RManchester
Member
Looking for recommendations for a good quality chuck for turning, working with pen blanks. Also with the ability to expand to larger projects.as skills improve. Thanks!
Chuck suggestions
- Thread starter RManchester
- Start date
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Jarod888
Member
Can't go wrong with vicmarc. You can get the pen jaws and then pickup shark jaws or step jaws later.
Yes, they are expensive. They are worth it.
If you have up to a 12 inch lathe, go with the vm100. If you have a larger lathe, go with the vm120.
Yes, they are expensive. They are worth it.
If you have up to a 12 inch lathe, go with the vm100. If you have a larger lathe, go with the vm120.
Last edited:
NJturner
Member
Depending on the size of your lathe, and the weight of the pieces you will be turning, it is a low possibility to hit one chuck that will do it all. Mini or midi lathes don't need the weight and strength of the larger, heavy chucks like VicMark or Axminster - especially for pens, whereas with a larger lathe either would be excellent choices. The Nova G3 or a Oneway Talon are both smaller, strong chucks with excellent selections in jaws that are nicely sized for midi lathes. They are also a bit lighter in weight so they don't bog the usually lower power drive motor of mini/midi lathes down unnecessarily. I personally would stay away from any of the PSI chucks - my experience with my turning club purchased PSI chucks has been pretty bad - they don't hold up.
One thing to consider is also either to purchase an insert chuck or a direct thread chuck. An insert chuck allows you to change the thread size of the chuck to match the headstock threads of a lathe. Smaller lathes usually have a 1"x 8 thread and larger lathes have a 1.25" x 8, requiring different threads on any attachments like a chuck. Not having to buy all new chucks when you upgrade your lathe is a big win.
Kevin
One thing to consider is also either to purchase an insert chuck or a direct thread chuck. An insert chuck allows you to change the thread size of the chuck to match the headstock threads of a lathe. Smaller lathes usually have a 1"x 8 thread and larger lathes have a 1.25" x 8, requiring different threads on any attachments like a chuck. Not having to buy all new chucks when you upgrade your lathe is a big win.
Kevin
SabertoothBunny
Member
NOVA chucks have been the most affordable and versatile chucks with the biggest variety of faceplates available. Those have since been replaced with the Rikon chucks, same quality and compatible with ALL of the NOVA faceplates. If you can't find a NOVA, get a Rikon as they are basically the same thing because Rikon released their, basically, identical chucks around the time NOVA North American closed out. Pure coincidence.
If you want to spend a more, go with the Easy Wood Tools chuck. But truthfully, for a mid sized lathe and all of the turning possibilities, the NOVA or Rikon chucks will be perfectly suited and the most affordable option. No real need to spend more money.
If you want to spend a more, go with the Easy Wood Tools chuck. But truthfully, for a mid sized lathe and all of the turning possibilities, the NOVA or Rikon chucks will be perfectly suited and the most affordable option. No real need to spend more money.