lathe chuck help

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JRay8

JRay8

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Arnold, MD
I have not turned much other than pens. A few spindles for chairs and that's it. I am thinking about a chuck for my lathe so i can try my hand at some other things. What should I look for in a chuck? the prices and options seem to vary quite a bit and i'm not sure where to start.
thanks for the help
 
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Jim; Other than budget, the key questions are
1. What lathe do you have and what spindle thread does it have? Is the lathe you have sufficient to make the items you want?
2. What do you want to make?

Chucks usually come with an adapter to mount on the spindle threads for your lathe.
Barracuda chucks (PSI) are relatively inexpensive for small to mini lathes and can do items up to 9".
 
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i have a full size lathe with a 1" X 8tpi head stock. i'm not sure yet what i want to make. most likely i would make small items but i may want to do some larger bowls and such later. just not sure what to look for in a chuck.
 
I have used my Nova Midi chuck for five years and love it. It uses all of the jaws that Nova makes and I bought the chuck instead of buying a drill press. I drilled (many) hundreds of blanks with the original supplied jaws. Won the pin jaws in the IAP Birthday Bash a couple of years ago, they make drilling much easier.
 
I have a VicMarc VM100 that I use mostly on my 12x36 lathe. It's pricey, but an excellent chuck. I like using it because it uses a hex key for operation rather than tommy bars.

I also have a Nova Midi chuck that came with my 10x14 lathe. it's a tommy bar chuck, but works just fine. It's much lighter weight than the VM chuck.

I think CSUSA is now selling an "apprentice" chuck that comes with several jaw sets - it's worth looking at.
 
If had some turning catalogs might make decision easier for you. Instead listed manufacturer web sites so can take their recommendations on size to fit your wood lathe. Only recommendation have is buy what can afford, and shop the sales.

NOVA PRECISION MIDI CHUCK
Vicmarc - Woodturning Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories -
Our Chucks (Talon, Oneway, Stronghold)
Patriot Chuck

Everyone has a tommy bar chuck and single key operated chuck. Have own both types and like either style. Tommy bar chucks have slimmer bodies and cost less than single key chucks. Excellent for mini and short or long bed length lathes.

Single key chucks more popular today even with additional cost and wider chuck body. Depending upon swing of your lathe 12" or less may want to stay with 3 ½ to 4 lbs chuck. Have a 16" swing lathe but use a Talon chuck because already own one.

Capability of jaws important within chuck family so look at what is available for chuck that interest you. Got by for many years with #2 jaws that came with my chuck.

Threaded inserts not always included with a chuck, may or may not pay extra.

When upgraded my lathe cost me $25 for new threaded insert so could use my old chuck. If bought a chuck that came with only 1" x 8 TPI would needed a new chuck.

I do not like swapping jaws out so bought another Talon chuck body, insert and set of spigot jaws. I had an economical tommy bar chuck that came with three different jaw sets, broke off a hex bolt head swapping out jaws. Not sure how many hours or easy out sets ruined to no avail. So two chucks makes life easier for me, still use my faceplates when exceed chuck capacity reverse turning.

Good luck.
 
Nova sells reconditioned chucks. Super Nova 2 for about $100. Ten less for the G3 or twenty less for the midi.
 
Okay, full size lathe. If money isn't a barrier, I'd get the Vicmarc. The up side, is that everything I've read says it will take the lesser expensive Grizzly jaws. But the Oneway Stronghold is another favorite of folks with big lathes. But they aren't cheap! Many people like the SuperNova. I have a PM 3520B and tried 2 of these only to return them both. I couldn't get either to run true. I currently run a Barracuda 4 because I could get it fast. Unlike the 2 Supernovas before it, it does run true.

All that said, my next chuck will be a Vicmarc. I saw a video today and the turner showed his collection of jaws for it. More than any other chuck on the market, but that may include the Grizzly jaws.
 
PSI has the utility grip special v2 on sale with small flat jaws I think. I have had it for about a year and I LOVE it. I can turn boxes, small-medium bows, and tool handles. I think it is about $100 and I have had no trouble with it.
 
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