Thread: Mini lathe what chuck

I have a Jet Mini and use a Super Nova 2. I don't like to do this too often because of the weight hanging on the bearings.

I also have a Nova scroll chuck, the original type that is operated with two Tommy bars. It is much more compact and lighter and is, I feel, more suited to a smaller lathe.

The Nova G3 is made for Mini lathes or you could go with the Vicmarc VM90

I bought a G3 last friday and bought it home to put on my new Woodfast mini. When I got it home and put it on the lathe it had 20"' or 0.5 mm of runout. I took it back and it turned out that it was the insert that adapts the chuck to the lathe. Carbatec had no more inserts so I'm waiting for stock to come in. Other than that it seems like a reasonable little lathe and looks like it will fine for what I want to do, basic tool handles etc. Of course the urge to make gizmos for it is pretty strong. Have already lined up some steel to make different shaped tool rests etc.

Have the G3 one my Jet Mini no runout standard jaws need more to choose from

I have both a G3 and a precision midi running on my mini lathe.

the G3 is more convienient but the precision midi is much slimmer and gives me more tail stock clearance......with the short bed this is worth having.

If I was buying new and a single chuck I would go the precision midi if it is still available.

cheers

I agree with Soundman... the Precision Midi fits the bill nicely.

However, I believe they're either discontinued or only being made to order - not sure which, but they're not easy to come by. It seems the G3 is Teknatool's replacement for 'em as people apparently prefer convenience to function.

(And no matter what anyone else may claim, you can tighten the tommy bars with one hand. Like anything, it's just a matter of need and practice. BTW, the Precision Midi - if you can find one new - is/was also significantly cheaper than the G3. )

For miniature work, a Jacobs chuck may be more appropriate because you can work a little closer. If head and tail stocks are the same Morse taper, you can use it at either end. For the headstock, and without tailstock pressure, there's a benefit in getting one with a threaded hole in the shank and a drawbar to hold it snug; otherwise, cutting toward the free end of the workpiece may pull it away from the headstock spindle. Absent that, "wringing" the shank into the spindle may suffice as long as you take very light cuts.

My portable micro-"lathe" is an old, old, Black & Decker heavy duty drill - the pipe handle secures it to the "bed."

Joe

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My portable micro-"lathe" is an old, old, Black & Decker heavy duty drill - the pipe handle secures it to the "bed."

Joe,

Crikey! been a while since I have seen a diecast B&D. Good bit of ingenuity and a nice pool to boot. .........

Sorta raises the question: when does a mini become a micro?

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Sorta raises the question: when does a mini become a micro?

Carry it in one hand?
Single speed?
Small capacity chuck?

The setup shown was just to verify the variable-swing steady rest for long-line production. I actually did the birdhouse earrings on the big brother, and another batch yesterday, although the very first batch (approx Nov 2006) was done on this'n with individual blanks - about 6 per foot of dowel vs about 11 with long-line.

Still wintertime here, and the pool looks nothing like it did in the pic. I like trees, but this town is ridiculous.

Joe