Russell Neyman
06-09-2011, 12:53 PM
My neighbor, Dave, and I are veteran woodturners, and between the two of us we own 10-12 chucks manufactured by various companies. You know how it is; you pick up one here and there at garage sales and when stores have deals, so you end up with a motley collection. We both really like the One-Ways best, but that's not the point of my discussion.
Some time ago Dave purchased a Barracuda, which I understand is designed to be an inexpensive alternative to the One-Ways and Novas. The Barracuda is similar to other designs, and has a pair of square-drive bevel gears mounted in the chuck's main casing that drive a matching, larger bevel gear. After using if for what the thinks is two years, the teeth of the angled gears have gotten worn to the point where he really can't use the darn thing. We're only talking about wear on the two smaller gears, and not the larger primary one. Both of these can be removed by withdrawing the screws that hold them in place. It would appear that these smaller gears have not been hardened.
So, I have two questions: One, has anyone else had issues with excessive wear on the Barracuda? Two, are there sources for replacements parts for the Barracuda chuck?
Some time ago Dave purchased a Barracuda, which I understand is designed to be an inexpensive alternative to the One-Ways and Novas. The Barracuda is similar to other designs, and has a pair of square-drive bevel gears mounted in the chuck's main casing that drive a matching, larger bevel gear. After using if for what the thinks is two years, the teeth of the angled gears have gotten worn to the point where he really can't use the darn thing. We're only talking about wear on the two smaller gears, and not the larger primary one. Both of these can be removed by withdrawing the screws that hold them in place. It would appear that these smaller gears have not been hardened.
So, I have two questions: One, has anyone else had issues with excessive wear on the Barracuda? Two, are there sources for replacements parts for the Barracuda chuck?