Thread: Suggestions for first chuck?

I'm tempted by the Nova G3 Pro-Tek, although new jaw sets are a bit pricey.

Or perhaps the Vicmarc VM100. The lathe has built in indexing, so that isnt a concern for me

Timberbits regularly do specials on Vicmarc chuck/insert/jaw packages. They have a special on the 120, but not the 100 at the moment. Fantastic prices. I got the VM100 package last year and am really happy with it.

Woodworking Lathes – Buy Vicmarc Wood Lathe Australia | Timberbits

I've used the Nova G3 and three sets of jaws (25mm, 50mm and long spigot jaws) on my Jet 1220 (also 1x8tpi) for about 6 years now and I'm very happy.
I mainly turn spindle forms and the odd small bowl or vase.
This chart of Nova jaws gives a good idea of what the sets of jaws are capable of holding. There's a lot of overlap so you don't need probably more than a couple to begin with:

https://www.teknatool.com/wp-content...Table-inch.pdf

V

Buy Australian made Vicmarc, they are fantastic and as was previously said buy from Timberbits.

Cheers Peter

Hi Heffa - I have just organised the purchase of 5 chucks for the Men's Shed I am involved with - choice was between Record Power through Hare & Forbes ( I have a Record Power SC4 and am totally happy with its capability ) or the Nova through Carbatec.

The jaw sets are interchangable between RP & Nova BTW - went with Nova 3 of the small & 2 of the large to suit the lathes, Carbatec gave the Shed a good discount but H&F did not offer any discount - the pre discount prices were very similar so the dollars won the sale.

My impression is Nova is a top item very well finished & smooth operation out of the box - the finish is better I think than the RP ( mine )

Check on line for prices - Carbatec seem to give a discount to Men's Shed as well as the actual members so that could be a bonus if you are with a Men's Shed.

Enjoy the journey

Awesomesauce!! Thank you all muchly
Is having an open back chuck like the G3 much of an issue? I understand the aspect of keeping the internals cleaner with a sealed back, but are there any other concerns?

And also, is there any interchangeability between different brand jaws? Would say Vicmarc jaws fit a Nova?

I can't comment on the interchangability of jaws, but I can say that the open back design of the G3 has never been an issue.
Obviously brushing it off occaisionally is recommended (perhaps a blast from an air compressor) and a few tiny drops of light oil in the works. I've found the centrifugal nature of a lathe chuck generally keeps dust and chips away from the chuck itself, unless you are working with green timber or over-oil it and it becomes tacky and attracts fine dust that way.

V

Thank you all for the advice and answers. I'm probably gonna go with the Nova so I can afford an extra set of jaws.
Now I've just gotta decide which jaws. Probably best to start a new thread for that?

Sounds like the Max diameters you'll be turning is about 50mm... in that case I'd skip the 4 jaw self centering chucks designed primarily for woodturning and go for a four jaw independent chuck used primarily for metal. I find the jaws hold better and you can be more flexible with wood that isn't square and consistent. And they're cheaper.

Why do you want a Vicmarc scroll chuck when all you are doing is spindle work between centres.
All you need is a couple of good spur drives and cup centres for the tailstock.
Robert Sorby steb centres will help with all these projects
Chucks are generally for faceplate work bowls etc, unless you have not told us other things you want to turn.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

Why do you want a Vicmarc scroll chuck when all you are doing is spindle work between centres.
All you need is a couple of good spur drives and cup centres for the tailstock.
Robert Sorby steb centres will help with all these projects
Chucks are generally for faceplate work bowls etc, unless you have not told us other things you want to turn.

Partly its for drilling straight bore holes down the length of handle blanks. I explain it in this thread.
But also to start experimenting with a chuck

Originally Posted by heffa

Partly its for drilling straight bore holes down the length of handle blanks. I explain it in this thread.
But also to start experimenting with a chuck

One thing to think about is the rotational direction required to tighten/loosen the chuck. If you're like me and you grew up using a metal lathe where you turn the key in the logical direction (clockwise) to tighten it, then you will want to go with the Vicmarcs or similar. Don't know how the hell anyone can drive those other blurry Nova things that are all backwards!!!

Hmmmm. I have one of each and I never turn them the wrong way. No really, never! Oh OK well now and again but I've never dropped a piece out of a chuck 'cause I turned it the wrong way...except for a few times. It can be an issue.