chucks

[black1]

does anyone know the differance between a metal lathe chuck and a wood lathe chuck. ie will a ml one fit on a wl ?

[Jim Carroll]

The big differance is that metal lathe chucks have parralel jaws for holding steel and woodlathe chucks have dovetailed jaws for holding wood.
As for going from one lathe to another depends on the threads of the spindles and if the chucks can be adapted from one to the other.

[hughie]

does anyone know the difference between a metal lathe chuck and a wood lathe chuck. ie will a ml one fit on a wl


black1,

Most metal lathe chucks are no that suitable, especially the new metal lathes. As they all have a cam lock system for fitting the chuck. To alter this involves some engineering expertise and some cost as well.

The older and smaller lathes [30-40yrs] will have a screw thread this can be adapted fairly easily. But it involve some engineering again.

The other and perhaps more critical factor is the speed rating, most lower cost chucks have a max speed or rpm. This is generally much lower than the average wood lathe ie 1200-1500rpm, running these chucks at say 2000 or greater could be a bit of a heart stopper. :o :C :no: .

The more expensive chucks will ok but the cost factor is 2-3 times that of any wood lathe chuck. You just cant get the quality of a wood chuck for the price replicated in a metal lathe chuck.

If you stick with old quality chucks you will be ok. But as Jim pointed out there is significant difference between the jaws. ML chucks would fine for holding rough blanks etc. But I doubt if they would be practicable for any fine or finishing work. They just bite to darn hard on the three points of the jaws. 4 jaw chucks are independently moved not like the 4 jaw wood chucks which move in unison.

The up side is that they will hold any irregular piece very well and due to the wieght of them there is the fly wheel effect once they are up and running.

hope this helps :U