Breaking down and buying a collet chuck etc...

[Haynie]

Ok. I have come to terms with needing a collet chuck. I know folks really like the Beale system and it is nice.

I was wondering what other collet chucks are out there, that folks use and recommend.

 

[KenV]

If your lathe has 1 1/4 by 8 headstock threads, or you think you might get such a lathe -- look at the CUSA collet chuck. It has an insert for 1 by 8 threads.

PSI sold though Amazon is 1 by 8 with 3/4 by 16 insert. Cost is less through Amazon with shipping.

Look at a 18 piece metric collet set about $ 125 - $135 from internet sellers.

 

[TerryDowning]

What Ken said. I have the PSI and have no issues with it at all. Eventually, I'll get more collets.

 

[Haynie]

I've got a jet 1014 so I believe either of those would work. I just found a Bison that would fit my metal lathe but Holy Heck 659 dollars.

 

[cwolfs69]

PSI chuck works well

i have the one from PSI and it works great. it is on sale right now for $79.00 i do believe. it also comes with an adaptor for either 1"-8 or 3/4"-12 threads. i have seen posts where others have liked it also.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

I've worked with the CSUSA, PSI and Beall collet chucks. The Beall costs more, but for me it is worth every penny.

I use the CSUSA collet chuck when I'm going to be doing something where a little runout doesn't matter (wet sanding / polishing, filling carved area with embellishing material, patinating, hand carving layout). The PSI grew legs and vanished a while back, but I would use it the same as the CSUSA if I could find it.

I use the Beall for any serious rotary work on my lathes (both DOL and wood) where I need minimal runout. The Beall also just works smoother and holds better without having to crank down with tommy bars.

They will all hold round stuff reliably. If I were buying today I would buy Beall, but that's just my opinion.

Ed

 

[BRobbins629]

I have a Beall with a 1x8 and one I got from ebay seller 800watt with a 3mt for my metal lathe. Both work fine and the ER32 collets are interchangable. Get as many collet sizes as you can afford. I use all I have (19) and wish for a few more between some of the ranges.

 

[Haynie]

Is the 3MT collet a pass through? If not how do you like it for longer work?

 

[joefyffe]

I am not an admirer of PSI, however I have their collet chuck and I have Beale for my metal lathes. It may not be a fair comparison, metal to wood, but if I were buying another collet chuck for my wood lathe, I would probably go with the PSI. I had runout with the first Beale, sent it back, bought another, had runout with it. Because there is a possibility, it may be my fault on the set up of the lathe, I kept it. Had to have something. BUT, needless to say, I'm not happy with it.

 

[Rob73]

I've got the one from CUSA. I've maybe used it about 15 or 20 times. For the most part I've had no issues. I did have a couple times doing small work where I didn't really think it held the piece very well. Overall though I'm quite satisfied with it for the price.