drilling on lath, which jaws?

[tlbrooks]

I've been lurking for a while and have gleaned a lot of good info from this site. I'd like input from anyone on drilling pen blanks on my lath. I have an older Jet 1014 that I got a killer deal on....free!! Ex brother-in-laws are good for something!!:biggrin: Anyway it came with a Nova compact 4 jaw chuck with the tommy bars and a set of 20mm and 40mm jaws. The 20mm jaws are to small to hold even a 5/8" blank and the 40mm are way to big. Does anyone make a 30mm set? I've tried the local Woodcraft and Rockler stores with no luck. Can anyone help me?

 

[pipecrafter]

I don't have any experience with the Nova Compac chuck, but I do drill pen blanks on my lathe. I use a Oneway chuck with Spigot jaws, they're great for supporting pen blanks. You do need to pay attention and be sure the blank is straight since pen blanks are very rarely perfectly square, but beyond that they work really well.

 

[Daniel]

This would be a good start,
http://www.teknatool.com/products/Chucks/Compac/Compac_Chuck.htm
there is a link on the left edge of the page for "Where to buy"
otherwise not so good news about your particular chuck.

 

[SuperDave]

What Kurt said...

 

[thewishman]

I use the Nova Midi chuck (with the two bars) with the stock jaws for all of my drilling.