Is a 5 lb chuck too heavy?

"Matt" skrev i melding news: snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.com...

UG3418&Category_Code=> and it weighs 5 pounds.>> They also carry their PSI Mini-Grip>

MG3AW&Category_Code=> which weighs around 3 lbs.>> I have a JET mini and want to get a chuck like this to turn bowls. I cannot> afford the chucks that are 150 and up.(Oneway etc..) That is just out of my> budget.

The pages you refer to are not available on the Penn State server, so I can not see the chuck you refer to, but:

1. The chuck is not too heavy. My two Oneway chucks are around that: The Talon between 3 and 4 pounds, and the Stronghold at over 6 pounds.
2. The headstock spindle is not part of the motor, so it will not be affected.
3. I hope you are referring to a selfcentering chuck, if not, chuck it.
4. A precision, longlasting, selfcentering chuck with large and small jaws and a separate drivecenter is more important than the lathe itself, in my opinion. Bad tools tend to take the fun out of things, and it all grinds to a halt.

So, save up money, is my advice!

Bjarte

Matt I am confused. Why are you getting a chuck to turn bowls? Do not get me wrong, I own a One Way chuck and it is wonderful, but I seldom use it for a bowl. It is easier and faster to rough between centers and use a glue block for the finish turning.

Personally I think chuck weight is hardly a factor. The load on the bearings would be the worst with an out-of-balance chunk of wood vibrating, not dead weight of a chuck in very close to bearing.

I have the Jet mini and also purchased a Penn State mini chuck similar to the one you mention above. I too had a tight budget and wanted to get a chuck with multiple jaws. I also got the jaws with the rubber feet to finish turn some small bowls. I use the chuck to turn small itmes like bottle stoppers and some vessels but not the bowls. for that I use glue blocks.

The Penn State chucks is adequate and does a decent job. I find the two rods that are used for tightening the chuck to be somewhat difficult to use (i.e. always looking for that 3rd hand) and they tend to bend som I dont get a real good grip. I would not want to rough a bowl down using the spigot method with this chuck as it tends to fly off and hit me!. All in all I wish I had saved up and gotten a better chuck but I was able to get into one right away for the price. I was in your position and find that the chuck will be a decent starter but will likley upgrade sometime in the near future.

Allyn

This is another chuck that PSI sells that I would not recomend.

purchased one from harbour freight that is similar to this and I would only turn the very small items using it. (tried turning a small bowl with it and the bowl kept coming off not a good thing :) )

Matt... I use the Talon on my Jet mini... must be close to 5 pounds with adapter... Not only no problems, but I like the weight... I notice the difference between chuck and faceplate turning because the chuck seems to have a "flywheel" effect that makes it very smooth and stable.. YMMV

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Matt, As you can tell, we all do things differently. I love using a chuck for turning bowls, and I turn a lot of them. For turning smaller bowls (8 to 10 inches) I use a forstner bit to make a hole on the top of the bowl, and mount the bowl by expanding the chuck into the hole. Turn the outside, make a dovetail mortice on the bottom, then turn it around to turn the inside. This is the easiest way for me. It has taken a bit of experimenting to learn all of the details of keeping the bowl on the chuck, like how much pressure, how aggresive a cut, no catches, but it seems to work now. Do find a local club if you can. It makes a big difference being able to see something being done and you can ask questions. Again you will find that you will get a couple of different solutions to every problem. One suggestion on the chuck, I prefer ones with a hex key to the ones with levers. You can get better torque and better hold due to gear ratio. robo hippy

mac davis wrote:

dangerous?

difference

: I have a JET mini and want to get a chuck like this to turn bowls. I cannot : afford the chucks that are 150 and up.(Oneway etc..) That is just out of my : budget.

: My question: is 5 pounds too heavy for my lathe? Can it become dangerous?

I use a Vicmarc 100, which weighs 4.62 pounds, and it works fine on my jet mini.

-- Andy Barss

How many more conflicting opinions do you want? I bought that Penn State chuck about a year ago and have put 20 # chunks of wood (trued up first) and never had a problem. The only way it will let go of a piece of wood is if the spigot isn't properly turned in the first place--no different than any chuck. I just use the tailstock for the third hand when mounting wood and then leave the tailstock there until I get everything lined up, solid, and the outside trued up. I'd say buy one if you don't want to put alot of $ into turning right now. Sure it's not as nice and it's clunky, but it works fine. You can buy that same chuck at Packard now for a few dollars more. They may have them in stock--I don't know.

Earl

I use Cole-type jaws for reversing the bowl to finish the base. But I agree that a glue block is superior for finish turning the rest of the bowl.

Max

Max You are correct. I now usually use Cole-type jaws (home-made) for finishing the bottoms of bowls, but a glue block is faster for the rest of the work.

I am aware there are multiple ways to do the bowl thing, but I guess the demonstration I saw utilized a chuck and I wanted to try that out. Don't get me wrong, the chuck's sole purpose wouldn't be for bowls alone. There are many applications for a chuck right? (many of which can be done alternate ways I know) and I feel it would come in handy along my "turning path."

Matt

Thanks to everyone for their opinions and experiences. I'll let you know what I purchase.

Matt

Matt I have to agree that a chuck is a nice addition to the turning repertoire of tools, not necessary but very nice. If and when you get one, get a good one. I like my One Way and recommend it, however the Nova and Vicmarc get excellent reviews from the people who use them as well. However, do yourself a favor and try the hot glue block as well. Like a chuck, it is not just for bowls. I use it a lot for hollowing and assorted other things. Mostly, have fun and play safe.

Disadvantage to a chuck of great dimension on your mini is that it takes up a lot of length. Faceplates would take somewhat less.

That said, I'd buy a chuck in a heartbeat. I'm a NOVA user, and the standard is relatively inexpensive, easy to use, in spite of the t-handle advocates, and takes the most useful set of jaws in anyone's stable - pin jaws.

Take a peek.

the following. Then remember it holds dowels, soon-to-be Christmasornament icecicles, and more....

I've had hot glue let go on me and therefore switched to the chuck, which I trust more. The chuck recess is the beginning of the recess in the foot of my bowls. I later round the inside edges by reverse turning it between centers.

Derek

I referred to them as Cole-type jaws as I, too, made them from your design. Thanks for the design, by the way.

Max

Hi Matt

No 5 Pounds is not to heavy, and YES it can be very dangerous to use a chuck that does not hold good, You might think $150.- is to much, but what is your life worth, yes that could happen, a chunk of wood turning at a thousand rpm can do you in, if it hits you wrong. I know some turners always use the tailstock to keep the turnings from coming out but what use is it then, if you want to do some smaller hollow turning and that dang tailstock is always in the way, and without the tailstock help you can't turn things safely. My advice would be to save a little longer and get a Oneway Talon and you'll be set for life.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Matt wrote: