Nova G3

[dennis kranz]

Will the Nova G3 Wood chuck be a large enough chuck for a 16 inch bowl with the standard jaws that come with the chuck? Or would you have to upgrade to larger jaws? Even with larger jaws would the chuck be large enough?
Dennis

[Angie Orfanedes]

The Nova G3 Chuck Manual states "it is not recommended that work exceed a diameter of 14 inches and a depth of 5 inches with this chuck."

[Ryan Baker]

... And the standard 2" jaws are way too small to safely hold a 16" blank.

[Scott Conners]

The common suggestion is a tenon 1/3 the diameter of the piece, so a 16" blank would have a ~5.25" tenon.

[Mike Peace]

Teknatools documentation is not always as clear as it could be but appears to say the G3 is OK for lathes up to 14" and the SN2 is recommended for lathes up to 20". I have both the G3 and SN2. I use the SN2 with Powergrip jaws for bowls larger than about 12" on my PM3520.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Anything over 14" I use 4" jaws. I cut my tenon to 4 1/4". I would probably get me a bigger chuck that the G3 if going 16" or larger.

[Norm Zax]

Can anyone tell me please what the threading is on this chuck, without any insert? I have it with a 3/4" 16TPI insert. Will I be able to make it fit a Jet 16" (1-1/4"X8TPI)

[Frank Townend]

How much wood could a Nova chuck chuck, if a Nova chuck could chuck wood?

Sorry, it was staring me in the face....

[Joshua Dinerstein]

Can anyone tell me please what the threading is on this chuck, without any insert? I have it with a 3/4" 16TPI insert. Will I be able to make it fit a Jet 16" (1-1/4"X8TPI)
I believe it is a 1 1/2" diameter hole in the back of the chuck. I have one here at the house that I borrowed from a local store. No really just honestly borrowed. I got an insert from them too for a 1 1/4" x 8 tpi for my jet. Fit great. I had/have serious wobble issues with the G3 chuck so I am taking it back and keeping the SN2 that I bought. No wobble there.

Joshua

[Alan Trout]

Norm,

the G3 can have a insert installed in the chuck for 1 1/4" spindle. I have both G3 and SN2. Mine are as close to perfect on runout as you could wish for .001 or less on both. They key with a chuck with screw inserts are to make sure that the threads are clean and no burrs on the mating surface and the insert is properly seated. If any of these things are overlooked runout can become an issue. I know this from personal experiance.

For a small to medium size lathe the G3 is a nice chuck that has wonderful jaw compatability with the rest of the Nova series of chucks. If it is a good price I would go for it.

Alan

[Norm Zax]

Thanks Josh and Alan. In fact I have the G3 and have been happily using it for the last year. Im upgrading to a Jet 16" and am contemplating a bigger chuck, without spending more than I need ("post lathe buying pocket vortex"). I know the G3 is recommended up to about 14". Maybe the SN2 will be fine but does it really only offer another 1/2 inch? Any other chucks in this category (being the next step after the G3)? Maybe a barracuda. Hmmmm.
Dennis, sorry for hijacking the thread but take this as a warm recommendation for the G3.
Looks like us Jet 16ers will be needing our own forum soon, after the Toolnut special ; )

[Jim Kountz]

I use the G3 with the 3" jaws for bowls around 14-16" and havent had any trouble. A bigger tenon would be better but the G3 does work for this. I core with it too. I just recently got a SN2 however and as soon as my 4" jaws get here I will be using that and keeping the G3 for setup for smaller stuff.
I actually prefer the key the G3 uses over the hex key the SN2 uses. With the G3 key you can keep everything from moving around while you tighten it and with the SN2 it kinda wants to move since the key doesnt fit tight like the G3.

[Mike Meredith]

Call me careful but to me, the G3 is a bit too small to a 16 inch bowl. I do agree about the key vs the pinions on the SN2. I've had to replace a set of pinions on one of my SN2 after a year. It was easy enough i can't get too upset.

[Jim Kountz]

Call me careful but to me, the G3 is a bit too small to a 16 inch bowl. I do agree about the key vs the pinions on the SN2. I've had to replace a set of pinions on one of my SN2 after a year. It was easy enough i can't get too upset.


Hey Mike, you're careful!!:D:D:D:D
Actually I thought the same thing at first but since at that time it was the only chuck I had I just used it. After doing about 20-30 coring jobs with it at around 14-15.5" I stopped being afraid of it. If it held throughout all that then its passed the test in my book. This was with the 100mm jaws.

[Ryan Baker]

Using the larger jaws makes a lot more difference than switching up to the larger chuck body. Chucking a 16" blank with 2" jaws is risking big trouble.

[Jim Kountz]

Chucking a 16" blank with 2" jaws is risking big trouble.

Agreed I would never do that!!