Selecting a chuck

Hello, I am trying to select a chuck for my new lathe. I am considering the OneWay talon, the Super Nova2, and the Vicmarc 5 1/2". Any thoughts?

Reply to
Spinney
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Reply to
robo hippy

I have the Talon, and like it very much. It is the only chuck I have experience with, so I can't compare it to anything else. My choice came down to the Talon and larger Oneway Stonghold. I chose the smaller Talon because, even though it will not hold pieces as large as it's bigger brother, it also doesn't get in the way as much when turning more delicate pieces.

tt

Reply to
Test Tickle

I depends... what lathe are you going to put it on? If you new lathe is a Jet mini or Rikon midi/mini. the 5 1/2" would be a lot of metal, and certainly not needed.

Better yet, take this over to rec.crafts.woodturning and post it there if you haven't already. You will have more opinions than you can believe, all championing their favorite.

Me, I'm a VicMarc fan. I have two 3 1/2" chucks, and my oldest is about 8 - 9 years old. Still as smooth as silk after all the abuse and use that has been heaped on it. Make sure you get a chuck that 1) has a KEY, not a drill chuck style key with teeth, and 2) has the different kinds of jaws at affordable prices. You might be surprised at how you will be thinking of additional jaws for you chuck.

Spend money on the chuck and get a good one. If you are serious, don't get one that is just "servicable". A lathe chuck is truly worth dropping the dough on a good one.

I bought both of mine from Bob Gadd in Kanuckistan at a great price, and he is one of the nicest guys you will ever deal with as a vendor. I will see if I can dig out a link if you are honestly interested.

Robert

Reply to
nailshooter41

I'm Novas, and they seem to have the largest stable of jaws, but any of the name brand scroll chucks will do the job. You just have to learn to work with what they have in the way of jaws.

Reply to
George

I like my One Way. Personally, I am not that fussed about the availability of jaws since I use only the ones that came with it, a smaller size and a set of large jaws I made for bottoms. On the other hand, there are a ton of jaw sets that fit this chuck and most have lots of jaw sets. Any of the three you are looking at are good. I would get another One Way if I looked at another chuck.

Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

I like my One Way. Personally, I am not that fussed about the availability of jaws since I use only the ones that came with it, a smaller size and a set of large jaws I made for bottoms. On the other hand, there are a ton of jaw sets that fit this chuck and most have lots of jaw sets. Any of the three you are looking at are good. I would get another One Way if I looked at another chuck.

Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

I only have the SuperNova. They are all good. I picked the Nova because of the package deal available from

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Calculate the cost of the equivalent packages using the other Chucks, and the Nova was a best buy for me.

Reply to
Bruce Barnett

I have a 5 1/2" Vicmarc (purchased) and a One Way Stronghold (gift from a friend). I've found both to be functional and free of problems. I've also discovered that I use the Vicmarc more than the One Way. It hasn't been a conscious decision, rather just a knee-jerk reaction. That and the fact that I have some large Adjusta-jaws (Cole-type) for the Vicmarc, which make turning bowl and platter bases a snap. The SuperNova 2 looks like an excellent chuck, but I haven't used one.

I'm not concerned with the potential jaw inventory of either brand--I use the jaws that came with the chucks, plus the large Vic bowl jaws. I may invest in one other set of jaws--a long-nose or extended dovetail type--but I really haven't needed either for the most part.

Incidentally the friend who gave me the Stronghold did so because he purchased a Vicmarc as a replacement. FWIW.

Max

Reply to
Maxprop

WOW! THANK YOU!!! I appreciate all of the input from everyone. I also appreciate the links to potential vendors. I think I will buy the Vicmarc. I guess it would have been helpful to state that it is a 42" lathe with a 16" spindle to bed clearance. I am using a chuck from my small midi lathe but it is not strong enough for the larger pieces I want to turn.

Again thank you to all of you who posted. I really do GREATLY appreciate the input of your experience.

Reply to
Spinney

Nailshooter,

Please forward the link for Bob.

THANK YOU!

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote:

Reply to
Spinney

Reply to
William Noble

Spinney - Bob's old address doesn't work. I know he used to work for and with KMS tools, and Bruce posted their address above: http//:kmstools.com

I would try there and see if he is still there and see if he had his side deal up and running. His store was put together specifically for the US market, catering to internet and phone orders.

But I visited the KMS site, and the US dollar isn't as strong as it used to be, and with the new tariffs, etc., the USD price is $281. Ouch. Plus shipping from Canada.

But I looked around and found it here at $269 for the 5-1/2":

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I buy a few hundred dollars of stuff from Craft Supplies and they have both the 3-1/2" and 5-1/2" chucks at prices lower than I have seen in a couple of years. I think last year the 3-1/2" was $239 or so but I don't have an old catalogue around. I haven't ever had a problem with my Craft Supplies orders.

I don't think you would be sorry with any of the better chucks, but I know you won't be sorry with the Vic. Folklore has it that the chuck was simply a redesigned metal lathe chuck, milled out of solid chunks of metal. After beating the snot out of the first one that I had trying to learn the limits of chuck work I must say that there could be some truth to it. The only appreciable difference after all this time is that the gears mesh a little smoother.

I always liked the hex wrench as the chuck key and figured that would be a good thing for me as things get misplaced or lost in the shop sometimes, especially if I clean. I figured I would just jump in the truck and go down to the auto parts store and buy myself another one as soon as I lost this one. But with that kind of security blanket, wouldn't you know, I have never lost this one for more than a couple of minutes. I'll bet if it was a special size or fit though, I could have lost it right away with no problem.

Nice to know something that important COULD be easily replaced.

Robert

Reply to
nailshooter41

Sounds like you were trying to crank on it. All you want is snug. Steel's stronger than wood in compression.

As to jaws, I use three most commonly, on three bodies. An old Nova and two supers. Most used are the pin jaws and the 50mm, though for long extension and hollowing I like the so-called 75mm with their broad faces. Good shouldering over a wide area. They're my latest set, though I do occasionally still lust after the long nosed jaws as a way to sand outside after hollowing in with extra room between the piece and the headstock.

Reply to
George

Hi Spinney

Like most replies here, I would say the > Hello, I am trying to select a chuck for my new lathe. I am

Reply to
l.vanderloo

Have a look at this article.

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Reply to
M.J.

.. Bob is still with KMS (I think he is a part owner), He now sells via e-bay for the US Market, see

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Reply to
Ralph E Lindberg

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