Chuck's - Which Why Where?

[gmack]

G'Day everyone,

After attending the BBQ at Calm's in Ballarat, I am hooked on turning.:2tsup:
The only problem is my lathe, it did not come with a chuck.:((

Can all you turners please advise me which is the most cost effective chuck to buy?
I dont want the best, just a mid-range priced chuck that can help turn bowls up 300 mm in diameter.

[Taffsmania]

Try here
http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/shopfront/view_product_details?category_id=1107146818&product_id=1107452005
And it is compatible with Teknatool jaws.
Keith

[RETIRED]

Second that.:aro-u:

[specialist]

What they said, I'm not really a turner, but am able to use for basic stuff.

Robert

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I dont want the best, just a mid-range priced chuck that can help turn bowls up 300 mm in diameter.

When it comes to chucks, there are basically two type: the ones you can easily source after-market parts for (extra jaws, etc.) and those you can't.

I seriously recommend forgetting about those you can't.

Which, here in Oz, really leaves you with a choice between Vicmarc and Teknatool. We've had more than one long argument over which is better. :D

Or you can save yourself the angst of looking and go direct to Jim :aro-u: ...and order some EEE and Shellawax (and maybe some Hermes J-Flex) at the same time. :wink:

[gmack]

Skew, Who is Jim?

[Groggy]

Skew, Who is Jim?Jim Carroll, from Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies (http://www.cws.au.com/index.html). Rumoured to be responsible for more than one wallet having to go to intensive care.

Jim is one of the original forum members and has recently become a moderator as well, so be nice :U

Seriously though, there are not many events or shows where you will not find him. Very knowledgeable and helpful in selecting the right turning gear.

[Calm]

and a nice bloke - well most of the time.

Cheers

[gmack]

Is there any cheaper alternatives?

Second hand...maybe.

[Calm]

You could hope for a scroll chuck that has jaws to suit most of your jobs. Look for someone selling a lathe and see if they will split the chuck off for you.

Cheers

[gmack]

Thanks everyone.
David, I will see how that goes.

[Jim Carroll]

Most people when they upgrade their lathes keep their chucks as all they have to do is change the insert to suit the new lathe.

Sound familiar David.

You would rarely find a chuck getting seperated from a lathe sale as that is generally the selling point for the lathe that it comes all tooled up.

Vicmarc and Nova are the choice of chucks as you have a wide range of accessories that can be fitted to them, there is some cheaper ones around but a comprimise in quality.

[Paul39]

A used chuck for sale probably has something wrong with it.

Most turners will be buried with their good chuck or chucks.

[new_guy90]

i went into Carba-Tec in the hope of coming out with a cheap chuck came out with a nova it was only when i left the store that i realized how much i spent there :oo: apart for a few minor things with the chuck it was money well WELL spent. if its the price thats the problem then just bite the bullet and get a nova everything for it is cheaper anyway you wont regret it after using it for a little while oh why don't you make the bowls with a face plate? takes more skill but good to know

[Ed Reiss]

Patrick....your turning into a real tool junkie :2tsup::2tsup:

[gmack]

Hello eveyone,
Many thanks for all of the advice.
I will bite the bullet and get a new one.

So, now I need to choose which one to get.

[Rookie]

Supernova2. Jim (http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/shopfront/view_by_category?category_id=1107144841)will do one for you

[Calm]

Gmack come around and i will show you how to get away without one for a little while.

Faceplate - hot glue gun - donut chuck etc.

Cheers

[new_guy90]

Gmack come around and i will show you how to get away without one for a little while.

Faceplate - hot glue gun - donut chuck etc.

Cheers

its probably better to learn to use a friction chuck (ie hot glue and a face plate) before relying to heavily on a scroll chuck

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Gmack come around and i will show you how to get away without one for a little while.

Faceplate - hot glue gun - donut chuck etc.

:2tsup: Good onya, David.

[ColW]

Gmack

I have some quite old ones available
check this thread
http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=95706

Regards
Col

[orraloon]

I have one of those superchucks and I reckon it is one of the most useful for bowls and platters. I have a cutter that goes in the tail stock so there is no measuring required to cut the recess. I also have the supernova 2 and while a great chuck I find I use the old stile expanding chuck more than the nova.
As some of the others have said it is also good to get familiar with the old stile mounting methods like face plates, hot glue, paper and glue and friction chucks.
Regards
John