Vacuum Chuck question

[Greg Parrish]

Thank you for all the feedback. I’ve still been reading and researching.

Decided and ordered the Frugal vacuum pump setup based on features to price. Seems like a nice setup and hopefully is a good deal for my use. http://www.frugalvacuumchuck.com/home.html

Regarding the chuck, I’m still undecided. Can’t decide if I should go with the chucks like the frugal or simple woodworking tools versions that have a center bearing and the tube that runs through the headstock, or a model like the Oneway or RubberChucky style that has an adapter that threads onto the headstock handle side and uses the actual headstock for the vacuum passageway.

Any additional thoughts given the vacuum pump I’ve ordered?

[Robert Hayward]

The Frugal is a good choice. I have had one for a couple years. Attached are pictures of the caddy I made to hold mine, when the setup was new. I use the Frugal style vac shucks with the bearing.

[Kevin Jenness]

I have the Holdfast setup with a tube that extends through the headstock spindle. It was not too expensive, it works, and can be used with different lathes regardless of spindle/thread size. I made several chucks using wood bases and a spindle tap.

[Bill Howatt]

The Holdfast and similar tube methods do work and they are comparatively inexpensive and they do permit use on lathes that don't have an outboard thread or other peculiarities. I have a Oneway adapter which is excellent but it does require a thread and it is about $125 which is much more than the Holdfast.
I made my own chucks using 3/4" thick MDF tapped to fit my spindle. I cut a groove in it to match the diameter of ABS pipe and epoxied the pipe into the groove. I then hot-glued some closed-cell craft foam (about 1/8" thick) to the outer edge for better sealing.
If you don't have a tap, I imagine you could make one with a piece of wood attached to fit in a chuck or mount it on a faceplate. Of course you will need a hole in the middle for air-flow.

[Greg Parrish]

Did you mean 3/4 -16 RH by chance? one way has an adapter that size to use with their rotary air fitting. Thanks.

VeneerSupplies (Joe Woodworker) sells parts and plans for economical diy vacuum pumps. Bagging, clamping, chucking - one pump can do it all.

Rubber Chucky has an adapter that plugs into the handwheel (or handtube, as the case may be). The handwheel of the 2014 can be removed - the outboard end of the spindle is threaded ¾-16 LH.

[Jim Morgan]

Did you mean 3/4 -16 RH by chance? one way has an adapter that size to use with their rotary air fitting. Thanks.

No, unfortunately that is a left-hand thread - so that when the lathe is turning forwards, the handwheel/tube tends to tighten.

[Bill Howatt]

They also have a LH. The vacuum adapter uses the same Taper-Loc adapters as the Stronghold chuck.

https://oneway.ca/products-category/...-LH-Stronghold

[Greg Parrish]

thanks. Any idea of a good, safe place to order? I’m only finding a few listings in Europe and Canada for that adapter and I’m not familiar with any of the stores.

Like here:
https://blackforestwood.com/products...onghold-chucks
or here
https://woodchuckers.com/products/on...-lh-stronghold



EDIT: I just went ahead and took a chance on Woodchuckers. Hopefully they actually have it in stock. Thanks again.

They also have a LH. The vacuum adapter uses the same Taper-Loc adapters as the Stronghold chuck.

https://oneway.ca/products-category/...-LH-Stronghold

[Greg Parrish]

Thanks for all the help and pointers. After lots of reading, these are the items I decided on and ordered to get started with vacuum chuck usage:

FrugalChuck’s vacuum pump: https://www.frugalvacuumchuck.com/

Oneway Stronghold Taperlock 3/4 - 16 LH https://woodchuckers.com/products/on...096a6fc1&_ss=r

Oneway rotary air fitting https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/...irfitting.aspx

Oneway stronghold taperlock 1-1/4 x 8 RH https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/...oldchucks.aspx

Oneway Vacuum Drum chuck 3.5” https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/...drumchuck.aspx


I ultimately decided to go with this style because the hole through the spindle on the Powermatic PM2014 was listed as 3/8” and all of the style that have a tube going through the spindle seem to use a 3/8” tube or hose. I was concerned with fit issues. When it came down to the Oneway approach over the RubberChucky approach for the rotary air fitting, I liked the fact that the Oneway one screws on where the RubberChucky has to be press fit into the hand wheel. No idea how the Oneway setup will work, but I’ve been very pleased with Oneway quality on the pieces I already own like their Live Center.

Fingers crossed.

[Grant Wilkinson]

If you are looking for a tap to make your own chucks, Lee Valley has the Beall taps here

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...s?item=44J0772

I believe that you can order them directly from Beall if you prefer, too.

[Greg Parrish]

Thanks Grant. I bookmarked them in case I decide to try it. I’m going to start with the initial Oneway drum chuck but realize a lot of different options may be wanted over time.

If you are looking for a tap to make your own chucks, Lee Valley has the Beall taps here

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...s?item=44J0772

I believe that you can order them directly from Beall if you prefer, too.

[Dwayne Watt]

If you are looking for a tap to make your own chucks, Lee Valley has the Beall taps here

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...s?item=44J0772

I believe that you can order them directly from Beall if you prefer, too.

Beall is no longer in operation. Lee Valley purchased the business earlier this year and is now the primary (only?) source for Beall tools.

[Greg Parrish]

Received the Frugal Vacuum pump today. Pretty nice little setup. I simply drilled some holes in my bench top for the bolt through the rubber feet to fit into. Will keep it from walking off the counter but also keep it mobile if I need to move it. Plan to get a remote switch of some sort to cut it on/off.

Given the location I put it behind and to left from headstock, I may have to build a chip shield but will try it first. I have some sheets of left over acrylic/plexi material that I could use. I'm still planning to use some of that for a tip guard for my chisel rack as well.

Just waiting on the rest of the Oneway chuck and rotary adapter parts to show up next.



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[Allen Mattsen]

I have, and absolutely love my Frugal vacuum pump/system. Works like a charm, and I can have it up and running in under a minute!

This. Frugal makes a great system and Bob has excellent customer service. I'm not sure if he sells the fantastic oil-free pumps anymore. The chucking system and ability to form your own additional types of chuck or other holding methods with his parts packages are something I haven't found elsewhere. They're affordable and work great in my experience.

[Greg Parrish]

This. Frugal makes a great system and Bob has excellent customer service. I'm not sure if he sells the fantastic oil-free pumps anymore. The chucking system and ability to form your own additional types of chuck or other holding methods with his parts packages are something I haven't found elsewhere. They're affordable and work great in my experience.

He does. I literally posted that I had just received it in my post above yours. LOL.

Finally got all my Oneway chuck pieces yesterday so I'm ready to give it a try. Had to get the proper taper lock adapter for the rotary outboard piece from Canada as I couldn't find one in the USA. The PM2014 uses an odd size of 3/4-16LH.