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jnelson

jnelson

Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2007
Messages
87
Location
Paducah, Ky, USA.
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No.

I have a chuck that uses the tommy bars and I can't get it to hold onto a bowl to save it's life. If you want to do bowls, spend the money for a great chuck (mine was free so I can't complain too much, but still not a bowl making chuck).

Another option is gluing the bowl to a waste blank with paper in between. You can then separate on the paper line without too much trouble from my understanding. I need to get a actual bowl gouge before I experiment in that direction any more.
 
I have a chuck that uses tommy bars and it has served me well for bowls, but you have to be careful and really crank down on the bars. I also have several Barracuda chucks from PSI and LOVE them. Great chucks for the money. Especially if you buy them cheaper through someone like Woodturningz.
 
Just another reason why i hate living on this side of the pond, man that sounds like a sweet deal, would be perfect for my midi lathe and i could still use the jaws on my chuck on my bigger lathe :mad::frown:
 
That is a sweet deal. I have this chuck ad had to get the smaller jaws later on. I have turned boxes and small bowls with it no problem. This is the chuck I use to make pens too. Some people don't like the tommy bar issue and dig the keyed style chuck. I never had the keyed style so I can't comment to that issue. If you have the expendable cash, I think its a great deal.
 
I can't speak for the tommy bar situation, but i do have a keyed Nova chuck. That thing is a workhorse. I have literally tried to break it and cannot. I use the hole in the end of a wrench to get leverage on the key and it still bulldogs it's way through.

I got it wet sanding PR pendants and it got really herky jerky and sticky. I opened it all the way up and Wd'd it. worked it over a few times and it slid like a champ again... air and then a few strategic drops of oil and she is like new again!

Plus the benefit of inter changeable jaws! Can't go wrong!
 
I have that chuck and purchased the extra jaws later. Keep in mind that the chuck is for 12" swing or less. I've had no problems turning bowls and platters with it, Nova makes nice chucks. Nova makes their jaws so that they fit all the chucks they make so if you upgrade to another Nova, the jaws will fit. It's a good price on a good chuck.
 
For the price and extra's it's a sweet deal. I have it and love it. Agree with the cranking down the bars on larger or out of balance items.
 
great chuck. got mine as a promo with the jet mini lathe, now have a variety of jaw sets that all work with it. I have only made small bowls (up to about 6" diameter), but it has worked very well for them.

My only warning is to make sure you get the tommy bars out before you hit the start switch...makes them VERY hard to loosen!
 
Tommy bars take a little getting used to for most people; but it is not a big deal. If you can chew gum, you will probably be able to master them.

That sounds like a terrific deal. I'd jump on it in a New York minute if I didn't already have a Oneway.
 
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