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Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe is cheaper at $1199.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe or Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe?

The Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe is the cheaper at $1199.99. The Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe
US price $5999 $1199.99
BrandPowermaticDelta
Released
Swing over bed (in) 20 12.5
Distance between centers (in) 36 16.5
Motor power hp 2 1
Speed range (rpm) 15-3200 250-700 / 600-1800 / 1350-4000
Variable speed Yes Yes
Spindle thread 1-1/4 x 8 TPI 1 x 8 TPI RH
Bed material Cast iron Cast iron
Tailstock taper MT2 MT2
Weight (lb) 726 97

Sources — Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe: powermatic.com (verified 2026-08-01). Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe: web.archive.org (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe and Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Swing over bed (in): Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe 20 vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 12.5
  • Distance between centers (in): Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe 36 vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 16.5
  • Motor power hp: Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe 2 vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 1
  • Speed range (rpm): Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe 15-3200 vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 250-700 / 600-1800 / 1350-4000
  • Spindle thread: Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe 1-1/4 x 8 TPI vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 1 x 8 TPI RH
  • Weight (lb): Powermatic 3520C 20" x 35" Wood Lathe 726 vs Delta 46-460 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 97

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