Michael Faurot
08-12-2008, 1:14 PM
I recently acquired a used lathe, stand, set of tools, face plate and pen mandrel for a very good price. The lathe itself is a Cummins MCS-1000 (No. 3253) which appears to be made in China. I bought this to figure out if I'm interested in turning and to make things like tool handles. So far, it's worked just fine for making tool handles.
I'm now interested in getting a chuck for it. From what I gather, I have the same lathe as the one described in this thread (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=75829&highlight=cummins). Some of the replies in that thread suggested that the spindle for this lathe has 3/4-10 threads and it can be modified by way of a spindle adapter (http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LA341018.html) from Penn State Industries. From my own experiments, I have found the threads on my spindle are metric M18-2.5. I was able to do this by way of purchasing a M18-2.5 bolt at the hardware store to match the threads on the headstock drive center. Given the difference in size of 18mm vs 3/4" (approximately 19mm) I can't imagine something threaded at 3/4-10 would fit well.
Looking at some of the chuck options out there, it looks to me like the Nova G3 (http://www.teknatool.com/products/Chucks/G3/Nova_G3_Chuck.htm) with the IKNS insert (http://www.thewoodworks.com.au/product/products/ACCESSORY/CHUCK+INSERT+NUTS/A0428.html) would be a good choice. From the description (http://www.teknatool.com/products/Lathe_Accessories/adaptor_page.htm) of this insert at Nova's web site it says it's "M18x2.5 RH (Metric)".
So, does it sound like the Nova G3 will work for me? I couldn't tell, by reading the various things on Teknatool's web site, is this a self-centering chuck? Assuming this will work for me, would anyone care to suggest a reputable on-line retailer to purchase both the G3 chuck and IKNS insert at the same time?
Thanks.
I'm now interested in getting a chuck for it. From what I gather, I have the same lathe as the one described in this thread (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=75829&highlight=cummins). Some of the replies in that thread suggested that the spindle for this lathe has 3/4-10 threads and it can be modified by way of a spindle adapter (http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LA341018.html) from Penn State Industries. From my own experiments, I have found the threads on my spindle are metric M18-2.5. I was able to do this by way of purchasing a M18-2.5 bolt at the hardware store to match the threads on the headstock drive center. Given the difference in size of 18mm vs 3/4" (approximately 19mm) I can't imagine something threaded at 3/4-10 would fit well.
Looking at some of the chuck options out there, it looks to me like the Nova G3 (http://www.teknatool.com/products/Chucks/G3/Nova_G3_Chuck.htm) with the IKNS insert (http://www.thewoodworks.com.au/product/products/ACCESSORY/CHUCK+INSERT+NUTS/A0428.html) would be a good choice. From the description (http://www.teknatool.com/products/Lathe_Accessories/adaptor_page.htm) of this insert at Nova's web site it says it's "M18x2.5 RH (Metric)".
So, does it sound like the Nova G3 will work for me? I couldn't tell, by reading the various things on Teknatool's web site, is this a self-centering chuck? Assuming this will work for me, would anyone care to suggest a reputable on-line retailer to purchase both the G3 chuck and IKNS insert at the same time?
Thanks.