Which chuck for new bowl turner?

[mikefm101]

Hi

Planning to turn bowls for the first time but confused over the choices for chucks.

Any guidance on what I should purchase? 12” diameter and smaller bowls turned on a Jet 1236 lathe with a Morse #2 taper.

1” x 8TPI spindle nose.

Eager for your ideas.

Mike

[macpianoman]

Me too. I’m tired of just spindle stuff. Lol

[bob-t]

Everybody has one(or more of the same) that they love.  Mine is the  oneway.  I got one when I was using a Shopsmith and so the insert arbor was 1/2".  Later I got a powermatic and the only thing I need to do was replace the insert.  No adapter to use.  I now have a total of three of them and have had no problems 13 years.
Bob

Hi

Planning to turn bowls for the first time but confused over the choices for chucks.  

Any guidance on what I should purchase?  12” diameter and smaller bowls turned on a Jet 1236 lathe with a Morse #2 taper.

1” x 8TPI spindle nose.  

Eager for your ideas.  

Mike

[Bill Holt]

I started with the Oneway Talon, 15 yrs later and a second lathe, still happy.

[MichaelMouse]

Hi

Planning to turn bowls for the first time but confused over the choices for chucks.  

Any guidance on what I should purchase?  12” diameter and smaller bowls turned on a Jet 1236 lathe with a Morse #2 taper.

I'm Nova.  Since I gleefully retired my first "Masterchuck" from all jaw duties.  Scroll chucks of all brands are somewhat equal, so quality of hold can't be determined by cost.  Get the one that has a good selection of options for holding your work.  I like the pin jaws (1"), the standard 2" and the so-called 75mm (which ain't) "bowl" jaws.  All of which have internal wedged mortise holding capability.  An internal hold made possible by the single holdover from that Masterchuck - the pin chuck.  

Not only does it start almost every rough operation MUCH more safely than a spur center, it's much less fidgety than a thread and requires less prep than a faceplate.  Mine now from https://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/ , because my original from the Masterchuck was 1"8 only.  When used as I do, between centers until relative circularity is achieved, it can then allow me to make the mortise I will reverse to the scroll chuck, saving depth in the most typical bowl configuration.  Possible with the others, but much more risky.  

I reverse and hollow, leaving a pillar with my pin chuck mount for remounting after a wet piece cures.  After cure, a 1" bit reams the original hole, and the piece is remounted and turned.  It's possible, but not as convenient, or to this coward, safe, to do the same with the pin jaws.  I do on shallow pieces all the time, but with the Nova 3000's capacity at 15 3/4 over the ways, I prefer the pin chuck for pieces over 2-3 inches deep.  

Not sure of current pricing, but for 90% of my current work, I would  purchase the pin chuck over the "bowl" jaws.  I use them for lidded boxes and such, not bowls.

Don't forget a live center for the tailstock.  Get one that has a cup center option as well as a threaded self-made add-on capability. Mine's also a Nova.

[Wildwood]

We don’t know your budget so find a chuck can afford! For you lathe paying attention to weight of the chucks is important. Already said may need to buy a threaded insert and some chucks come from factory with what you need.

https://www.packardwoodworks.com/chuck-fourjaw.html

https://www.thewoodturningstore.com/bran...tools.html

Think Nova G-3 & Hurrricarne chucks come direct threaded. I am partial to my Oneway Talon even though pay extra for threaded insert. After upgrading my lathe just bought new insert to fit.

[AHill]

One advantage of the Nova chucks is nearly every jaw set is interchangeable with different size (Nova) chucks. They make the quick change jaw sets also, which are nice. If you really get into bowl turning, you may end up with several different chucks, all set up for different tasks. The quick change jaw sets can offer you a much quicker option of changing jaws if you're limited to one chuck. For your size lathe, I'd go for a Teknatool SuperNova2 chuck.

MM is right. The quality of chucks is about the same when you compare Teknatool, Oneway, Axminster, Vicmarc, Record are all good brands.

[Arlin Eastman]

I started off by getting the one from Pennstate and then sold it and bought the Oneway and sold that afew years later.


I then bought the Axminister Evolution chuck which is all Stainless steel along with the



https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/too...em=58B4032


They do have smaller chucks then the Evolution if you click on the select link.

The jaws I really like which one goes inside the other with one screw to take out or put in

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/too...aw-inserts

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/too...em=58B4061

 
And the thick dovetails I have

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/too...em=58B4056

[mpax356]

Here is a video I did on buying your first chuck. Maybe you will find some useful information. https://youtu.be/mfZCJYLIAfw

[mikefm101]

Hi all,

Thanks for the insights.

I ended up ordering a Nova G3 Comet kit from Rockler. They were having a sale on it, plus on line orders weren’t charging sales tax for the tax free weekend here in MA.

Apologies if I sound like an advertisement for Rockler. No affiliation with them.

I think it has what I need, it includes the 1” 8TPI spindle adapter.

I’ve got a bunch of firewood too gnarled to split with an axe that should end up on the lathe in a month or so.

Enjoy the weekend.

Mike