwm.org in order to participate there, however.