Can we all come play at your house, Kevin??
You are welcome anytime!
Kevin
I have never had a problem with the jaws holding a work piece. They place equal pressure on the sides of square stock, and hold it tight. I would really look up the nova web site or the oneway mfg. web site they have complete instructions on how to operate the chuck.
Larry
I am looking at these two chucks. The first one is very similar to the Nova chucks, but looks very limited as to grip range. The last one looks like it will give me the most versatility. While the Nova G3 can be had for $115, that is still out of my price range at this time. Grizzly also has different jaw sets that look like they will fit these chucks, but I think I would call before ordering the chuck to be sure. The second chuck is the one I am leaning towards right now.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/4-Jaw-Chuck-For-Round-Pieces-1-x-8-TPI/G8784
http://www.grizzly.com/products/5-4-Jaw-Wood-Chuck-1-x-8-TPI/H8042
Nice seats!!! can’t wait to see some more of your guys stuff.
Fatman
Kevin
I would use the first chuck that you are looking at.You will be shocked at the range of holding ability. The chuck if it is like my nova will hold anything from 3/4" to 3" square stock. You will have to use different areas of the jaws. I use both the inside ring, and the outside ring depending on the size. I also belive you can change out the chucks to other styles to fit your needs.
Larry
I have a similar discussion going over on the Rodbuildingfourm.com board and that first chuck was recommended there as well. However, no one has said why.
The recommended chuck is pretty and high tech looking, but has a stated clamping range that won’t work for drilling a pen blank to turn as a reel seat. The other chuck will let me do that and looks like I can chuck anything into it that I could into the other. They are both scroll chucks, as well. What makes the recommended chuck, a Nova clone, better?
I am asking because I want to understand why the recommended chuck is better. I don’t know. What I am seeing tells me the other chuck would be the better choice due to the clamping range, so I figure I am missing something if the experienced turners are recommending the Nova clone.
On a side note, I was able to pick up a Jacobs style 1/2" chuck on a MT2 arbor for $8 at Harbor Freight today. They are on sale and run $25 anywhere else that I have seen.
I have had and still use an old Carba-Tec. Was top of the line 15 years ago. Is about 1/2 the price today and many others are to be had at reasonable prices.
If you have not checked out this site, I encourage you to look and see what is to be had.
www.pennstateind.com
5 years ago I got myself a Barracuda 2, key chuck system. It will do almost anything I want in holding different shapes & sizes in my lathe.
I also added a PSI duplicator. The duplicator makes turning oh so easy. Perfect sizing and quite fast.
If I have a grip that the hole in it is too large, I just turn a perfectly fit sleeve. I have experienced 4 grip releases that someone else had used tape for the fit. No way for me.
Even if you are not a professional rod builder, just a rod assembler from a blank and good jewelry, one would find the addition of one of these small high quality wood lathes a must have toy. Like others have stated, it is addictive and can be a bit expensive.
I do not drill the thru hole on the lathe. I have a jig that allows me to use a long bit and drill on the drill press, one pass. Course I do have a very good drill press with a longer stroke.
Happy to see you stepped up to the new toy Kevin. Have fun and be safe.
After agonizing for almost a week, I finally settled on the Nova G3. Woodcraft has a screaming deal on them right now. $150 for the chuck and 4 sets of jaws. I have already experienced what many told me about knuckle busting in that I got my knuckles in places and felt the Nova that would have removed my little finger on the left hand with the chuck I was leaning towards to begin with.
Now to learn how to chuck things up square in the darn thing.
I use a different method which I will post later.