Thread: Chucking

In for a penny in for a pound. These new chucks work well because they they have a large expansion diameter and better surface to surface contact than the standard engineers chuck. I have tried a lot of chucks from the first Technatool, Henry Taylor, Bonhum (from Carbatech) and the Vicmarc. The Vicmarc beats all because it can hold everything from a piece if 13mm dowl (internal) to a large chink of wattle. Lets get this debate going!!!!!

I just bought a new Vicmarc chuck a couple of weeks ago. It's great. It beats the Teknatool chuck I borrowed from a mate before that. One of the best features is that with a T bar, it only takes one hand to tighten. Trying to use two levers and hold the wood was a little awkward.

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Luv
Mal

How does this Vicmarc compare to the SupaNova? I do not have a scroll chuck as yet but have had a look at the SupaNova.

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John Thuijs

John The Super Nova is used the same way as the Vicmar in that you only have a T bar to open and close the jaws. The T bar also pivots so that you can get it out of the way a little bit for clearance. There is also a large range of jaws to compliment the existing jaws you get when you purchase the scroll chuck. This type of system makes it easier to use than the original nova chuck because if you did not have a shaft lock on your lathe you needed three hands to tighten a bowl into place
For more information regarding this chuck and other Teknatool products go to www.teknatool.com
I hope this helps you

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Jim
Turn it up

I have a Vic marc VM120 chuck on my Vicmarc VL 300 Lathe and I think they are the best thing invented since sex (and possibly beer!)
I also have a vacuum chuck for reversing bowls to finish, and find that with the above,the screw point and the occasional home made jam-fit chuck I can do every thing I've ever wanted to. I also have a little Carbatec mini lathe with a Microstar mini chuck for little stuff, also brilliant.
John H.

What Doorstop said!!!

I have used in demo's a variety of Vicmarc, and Bonham's, Nova and Super Nova. Give me the Nova's any day. The range of jaws alone must put them in first place. Just the fact that one size chuck (with a variety of jaws) fits all work is fantastic and eliminates the worry of losing bits of knuckles if you happen to only own one of the bigger versions of the others and need to do smaller work. (I have left a few bits of bark on these bigger chucks over the years.)

We all have our preferances for tools etc. and mine is always for the most pracicle. In this respect there is no competition, Nova wins hands down in my book. I own Nova chucks with a variety of jaws. I do not own a Super Nova, I have a spindle lock. However I wouldn't knock one back if offered one by Latalex at the Melb WWW Show. (Hint, hint)

Cheers - Neil

PS you can purchase the Nova's from Jim Carroll if needed. He is a good guy to deal with and won't push his own barrrow on the BB.

I have looked at Jim Carrolls site he put up for Teknatool and am still trying to find any advantages of the new chucks over the old.
I mean you're up for some serious bux in the purchase of a new chuck these days and before imparting another fingerprint in the ol' Visa I guess it comes down to a personal preference.
I have noticed that my two scroll chucks though well worn,serve me well and cater for most of my needs except for the fact that with one having a left hand thread insert it leaves me short-handed when you have a need of another chuck.
I have also an English chuck on the small lathe that employs three jaws using C spanners to tighten and is ideal for small or miniature turning but has it's limitations.
Apparently there is good support for Vic-mark chuck as well as the Bonham so I guess there is a bit more research to be done.
With all the pro's and cons in the above I would assume that Teknatool still put out a good product in a chuck
Cheers and good to see healthy debate

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 17 September 2000).]

I've previously had a bit of a whinge about the Bonham chuck on this BB, but this seems the ideal opportunity to have another go! I have a bonham, and it does the job, but after speaking to others and reading some of the postings above, I am sorry I didn't do some more research. I am sure I would have gone for the Vicmarc or Nova.

In its standard configuration, the Bonham does grip both ways without changing jaws. However, the expansion range is limited so the fillet or recess must fall within a quite small diameter range. The standard plates also have two sets of jaws which theoretically means that you have two different expansion jaws on the one set of plates. However, if you use the outside set you have to have a recess 15mm or more deep to accomodate the inner set. Add that to the thickness of the base of a bowl and it starts to get a bit thick.
When you buy the chuck, you are almost forced to also buy a set of expansion plates to give the chuck a greater expansion gripping range. (and they're about $40 from memory!!)

Another very annoying feature of the Bonham is that the expansion plates are mounted by means of small hex head screws. Unfortunately using the chuck on the lathe tightens the screws so far that they are impossible to remove with a standard allen key. After stripping two I was forced to purchase a "T" bar hex key to do the job.

I will say also that the Bonham is a very safe chuck. You can come into quite solid contact with it without leaving large chunks of your knuckles on it!!!

In engineering terms the Bonham is a fine piece of machinery. It's robust and well constructed. However, the annoying design features mentioned above would make me consider alternatives next time I buy a chuck.

Regards

Jacko

John - Think you might find that Nova now have a duel thread insert (L&R thread in the one insert). This would take care of one of the problems you have.

If your Nova's work fine then stick with what you've got. Maybe you could shout yourself a variety of jaws. There are plenty to choose from.

The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence. But it isn't always as tasty and sometimes it's been shat on by some else. YUCK!!!

Cheers - Neil

P.S. There is no difference between the Nova & Super Nove when it comes to chucking the work. All the same jaws fit both chucks. The major differences are in the action of the locking mechanism, with the Super having a one handed action through a T-bar key. It also has shiny bits and costs more.

I have had a Bonham for about four years, no complaints its a good chuck. However a few months ago I purchased a Supa Nova because the Bonham couldn't do what I wanted it to do. The range of jaws available for the Nova chuck is terrific. I still use the Bonham a lot because the expanding/contracting dovetail works just fine for a lot of applications.

For anyone purchasing a new chuck I think the versatility of the Nova would be hard to beat.

Cheers Neil, I wasn't aware of the dual purpose threaded insert but I will make some enquiries and maybe save me some bux.I,ll not only buy you a cup of coffee, perhaps a beer as well for services rendered.

I do have a few different set's of jaws but until now it has been a pain in the bum having to change particularly with one useful threaded chuck.

Finally about the grass being greener on the other side have you ever noticed how a paddock full o' cows don't seem to mind where they're eatin'

Cheers

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Johnno

What a cow of a thing to say, and thats no bull!!!

I have looked on "Southern Woodturning Supplies" website and read the sales blurb on both the Vicmarc and the Nova/SupaNova. The Vicmarc has a hollow centre so through boring can be done from either end. I cannot see that feature in the sales blurb for the SupaNova. Is this possible on the SupaNova?

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John Thuijs

John

Glad you found our site, I've lifted those sales blurbs off the respective suppliers web sites, Teknatool don't mention it but their chucks allow through boring as well.
We sell both brands so don't ask me which is better, I must remain neutral!(cop out)

Regards Graeme


[This message has been edited by Graeme (edited 21 September 2000).]