barracuda 2 or nova 2

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P.S.I. has a sale on the Nova2 Special Edition Ti coated for $199. I am utterly confident that this just settled the issue for you.
Don't thank me just send me the money you saved. lol

seriously I own the Nova2 and am very happy with it. I have never used the Barracuda so cannot give you a comparison. I do know that two selling point for me where the support given to the Nova in that jaws and adapters transfer from other chucks they have made. That the Nova chuck can be tightened with one hand. I have never had a time that putting something in the chuck did not require that one of my hands be busy holding what was being chucked. and of course I am one of those that never thinks about having the key until I have the blank position just right for tightening. being able to dig up the key and tighten the chuck with one hand is always appreciated... allways.
 
I'm a fan of the Barracuda 2 for the same reasons that Daniel likes the Nova 2 , any of the "C" series jaws will fit the BC2 . It is also a key type chuck which means you have a free hand to hold your blank in place while you tighten the key with the other .
That being said They are both very good chucks so the determining factor is price . The PSI BC2 can be purchased from Amazon for about $170 complete with 4 sets of jaws and a case to hold everything in one place , I think that the Nova 2 would cost a little more and don't have the case .
 
Thank you guys for your input. The nova is on sale at woodcraft for 149, with one set of jaws and you have to buy an adapter to fit the jet lathe i own. The barracuda is on sale at amazon for 169 with 4 sets of jaws and free shipping. Was just wondering if there was enough difference to make the nova worth the extra money. Also the barracuda comes ready to fit the jet without an adapter, so no $22 spent on that. I really appreciate your input, guess its time to decide.:rolleyes:
 
The only other factor I can think of is that all adapters on the Nova are interchangeable. this means you can make it fit any lathe you buy in the future for $22. For me If I already had the lathe of my dreams this would not have been a factor at all. since I don't, well.
Oh yeah, 4 sets of jaws??? well now that is a different story. those things can be expensive. you could very well be getting $150 in extras right there. A case is sweet also, the Nova does not have that either. I'm starting to think the barracuda would be worth it even if you do change lathes in the future. The chuck is still worth a fair amount when you sell it and this can be applied to the cost of a new chuck when and if that time comes.
 
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Take a look at the PSI Barracuda 4. Only a little more money and lots more versatility. I have one and love it. Also have the PSI GMC3 mini chuck. Does a fine job but now with the cudda 4 I rarely use it.
 
I just went back and looked at the Ti offer at PSI. In this case the chuck has 4 sets of jaws, the adapter, a screw center, a 5/8" super center and and indexing plate. It also comes with a case. The Centers are designed to be held by the Chuck so you do not have to remove it from the lathe when you want to do center turning. 199 and free shipping. Just FYI
oh and it is a Barracude not a Nova2. I saw that Ti coating and thought it was the same chuck offered by Nova a while back. anyway I usually cannot tell the difference in the Nova2 and the Barracude2 anyway.
 
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I have both the Nova G3 and the Barracuda. With adapters I am able to use both on my Jet mini (1"x8tpi) and Jet 1642 (1 1/4"x8tpi).

I have not had the nova or my 1642 for very long and so have only really used the chucks to turn small stuff (stuff which can be turned on the mini). I don't find a whole lot of difference between the two chucks and am very happy with both. The bar to tighten and loosen the chuck on the Nova is nicer and a bit easier to use than the one on the barracuda.

As far as "grippability" of bigger turnings, bowls and stuff, the Nova would probably have an edge. If you are mainly looking for stuff you can do on a mini then I think the barracuda is a great value for money chuck.
 
I am not really that sure if there is any difference int he Barracuda2 and the Nova2. I have only seen pictures of the Barracuda but it sure looks like the same chuck to me. Anyone actually used both and know of any differences?
 
I have both and use both regularly. Which one do I use the most? Whichever one already has the jaws on it I need. Which one do I use if I have to change the jaws on it? Probably the Nova though I can't tell you why.
 
sparhawk said:
Thank you guys for your input. The nova is on sale at woodcraft for 149, with one set of jaws and you have to buy an adapter to fit the jet lathe i own. The barracuda is on sale at amazon for 169 with 4 sets of jaws and free shipping. Was just wondering if there was enough difference to make the nova worth the extra money. Also the barracuda comes ready to fit the jet without an adapter, so no $22 spent on that. I really appreciate your input, guess its time to decide.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I just noticed that this is now priced at $159.83.
 
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