Mike Cruz
04-25-2013, 11:59 PM
Well, a few things were factors in my decision, but I did it... I made the full switch... To Hurricane chucks.
Again, I have no affiliation with Steve (a fellow Creeker and seller of the chucks) or the company. I just like to pass on what I think are good products for good prices.
I've posted threads before about them. Here are my reasons for switching to all Hurricane chucks:
1) I HAD 4 Strongholds, 1 Grizzly, and an HTC. Not all the keys for the Strongholds fit all the Strongholds chucks(oddly enough), so I needed two keys out. I needed another for the Grizzly, and yet another for the HTC. So, I had 4 keys out for 6 chucks. Seemed a bit silly (and proved tiresome because inevitably, I always grabbed the wrong key for the Strongholds). All the HTCs use the same key. SO, a little less headache is reason one.
2) After buying the HTC 125 chuck, I really couldn't tell any quality difference between the HTC and the Stronghold. Both are solid chucks. One just costs a whole heck of a lot more... I think I could tell the difference between the HTC and the Grizzly. There is more slop/play in the Grizzly. And overall, I just like the HTC better. Bottom line, I was impressed with the chuck!
3) I knew that my Strongholds hold their value quite well. There is no denying that they are very good chucks. Used, they fetch more than the HTCs are new. So, I knew that I could sell my Strongholds, buy all new HTCs, and still have some money left over. For me, saving money was a no brainer.
So, what did I get?
1) HTC 100 with dovetail spigot (pin) jaws
2) HTC 100 with dovetail standard jaws
3) HTC 100 with dovetail large jaws
4) HTC 125 with dovetail standard jaws
5) HTC 125 with dovetail large jaws (already had this chuck and jaw combo)
The purpose of so many is overlap. Granted, you could get one or two chucks and all the jaws and keep swapping out, but I hate doing that! I find grabbing a different chuck easier than swapping jaws.
In all honesty, with a couple of the adapters, I had to put them in more than once. But A) that was user error, and B) I had to do that with a Stronghold or two, too.
I found that the trick to installing the jaws (might be like this for all chucks, I don't know) is to set the jaws where you want them, put the screws in (but don't tighten them), close the jaws all the way so that they all set against themselves perfectly, then tighten down the screws. They align perfectly that way.
Bottom line is that no one chuck will satisfy everyone. Everyone has a favorite. They may or may not have legitimate reasons, they just do. I Ford better than Chevy? HA! Depends who you ask. Is BMW better than Audi? Same thing. There will always be those that like Strongholds because they are Strongholds. To those people, I say if you can afford them, have at it. For those who either can't afford Strongholds, or just aren't tied to the name, I believe the HTCs are a stand up chuck for 1/2 the price. Kudos to Steve for making quality chucks that are affordable.
I have to post the obligatory pics, so here you go!
260921260922260923260925
Oh, and what did I get with the extra money? Look close, and there is a little humor to it. It wasn't intentional, but funny none the less... ;)
260924
Again, I have no affiliation with Steve (a fellow Creeker and seller of the chucks) or the company. I just like to pass on what I think are good products for good prices.
I've posted threads before about them. Here are my reasons for switching to all Hurricane chucks:
1) I HAD 4 Strongholds, 1 Grizzly, and an HTC. Not all the keys for the Strongholds fit all the Strongholds chucks(oddly enough), so I needed two keys out. I needed another for the Grizzly, and yet another for the HTC. So, I had 4 keys out for 6 chucks. Seemed a bit silly (and proved tiresome because inevitably, I always grabbed the wrong key for the Strongholds). All the HTCs use the same key. SO, a little less headache is reason one.
2) After buying the HTC 125 chuck, I really couldn't tell any quality difference between the HTC and the Stronghold. Both are solid chucks. One just costs a whole heck of a lot more... I think I could tell the difference between the HTC and the Grizzly. There is more slop/play in the Grizzly. And overall, I just like the HTC better. Bottom line, I was impressed with the chuck!
3) I knew that my Strongholds hold their value quite well. There is no denying that they are very good chucks. Used, they fetch more than the HTCs are new. So, I knew that I could sell my Strongholds, buy all new HTCs, and still have some money left over. For me, saving money was a no brainer.
So, what did I get?
1) HTC 100 with dovetail spigot (pin) jaws
2) HTC 100 with dovetail standard jaws
3) HTC 100 with dovetail large jaws
4) HTC 125 with dovetail standard jaws
5) HTC 125 with dovetail large jaws (already had this chuck and jaw combo)
The purpose of so many is overlap. Granted, you could get one or two chucks and all the jaws and keep swapping out, but I hate doing that! I find grabbing a different chuck easier than swapping jaws.
In all honesty, with a couple of the adapters, I had to put them in more than once. But A) that was user error, and B) I had to do that with a Stronghold or two, too.
I found that the trick to installing the jaws (might be like this for all chucks, I don't know) is to set the jaws where you want them, put the screws in (but don't tighten them), close the jaws all the way so that they all set against themselves perfectly, then tighten down the screws. They align perfectly that way.
Bottom line is that no one chuck will satisfy everyone. Everyone has a favorite. They may or may not have legitimate reasons, they just do. I Ford better than Chevy? HA! Depends who you ask. Is BMW better than Audi? Same thing. There will always be those that like Strongholds because they are Strongholds. To those people, I say if you can afford them, have at it. For those who either can't afford Strongholds, or just aren't tied to the name, I believe the HTCs are a stand up chuck for 1/2 the price. Kudos to Steve for making quality chucks that are affordable.
I have to post the obligatory pics, so here you go!
260921260922260923260925
Oh, and what did I get with the extra money? Look close, and there is a little humor to it. It wasn't intentional, but funny none the less... ;)
260924