Thread: Which Chuck Should I get ?????

Hi Rob I've used a Vicmarc VM100 for the last 7 years No Problems--I've just got a new Nova G3 and I find the Vicmarc to be a Better Chuck it costs a bit more but wort every cent. "No Conections"
Cheers Tony

I suggest you do a search here on the forum, there are a lot of threads - some recent ones as well - on this subject.

But i reckon get a technitool they are great..

Cheers

another vote for the teknatool here. I have used a supernova and currently use the supernova 2. Both great chucks. The vicmarc chuck is very highly spoken of and you'll probably hear some good things about the gpw chuck although i have no experience with either.

Originally Posted by Fireguard

G'day All,

The minister of war and finances has finally caved in to my constant nagging and is allowing me to get myself a chuck for my lathe at the Woodworking show in Perth this weekend......

Now this is where I need to call upon the knowledge of the "Lords of Turning" that lurk around this forum, I dont know whick chuck to get...

I'm fairly novice at turning, I've had a bit of a go at spindle turning and have been getting reasonably good results with pens, But I would also like to try my hand at some bowls...

I've only got an older version of the MC900 lathe that I inherited and I'm not looking at upgrading it in the forseable future.

I dont have a huge budget, so I'm looking for something that should be reasonable priced and pretty versitile and decent quality, preferably straight out of the box.

So I'm sending out the call for suggestions of what to lookout for, and what to get, and what would be a reasonable price for a chuck so i dont get ripped off....

Gday Rob

As we used to say to new recruits in the Army (and as I now say to newlyweds) - YOU'LL BE SORRY! Once you buy a chuck, it's all downhill from there ...

If you do a search on this forum, there have been plenty of discussions about chuck brands and types which may be helpful. The two important issues to consider, however, are:

• Squeeze the budget and buy quality from the outset - your lathe may only be "entry-level" at this stage, but a good quality chuck is transferable to any lathe, and so is a lifetime investment. For me, quality = Vicmarc, but others will differ.
• Whichever brand you choose, you will be effectively locked into the range of jaw-sets available for that brand. There is some interoperability (as the Yanks would say), but it makes sense to use the jaws designed for that chuck - so, look at the whole range, not just the chuck itself, as the jaw designs differ between brands.

Given that you are looking at an investment of a couple of hundred dollars, it's a good idea, if possible, to try before you buy - this is where joining a turning club can be very useful, as it puts you in contact with local enthusiasts who, I'm sure, will be happy to let you try the different systems.

BTW, don't be tempted to buy anything larger than 100mm for an MC900, especially an older one. They are pretty robust lathes, but a large chuck like the VM120 is just too heavy for the spindle bearings. Again, membership of a club is an ideal way to gain access to large chucks when needed, until you can step up to your own larger lathe.

Good luck, but be warned - you can never have too many chucks ....

A word of warning: some of the posts are a bit... "dated."

For example, I love my Teknatool SuperNova 2 & Precision Midi chucks and haven't hesitated to say so. Theyworks well on my MC-900s & all my jaws are spot on. I honestly can't see any difference between my chucks and the equivalent Vicmarcs. Besides the $$$, that is.

However their manufacturing has moved to China and I've heard very little praise for them since. It seems their quality control has really, really gone downhill. So, while I'll heartily endorse any pre-China products from Teknatool, I no longer recommend buying any new ones.

The relatively recent Gary Pye chucks are well worth a look at, too. [hint, hint. ]

In my opinion, there are only 3 chucks worth considering, Vicmarc, Vicmarc and Vicmarc. Although having said that, I have used the Vermec with the mini step jaws and found them to be as good as the Vicmarcs ( I believe they are brothers). I have 3 chucks, and the Vicmarc is superb. Someone else said buy a good chuck regardless of the lathe you currently own, as the chuck will last a lifetime. Good stuff ain't cheap, cheap stuff ain't good.
No ties, but I believe John Scarfe is demonstrating the Vermec at the PTMS stand
Good Luck
Willy

Originally Posted by Fireguard

.................I've only got an older version of the MC900 lathe that I inherited and I'm not looking at upgrading it in the forseable future.

I dont have a huge budget, so I'm looking for something that should be reasonable priced and pretty versitile and decent quality, preferably straight out of the box.

So I'm sending out the call for suggestions of what to lookout for, and what to get, and what would be a reasonable price for a chuck so i dont get ripped off....

The answer is simple - Get the best you can afford!

Buy cheap and you will get cheap..... and regret it. Never seen a complaint of problems with a Vicmark or Vermec but have with all the other brands including the one Skew mentioned - and PARTICULARLY the chinese replicas that are showing up at all the retailers. Narrows the field down somewhat eh!

Originally Posted by Fireguard

G'day All,

The minister of war and finances has finally caved in to my constant nagging and is allowing me to get myself a chuck for my lathe at the Woodworking show in Perth this weekend......

Now this is where I need to call upon the knowledge of the "Lords of Turning" that lurk around this forum, I dont know whick chuck to get...

I'm fairly novice at turning, I've had a bit of a go at spindle turning and have been getting reasonably good results with pens, But I would also like to try my hand at some bowls...

I've only got an older version of the MC900 lathe that I inherited and I'm not looking at upgrading it in the forseable future.

I dont have a huge budget, so I'm looking for something that should be reasonable priced and pretty versitile and decent quality, preferably straight out of the box.

So I'm sending out the call for suggestions of what to lookout for, and what to get, and what would be a reasonable price for a chuck so i dont get ripped off....

My chucks consist of teknatool, vicmarc and a lever operated Australian made bonham. Of all I prefer the Vicmarc 100, then the Nova G3 and then the lever operated bonham (great chuck if you have 3 hands). The G3 is very good for smaller work but the Vicmarc 100 stands out as the best. It is smooth to operate and most importantly there is no play in the slides as there is in my early teknatool supernova (horrible chuck, I only use for roughing). This helps tremendously. The teknatool supernova 2 is a little better but I much prefer Vicmarc.
The Vicmarc 100 costs more but worth its weight in gold; you won't regret it.

Cheers, Evan

I'm in a similar boat to Fireguard, except I haven't quite reached that break through point with the nagging yet. Working on it though

I have a MC-1100 with a cheapie hare and forbes chuck. It's junk. Actually, that's not quite true - it's Absolute Junk. When I upgrade it, I will bury it to help the iron content in the soil, which I believe is lacking

If I was buying today I would get the Vicmarc 100mm one. The Teknatools have always tempted me but I have no desire to be in the first couple of batches of chinese ones. I already have one chinese piece of junk...

If, on the other hand the budget didn't stretch that far for just the chuck, the new GPW ones with a few jaws thrown in seem to be ok for the money. No first hand experience with them, just what I've read.

Good luck and enjoy!

Cheers,
Dave

Rob, the chuck is just the start. Specialised jaws make a range of jobs easier or more accurate. So also ask yourself 'where is my turning headed and what jaws might be useful down the track?'. That will influence your choice of chuck.

I can't speak about the GPW accessory jaws but first impressions of their Gen 3 110 mm chuck is favorable. But I can say from a lot of use that Vicmarc jaws are better designed and made than Teknatool. The only drawback is that if you do in time go for a bigger chuck, the VM120, the jaws won't fit it.

The Vermec 4", GPW 96 and 110 both take most T/tool jaws and all VM 100 jaws.

Cheers for all the replys,

I'm starting to lean towards the Vicmarc VM100, But after having a troll around various woodturning shops online I've got a feeling I might be sending away for one rather than picking one up at the wood show

http://www.woodturningsupplies.com.au $234
http://www.cws.au.com $235
http://gpwoodturning.sitesuitestores.com $260
http://www.carbatec.com.au $295

I dont think that Carbatec will drop their price much as a show special, and even allowing $30 for postage Carrolls will still be 30bucks cheaper, But I'll go and see and decide from there.

Rob,
I think a Vicmarc VM100 is a very good chuck (I like mine!), also the Teknatool Supernova 2 is a good chuck (I like mine). Grizzly puts out a fair copy of the VicMarc VM100 for half the money (I like mine). Having said all that, you cold just put the $ away (and let it grow) for a later day when you have properly researched your question, and just use a glued on waste block and a faceplate. As far as bowls are concerned, a faceplate will do quite well until you have made a proper decision on the chuck. Chucks are very handy, but not a necessity ((but I do Like all 14 of mine)). Like Ern said, you need to know if the chuck you want to purchase can be fitted with the jaws suitable for the work you intend to turn.
Luck and cheers,

I've got a Vicmarc VM90 which I really like. It is tommy bar style, take the same jaws as the VM100 and is much cheaper - cost about $150 from Carbatec a couple of months ago. It wasn't on their online catalogue though, just in store.

I have the Vermec and am very happy with it.