Very concise and informative Sam, successfully addressing the confusion around chucks and jaws, especially for the newer turner. Good no-nonsense video. Take care Mike
Thanks, Sam. Very informative and helpful. I am in the process of buying a lathe and was puzzling over the choice of chuck to go with it but watching this has cleared things up for me. Cheers. Tell you what, though...I wish the US, Liberia and Myanmar would hurry up and join the rest of the world in converting to metric as the rapid mental gymnastics I go through when watching things like this, trying to quickly convert fractions of inches to millimetres, really does my head in sometimes. :-)
Very timely video for me Sam regarding adding more jaw options for my future turning. Really helpful & informative. Many thanks for the advice/opinions. Geof (UK)
Great topic, Sam. As I own all 4 of the Teknatool chuck styles, I was curious about the two Record Power chucks which look almost identical to the SN2 and the G3. I did a review of the larger Record Power SC4 chuck like the SN2. In my opinion it is beefier and higher quality than the SN2. I was surprised. And it turns the typical way to tighten, righty tighty instead of the backwards Kiwi way. When I started I got a used lathe with a SN2 and 5 sets of jaws. I had to have a woodturner come over and explain what they were all for. And this was for a Jet 10x14 mini! The previous owner made some strange buying decisions.
Thanks once again Sam for an excellent video on an interesting subject...chucks and jaws... I really enjoyed your explanation of the different jaws and reasons for using them for a particular purpose. One comment though, is that many new wood turners need to know that most jaws are NOT interchangeable between one chuck mfg. and another...(Nova/Record are recent exceptions although the price difference is minor...)... You CANNOT interchange VicMar w/Nova nor Nova w/Grizzley, nor VicMarc with PSI, etc.). I currently have 5 Nova Chucks and wish I had a dozen more as I dislike swapping jaws everytime I want to turn a different size project. You might also mention that several mfgs are now offering 'quick change' chucks/jaws (i.e.; Nova, Record, etc...) another option to make changing jaws easier. Just a thought... Again, THANKS!!! for all you do and your EXCELLENT videos! I always look forward to seeing your videos and often refer back to them for sage/professional advice that I can ALWAYS count on!!! Safe turning to you ALWAYS!
Thanks Sam! As usual very instructive. I confirm that all these little bits and pieces reach easily the price of the lathe! But hey, boys and toys...Greetings from Luxembourg.Paul
I did a lot of research when I got my Rikon midi.....I went with the Barracuda II set, with 3 different jaws....used those for several years and finally bought a second Barracuda body, so I could leave my Cole jaws on one to enable faster transition when doing finish turning... since my lathe only has a 12" swing, they've worked perfectly for me.... I've been tempted a few times by the "quick-change" jaws recently put out by Nova, but their pricemark is set a bit too high for me to indulge on something my budget would complain about and I can get around just by spending a little time..... There's a lot of really good chuck sets out there....but it's more than worth the money you put into it....
Hi Sam many thanks, you have saved me a lot of wasted time and a ton of money, you do a great job on UA-cam. Were did you get that good looking Penknife you carry on you belt. A lot of work but keep the cannel going. All the best Charlie
Charlie Kingpine I look back over the video you did not notice a particular knife. I do usually carry a knife on my belt and I probably have six or eight different knives along with the leather sheath that I made. But my favorite place to go to to buy a knife is A.G. Russell. You can do a search and find that knife maker very easily. Later SAM
Have you ever consider of buying wood lathe chuck quick change system like those two: 1- Barracuda 5 Quick Change Jaw Chuck System with FREE Pen Blank Drilling Jaws 2- Nova Infinity Quick Change Chuck System (you can also buy only some parts to make your old Nova2 chuck/jaws to make it/hose a quick change system). I'm starting looking and I think I'd buy the Barracuda 5 because it is seems to me to be a faster quick change system and I like to have many jaws options (4 sets of jaws and a central screw are included. The only thing with this choice is, after the price issue (I am in Quebec Canada), for the sake of security and speed, I would rather like to have an hexagonal wrench for jaws tightening instead of having a key that penetrates the chuck.
Nice video, Sam. Have the chucks and jaws explained very well. I also have 2 chuck (once No Name and Nova G3 [Set]). Will also ensure even buy me extra jaws so. By Your video, I made a mistake when I noticed. Wanted A vase (diameter 15cm / 6 "and about 25 - 30cm / 9.8 to 11.8" long) turn yew, caving in, the vase is broken me from my chuck and was broken. I had the wrong chuck, namely, the small (55mm) instead of the large (100mm extended). Thank you for sharing.
Hi Sam, I want to turn very small items. Down to 8mm or possibly even smaller if I can. I want to use the central machinery 10x18" lathe from harbor freight. Could you possibly suggest which kind of chuck I should use?
Kmsan I think what you need to look for are "pin" jaws. You could buy a number of small scroll chucks, with or without the jaws: (Body only). Pin jaws can hold very small items. You can check the dimensions in the description of the jaws. Something like this----- www.rockler.com/nova-mini-spigot-jaw-set?PL&sid=V9146&gclid=CjwKCAjw2s_MBRA5EiwAmWIac-ULDzE5ddBVrvWdBIkljuUoN-eQ1l5NK5VX6Y0tvE_4Rji9xOARzRoCPeQQAvD_BwE Sam
I'm the beginner I need so much of information I'm still confuse what should I get.i want to get lathe and all these accessories I don't know what to do
Just came across this video and really enjoyed it. I have a Vicmarc 120 for a variety of spindle and bowl work. I am looking to add another scroll chuck to my collection and was wondering if I should add another 120 with different jaws or a 100. I have the HP to turn the 120 but was wondering if the 100 might be an option for smaller stuff or just go with another 120? Thanks.
I really like the smallish size of the 100. I have one with shark jaws which has become a favorite for boxes and such. For the 120 that you have, you could get a set of 3" jaws for larger bowls. And trade them out. I like the 3" jaws as the are not enormous but can do a 12-15" bowl ok and can expand larger for a platter. I usual just buy a chuck body and then get the jaws I prefer. Sam
@@WYOMINGWOODTURNER Thank you for the quick reply. Your last comment is kind of the direction I am heading...dedicated chucks with dedicated jaws. As I find I need them, I might buy some of the more specialty jaws and swap them out when I need them for a project but want to have a decent selection of chucks that are ready to go. Larry
I hear a lot of turners saying that they do not like jaws that have the grooves on the inside. They say they would rather have smooth dovetail jaws. I do not understand the reasoning behind that. Personal preference or for a certain reason? Thanks Sam!
+Tom Wilcox At least some of those grooved' jaws are straight or have walls that are parallel. I also don't like them. Luckily I only have one set. They are difficult to grip. Depending on where the serrations end up, they can push the piece out of the chuck a little, just enough to push it out of true. I am with the dovetail folks. Thanks Sam
What would be a good chuck for a 1/4"-1/2" steel mandrel? I know that i might need a 3 jaw metal chuck, but I was hoping that there might be other options. I turn cork handles using steel mandrels since cork is too soft by itself.
Will I would stay away from a metal working Chuck. I had one years ago and they are not great for holding wood. If you want to hold something as small as a quarter of an inch you can get pin jaws. These are draws normally used for holding small items like a finial. I use these for my bottle stoppers occasionally or holding a pen mandrel. Every maker of scroll chucks will have a wide variety of jaws , they go from very small to 5 or 6 inches for large bowls.. Hope this helpsSam
Mike, I’m new to wood turning and just purchased a Jet 1640. If I purchased Jaws, which would be your suggestion. By the way I’ve been an avid woodworker for 40+ years.
I have experience with 3 makes of scroll chucks. 1) Vicmarc would be at the top of my list- a little more expensive but you will never be sorry you bought these. I have the VM 100 an 120. Depends on what size stuff you turn. 2). Next I like Record Power scroll chucks a lot. These are well made and would be a chuck I would not hesitate to buy. 3) Nova chucks. I have 5 or 6 of these. They are an old favorite of my and also a good chuck. Sam
I have been looking at the Nova cole jaws and i need a great and cheep chuck for them. Heard that the G3 is great but i cant find it without jaws (I dont need the standard because the chuck will most likely only be used with cole jaws.). Im located in EU. Can you help?
I have just bought a chuck like one of the ones you talked about. I don't yet know all the terminology so you may have to guess at what I am asking. When I prepare a piece to put in the chuck do I want the chuck jaws to close in around my piece or do I want the jaws to spread out into the sides of my piece of wood? By the way I just recently found your channel and I do hope to learn from you. Thank you for sharing and God Bless my friend.
+Frank Ingram For the best grip.....you want the jaws to tighten down as close to a circle as possible. This will give you more contact with the wood, as opposed to having them extended too far. Then, they only grip on the 8 points of the jaw corners. Sam
+Frank Ingram I think you are asking is it better to use a tenon or a recess. Both work well when done properly. I think it is mainly personal preference. I prefer tenons for most things except platters.
I have an old unusual type of lathe on which the headstock has a MALE Morse Taper 2 on its end. So i need a chuck witha FEMALE Morse Taper 2 on its back. Do i have any options?
I have Vicmark and Nova chucks. Nova is a good one. Vicmark is better but more expensive. I would say get the largest chuck your lathe can handle safely. Then you can buy jaw sets to fit it in the future. Most chucks come with 2" jaws that are not great for turning bowls. They are better suited for boxes or spindle work. I also think this one is good www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/100/6478/Record-Power-SC4-Companion-Chuck I have this jaw set and I love it. Very heavy duty. www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/105/6460/Record-Power-3%22-Heavy-Bowl-GripperJaws?term=chuck+jaws Sam
Hey Sam! Awesome info as always! I just got my first lathe for Christmas and it didn't come with a chuck. It's a Turncrafter variable speed with a 10" swing. What should be my first chuck if I want to turn mostly bowls?
Hotrod.... I have used lots of different chucks. My first choice is always Vicmarc which I feel are the best but also expensive. Here is a link to Record Power which I am very impressed with--- www.woodcraft.com/products/record-power-sc4-chuck-50mm-jaw-woodscrew-and-2-faceplate-package-62063?gclid=Cj0KCQjw--GFBhDeARIsACH_kdaVgWvL7AGXcg2d3dopxGvS3fTCbuHO1seDkwWFsyxe9ejjBpKbWVgaArlCEALw_wcB The 2" jaws that come with this chuck will work for smaller bowls but once you get into 10-12" bowls you might upgrade to a heaftyer jaw set. Sam
@@WYOMINGWOODTURNER Well unbeknownst to me my wife got me a Nova G3. It came with 3 sets of jaws, 2", 4" and the pin jaws! Happy birthday to me! Thanks for all the videos you share Sam! You have quite the library that I have to catch up on!
If money is not so much of an issue I would go with a Vicmark chuck with larger jaws. Vicmark makes 3 sizes of chuck bodies. Here is a link. www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/100/4249/Vicmarc-VM150-Dual-Action-Mega-Chuck-w-o-Jaws If you are turning really large 20" stuff then get the largest size. For jaws, go to this link. www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/105/5455/Vicmarc-Mega-Dovetail-Jaw-Set I have this larger chuck with 5 inch jaws. I can turn most anything I want. Yes it is all expensive Good luck Sam
Sam, as a new woodturner this was helpful. Not having a lot of extra money to spend. Do you think this is a good set to start with, Apprentice 4-Jaw Chuck 8 Piece Set. From Craft Supplies USA. Comes with Chuck body measures 3-3/4" and Includes: No. 1 Jaws (Compression: 3/8" - 1-3/4", Expansion: 7/8" - 2-3/8") No. 2 Jaws (Compression: 1-3/4" - 3", Expansion: 2" - 3-3/8") No. 3 Jaws (Compression: 2-7/8" - 4-5/8", Expansion: 3-3/8" - 5-1/8") Pin Jaws (Compression: N/A, Expansion: 1" - 2-3/8") 1" x 8TPI Threaded insert 3/4" x 16TPI Threaded insert Woodworm screw T-handle chuck key T-handle Allen Wrenches Wood Storage Box
Yes I think this is a pretty good way to go. Changing jaws can be an issue. But I am sure you probably would not change jaws all that often. I have a friend with this set-up. Sam
WYOMINGWOODTURNER , Thank you for your fast reply in answering my question. That will be my first purchase for my new lathe. I enjoy watching your channel, always very good information that you are give us. Very much appreciated.
Hi Sam. I have a PSI CSC2000C system with few sets of jaws. I dropped it on a concrete floor so now it wobbles. There is no problem with the jaws and the pieces where they are screwed. Do you think I would be to difficult or risky to break if I try straight it with an hammer (I don't know if the metal can take some hits? Are, most of the time, wood lathe chuck jaws can be used with other brand chuck?
I would be careful hitting it with a hammer in hopes of fixing the wobble. You might make it worse. I would contact the manufacturer and perhaps send it in for them to determine IF it can be fixed. Do you know where it is bents? Generally jaw set aren't interchangeable with other scroll chuck bodies. Sam
Most chucks come standard with 2" jaws. I like to buy my chucks separate and then buy jaws as I need them. You can also make jam chucks for holding wood. For what you are describing, a wooden jam chucks might work well. Sam
I am trying to turn a 12" mango bowl and twice the tennon has sheared off it on me. Whar size chuck jaws would you be using as I be honest it starting to scare me
Mumma First here is a link that may help. It is one of my videos. ua-cam.com/video/PhtGZfM2A9o/v-deo.html Two things can contribute to this happening. 1) A poorly turned tenon. And if the tenon is not turned correctly, it can break off. The tenon must contact the chuck jaws correctly. I cover this in the video. 2) next what can cause the tenon to break off is when the grain of the bowl is so parallel that it creates a perfect situation for it to break off. But primarily it is #1. Sam
Anyone have a recommendation for what chuck I should get for a mini lathe? I'd say I'm an entry level bowl turner but I have used a lathe to turn dowels and table legs before. Any feedback is appreciated.
Dustin You can certainly have a slightly larger chuck on a small lathe: (not too big, however). With that said, I think there are many good chucks out there. Nova, Record, Vicmark are all good. I think an even bigger decision is what jaws you will get. You can consider getting a chuck body and then selecting jaws you want, or maybe more than one set. The 2 inch jaws that usually come with most chucks are not the best for turning bowls. They are better suited for items like an end grain box. Sam
Sir,I notice that you have primarily Nova and Vicmarc chucks. Is that by design because of the jaws or are their chucks of better quality? The other brand I hear a lot of is OneWay, but you didn't seem to have their chuck.Thank you for the VERY informative videos and information. You do great work and I wish I could half of what you do. Dave
+YokoandDavid Light Nova, and VIcmarcs (chucks, and lathes) are made in Australia, and are held in high esteem by many Aussie woodturners. These two lathe accessories are extremely well engineered.
+YokoandDavid Light I think the Nova and especially the Vicmarc re excellent tools. It is more by accident that I first bought a few Nova chucks and jaws. I then got my first Vicmark. I now have four. I really don't know anything about the Oneway. So I hesitate to comment on something i have never used. Sam
+Leari Tee Actually, Teknatool is a New Zealand company and their chucks are made in China and have been for many years. Not necessarily a bad thing in that they are made in a Teknatool plant to Teknatool specs. I have 4 of their chucks, by the way.
Nice vid ... as an aside, I would recommend the little hard plastic washer which goes between the chuck and the spindle - this has saved me a boatload of whacked knuckles and bad language! don't need cussing - I get enough of that at work ;)
+Matthew Williams A bit of beeswax or WD40 will accomplish the same thing. The plastic washer can distort and cause run out. I saw one that was a real mess. But, one size doesn't fit all.
Hey yo I’m only 15 and keen as in wood turning I live in Australia so Vicmarc chucks and normal nova type chuck are the same price I bought my first chuck the VM120 off of timber bits for about $300 aid and it can with $70 whorth of accessories and $50 off of the original price go and buy one if you want I don’t no how long this deal will last for wheather or not it works overseas I’m not sure but hella keen for it to arrive. P.s thought I better flex on y’all lol 😂
Chris, Always nice to hear from a new (young) woodturner. keep at it. Turning is a great pastime and a possible career. So in Australia? You must be going into summer. Cold with lots of snow here. Be safe and let me know if you need any help. Sam
Hello, I am new to woodturning (4 weeks) and looking for my first chuck. Would the 1 inch 50mm nova you mentioned at the start be a good purchase? Any help would be great! And how much would i expect to pay for it? I started off with a harbour freight lathe for my first machine while i save for something better. Thank you! your videos have inspired into this craft and i have learned a lot.
Yes I agree. I have been collecting chucks for probably 25 years. I have a certain jaw set on each one. I also have some that fit a 1 inch spindle and some that fit a 1 1/4" spindle. To answer your question. Mainly it is faster. If I am doing a run of 20 bowls, a scroll chuck is very fast. I do use faceplates on some items---mainly very large pieces. You certainly can get by with the chuck (s) you need and faceplates. Anyway I like tools and make no excuse. But I am probably done buying chucks for a while......Thanks Sam
Well I see you are the bowl turner . I have just been playing around. You should know what you are doing. I guess I will haft to buy me a chuck do you have any good ideas what to buy? I might be doing anything ?
There are many good chucks on the market. I like Nova, Vickmark. Record looks good. Oneway has straight jaws and I would not buy a chuck with straight jaws. They are difficult to fix a piece of wood onto these jaws compared to ones with a dovetail jaws. Sam
Very concise and informative Sam, successfully addressing the confusion around chucks and jaws, especially for the newer turner. Good no-nonsense video.
Take care
Mike
Im trying to figure out who the hell is Chuck? Sounds like a nice guy.......
Mike Waldt m
Thanks, Sam. Very informative and helpful. I am in the process of buying a lathe and was puzzling over the choice of chuck to go with it but watching this has cleared things up for me. Cheers.
Tell you what, though...I wish the US, Liberia and Myanmar would hurry up and join the rest of the world in converting to metric as the rapid mental gymnastics I go through when watching things like this, trying to quickly convert fractions of inches to millimetres, really does my head in sometimes. :-)
Very nice job Sam thanks for sharing
Very timely video for me Sam regarding adding more jaw options for my future turning. Really helpful & informative. Many thanks for the advice/opinions.
Geof (UK)
Lots of great information Sam. I have two Nova chucks with a small assortment of jaws and I seem to use most of them for different projects. Rich
Tons of great info, Sam! Lots of stuff to think about. It was awesome to meet you at the Utah Woodturning Symposium too!
A gorgeous set of lathe chucks. Review is excellent. Like!
It does get complicated with size and shape of jaws to use. Thanks for bringing this up as I'm always looking at what set to commit to.
cheers,
Lee
good educational video Sam wish i had seen this several years ago
I felt bad because I have 3 lathes, but now I can tell my better half "see I'm not bad, He has four!!!" Great video Sam!!!
Thanks for a very informative video on chucks. I wish I had watched this a few years ago and I could have a more informed decision.
Great topic, Sam. As I own all 4 of the Teknatool chuck styles, I was curious about the two Record Power chucks which look almost identical to the SN2 and the G3. I did a review of the larger Record Power SC4 chuck like the SN2. In my opinion it is beefier and higher quality than the SN2. I was surprised. And it turns the typical way to tighten, righty tighty instead of the backwards Kiwi way.
When I started I got a used lathe with a SN2 and 5 sets of jaws. I had to have a woodturner come over and explain what they were all for. And this was for a Jet 10x14 mini! The previous owner made some strange buying decisions.
Great run down, Sam. I keep a mental list of jaws I want/need for projects and always have an eye out for a chuck body on ebay or Craigs List.
Mark
It took a long time to collect them. But I love them all, haha
Thanks once again Sam for an excellent video on an interesting subject...chucks and jaws... I really enjoyed your explanation of the different jaws and reasons for using them for a particular purpose. One comment though, is that many new wood turners need to know that most jaws are NOT interchangeable between one chuck mfg. and another...(Nova/Record are recent exceptions although the price difference is minor...)... You CANNOT interchange VicMar w/Nova nor Nova w/Grizzley, nor VicMarc with PSI, etc.). I currently have 5 Nova Chucks and wish I had a dozen more as I dislike swapping jaws everytime I want to turn a different size project.
You might also mention that several mfgs are now offering 'quick change' chucks/jaws (i.e.; Nova, Record, etc...) another option to make changing jaws easier. Just a thought... Again, THANKS!!! for all you do and your EXCELLENT videos! I always look forward to seeing your videos and often refer back to them for sage/professional advice that I can ALWAYS count on!!! Safe turning to you ALWAYS!
Thanks Sam! As usual very instructive. I confirm that all these little bits and pieces reach easily the price of the lathe! But hey, boys and toys...Greetings from Luxembourg.Paul
I hope you have a lovely day in Luxembourg....I say, "take the money from your kids inheritance"
Sam
WYOMINGWOODTURNER Actually not a bad idea. I have 3 of those little buggers! :)
I did a lot of research when I got my Rikon midi.....I went with the Barracuda II set, with 3 different jaws....used those for several years and finally bought a second Barracuda body, so I could leave my Cole jaws on one to enable faster transition when doing finish turning... since my lathe only has a 12" swing, they've worked perfectly for me.... I've been tempted a few times by the "quick-change" jaws recently put out by Nova, but their pricemark is set a bit too high for me to indulge on something my budget would complain about and I can get around just by spending a little time.....
There's a lot of really good chuck sets out there....but it's more than worth the money you put into it....
Great info! Thanks Sam.
Take care, Dave
Hi Sam many thanks, you have saved me a lot of wasted time and a ton of money, you do a great job on UA-cam. Were did you get that good looking Penknife you carry on you belt. A lot of work but keep the cannel going. All the best Charlie
Charlie Kingpine
I look back over the video you did not notice a particular knife. I do usually carry a knife on my belt and I probably have six or eight different knives along with the leather sheath that I made. But my favorite place to go to to buy a knife is A.G. Russell. You can do a search and find that knife maker very easily. Later SAM
At 3:48 To see if my coffee was done, dang it Sam you got me
Nice video thank you for sharing our knowledge
Have you ever consider of buying wood lathe chuck quick change system like those two:
1- Barracuda 5 Quick Change Jaw Chuck System with FREE Pen Blank Drilling Jaws
2- Nova Infinity Quick Change Chuck System (you can also buy only some parts to make your old Nova2 chuck/jaws to make it/hose a quick change system).
I'm starting looking and I think I'd buy the Barracuda 5 because it is seems to me to be a faster quick change system and I like to have many jaws options (4 sets of jaws and a central screw are included. The only thing with this choice is, after the price issue (I am in Quebec Canada), for the sake of security and speed, I would rather like to have an hexagonal wrench for jaws tightening instead of having a key that penetrates the chuck.
Have you had any experience with either the One Way or E-Z Wood chucks?
Nice video, Sam.
Have the chucks and jaws explained very well.
I also have 2 chuck (once No Name and Nova G3 [Set]).
Will also ensure even buy me extra jaws so.
By Your video, I made a mistake when I noticed. Wanted A vase (diameter 15cm / 6 "and about 25 - 30cm / 9.8 to 11.8" long) turn yew, caving in, the vase is broken me from my chuck and was broken. I had the wrong chuck, namely, the small (55mm) instead of the large (100mm extended).
Thank you for sharing.
Gunter
Thanks very much form watching. Sam
Hi Sam, I want to turn very small items. Down to 8mm or possibly even smaller if I can. I want to use the central machinery 10x18" lathe from harbor freight. Could you possibly suggest which kind of chuck I should use?
Kmsan
I think what you need to look for are "pin" jaws. You could buy a number of small scroll chucks, with or without the jaws: (Body only). Pin jaws can hold very small items. You can check the dimensions in the description of the jaws. Something like this-----
www.rockler.com/nova-mini-spigot-jaw-set?PL&sid=V9146&gclid=CjwKCAjw2s_MBRA5EiwAmWIac-ULDzE5ddBVrvWdBIkljuUoN-eQ1l5NK5VX6Y0tvE_4Rji9xOARzRoCPeQQAvD_BwE
Sam
WYOMINGWOODTURNER thank you!!
I'm the beginner I need so much of information I'm still confuse what should I get.i want to get lathe and all these accessories I don't know what to do
Just came across this video and really enjoyed it. I have a Vicmarc 120 for a variety of spindle and bowl work. I am looking to add another scroll chuck to my collection and was wondering if I should add another 120 with different jaws or a 100. I have the HP to turn the 120 but was wondering if the 100 might be an option for smaller stuff or just go with another 120? Thanks.
I really like the smallish size of the 100. I have one with shark jaws which has become a favorite for boxes and such. For the 120 that you have, you could get a set of 3" jaws for larger bowls. And trade them out. I like the 3" jaws as the are not enormous but can do a 12-15" bowl ok and can expand larger for a platter. I usual just buy a chuck body and then get the jaws I prefer. Sam
@@WYOMINGWOODTURNER Thank you for the quick reply. Your last comment is kind of the direction I am heading...dedicated chucks with dedicated jaws. As I find I need them, I might buy some of the more specialty jaws and swap them out when I need them for a project but want to have a decent selection of chucks that are ready to go. Larry
Thanks, this was very helpful. Have you had any experience with the Easy Tools chuck? The snap-in jaws seems very attractive.
I have never used them. But I think it is a good idea. Sam
I hear a lot of turners saying that they do not like jaws that have the grooves on the inside. They say they would rather have smooth dovetail jaws. I do not understand the reasoning behind that. Personal preference or for a certain reason? Thanks Sam!
+Tom Wilcox At least some of those grooved' jaws are straight or have walls that are parallel. I also don't like them. Luckily I only have one set. They are difficult to grip. Depending on where the serrations end up, they can push the piece out of the chuck a little, just enough to push it out of true. I am with the dovetail folks. Thanks Sam
What would be a good chuck for a 1/4"-1/2" steel mandrel? I know that i might need a 3 jaw metal chuck, but I was hoping that there might be other options. I turn cork handles using steel mandrels since cork is too soft by itself.
Will
I would stay away from a metal working Chuck. I had one years ago and they are not great for holding wood. If you want to hold something as small as a quarter of an inch you can get pin jaws. These are draws normally used for holding small items like a finial. I use these for my bottle stoppers occasionally or holding a pen mandrel. Every maker of scroll chucks will have a wide variety of jaws , they go from very small to 5 or 6 inches for large bowls.. Hope this helpsSam
Mike, I’m new to wood turning and just purchased a Jet 1640. If I purchased Jaws, which would be your suggestion. By the way I’ve been an avid woodworker for 40+ years.
I have experience with 3 makes of scroll chucks. 1) Vicmarc would be at the top of my list- a little more expensive but you will never be sorry you bought these. I have the VM 100 an 120. Depends on what size stuff you turn. 2). Next I like Record Power scroll chucks a lot. These are well made and would be a chuck I would not hesitate to buy. 3) Nova chucks. I have 5 or 6 of these. They are an old favorite of my and also a good chuck. Sam
I have been looking at the Nova cole jaws and i need a great and cheep chuck for them. Heard that the G3 is great but i cant find it without jaws (I dont need the standard because the chuck will most likely only be used with cole jaws.). Im located in EU. Can you help?
I am pretty sure that Craft Supply USA carries the G3 chuck body. It is a very good chuck. Sam
I have just bought a chuck like one of the ones you talked about. I don't yet know all the terminology so you may have to guess at what I am asking. When I prepare a piece to put in the chuck do I want the chuck jaws to close in around my piece or do I want the jaws to spread out into the sides of my piece of wood? By the way I just recently found your channel and I do hope to learn from you. Thank you for sharing and God Bless my friend.
+Frank Ingram For the best grip.....you want the jaws to tighten down as close to a circle as possible. This will give you more contact with the wood, as opposed to having them extended too far. Then, they only grip on the 8 points of the jaw corners. Sam
+Frank Ingram I think you are asking is it better to use a tenon or a recess. Both work well when done properly. I think it is mainly personal preference. I prefer tenons for most things except platters.
I have an old unusual type of lathe on which the headstock has a MALE Morse Taper 2 on its end. So i need a chuck witha FEMALE Morse Taper 2 on its back. Do i have any options?
Zara,
Very interesting. But I have never heard of this before. Maybe a machine shop can make you an adapter. Good luck. Sam
do you have a particular brand and model you would recommend for a new turner working on a Jet midi lathe? I'd like to mostly turn bowls and boxes.
I have Vicmark and Nova chucks. Nova is a good one. Vicmark is better but more expensive. I would say get the largest chuck your lathe can handle safely. Then you can buy jaw sets to fit it in the future. Most chucks come with 2" jaws that are not great for turning bowls. They are better suited for boxes or spindle work. I also think this one is good
www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/100/6478/Record-Power-SC4-Companion-Chuck
I have this jaw set and I love it. Very heavy duty.
www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/105/6460/Record-Power-3%22-Heavy-Bowl-GripperJaws?term=chuck+jaws
Sam
Hey Sam! Awesome info as always! I just got my first lathe for Christmas and it didn't come with a chuck. It's a Turncrafter variable speed with a 10" swing. What should be my first chuck if I want to turn mostly bowls?
Hotrod.... I have used lots of different chucks. My first choice is always Vicmarc which I feel are the best but also expensive. Here is a link to Record Power which I am very impressed with--- www.woodcraft.com/products/record-power-sc4-chuck-50mm-jaw-woodscrew-and-2-faceplate-package-62063?gclid=Cj0KCQjw--GFBhDeARIsACH_kdaVgWvL7AGXcg2d3dopxGvS3fTCbuHO1seDkwWFsyxe9ejjBpKbWVgaArlCEALw_wcB
The 2" jaws that come with this chuck will work for smaller bowls but once you get into 10-12" bowls you might upgrade to a heaftyer jaw set. Sam
@@WYOMINGWOODTURNER Well unbeknownst to me my wife got me a Nova G3. It came with 3 sets of jaws, 2", 4" and the pin jaws! Happy birthday to me! Thanks for all the videos you share Sam! You have quite the library that I have to catch up on!
@@hotrodhog2170 Your wife hit a homerun!!! I have several G3 chucks-and that is a good selection of Jaw sets. Have fun. Sam
@@WYOMINGWOODTURNER I hit a homerun when she said "I do" 8 years ago! Lol.
I have a big lathe and wanna turn bowls wich chuck would you buy
If money is not so much of an issue I would go with a Vicmark chuck with larger jaws. Vicmark makes 3 sizes of chuck bodies. Here is a link.
www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/100/4249/Vicmarc-VM150-Dual-Action-Mega-Chuck-w-o-Jaws
If you are turning really large 20" stuff then get the largest size. For jaws, go to this link.
www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/105/5455/Vicmarc-Mega-Dovetail-Jaw-Set
I have this larger chuck with 5 inch jaws. I can turn most anything I want.
Yes it is all expensive Good luck Sam
Sam, as a new woodturner this was helpful. Not having a lot of extra money to spend. Do you think this is a good set to start with, Apprentice 4-Jaw Chuck 8 Piece Set. From Craft Supplies USA. Comes with
Chuck body measures 3-3/4" and
Includes:
No. 1 Jaws (Compression: 3/8" - 1-3/4", Expansion: 7/8" - 2-3/8")
No. 2 Jaws (Compression: 1-3/4" - 3", Expansion: 2" - 3-3/8")
No. 3 Jaws (Compression: 2-7/8" - 4-5/8", Expansion: 3-3/8" - 5-1/8")
Pin Jaws (Compression: N/A, Expansion: 1" - 2-3/8")
1" x 8TPI Threaded insert
3/4" x 16TPI Threaded insert
Woodworm screw
T-handle chuck key
T-handle Allen Wrenches
Wood Storage Box
Yes I think this is a pretty good way to go. Changing jaws can be an issue. But I am sure you probably would not change jaws all that often. I have a friend with this set-up. Sam
WYOMINGWOODTURNER , Thank you for your fast reply in answering my question. That will be my first purchase for my new lathe. I enjoy watching your channel, always very good information that you are give us. Very much appreciated.
Hi Sam. I have a PSI CSC2000C system with few sets of jaws. I dropped it on a concrete floor so now it wobbles. There is no problem with the jaws and the pieces where they are screwed.
Do you think I would be to difficult or risky to break if I try straight it with an hammer (I don't know if the metal can take some hits? Are, most of the time, wood lathe chuck jaws can be used with other brand chuck?
I would be careful hitting it with a hammer in hopes of fixing the wobble. You might make it worse. I would contact the manufacturer and perhaps send it in for them to determine IF it can be fixed. Do you know where it is bents?
Generally jaw set aren't interchangeable with other scroll chuck bodies.
Sam
Thanks Sam. I'll contact the manufacturer. I'll have to sit and take a great look to see where is the bent.
Thanks. Very informative.
Where can I buy a Chuck and jaws together? Will it save me money? I only need it to hold a ring to sand the inside. I am lost with this stuff.
Most chucks come standard with 2" jaws. I like to buy my chucks separate and then buy jaws as I need them. You can also make jam chucks for holding wood. For what you are describing, a wooden jam chucks might work well. Sam
I'm a beginner wood turner with a jet 1221vs lathe. I really need a cheap set with the largest possible variety?
T38 M33 x 3.5 mm spindle
I am trying to turn a 12" mango bowl and twice the tennon has sheared off it on me. Whar size chuck jaws would you be using as I be honest it starting to scare me
Mumma
First here is a link that may help. It is one of my videos.
ua-cam.com/video/PhtGZfM2A9o/v-deo.html
Two things can contribute to this happening. 1) A poorly turned tenon. And if the tenon is not turned correctly, it can break off. The tenon must contact the chuck jaws correctly. I cover this in the video.
2) next what can cause the tenon to break off is when the grain of the bowl is so parallel that it creates a perfect situation for it to break off. But primarily it is #1.
Sam
Anyone have a recommendation for what chuck I should get for a mini lathe? I'd say I'm an entry level bowl turner but I have used a lathe to turn dowels and table legs before. Any feedback is appreciated.
Dustin
You can certainly have a slightly larger chuck on a small lathe: (not too big, however). With that said, I think there are many good chucks out there. Nova, Record, Vicmark are all good. I think an even bigger decision is what jaws you will get. You can consider getting a chuck body and then selecting jaws you want, or maybe more than one set. The 2 inch jaws that usually come with most chucks are not the best for turning bowls. They are better suited for items like an end grain box. Sam
Sir,I notice that you have primarily Nova and Vicmarc chucks. Is that by design because of the jaws or are their chucks of better quality? The other brand I hear a lot of is OneWay, but you didn't seem to have their chuck.Thank you for the VERY informative videos and information. You do great work and I wish I could half of what you do.
Dave
+YokoandDavid Light Nova, and VIcmarcs (chucks, and lathes) are made in Australia, and are held in high esteem by many Aussie woodturners.
These two lathe accessories are extremely well engineered.
+YokoandDavid Light
I think the Nova and especially the Vicmarc re excellent tools. It is more by accident that I first bought a few Nova chucks and jaws. I then got my first Vicmark. I now have four. I really don't know anything about the Oneway. So I hesitate to comment on something i have never used. Sam
+Leari Tee Actually, Teknatool is a New Zealand company and their chucks are made in China and have been for many years. Not necessarily a bad thing in that they are made in a Teknatool plant to Teknatool specs. I have 4 of their chucks, by the way.
+Mike Peace No Worries Mike, thanks :)
Nice vid ... as an aside, I would recommend the little hard plastic washer which goes between the chuck and the spindle - this has saved me a boatload of whacked knuckles and bad language! don't need cussing - I get enough of that at work ;)
+Matthew Williams A bit of beeswax or WD40 will accomplish the same thing. The plastic washer can distort and cause run out. I saw one that was a real mess. But, one size doesn't fit all.
Hey yo I’m only 15 and keen as in wood turning I live in Australia so Vicmarc chucks and normal nova type chuck are the same price I bought my first chuck the VM120 off of timber bits for about $300 aid and it can with $70 whorth of accessories and $50 off of the original price go and buy one if you want I don’t no how long this deal will last for wheather or not it works overseas I’m not sure but hella keen for it to arrive. P.s thought I better flex on y’all lol 😂
Chris, Always nice to hear from a new (young) woodturner. keep at it. Turning is a great pastime and a possible career. So in Australia? You must be going into summer. Cold with lots of snow here. Be safe and let me know if you need any help. Sam
Hello, I am new to woodturning (4 weeks) and looking for my first chuck. Would the 1 inch 50mm nova you mentioned at the start be a good purchase? Any help would be great! And how much would i expect to pay for it? I started off with a harbour freight lathe for my first machine while i save for something better. Thank you! your videos have inspired into this craft and i have learned a lot.
thanks
nice
sam greay info.
I'm senthilsundhar work wood lathe
Why do you not just use a face plate like I do ? It is a lot less expensive .
Yes I agree. I have been collecting chucks for probably 25 years. I have a certain jaw set on each one. I also have some that fit a 1 inch spindle and some that fit a 1 1/4" spindle. To answer your question. Mainly it is faster. If I am doing a run of 20 bowls, a scroll chuck is very fast. I do use faceplates on some items---mainly very large pieces. You certainly can get by with the chuck (s) you need and faceplates. Anyway I like tools and make no excuse. But I am probably done buying chucks for a while......Thanks Sam
Well I see you are the bowl turner . I have just been playing around. You should know what you are doing. I guess I will haft to buy me a chuck do you have any good ideas what to buy? I might be doing anything ?
There are many good chucks on the market. I like Nova, Vickmark. Record looks good. Oneway has straight jaws and I would not buy a chuck with straight jaws. They are difficult to fix a piece of wood onto these jaws compared to ones with a dovetail jaws. Sam
Salve signor angelo , peccato che non capisco inglese moto bene , comunque moto utile , grazie
Grazie per aver guardato, anche se sono italiano, non lo parlo. Stammi bene. (Spero che questo si traduca in OK)
Sam