I currently have a Nova G3 and am looking for another chuck; what are some other good ones to consider?
Thanks in advance,
Brad
Thanks in advance,
Brad
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Best chuck for the price? 16” swing…
- Thread starter Brad Bird
- Start date
Hey Brad. There are many opinions. I've personally had good experiences with the Nova line of chucks, had 2 G3, 18 superNovas, and one Titan. Most I bought new, some used. Some are the older Supernovas and some the newer Supernova2s. I know there are some who strongly prefer other brands and have their reasons and I've used others in classes and such - I found they all worked! One nice thing about sticking with one brand is the jaws are interchangeable. And I don't know about the other brands, but with the Nova chucks the threaded inserts are interchangeable, nice when switching lathes or when giving a chuck to someone with a different spindle thread.
JKJ
JKJ
I’ve got Axminster, Vicmarc, Nova, Oneway, and frankly all are good.
For whatever it's worth, Record Power chucks are well made, and the jaws are interchangeable with your Nova. Definitely an advantage.
Dan
Dan
All the major brand chucks work. However there are considerations beyond just working. I started out buying the SuperNova and Record chucks. I did prefer the Record chucks over the Nova as they were right tighten and the jaw slides were larger. At one time I had 9 Record/Nova chucks because I didn’t like changing jaws. I wanted to do offset finial turning and had the Axminster eccentric chuck. It did not fit the Nova 50mm jaws very well, so I bought the Axminster SK100 chuck and the “C” jaws designed for the eccentric chuck. I was impressed with this chuck. Axminster chucks have a stainless steel body and were direct thread. My Nova and Record chucks were insert type and 1 had 0.005 runout. Useable, but annoying. With the Axminster you do need to buy the jaw slides (~$50) for the jaws, but that is much less than buying another chuck. I like the stainless steel body and really like the O’Donnell jaws. Overall cost, I have less overall cost vs the Record/Nova chuck. So beyond “they all worK” there are other things to consider.
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What do you plan to turn? What jaws do you want?
Most chucks on the market perform well. Most low end chucks have limited jaw sets.
I use the Vicmarc for bowls and perfect circle grip projects.
I like the ONEWAY for spindles. The ONEWAY profile grips square stock better than any other jaws ( other jaws will usually do ok)
The Collet jaws for the ONEWAY grip a range of rounds very well.
Axminster is now widely available in the US.
Most chucks on the market perform well. Most low end chucks have limited jaw sets.
I use the Vicmarc for bowls and perfect circle grip projects.
I like the ONEWAY for spindles. The ONEWAY profile grips square stock better than any other jaws ( other jaws will usually do ok)
The Collet jaws for the ONEWAY grip a range of rounds very well.
Axminster is now widely available in the US.
I wish I bought my Novas with inserts. When I upgraded my lathe I had to get an adapter and I really do not like using one.
*I was thinking about getting either the super or titan for a larger chuck. Any pros/cons between the two?
Thanks
I'm a Nova user, as I started out looking for the least expensive and like that all the jaws fit on all the chucks. After years of working with Novas, and others at our high school shop, my sense is that Vicmarc and Oneway are a little higher quality, though they all work. Having a chuck that uses a hex wrench to open/close rather than a special tool, as on your G3, is a good thing. If you're used to lefty tighty with your Nova, the SuperNova 2 would be a logical step up. The Titan is huge by comparison and it's hard to imagine you'd need the heft on a 16" lathe (or maybe on any lathe). I believe the latest version of chucks from Nova are also righty tighty, but somewhat less expensive lefty tighty SuperNovas are still available.
If you're budget conscious and want to go to righty tighty, the Record SC4 would be a reasonable option. If you're not on a budget, IMHO the Vicmarc chucks, which use a hex key, are the way to go. The challenge with Vicmarc is choosing between the VM100 and VM120, as their jaws are not necessarily interchangeable. The pick would depend on whether you see yourself doing larger stuff on a larger lathe in your future. I have no experience with Axminster chucks, but several folks here on the forum are advocates.
I've attempted to lay out some pros and cons rather than advocate for any one brand. As noted by others, they all work pretty well.
If you're budget conscious and want to go to righty tighty, the Record SC4 would be a reasonable option. If you're not on a budget, IMHO the Vicmarc chucks, which use a hex key, are the way to go. The challenge with Vicmarc is choosing between the VM100 and VM120, as their jaws are not necessarily interchangeable. The pick would depend on whether you see yourself doing larger stuff on a larger lathe in your future. I have no experience with Axminster chucks, but several folks here on the forum are advocates.
I've attempted to lay out some pros and cons rather than advocate for any one brand. As noted by others, they all work pretty well.
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Dave Landers
Beta Tester
As others have noted, the issue with chucks is that for the most part, jaws are specific to a vendor and sometimes to a line of that vendor's chucks (like VM100 and VM120 jaws are not interchangeable). So its good to look at the selection of jaws that fit a particular chuck, as that may limit you in the future when you need a different jaw set.
Dean makes a good point about the hex key - leaves you more options when you loose/break the key. Or if you need to tighten a chuck maybe inside a bowl where the regular T-handle won't fit (but a Allen wrench will).
Personally, I don't like the standard Nova jaws with the bird beak. I have 2 Nova chucks, and do use the standard jaws for some things. My issue is not the beak itself, but that the jaws are so narrow and don't provide enough support to resist torquing a bowl off the jaws. Maybe I never used them right, but personally I'm happier with "regular" dovetail jaws (my other chucks are Vicmards - 3 VM120s and 2 VM100s).
Dean makes a good point about the hex key - leaves you more options when you loose/break the key. Or if you need to tighten a chuck maybe inside a bowl where the regular T-handle won't fit (but a Allen wrench will).
Personally, I don't like the standard Nova jaws with the bird beak. I have 2 Nova chucks, and do use the standard jaws for some things. My issue is not the beak itself, but that the jaws are so narrow and don't provide enough support to resist torquing a bowl off the jaws. Maybe I never used them right, but personally I'm happier with "regular" dovetail jaws (my other chucks are Vicmards - 3 VM120s and 2 VM100s).
One thing I sometimes do with very hard wood (that doesn't compress well) is cut a tiny dovetail just at the base of the tenon (since the "beak" is basically a small dovetail). Remember, though, that Nova says to NEVER cut a recess for the "beak", (what they call a "lip") since it is intended to compress the wood. They say to always make the sides of the tenon parallel. (In their literature they always refer to a tenon as a "spigot".) And one more thing they say that apparently few people follow is a tenon (spigot) is intended for end grain work such as boxes, goblets and vases.
However, I don't have too much experience with that since I don't usually use tenons on face/side grain turnings - almost always use the external dovetails in shallow recesses (usually 1/8" deep or less). For maximum holding I do keep either a tenon or recess diameter very close to the dimensions of the nearly closed jaws. But I'm sure everyone does that. If I want bigger, I use bigger jaws.
Never had any blank or turning come loose with either method.
JKJ
We benefit these days from having quite a few options for good chucks. All the brands mentioned are very capable. IMO you likely already have the best chuck for the price, the Nova G3. I have two, and do like them. I have 2 gripes about it - limited jaw movement range, and limited jaw types I like. Nova tends to focus more on jaws for recesses and longer spigots. I like their standard beak jaws. I also have a Oneway Stronghold and use their #2 & #3 profiled tower jaws - best combination available IMO.
There's the rub - these are my opinions based on how I prefer to do things. Every one of us will have our preferences and defend them, and most will be right, for the way that person likes to do things. In the end, it comes down to how you like to do things and what chuck and jaw mfr best fits. Some make a major point of SS construction, or having a square hex key vs geared key, or the back of the chuck enclosed. None of those even make my selection criteria. I use a tenon 99% of the time, I like Oneway's profiled jaw design because it grips well anywhere within the jaw movement range - I don't get wrapped up in having the tenon be at "perfect circle size", others swear by it.
Turning tools are the same way - people have their favorites for their own reasons, and there is a lot of diversity of opinion.
I will say staying with one of the brands mentioned, in no order of preference - Nova, Record, Rikon (appear to be Nova copies just as Record), Oneway, Vicmark, Axminster, will ensure a good product that others have a lot of experience with. The labyrinth of chinese knockoffs is just not a rat's nest I would recommend. The brands mentioned will most likely have some combination of chuck and jaws that will work for all or most all of your needs.
There's the rub - these are my opinions based on how I prefer to do things. Every one of us will have our preferences and defend them, and most will be right, for the way that person likes to do things. In the end, it comes down to how you like to do things and what chuck and jaw mfr best fits. Some make a major point of SS construction, or having a square hex key vs geared key, or the back of the chuck enclosed. None of those even make my selection criteria. I use a tenon 99% of the time, I like Oneway's profiled jaw design because it grips well anywhere within the jaw movement range - I don't get wrapped up in having the tenon be at "perfect circle size", others swear by it.
Turning tools are the same way - people have their favorites for their own reasons, and there is a lot of diversity of opinion.
I will say staying with one of the brands mentioned, in no order of preference - Nova, Record, Rikon (appear to be Nova copies just as Record), Oneway, Vicmark, Axminster, will ensure a good product that others have a lot of experience with. The labyrinth of chinese knockoffs is just not a rat's nest I would recommend. The brands mentioned will most likely have some combination of chuck and jaws that will work for all or most all of your needs.
Ok guys thank you for the time you took to give me your thoughts/opinions. Looks like there’s no clear “best” (which I knew), but which one functions best for my needs. Now I have to wait till I can post in the WTB Thread… haven’t been here long enough!
Thanks again! Happy Holidays
Thanks again! Happy Holidays
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Not to mention needing 10+ posts, I believe - I am trying to keep an eye out for used Supernova 2's myself (the ones that use hex key) but doesn't seem common to find them for under $100 shipped - If I wanted to spend $125 I'd just buy a new one (Just need the chucks, don't care about jaws - I have multiple jaw sets, just not enough chucks to carry them - I hate jaw changes LOL!) I do have a G3 but am not fond of the geared keys, TBH. However my point is if you like (and let me know what you're in market for) I can add that to my watch list and throw you a heads-up if I find something... at least until you can do your WTB Post.
Brian, thanks for the offer but apparently we’re looking for the same thing; supernova2 except I’m looking for jaws with mine, so I’d guess that’s a wash! Oh well thanks for your offer!
B
B
Last summer, I scored one of the Supernovas from KMS tools, a substantial Canadian tool supplier, sort of like Northern Tools. They had a sale going, and with the exchange rate, they cost about $90 delivered in the states, and included a free insert. They're the newer Supernovas now and at their regular price at KMS, but maybe they'll have another sale.
Since you already have Nova, I would stick with them. I have all Vicmark chucks. I do have one of the "Easy" chucks, and it works, but the jaws are all different from the Vicmark, and I have all my stuff set up for the Vics.
robo hippy
robo hippy
Dean, KMS has sales every month, they always have some wood turning items on sale. You do have to check monthly if you are wanting something specific though. And they are very helpful and support our local AAW club here in Vancouver BC.
Edit to add - KMS currently has the Nova G3 on for $99 cdn and the titan for $280.
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All good advice, especially:
If you happen to live near a woodworking store an hidden advantage of the identical triplets (Record, Nova, Rikon) is that jaw sets are usually available on the shelf.
(A lot of woodturners like to have a chuck for every jaw set. Not my school of thought, but I do have 3 SN2's so I can have more than one project mounted at a time).
If you happen to live near a woodworking store an hidden advantage of the identical triplets (Record, Nova, Rikon) is that jaw sets are usually available on the shelf.
(A lot of woodturners like to have a chuck for every jaw set. Not my school of thought, but I do have 3 SN2's so I can have more than one project mounted at a time).
Stay away from Grizzly chucks. I have 3 that came with a lathe I bought used. There is a lot of play in the gear that closes the jaws. Enough that I get up to 1/16” runout. To make matters worse, opening and closing the jaws changes the runout, even with nothing in them. Makes it impossible to reverse or rechuck without a lot of run out. I also have 2 Nova G3 that don’t have this problem. At least it’s not noticeable.
I'm one with lots of chucks. Not only do I hate to change jaws, I have multiple chucks with my most-often-used jaw sets mounted. This is handy with I have several project in progress and especially handy when I have a student or two - a student might need to leave work in progress mounted on the chuck until the next time he can come. One currently has two chucks with std 50mm jaws holding two parts of a project waiting for him. If I had just a few chucks this might be a problem for me.
But much depends on the kind of things you do. Some people function perfectly well with one or two chucks.
JKJ
I'm another that believes more is better - I don't have quite the collection (or the experience) that jkj has but wouldn't mind getting there eventually. That said, I have mostly oneway chucks but I do have one sn2 and I like it OK - my one criticism is that the jaws don't travel as far as the oneway or most other non-nova chucks that I've tried out.
Well said. I am new to turning and wrestling with some of the same questions.
Jim Mills, I am here doing the same thing. I currently have the spindle that came with my lathe.
Another chuck you may wish to consider is the Grizzly H6267 which is a knockoff of the Vicmarc 100 but $125 cheaper. I have three and although they aren't quite a smooth as the Vicmarc's they do accept the Vicmarc jaws and do the job equally well. They also have a hex key for adjusting which imo is nice.
The surest result of a chuck choices discussion it seems is a quick headache. It clearly appears to be a Ford or Chevy type question. For some context, I'm a retired carpenter fairly new to turning. Bowls being my first interest. Anyway ... I used all steel hammers for 30+ years. When I heard of titanium hammers, I laughed when I heard the price despite hearing the pros for titanium. After another 10 yrs. of chewing on all the pros & cons, I bought my first titanium framing hammer. I was an instant convert, "for a framing hammer." Later I bought one for trimming and found I felt the steel hammers were still better for trimming, with the bonus being it cost less as well. I'm not at the stage in turning bowls and such where I feel I know enough to say I should buy the $300 to $400 chuck where a $150 to $250 would well suit my purpose. I am of the thought to have a few chucks set up for different things. My wife came into my shop one day and pointed to 6 different skill saws I had on a shelf saying "who the heck needs 6 skill saw?" So we walked into the kitchen, I pulled open a drawer and asked "who needs all those spoons?"
I have 3 Titans and a Supernova. There may be better or worse, but sticking with Nova, they can share jaws. (I'm not having ot swap jaws much anymore, though)
And you’re still married! Great story.
Just six?
A friend once asked me why anyone would ever need more than one screwdriver. (But my shop is where she brings things that need fixing.)
My Lovely Bride (of 55 years now) told me once there was ONE thing she learned from me (just one): to buy good tools. I don't think she's ever stepped foot inside my shop but she sees what comes out of it.
As she is the best cook/chef in the southeast (and my opinion is the only one that counts) we are in solid agreement to get the best kitchen equipment and tools that she wants (some are custom made by me from wood!) She might have as many cook books as I have woodturning books.
It's a win-win. We eat like royalty.
And yes, we have lots of spoons. In 10 different sizes. Special knives and drawers full of different spatulas and 4 sizes of pie servers and extremely weird-looking things, more pots and pans than I can count, power and hand tools, bowls and measuring things and cabinets shelves full of odd things I have no idea what they are. I sometimes see her using things I never knew existed. Life is good!
JKJ
I hear you on the titanium hammer. I did rough and finish work with a 28oz Estwing for about 6 years, then went to the lighter model. (22oz?) for a couple years. Then I got a 14oz Stiletto and used that for my reamining working years. Huge difference, especially for overhead stuff. I still dreaded having to add bridging or joist hangers, but not nearly as much.
Chucks all seem pretty similar. I have a habit of misplacing stuff, so the idea of a simple hex wrench as a chuck key drew me to the Nova Titan and Supernova chucks. Also, very early on I had seen a demonstrator whose toothed chuck key was worn and slipping.
Chucks all seem pretty similar. I have a habit of misplacing stuff, so the idea of a simple hex wrench as a chuck key drew me to the Nova Titan and Supernova chucks. Also, very early on I had seen a demonstrator whose toothed chuck key was worn and slipping.
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The Grizzly is ok if you never need to flip or remount a piece. I have 3 that came with a lathe I bought used. After over a year of never being able to flip a piece and have it run true, I found out it’s the chucks. There is too much play between the ring gear and the chuck body, so the jaws close in different spots each time I open and close them. Now that I know the problem I can work around it by pushing the #1 jaw towards center as I tighten chuck. It’s easier and faster to use a Nova chuck when im planning to flip or rechuck ap piece, which is almost all the time.
I verified the problem by closing jaws with nothing in them and checking with dial indicator on outer rim of jaws. Sometimes runs true within a few thousandths, other times eccentric by 1/16”. I have been wondering if I can somehow shim them to run true.
Also not Ideal with Cole jaws. Too much play in the slides.
It’s possible I just got a bad batch. I got them used and don’t know how old they are, so didn’t contact Grizzly about it.
I think I like the hex key better than the geared keys like for a oneway as well. I bought a used 3520b earlier this summer in great shape from a guy whose father passed. It came with a Barracuda4 chuck which works fine, but I would like at least one more chuck. I'm looking at the Hurricane chucks??
Oh yeah, it would take more than that to make her run away. She can give as bad as she gets.
I like them far better. One thing - Nova supplies a ball-nosed hex key for their Supernova and Titan chucks. These are intended to let the key tighten a chuck in a tight spot, say gripping a tenon inside a bowl. A few years ago some people damaged things when using a lot of force while the key was held at an angle. Teknatool had to replace parts.
Since I never use them angled, I cut the ball ends off. I keep one with the ball just in case.
JKJ
Geared Chuck Keys - not all are created equal. I started with PSI Barracuda 2 and 4 chucks. The geared chucks on these are terrible. The gear drive angle is designed incorrectly, causing the gear mesh to create a cam-out force. Eventually the tip of the key rounds off, and doesnt allow much torque. If not for this issue I would still use the chucks, as everything else worked well.
I procured Nova G3 and Oneway Stronghold chucks, both using geared chuck keys. Both are excellent. There is little to no cam out force generated by the gear mesh, allowing hi torque with no wear out points noticeable after years of use (being a weightlifter I can generate some torque).
As for the open backs on these chucks, I have no issues with them binding with crud. All were disassembled when new and degreased, and all friction surfaces covered with paste wax. Wood dust easily blows out and does not accumulate. I see no advantage to the more expensive enclosed chucks With their hex key drives, except for using the ball end to drive at an angle (which I have never needed). Also I would not be able to use Oneway’s profiled jaw design, which IMO is superior to other jaw designs.
I have two Record Power SC4 chucks and a Nikon Z4. Both models are great chucks and the jaws are interchangeable.
Same with the Nova geared keys (my opinion based on two I've used)
- The G3 key was great
- The geared key for the original Supernova is not great. The gear is on a spring-centered pivot and sometimes getting it to mesh is frustrating for my fumble-fingers. Occasionally it was easier to peek inside from behind he chuck to align it by hand. Since I don't need the pivot, I've thought about using epoxy to keep it straight but never did that.
That works. She likes the things that come out of your workshop and you like to (eat) the things that come out of hers . . .Just six?
A friend once asked me why anyone would ever need more than one screwdriver. (But my shop is where she brings things that need fixing.)
My Lovely Bride (of 55 years now) told me once there was ONE thing she learned from me (just one): to buy good tools. I don't think she's ever stepped foot inside my shop but she sees what comes out of it.
As she is the best cook/chef in the southeast (and my opinion is the only one that counts) we are in solid agreement to get the best kitchen equipment and tools that she wants (some are custom made by me from wood!) She might have as many cook books as I have woodturning books.
It's a win-win. We eat like royalty.
And yes, we have lots of spoons. In 10 different sizes. Special knives and drawers full of different spatulas and 4 sizes of pie servers and extremely weird-looking things, more pots and pans than I can count, power and hand tools, bowls and measuring things and cabinets shelves full of odd things I have no idea what they are. I sometimes see her using things I never knew existed. Life is good!
JKJ
. . . but to quote "Mr. Natural" - 'tis a poor workman who blames his[/her] tools!