first chuck suggestion - Woodworking Talk

sander · 12-04-2008, 03:46 PM

I am looking to buy my first self centering chuck. I have a small lathe, so I won't be turning any large bowls or anything. Some the chucks I have been looking at are 150-200 bucks. Are there any decent chucks under $75. I am still a noob so I probably don't need anything super fancy, but I would like something one step above a homemade jig.

Thanks,

Sander

firehawkmph · 12-04-2008, 05:58 PM

Sander,
I don't know about under 75 bucks. Most start around a hundred. You might look around for a used one. One thing I might suggest is to avoid the chucks that use two levers to tighten. They work, but in my opinion are a pain in the #$%. Try to get one that uses a chuck key that you can use with one hand. Then you have the other hand free to hold whatever you are trying to put in the chuck. Check Penn State Industries, they normally sell some inexpensive chucks that are decent chucks.
Mike Hawkins

john lucas · 12-04-2008, 06:12 PM

Economy 3 & 4 Jaw Chucks at Penn State Industries

H7820 4 Jaw Chuck 1-1/2" X 8 TPI

I highly recommend the one from Grizzly. I have one and it's very similar to my $239 Vicmarc chucks.

john lucas · 12-04-2008, 06:15 PM

I'm sorry I posted the wrong chuck. Grizzly sells this model in 3 other spindle sizes but they are $10 more. The have 3/4x 16, 1" by 8 and 1 1/4 x 8 thread.

sander · 12-04-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john lucas

Economy 3 & 4 Jaw Chucks at Penn State Industries

H7820 4 Jaw Chuck 1-1/2" X 8 TPI

I highly recommend the one from Grizzly. I have one and it's very similar to my $239 Vicmarc chucks.

Does this chuck require one or two hands to tighten?

firehawkmph · 12-04-2008, 07:37 PM

Sander,
The grizzly linked above uses an allen shaped wrench to tighten, one hand operation. The allen keys are usually t-shaped. When you read the description on any of the chucks, the ones that require two hands will say 'includes two tightening levers'.
Mike Hawkins

Gordon Seto · 12-04-2008, 11:02 PM

Consider this $50 chuck:
http://www.timstoolcrib.com/products.php
This is the Original Nova chuck that Nova built their reputation on.
It is a direct threaded chuck (can't change out the insert when you upgrade to a lathe of larger spindle size) and doesn't come with woodworm screw. It uses two wrenches instead of a single key. If you learn to use the tailstock as your third hand, it is not too bad. It is faster acting than a single gear key and all Nova jaws (except 1) will fit this chuck. This is a very solid chuck for lathes with 1" X 8 TPI spindle.
Tim Geist is the official service rep for Nova Teknatool.