Is the barracuda 2 a good chuck?

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ossaguy

ossaguy

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I'm looking at buying a chuck for my 46-460,and would like to get a good one for the value.I don't use the reverse feature ever,so I'm not limited to the Delta one they sell for it (G3r I think?)

I would like it to do bottle stoppers,and I'd like to learn how to do lidded boxes and small bowls.

I saw the demo-review on the PSI site showing the Barracuda 2,and it seems good in the ad....but I thought I'd ask here.

I saw a demo on box making and the instructor recommended Vicmark,but I have no idea what model he was using.

Would like to get the best bang for the buck,money is a big consideration.

Appreciate any thoughts from you all,

Thanks,
Steve
 
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I use a Supernova and it has served me well. I do alot of the same turnings that you talk about here with it and it has done well. If I had the money I would get a stronghold though.
 
I'd buy the Nova Midi with 2 sets of jaws. My Nova seems to work better than the PSI chuck with less run out. Additionally, with the Nova and the 46-460, no thread adapters are used, which usually means smoother operation. Plus, all the Nova jaws fit all of the Nova chucks. This means that if you buy another lathe down the road and desire a second, bigger Nova chuck, the jaws you have will work with either chuck.
 
Nova sells reconditioned chucks at an attractive price.

My observation based on owning 3 PSI sold chucks, is that they are not as consistent as sone other chucks. One is good, one is ok and one tends to grind, and not hold well.

I am much more satisfied with Nova, Oneway, and Vicmark. If you find them used, these three brands are good unless obviously abused.
 
My experience with PSI chucks is different from everyone else, I guess. I have owned four PSI chucks and just ordered the Cuda2 night before last. I have also owned 2 SuperNovas and had to return them because of horrible runout. At first they thought it was the adapter for my PM 3520B, so we swapped out the adaprters. Same problem, so we swapped out the chucks. Same problem so I got my money back and went with the Cuda4 because of my experience with the original Cuda I use on my Delta Midi. Both run dead true and I never looked back. I have also had 2 PSI Utility chucks and they both worked great. I would still have them today but I let one go with a lathe I sold and I lost the other in the move back to Texas (hence my need to order another). So I ordered the Cuda2 because of my satisfaction with the Cuda4.

Oh, the Nova may come with 2 sets of jaws, but the Cuda2 comes with 4.
 
I'm very happy with my Barracuda 2 T/N. I am considering buying the Barracuda 2 - body only - so I don't have to change out jaws so often. I'll just change out chucks!

Dan
 
I would stick with something from Nova (Teknatool), Vicmarc or Oneway. Then I would base my decision on what my intended use is and which of the companies sells the jaws that best accommodate that use.

For instance, the Vicmarc pin jaws have a greater range of compression and expansion than the Nova ones. So if this was important to me I would buy the Vicmarc VM100.
 
No issues with the cuda 2 here. I have used all of the Jaw sets that it came with. On special mine also included a set of "Jumbo Jaws" and those work well too. Considering a second Cuda 2 body only to cut down on jaw changes (which can be tedious.)
 
We have a Barracuda2 chuck and I have no complaints regarding it. However, I also own a CSUSA Apprentice chuck. It is also awesome.
 
One advantage of the cuda 2 over a nova midi is the midi uses "tommy" bars to open close the cuda uses a t-handle "key" for one handed operation I usually buy super Nova2's or g3's I have a pair of the midi's and use them often they are high quality, just wished they used a key.
 
I read a review in Wood Magazine on chucks. One you guys haven't mentioned is the Grizzly. They mentioned that the screw that is used to hold certain items to turn was too long. I bet you could find a shorter one for a cheap price. The Grizzly sell for about $108. It might be worth checking into.

Doug
 
I got my Cuda2 in today and got to give it a test run before my lathe threw the belt. I thought it might have a little runout until I remembered something from several years back. Many have found that it is best to back the chuck with some sort of washer. This does two things. It keeps the chuck (any chuck) from locking up and being difficult to remove. In addition, it tends to help the tolerances (I don't remember the actual reason for this, I just know it worked and the guy who explained it understood the mechanics of it).

Anyway, I cut a washer from one of those really thin mouse pads (about 1/16") with the hard plastic on one side and what appeared to be runout went away. And yes, I used my dial gauge. A fiber washer would work as well.
 
I use 3 different chucks. Cuda 2 Cuda 4 and a Talon. When I reach in the drawer for a chuck I will pull out the Cuda 4 every time. I really do wish that I liked the Talon better because it cost $50 more.
 
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