College budget chuck?

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J

jonunder

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Joined
Jun 15, 2013
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8
Location
Newport News
So I am looking for a versatile chuck that won't break the bank. As a 19 year old in college I don't have much money, and want to make the purcahse worth it. I don't want cheap that will last a few years. The Super Nova 2 box set is on sale at woodcraft for $200 dollars right now, is that worth it? Should I go for the g3? I am interested in being able to turn bowls and other things. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
Jonathan
 
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I have and like the g3. Supernova 2 is good as well.

I'd check eBay etc. sometimes teknatool has reconditioned ones.

The available pin jaws work well for drilling too.
 
Just a personal observation.

Wood Craft Never loses money. Their prices are usually in the upper region. I would check Craig's List or Ebay and give your self a couple weeks. If you are trying to run on fumes, hold off purchasing for awhile. September is usually a month when sales begin in this area.
 
Novatools has the reconditioned Super Nova 2 for sale @ $109.99. They have the reconditioned Nova G3 for sale @ $99.99. Not sure what jaws come with these chucks. Woodcrafts sale price of $200 usually comes with some extra jaws. You will still need to add the price of the insert to fit your lathe size to these costs. I've got the Nova Midi Chuck that Woodcrafts sales. I've been using it for around 4 years now. A good little chuck but is on the smaller size compared to the others.
 
Grizzly has a chuck. Grizzly.com
This is a copy of a Vicmark. I have one and plan on getting another because I'm too lazy to change jaws. Jaws are also reasonably priced and interchangeable with Vicmark.

I've been using it for almost three years.

P.S. If you call to place an order ask them if they have any 10% coupons. Chances they do and will let you use one.
 
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well the cheapest chuck you will find will be a Jam chuck or a scrap wood chuck. Both easily made from scrap wood.

Jam chucks - you simply attach a piece of scrap wood to the face plate, drill a smaller diameter hole and then turn a taper on the hole so that the opening is larger than your workpieces. Jamb the workpiece in the hole and use the tailstock to maintain pressure. Also, mount a piece to the face plate and taper the outside to go inside of a workpiece, again using the tailstock to maintain pressure.

Scrap wood chuck - attach a piece of scrap to the face plate and true the surface. Use wood glue (or elmers glue-all) to glue a piece of paper to the surface and then the work piece to the paper. Once you finish turning, use a chisel to separate on the glue-line.

Some of the best in the business still use these simple scrap wood chucks.
 
I have the nova midi chuck (tommy bars) and the G3 (T handle) with about 8 different sets of jaws that fit them both. The midi came with the 1" x 8 fitting built in. I had to buy an insert for the G3. Either one would work for you. You can tighten the midi down tighter with the tommy bars than you can the G3 with the t-bar.
 
For the money, I suggest a Nova G3 chuck, that's the only one I have on my Nova 1624-44 and there isn't a thing that I can't do with it. It came with the 50mm jaws, through time I bought a 25mm (that I don't use much anymore) and more recently I purchase the heavy duty 3" bowl jaws, the lathe is capable to turn 16" round bowls and I often make them, for the lathe size, I don't need any bigger chuck so, a great investment...!

Cheers
George
 
I have this one from PSI:

Utility Grip 4 Jaw Chrome Lathe Chuck System: includes 2 jaws and FREE 8" Jumbo Flat Jaw at Penn State Industries

~$90 with a couple sets of jaws and thread adapter included. You need to use levers to tighten it, but that is not really an issue. No problems with holding power. I have turned many bowls that max out my Jet 1014's capacity with no issues. Penn States has other jaw shapes and sizes for ~$20 each. (I bought the dove tail jaws and love them.) I have that chuck, a Barracuda 2, and a Nova 2 and I use them all about the same amount. Both PSI chucks use the same jaws so you can mix and match.
 
Sataro said:
Novatools has the reconditioned Super Nova 2 for sale @ $109.99. They have the reconditioned Nova G3 for sale @ $99.99. Not sure what jaws come with these chucks. Woodcrafts sale price of $200 usually comes with some extra jaws. You will still need to add the price of the insert to fit your lathe size to these costs. I've got the Nova Midi Chuck that Woodcrafts sales. I've been using it for around 4 years now. A good little chuck but is on the smaller size compared to the others.
Click to expand...

I got a reconditioned (at Sataro's recomedition) and really enjoy it. The jaws I received with it opens out to approx. OD 2.5" and closed down to approx. ID 1.75". Thoes measurements are off the top of my head. But I do like the chuck and wish I could afford more jaws
 
triw51 said:
I got a reconditioned (at Sataro's recomedition) and really enjoy it. The jaws I received with it opens out to approx. OD 2.5" and closed down to approx. ID 1.75". Thoes measurements are off the top of my head. But I do like the chuck and wish I could afford more jaws
Click to expand...

All in good time. Jaws to drill blanks with ate a good investment though.
 
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