Nova G3 or PSI Barracuda

I am interested in your opinions as to which may be the better chuck.

Reply to
Leon
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Only 2 choices, Leon? Which Barracuda? (at least 3 models)

Of the 2, I'd go with Nova every time..

I have 2 Oneway Talons that I've been abusing for years and like a lot..

Considering a Vimark or Oneway Stronghold for the next chuck..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

----- Original Message ----- From: "mac davis" Newsgroups: rec.crafts.woodturning Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 11:08 AM Subject: Re: Nova G3 or PSI Barracuda

Thanks Mac, I am heavily leaning towards the Nova and you helped me make that decision. The Houston WW show starts today and I hope to find a deal on one there.

I have seen those and I am not quite there yet. ;~)

Reply to
Leon

Leon - what are you doing over here?!?

Good to see you!

I have a Nova, and two Vics. I love those Vicmarcs. They are machined out of a solid chunk of metal, and it shows. I have had one for about 10 years now, and it has been beaten up without any second thought.

I have literally (no kidding... honestly) turned a few thousand pieces using my two Vics.

As for your question concerning two specific chucks, I am with Mac

100%. I would certainly vote for the Nova.

From time to time there have been a few comments about quality control from Penn State, but they always fix things. I have bought a ton of stuff from them and they stand behind their products.

The Barracuda is a much better value for he casual turner. The Nova is better chuck.

Take a look at this page:

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(If the link doesn't work, it is a search on Amazon of "nova chucks" that brings up the Nova, PSI, etc.) The things I don't like about the G3 are the fact that it is an open back chuck, and when I turn, dust, finish, goo, and turnings seem to get all over everything. And personally, I just don't like drill chuck style keys. You get some crap on the teeth and they are easy to strip.

With a hex key, (see the Supernova 2 !) you can't strip out anything. The back of the chuck is closed, so no "stuff" inside the chuck. If you lose the key in a pile of shavings or just lay it down and forget where you put it, it is a trip to Auto Zone and you can get another.

You can get the Supernova for under $200+ shipping from

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While you are there, check out the Vicmarcs. I have two of the 3 1/2" and those are my mainstays. They include the insert (supernova doesn't) and are about $229. BUT >>>>

I have seen this one and couldn't really tell much between it and my Vics:

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Lots of folks have them, and they seem to love them. I sure like the price. If I get wound up and feel like I need another chuck, this one might be my choice. It is made in Taiwan/China like the G3, the Jet, and the PSI products. Although I can't say so personally, I have heard over at Wood Central that the jaw for the Vics fit perfectly, or with just a tiny bit of Dremel work.

All that for $95 skins. Heck, you could buy two!

I hope you post what you get and what you think of them after putting them through the paces.

Robert

P.S. - I looked for a black and gremlin green model, but none could be found!

;^)

Reply to
nailshooter41

Leon - what are you doing over here?!?

Good to see you!

Thanks robert, I was here about 8 years ago for a spell. ;~)

I have a Nova, and two Vics. I love those Vicmarcs. They are machined out of a solid chunk of metal, and it shows. I have had one for about 10 years now, and it has been beaten up without any second thought.

I have literally (no kidding... honestly) turned a few thousand pieces using my two Vics.

Snip

The things I don't like about the G3 are the fact that it is an open back chuck, and when I turn, dust, finish, goo, and turnings seem to get all over everything. And personally, I just don't like drill chuck style keys. You get some crap on the teeth and they are easy to strip.

Well I have been reading a bit about dislikes concerning the open back and I am not a fan of tthe "drill chuck" style key either.

With a hex key, (see the Supernova 2 !) you can't strip out anything. The back of the chuck is closed, so no "stuff" inside the chuck. If you lose the key in a pile of shavings or just lay it down and forget where you put it, it is a trip to Auto Zone and you can get another.

You can get the Supernova for under $200+ shipping from

Actually Woodcraft has the Super Nova on sale for $149.00 + the insert to fit the lathe. I'll have a closer look.

Snip

I hope you post what you get and what you think of them after putting them through the paces.

I'll to that, althought I suspect that my findings may be old news to most every one here. Pepper mills are in my sights now. ;~) Then maybe some wine bottle stoppers for that expensive 2 pack of 1.5 liter bottles of Red at Sam's for $9.97.

P.S. - I looked for a black and gremlin green model, but none could be found!

;^) Ahhh the 70's Cuda, I liked the yellow /black stripe ones too. You know the new model Chalengers look pretty good, too bad they will probably go down with Chrysler.

Thank you Robert for the "as always" very helpful and insiteful information.

Reply to
Leon

Hi Leon,

I have a Nova G3 and love it...

I have used it to hold bowls up to 8" and it works well. I would buy the Nova

Randy

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Reply to
randyswoodshop

Hi Leon,

I have a Nova G3 and love it...

I have used it to hold bowls up to 8" and it works well. I would buy the Nova

Randy

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\ Thanks Randy, I ended up with the Super Nova 2. It was on sale foe $149.

I tried it out Sunday and it did not leave me with the feeling that I should have gotten something else. I don't care for the "regular" drill bit chuck type key that the G3 uses and much prefer the hex wrench that the Super Nova

2 uses. Additionally the hex wrench has a ball tip so that it can be tightened or loosened with the hex T-wrench at most any angle. As a bonus I cannot leave the key in the chuck because the ball end will not stay in place by it self, and will fall out if I don't hold on to it. I could see me leaving the wrench in the chuck, turning the lathe on, and watching the wrench fly, at least one time.
Reply to
Leon

Reply to
Jacques

These days it is hard to tell which products are made in China. LOL. There is a 33% chance that a Teknatool tool was manufactured in a Teknatool owned facility either in China, New Zealand or the U.S.

Either way I did buy the Super Nova 2.

Reply to
Leon

Or, you could buy Oneway, made in Canada..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Reply to
mac davis

I turned my first maple "box" that also happened to have a nice friction fit lid using the SN2 for the first time on Sunday. No instructions other than a peppermill class that I took a few weeks ago. That particular class was like a Chinese Fire Drill, it's a wonder I remembered how to turn the lathe on. LOL

I hate to admit it but I am starting to drool over the Craft Supply catalog.

Reply to
Leon

Uh, oh.....

I could write a book on how Craft Supplies ruined my life! I couldn't wait for their catalogs to get here, and I would go off in the corner at lunch when out on a job and scour the damn from cover to cover.

If you are still buying tools, their Artisan line is great, but not always the bargain one might think.

Don't have any heartburn about the PSI Benjamin's Best line either. I have bought a ton of their tools and they are a fine value. They really helped me decide which tools I liked, which grinds I liked, and how to free hand grind more complicated shapes.

On the minus side of the BB tools, when you buy a large tool the handles are absurdly small. But, easy enough to turn a new one and rehandle them properly. Just compare a HSS Sorby 1/2" bowl gouge to a BB of the same size.

Yeah, I'll turn a new handle!

I know you have been turning for a while, Leon. Are you going to start giving wood turning more shop time?

Robert

Reply to
nailshooter41

Uh, oh.....

I could write a book on how Craft Supplies ruined my life! I couldn't wait for their catalogs to get here, and I would go off in the corner at lunch when out on a job and scour the damn from cover to cover.

No kiddin!

If you are still buying tools, their Artisan line is great, but not always the bargain one might think.

Not yet, I got my first lather for free about 30 years ago, it included some tools, My Jet that I got 8 years ago had some tools and my wife bought 3 or

4 to go with those at the same time. Those are pretty nice however I cannot tell you which brand. off hand. ;~)

I know you have been turning for a while, Leon. Are you going to start giving wood turning more shop time?

Probably, in between paying gigs. ;~) I probably turned 40-50 pens last year and sold about 10. 10 more than I really expected as I was wanting to give them out as Christmas presents. Several were given as a thank you gift with a piece of furniture that I sold. Well guess what, my sister bought a majority and gave them as presents to the people I was going to give them to. Oh well..

This year Pepper Mills and Salt Shakers I think.

Reply to
Leon

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