Scroll Chuck and Jaws advice

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jbostian

jbostian

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Joined
Dec 3, 2009
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Location
Brownsburg, IN
I am looking to buy a scroll chuck pretty soon. I will be using it to try and turn bowls. My lathe has a 12" swing so I figured a 10" bowl is the biggest I would turn. I will most likely be turning 4"-8" bowls. I am not sure which jaws I would need or should get. I have been looking at three different chucks from PSI.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CUG3418CCX.html This seems like a good chuck and only costs $89.95. It comes with a screw chuck, #1 stepped jaws, #2 jaws, and jumbo flat jaws. It is currently on backorder with an estimated arrival of late March.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CMG3C.html This looks like the same chuck but comes with pin jaws, #1 stepped jaws, and #2 jaws. It also cost $10 more.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CSC2000C.html I have heard a lot of good things about the Barracuda chucks. It is a little more then I was hoping to pay. It comes with a screw chuck, pin jaws, #1 stepped jaws, #2, and #3 wide jaws.

Can some one tell me what pin and stepped jaws are usually used for? I would like a set of flat jaws for finishing the bottom of the bowls. But I have read about making a set. Has anyone made there own flat jaws and if so how well did they work? I think that is all of my questions for now.

Thanks,
Jamie
 
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sparhawk said:
I bought this one and i love it. Would buy another one today if i needed a chuck. Have had it for over a year and it works great. Dont have to use the tommy bars either. Just one chuck to tighten while you hold your work with the other hand.http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CSC3000C.html?mybuyscid=9222120543
Click to expand...

Worth every extra cent !!! The key feature is great , tommy bars can be a real pita . Plus the chucks body has enough mass to turn up to 8" bowls without worry . It's great having all the jaws too .
The pin jaws can be used to hold blanks for drilling on the lathe and they move bowls a little bit away from the chuck so you can turn right down to the foot without the chuck getting in the way . The step jaws can hold mandrels and tenons .
Check Amazon for sales . I bought mine for $149 about 2 years ago , They are around $165 now I think .
 
Woodcraft is selling the SuperNoval2 for $120 plus the insert. It is a bit better built than the PSI chucks 3000. With only basic jaws this is probably better value.

The Barracuda 2 from PSI is a good value -- The sets with the jaw assortment are not much more than the chuck with standard jaws. I think the set was about $200 last time I looked.

You do not need a large chuck for a medium/midi lathe, but the tommy bar sets always seem to need one more hand than I have availabler.
 
The Woodcraft deal is a little misleading. The price of the chuck in $120 and comes without anything. To use this tool with any lathe you must buy their adapter (another $20). For $170 the Barracuda comes with all the accessories and a case that fits all the stuff.
 
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