GPW Gen 3 110mm chuck - first impressions

**rsser** · 30th July 2009, 02:23 PM

This is Garry Pye's new chuck which also comes in a 96mm version and both sizes are available in basic and deluxe kits. This basic version sells for $169. The basic 96 mm unit goes for $150.

The basic kit includes 50mm jaws and a wood screw. The deluxe kit adds pin, 'step' and dovetail (ie. bowl) jaws. The step jaws are misleadingly named as the steps extend outwards from the rim not recessed as the term normally describes.

Both sets will take Teknatool and Vicmarc 90/100 jaws. VM jaws will have to be drilled out a mm.

The chuck appears well made with clean machining, a bright body finish and blued jaws. It has two sets of indexing holes on a single back plate. There is very little play in the jaw slides.

The insert has 2 flats and 2 holes but no knock out bar or spanner is provided for chuck removal. Teknatool's spanner does not fit nor does the VM bar. The flats are wider than my 30 cm shifter will go and the next size up won't fit the gap. A short length of steel rod about 8 mm OD will do the job in the holes.

The jaw numbers are stamped on the jaw face, not the sides as per my VM100, and that's a smart move.

The 50 mm jaws have two serrations on the outside and several more inside so this is not a set for bowl recesses or tenons without leaving marks. Jaw travel:

Min expand 64 mm
Min clamp 47 mm
Max expand 97 mm
Max clamp 77 mm

Jaws are moved with a sliding T bar and square socket drive. That means 2 tools you have to keep around the lathe if you have other brand chucks. The tool turns in the right direction (

), ie. clockwise to tighten as per VMs and Jacobs chucks.

Measured runout:

Side of jaw body closest to tailstock: 4.5 thou
Side closest to jaws: 3.5 thou
Face of body: 4.5 thou

Of course the side runout measurements are tangential to the axis and should be halved for runout from the axis.

These figures are several times greater than my VM100 and NZ-made SN2.

Summary:

Pro

Value for money
Jaw compatibility
Finish

Con

Square-end key
Lack of spanner or knock-out bar

For $30 more a Teknatool SN2 could be had. For those needing the back plate for indexing the GPW would be a better buy with its 2 ranges, and my SN2 has a split backing plate so indexing is only accurate with the jaws fully closed. The SN2 is also slightly smaller and requires adaptor plates to take VM100 jaws.

For many jaw compatibility with the VM100 will not be a selling point. However in my experience Vicmarc jaws are better designed and made than Teknatool's and a GPW chuck with VM jaws is shaping up to be a good value and capable combination. With a hex key tool and a walloper bar as part of the kit the Gen 3 chuck would be hard to beat.

**TTIT** · 30th July 2009, 11:27 PM

Very useful info Ern

Thanks for taking the time.

Think I'll still hang out for another Vermec though

**Ed Reiss** · 31st July 2009, 03:50 AM

Good review

**rsser** · 31st July 2009, 09:42 AM

Thanks guys.

Yeah Vern, I'm sure the Vermec is a nice bit of kit. Design wise, without checking one out, I think the only advantage is the angled hex socket for the key. That would be an advantage with my jaw sets only with Cole jaws, and a five buck ball head key is a cheap way around that. And the Vermec is double the price of the GPW 96 mm chuck.

I obviously can't comment on the longevity of either chuck and that's an important issue. My VM100 has pretty sloppy jaw slides which may be due to wear; dunno for sure since I didn't measure it when new.

The GPW chuck comes with two pages of pointers for users but still not nearly enough instructions on how properly to use the thing. We just got a cheap coffee grinder which is far better in this respect than most w/t gear you buy. Exceptions are Munro hollowers and some Sorby stuff, and Sorby has a useful range of vids on their website.

**nalmo** · 31st July 2009, 07:14 PM

I bought the 100mm set about 18mths ago and have been quite happy as they are great value for money. However, over the last week or so I found them a bit stiff to tighten & open. I took the back plate off, thinking there might be a buildup of sawdust clogging the gears, but I found the bevel gear (the one connected to the socket drive) to be worn to the point where there were sharp edges instead of being flat teeth.

As the chuck is only about 18mths old, I was a bit surprised 'cos they're not in constant use. I sent some pics off to GPW last night and got an email back this morning advising replacement parts will be posted today. Was very happy with the quick response and great service.

**rsser** · 31st July 2009, 07:26 PM

Good service Nalmo.

Bevel gear not hardened perhaps.

**NeilS** · 1st August 2009, 04:39 PM

Thanks Ern.

Valuable review.

Neil

**rodent** · 7th August 2009, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by rsser

Thanks guys.

Yeah Vern, I'm sure the Vermec is a nice bit of kit. Design wise, without checking one out, I think the only advantage is the angled hex socket for the key. That would be an advantage with my jaw sets only with Cole jaws, and a five buck ball head key is a cheap way around that. And the Vermec is double the price of the GPW 96 mm chuck.

I obviously can't comment on the longevity of either chuck and that's an important issue. My VM100 has pretty sloppy jaw slides which may be due to wear; dunno for sure since I didn't measure it when new.

The GPW chuck comes with two pages of pointers for users but still not nearly enough instructions on how properly to use the thing. We just got a cheap coffee grinder which is far better in this respect than most w/t gear you buy. Exceptions are Munro hollowers and some Sorby stuff, and Sorby has a useful range of vids on their website.

I KNOW what can i say Im a picture fan . Some pics please ern , and some of those indexing indents you were talking about thank you .

**rsser** · 7th August 2009, 10:21 PM

Here ya go rodent: clicky

BTW, have just ground a 10mm T handled allen key down to fit the square socket. Much betterer.

**rodent** · 7th August 2009, 11:52 PM

Thank you ern love that indexing

**watsrags** · 8th August 2009, 09:49 PM

I got the GPW 96 chuck a couple of weeks ago, I like it so far only used my local woodys club ones before and there for not clued up on the finer points of chucks in regard of runout and that stuff. Did not like the chucks that the local club had in finish or the way they was put together.A little disapointed that it had no paper work with it. Part of the reason I over some of the others was some comments made on this forum site that led me to believe it that is was value for money and money does count. Indexing ,hell one day I might need it but will have to learn about it even got it on my Woodfast M305

After I got it I even found out what the letters GPW stood for, how dumb was I

**artme** · 10th August 2009, 07:45 AM

Good review Ern, thanx.

Two very valid points you make- Number stamping and single rear plate indexing.

Nalmo´s comments about service are also worth noting.

All in all looks like a great buy.

**wheelinround** · 10th August 2009, 08:55 AM

Good review Ern.

A few major factors lacking being

what it runs like on the lathe

how it fits to the wood

how you set up your indexing stop. The general feel and weight of it when in use.

Maybe some of the fellow's who bought them when first released could tell us more now they have had them for some time.

**rsser** · 10th August 2009, 09:07 AM

Yeah, have had a play with it now Wheelin.

First is overall 'feel' and it's good. It's a hefty piece of kit. No rattles. The gearing feels fine and progressive (unlike my SN2 which is notchy and sometimes you want to snug it up a bit more but can't pull the extra tooth).

The machining on the stock 50mm jaws is a bit rough but being the serrated type that doesn't matter much. For clean bowl recess or tenon holding, dovetail-end jaws are a must.

I'm using VM shark jaws on it and they fit fine (with the jaw holes drilled out a mm). Like the T/tool chucks the jaws are held with 6mm screws and this in my experience is better than the 5mm jobs used on the VM100, not least cos the hex sockets don't get chewed out over time.

**NeilS** · 10th August 2009, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by rsser

...the 5mm jobs used on the VM100, not least cos the hex sockets don't get chewed out over time.

Wondered about that Ern when I saw how small the screws were on my first VM chuck when I got it a few months ago. Only 1mm smaller but felt under engineered compared to the 6mm screws, especially on larger sized jaws (100mm and above).

They are also harder to find in the sawdust...

.

Thanks for the warning about the hex stripping. I'll take it easy with the T-hex key.

Neil

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