I need to buy a chuck

[Jeff Horton]

I know that the OneWay chucks are very high thought of by turners. I just looked and they do have an adaptor for my lathe. It's an old J-Line/Yates American and has a funny spindle. I just learned that just any old spindle adaptor don't work!

I just curious if another brand of chuck stands out? I have the PSI Barracuda with the tommy bars and I am not impressed with mine. I think I got a lemon because most folks like theirs. Mine is sticky and hard to adjust. I can live with it but I am not impressed. I am going to tear it apart and see if something has gotten inside of it.

So any other brands stand out? I think Grizzly has some listed. Name brand is not important. I just want one that works and will last. And will fit my odd ball lathe spindle too. :)

[John Hart]

Jeff...I like my Grizzly chuck. It is well built, didn't cost much ($40 I think) and it holds stuff. I think there are similar models out there...but this one has performed very well for me. Higher end chucks may be better though....I don't know your budget. :)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Jeff I got the PSI utility chuck and am very happy with it. It has worked well for me. It comes with 2 jaws and a screw chuck for $80. I think the one at Grizzly only comes with one jaw. I am going to get one anyway for a set of Coles Jaws I am thinking of building.

[Jim Becker]

Jeff, if there is a way you can swing a OneWay Talon, it will be a good long-term investment, both due to the quality and also because of the variety of jaws available for it. Since it uses an insert, it also means you can move it to another machine in the future very easily...something I did when I sold my OneWay 1018 (1" x 8TPI) and moved to my Stubby. (1.25"x8TPI) OneWay's jaw designs are also about the best in the business...they grip extraordinarily well and don't require a taper on a tenon or recess to hold securely. I have the stock #2 jaws, the larger #3 jaws and the spiggot jaws and haven't founds anything I couldn't accomodate within the size limitations of the jaws.

[Curtis O. Seebeck]

I would also look into the Teknatools SuperNova 2 chuck. From what I understand, it is highly rated and also has a bunch of different inserts and jaws available. I bought mine from a woodchipshome.com. They had the best price and their service was phenomenal. No affiliation, just a happy customer.

[John Miliunas]

Yup, 'nuther vote for the Super Nova 2. I also have the original Super and the #2 version is really a step up! Nice, smooth action.:) :cool:

[Keith Burns]

Check out the super nova 2. It has an insert so you can switch machines. I like mine.

[Jeff Horton]

After I posted this I finally remember the Nova brand. I knew there was another out there. As for budget, this is one of the rare times I can spend pretty much whatever I want too. But that doesn't mean I am going too. :)

However I am leaning toward a something like the Oneway or Nova because I figure it is a one time purchase. I guess I will have to call but I noticed on the Teknatool site that they mention my spindle thread in their adaptors, but the Oneway shows the same threaded adaptors and then lists one specically for my lathe. After all the trouble I have had today with thread adaptor I am little concerned about a generic adaptor fitting.

Going to do some more looking but I can allready see it's hard to find a 1 1/8" threaded accessories.

[Andy Hoyt]

I just ordered a Super Nova 2 as well. What I liked about it was that the jaws are completely interchangeable between all of their other chucks should another ever be desired. Something that the Oneway family of chucks does not accomodate all that well.

[Michael Stafford]

I have the Nova with the tommy bars, the Supernova and the Supernova II and I like them all. As Andy said all the jaws are interchangeable and inserts are available to mount it on just about any lathe.

I had an opportunity a while back to turn using the Talon and it is a fine piece of equipment as well. I don't think you will go wrong buying one of the name brands.

[Glenn Clabo]

I'm VERY new to this wood spinny thing so take this for what it is...
I just ordered a Oneway Talon after looking at all the options. All the named brand chucks are well made and will work well for I'm sure...but because I'm old and set in my ways...the Nova was ruled out because it tightens the wrong way. I know...I know...you can teach an old dog new tricks but it was just to uncomfortable for me. You may not be so stuburn...

[John Shuk]

I have a SuperNova and it works well for me. I have to say that The Oneway is a bit more of a Cadillac if you will but you pay for it. If you go on EBAY and search for Supernova chucks you will find a vendor, KMS tools I think. I bought mine from him and got a super deal relative to anything I could have found elsewhere. I cross referenced prices from other sources and the total was well over $500. I paid about $300 and got every accessory they make I think. At that price point I had to go Supernova. I think the SN2 is a significant upgrade as well for about the same price. Just my $.02. Good luck
John

[Edward E Wilson Jr]

Thank you to all that answered the question on what chuck to buy. I guess that I have 2 SN chucks, but am now looking for (I think) the jaws for mounting a bowl with the bowl side in. Have just started turning bowls, so not completly sure what I am looking for.


Ed

[Robert Mickley]

After I posted this I finally remember the Nova brand. I knew there was another out there. As for budget, this is one of the rare times I can spend pretty much whatever I want too. But that doesn't mean I am going too. :)

Oneway Stronghold then, :D That was my choice and its held up even under my abuse. And I'm one of those guys that can break an anvil with a rubber hammer :D

[Dennis Peacock]

I got the Super Nova, the previous model to the Super Nova 2. I've turned a LOT of that chuck and it's still working today as it did the day I got it. I'd recommend it.

[Michael Stafford]

Thank you to all that answered the question on what chuck to buy. I guess that I have 2 SN chucks, but am now looking for (I think) the jaws for mounting a bowl with the bowl side in. Have just started turning bowls, so not completly sure what I am looking for.


Ed

Ed, there are several ways to reverse turn bowls. One way is to use large aluminum discs with rubber buttons for jaws to grip the outside rim of the bowl. These jaws are called Cole jaws and are available in a variety of sizes. Several of the dedicated bowl turners have constructed vacuum chucks which allow you to grip a bowl using a vacuum. I will let one of them address that issue for you as I do not have one. I think you can find several threads on the Creek about vacuum chucks.

[Jeff Horton]

Thanks guys. I have looked over both and still not made up my mind. I like the SN2 and the fact that jaws are interchangable. I have a second lathe and I like the fact that if I picked up another Nova chuck off Ebay or of any Nova flavor that I could swap it between lathes and share jaws.

As I said, Oneway lists an adaptor a specific adaptor for my lathe. Who do you contact at Nova to see if they KNOW that they have an adaptor that would work? I don't want to buy off Ebay and then find out that it simply won't work or I have to have one made.

After all the trouble I have had trying to find a spindle adaptor that fits I am a bit gunshy. ... I don't think I mentioned that my lathe is a Broadhead-Garret J-Line. It was made by Yates American and has a 1 1/8" thread on the spindle. Plus the shoulder on the shaft is recessed in the head. So a large bodied adpator will hit the head before it hits the shoulder.