Thread: 1 chuck,2 chuck,3 chuck 4

Originally Posted by nz_carver

ok now as I just got my 1st lather so most of it is all new to me

but a have been looking in to chucks and trying to work out what one is best

When bought my original lathe I knew just enough about them to be dangerous. By sheer luck I ended up with a Vicmark VL100 chuck on a Hare & Forbes MC900 clone lathe, because Carba-tek had run out of Bonhams. It has been great. Some time later I put a set of shark jaws on it, mainly to give some finger space between the back of bowls etc and the chuck body, and I haven't taken them off since!

I have since bought a second-hand Bonham tommy-bar style chuck, which works fine, but isn't as convenient to use as the Vicmark. Especially as the lathe didn't have a spindle lock, it was great to be able to tighten and loosen the chuck with one hand.

cheers, Colin

I'm only new to turning so I'm sure I don't know as much as those who have multiple lathes, but rather than buying extra chucks (because of the different spindle sizes) why don't you buy some spindle adaptors to make them all the same.

That to me seems a cheaper and better solution.


Peter.

I do have spindle adapters for the Super Novas & the Bonham so they can be used on more than one lathe.

There is no real point to putting the small chucks on the big lathes or the big chucks on the little lathe.

3 X Vm120's and 6 different sets of jaws.
1 X VM90 bought at the show for cheap (doesn't see much use)

I would like to get a few more 120's so I don't have to keep changing jaws! ;-)

Originally Posted by Calm

I reckon in 5 years time you will wish you started with a Vicmark or Vermek and bought more jaws or more chucks. I started with Nova and now it is too exy to changeover to vicmarks so i am stuck with Nova.

Like Dave, if I was starting out now I would go with Vicmarc or Vermec

Originally Posted by nz_carver

here is the bit that gets me

you can only use 1 lathe at a time so 1 lathe = 1 chuck?

so why do you need 10 chucks?
i can understand haveing sets of jaws

Coz you can't use any lathe while you are changing jaws on chucks.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

... Oooo you want to know what sort.

First the lathes...

Vicmarc VL300SBEVS

JET Mini (the one I had at Prossy)

Shopsmith Mk V (Only used as a saw bench now)

Monster pedestal lathe made from parts from a scrap metal yard.

Chucks...

2 x VM120, one with the 485mm bowl jaws, the other with the 45mm shark jaws.

2 x SN2, one with 35mm Shark jaws.

1 x SN with 20mm pin jaws.

2 x Nova.

1 x compact clone.

1 x Bonham with 3 sets of jaws.

1 x Master Chuck.

Now the combos....

The VMs only go on the big Vicmarc.

The SNs will go on the Vicmarc or the JET.

The Novas only go on the JET.

The Bonham will go on the JET or the Monster lathe.

The Master Chuck only goes on the Shopsmith.

And I thought I had got myself into a chuck-up... but, you win jaws down, Cliff...

.....

I'm still partial to the SuperNova2s, and the NovaTitan. Jaws are interchangeable, if need be, except for the Titan Power Grip jaws.
I have 2x SN2s, 1x Titan, and a Compac. Would like to have a couple more, but can't justify it yet.

gpw has a chuck wrth several sets of jaws for sale , looks a good price ,has anyone tried one? how did you find it?? use teknatool novas and supernovas . seem ok for most things up too 600mm . changing jaws is a pain though , putting the hex key in the battery drill makes things go quicker . happy turning bob

Originally Posted by bobsreturn2003

gpw has a chuck wrth several sets of jaws for sale , looks a good price ,has anyone tried one? how did you find it??

I've got one (through Jim Carroll) and, although my experience is limited, I have had no problems with it. Well made and solid construction and easy to use.


Peter.

Originally Posted by nz_carver

here is the bit that gets me

you can only use 1 lathe at a time so 1 lathe = 1 chuck?

so why do you need 10 chucks?
i can understand haveing sets of jaws.........???

For me the advantage of multiple chucks is being able to have multiple projects on the go. While I'm waiting for glues or finishes to dry on a piece or even just letting the stresses settle out, I just take the chuck off and load the next job on another chuck. That way there's no hassles trying to remount pieces and get them back to centre properly

Hopefully geting chuck No.4 tomorrow if Jim is open

Originally Posted by bobsreturn2003

gpw has a chuck wrth several sets of jaws for sale , looks a good price ,has anyone tried one? how did you find it??

I did a review of their 110mm chuck - see the reviews section.

It has had a good deal of use with VM medium shark jaws; good setup. I ground a T handled Allen key to replace the sliding T bar.

Only comment now is that there's minor failure of the finish on the casing.

Just spun up chuck No.4 - another VM100 I picked up at Carrolls (1st personal visit). Watch out Cliff - I'm closing in

Also grabbed a Proforme Flexicut to give to myself for xmas which I haven't even tried out yet. Just had to rub that one in (gotta look after No.1 )

Go Vern!

Now there is this thing about dying before the judging .... do you wanna go there?