Which jaws to buy for small turnings

[maxwell_smart007]

I want to make a few birdhouse ornaments, wands, etc. just for fun...

I have a Supernova2 chuck, with just the standard 2" jaws. I found a place that has either the pin jaws or the 1" jaws for under 40 bucks...

Which set would be the better choice? Does the pin jaws' length get annoying? Is it less secure due to it not resting against the jaw 'base'?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[wood-of-1kind]

I use my Beall chuck for small turnings like birdhouse ornaments.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Thanks, Peter, but a Beall is definitely not in the budget...jaws are all I can afford

 

[cnirenberg]

Andrew,
I picked up a set of 25mm jaws at the local Woodcraft. I also wanted to use my Nova chuck for more than just looking at. The length of the jaws doesn't really bother me, I have turned a dead center and use it for turning pen blanks in lieu of a mandrel. Make sure whatever you have in the jaws is centered and is in there nice and tight.

 

[ed4copies]

Send a pm to Kent4Him - he's my authority on bird houses.

Sorry, I don't make them.

 

[Gary Max]

The pin jaws you are talking about will work perfect. I have a lathe set up with that set up just for turning smaller stuff.
It will work better that a Beall ---faster and a bigger working range. Plus it supports the wood better.

 

[kent4Him]

I make jam chucks for my bird houses, so anything that hold a jam chuck would work for me. I have been using a Talon chuck, but I recently purchased a 1" x 8tpi tap from CSUSA. This way I have a better chance of reusing the jam chuck. With a 4 jaw chuck holding the jam chuck, you are not assured of getting the jam chuck in true. With a tap, I can take them off of the lathe and put them back and they are still in true.

But, back to your question. I use a #2 set of jaws in my talon. I have thought about the extended jaws, but I haven't pulled the trigger because of the cost.