Chuck preferences

[Len Beck]

I realize asking for an opinion in a forum is like kicking a beehive but here goes anyway. I did a search and really couldn’t find what I was looking for.

I’m just getting started and trying to acquire tools and equipment. My primary interest is turning bowls and that sort of thing. Not as interested in spindle turning.

So one thing that has come up in my research is the subject of chucks. I picked up a cheap generic set off Amazon to get started with the understanding that they will likely be replaced in short order.

So to the point. Are there certain brands that would be considered the “go to” as far as chuck sets go? Are there others that should be avoided? What are the necessities versus the nice to haves as far as sizes and capabilities?

To be honest I’m coming into this too late in life to spend years at trial and error and am hoping to get a jumpstart from the folks that have already been through it.

Thanks for your knowledge and patience.

 

[hockenbery]

I like both the vicmarc and the ONEWAY stronghold.

For bowls I prefer the Vicmarc with dovetail jaws.
I would also add that most chucks on the market will work well.

Axminster is excellent also has a wide variety of jaws.
Easier to get on this side of the Atlantic than it used to be.

 

[John K Jordan]

I realize asking for an opinion in a forum is like kicking a beehive

As a long-time beekeeper I can testify that disturbing an active beehive is no big problem - IF wearing a good bee suit!

Same as usual, ask a woodturning hardware question and get many answers. Some are based on research. Others on what "so&so says", some on what the person bought and found acceptable.

One thing might make a difference: What things or kinds of things do you like to turn or plan on turning or perhaps hope to turn someday? Small things? Wet/dry wood? Huge bowls or hollow forms?

Certain brands considered "Go to?" Depends on the person answering.

I personally started using the Nova Teknatool chucks long time ago and they are my GoTo now. I've had and have G3s, original Supernovas, Supernova2s, and a Titan. Bought most new, some used. I had as many as 22, gave some to friends, think I'm down to 17 or 18. I hate to change jaws. And I often have multiple pieces mounted in chucks in various stages of progress, as well as students with work in progress. May be hard for everyone to justify that many chucks.

A good variety of jaws makes it difficult to find something I CAN"T easily mount and turn.

Yes, some of the more expensive chucks have their followers and some have advantages, although IMO some are minor. I agree with what Sir hockenbery says "most chucks on the market will work well."

I'm more than happy with the Novas - strong, precise, wonderful variety of jaws.

One reason I stick with the Novas is the jaws are interchangeable with their various chuck models. Another reason is the prices are reasonable for anything I've done, large or small. I like the insert versions for several reasons I won't go into here.

And don't forget about other holding methods, all valid and useful at times, again, depending on what you might turn.

Faceplates, several sizes​

Screw chucks (I am a believer in the Glaser)​

Various collets, especially for smaller things.​

Mandrels​

JKJ

 

[Wyatt Holm]

I run Vicmarc, mainly because they have a large variety of jaws. I also have Penn State chucks which seem like a Oneway copy, although they will not take Oneway jaws. Grizzly sells chucks which are said to be a copy of a Vicmarc. Supposedly they will even take Vicmarc jaws, I haven't tried it. Decide what work you want to do, then what jaws will hold your work. Richard Raffan made a video on this which believe may help you.

View: https://youtu.be/qKLjtu6n2o8

 

[John K Jordan]

Richard Raffan made a video on this which believe may help you.

I agree: "...you have to have a screw chuck...I don't know how people live without a screw chuck."

I keep several of the Glasers, extras for "just i case", at one time had one of Jerry's original prototypes, heavier and "clunkier" than the one Richard showed and what's available now from Alan Lacer.

Not an advertisement. I'm a believer.

Glaser Screw Chuck

No other screw chuck on the market allows such versatility as this chuck. The three different configurations allow for these different base diameters: 1 1/2", 2 1/2" and 31/2". The bases are made with a narrow

stores.alanswoodturningstore.com

JKJ

 

[Dean Center]

If one held an election with a really good turnout, the consensus would be OneWay and Vicmarc, and maybe Axminster are Tier 1 and most expensive, Nova and Record are Tier 2 and a little less expensive, but only a very little bit lower quality. Pick anyone of these and you will be happy. All the bargain brands would be variably, but significantly lower.

• A medium sized chuck will be most versatile, Stronghold, VM120, SK114, Supernova, SC4 would be those models.
• One thing I like about Nova and Record is that all the jaws will fit on all the chucks.
• With whatever brand or model, a purpose specific key is less desirable than a hex key, which can be replaced inexpensively at any hardware store.

 

[John K Jordan]

chucks: Pick anyone of these and you will be happy.

I speculate that the enjoyment and quality in woodturning are 98% the person and 2% the chuck (and other tools).

Look back in history at the tools people used and the things they made. Some turnings I've seen in museums are incredible.

And that's a good reminder is the chuck key, I forgot to mention that completely. For example, the Teknatool SN2 chucks use the hex key which I love. I tolerate but dislike the old SN geared key for the original SN chucks. The smaller G3 chucks also use a geared key but it's better that that for the SN.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

I’ve got Axminster, Vicmarc, Nova, and Oneway. I like all of them but gravitate to the first two, mainly because the current set of jaws on them works well for most of my turnings. You pretty much won’t go wrong with any of the top brands. As John opined, dovetail jaws are quite helpful.

 

[Jon Minerich]

I enjoy my Axminster chucks. The evolution series has a large selection of quick change jaws. They are also made of stainless steel and don’t corrode. Most, if not all the jaws, are interchangeable between their SK100 and SK144 chucks (100mm and 114mm chucks respectively). Also they have different sizes of Cole jaws to fit different sized lathes (different spindle heights). These quickly attach to the chuck bodies as well. Pretty much a “one stop shop” for a chuck (or chucks) and just about any jaw set you might be looking for. They are available from the Woodturning Store.

 

[Roger Wiegand]

Tommy bars, geared key, or hex-- The chuck key may be the biggest variable in chuck enjoyment after the jaws. I've had and used the first two and hated them, the hex key just works, no slipping and no need for three hands. I've found no reason to dislike my Vicmarc's and have three of them at this point. Would like to add a couple more to avoid having to change jaws so often.

 

[robo hippy]

I have all Vicmark chucks. It seems to be the go to chuck for most of the "professional" turners, though I was only semi pro.... Another one to consider is the Easy Chuck. You can change a set of jaws in seconds, literally, even if you don't use it often. Carl Jacobson uses it. I would expect that all the major companies have good chucks, but I started with the Vicmark, and have a number of them.

robo hippy

 

[Len Beck]

All very good info. The consensus seems to be that everyone has there favorite and they all work. As I figured it would be. Which is not a bad thing. The biggest choice seems to be the type of key it uses. I’m leaning towards the hex/allen key type just because they are not a specialty item and can be replaced at any hardware store if necessary. I have a bad habit of misplacing things and not finding them until I’ve bought a new one.

My goal is to go with one brand and stick with it to enhance interchangeability. We’ll see how that goes.

Thanks everyone for your insight.