New Axminster Chuck

[Bill Alston]

As some of you may be aware, Axminster Chucks are made from Stainless Steel. Whilst this makes them tough and rust resistant it does mean they come at a premium price. Axminster Tools have now decided to manufacture a budget 88mm diameter chuck from mild steel to keep the cost down. They also have suitable top jaws to go with it.

Axminster Woodturning Essential SK88 Chuck Package

The Axminster Woodturning Essential Chuck Package is the perfect introduction for anyone looking to start woodturning. Encompassing all the basic tools necessary for work holding on the lathe, the package includes an Axminster Woodturning SK88 Chuck,...

www.axminstertools.com

 

[William Rogers]

It appears Axminster has dropped their small SK80 stainless steel chuck. It is not listed on the Axminster site, but says to check availability on the Woodturning Store site. Not sue about jaw compatibility at this time. Many of the jaws fit both the SK80 and SK100. Looking at the Axminster seems SK88 jaws doesn’t appear they are compatible with the SK100. The jaw slide description for the SK88 indicates they are specific to the SK88 chuck.

 

[Bill Alston]

Sadly Axminster aren’t always very consistent with their information. I bought some SK80 gripper jaws from them some years ago at their factory in Axminster, but not before confirming beforehand that they would fit my SK100 chuck as well, which they do. I saw it mentioned several times after that, that the jaws I bought only fit the SK80! They are really good jaws and my favourite.

 

[William Rogers]

@Bill Alston I believe the SK80 and SK100 use the same jaws slides, not real sure. If so I can’t see a problem using SK80 jaws on a larger chuck. The jaw slides listed for the SKK88 say they are specific for that chuck. Leads me to believe they are different from the SK100 slides and won’t fit the SKK100.

 

[Bill Alston]

The profile and hole spacing of the chuck jaws seems to be common across the SK80, SK100 and SK114. The chuck jaws for the 114 are longer though.
As you say, the text implies that the new SK88 jaws are somehow different. Looking at the images though it’s hard to see what that might be. They look very similar but the pictures have been taken at a very slightly different angle? The SK88 chuck jaws appear they might be slimmer but that in itself would not stop any top jaws from the existing range fitting them?
We’ll soon find out when something buys some of the new top jaws to fit one of the older chucks.

 

[Tim Mortimer]

Axminster Sk80, Sk88, Sk100 and sk100 jaws are all interchangeable. Whilst the larger size fit, they are designed to go on a bigger chuck so they won't be able to close all the way down. I hope that makes sense.