Eccentric chuck

[Terry Gerros]

Oh wise ones,

I am looking into yet another tool for my lathe. Would appreciate your alls input on your experience with the eccentric chucks that are available.

TIA,
Terry

[John Keeton]

Terry, you will probably have some other input, but I did a quick search on pendants and found the following threads that may be helpful and at least get you started in your quest for info -

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=118380

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=118702

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=113510&page=2

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=134222

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=134234

[Alan Zenreich]

I have two of the pendant backer plates John mentioned.

However, they are not chucks. There are a few out there by different manufactureres.

One that's interesting: Do a google search for ShapeShifter chuck from ShapeShifterTools. They were at the AAW Symposium recently... their device lets you use your own chuck in an offest manner.

[Terry Gerros]

Hi Alan,

I saw the Shapeshifter chuck and watched the little video clip attached. I believe the only thing that makes me nervous about it is having the attached chuck whirling about. Mind you, I turn rectangular winged bowls at 2600 rpm, nothing like the sound of a propeller next to you, but that much steel, well it just makes me nervous.

Terry

[Alan Zenreich]

Terry,

I agree that any off center configuration needs a lot of respect and special handling. I just thought it was an interesting approach.

[Allen Neighbors]

If I were going for an eccentric chuck, it would be this one:
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Chucks___Multi_Axis_Chucks___Escoulen_Chuck_System ___escoulen_chuck?Args=

[Ralph Lindberg]

If I were going for an eccentric chuck, it would be this one:
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Chucks___Multi_Axis_Chucks___Escoulen_Chuck_System ___escoulen_chuck?Args=

The only real problem in that chuck, I do beleive it was discontinued (as in no longer made)

The third generation design is being sold by Vicmarc (http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=699), I understand the only US Vendor is Woodworkers Emporium in Las Vegas

It ain't cheap, but it will do just about anything

[Moshe Eshel]

If I were going for an eccentric chuck, it would be this one:
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Chucks___Multi_Axis_Chucks___Escoulen_Chuck_System ___escoulen_chuck?Args=

I've had the pleasure of taking a short hands on training on this chuck with Escoulen himself - and I'll tell you, if I were happy enough with my "regular" wood turning skills and felt the need to grow into Eccentric turning - this is the only chuck I would invest in... the newer generation chuck by Escoulen (or the one that is now offered by ShapeShifter tools - do not offer the same capabilities (a different sort of off-center turning).

Also the innovation in the ShapeShifter chuck is cool, but it means that I have to have an additional adapter for my chucks (and install it as well) every time I want to work with the special chuck... why only an 1" 8 TPI thread? and I find that the website doesn't give enough technical details for me to feel comfortable with purchasing the product...