Slight rocking with my Nova G3 chuck? Need to know if this is fixable...

[Jon Rista]

I have been turning spindles the last couple of days, and have been having a lot of problems with vibrations. I originally thought that the issue was in the lathe, or with the set of the chuck on the spindle. But I've checked and rechecked those, and there is no issue with any of that. I then held the chuck firmly, and pushed and pulled a little on the blank I had in the chuck, and I could hear a bit of a click. On deeper investigation, it seems like my chuck jaws, may in fact be a little loose. I first pulled the blank out, and checked the tightness of every jaw screw. All were quite firm and the jaws themselves are not loose. It seems to be the slides that the jaws screw into, that are loose. Not a lot, but enough that it is causing a very problematic vibration, even with very short blanks (2-3 inches, which I've never had a problem with vibrations with before).

I am not really sure why the slides would be loose, but that seems to be the problem. I am now wondering if this is fixable...

 

[Bill Blasic]

Every one of my chucks regardless of brand has a tiny bit of movement of the slides left and right while looking at the face of the chuck when not clamped on a piece of wood, but there is no visible or feel of looseness when pulling up. When clamped against a piece of wood this movement of the slides (left and right) cannot happen. If you are able to pull on that piece of wood and get movement back and forth (not side to side) you have a problem that Teknatool should be shown that problem and the chuck replaced. I've owned a lot of chucks and have never run into that problem. Slides are like an inch long and all four slides would have to be really really messed up to get movement when pulling outward. The jaws pull on the slides in an upward direction. It is hard for me to fathom that happening but you never know?

 

[Bill Alston]

Just an observation but I’ve noticed a difference in the clearance between the Chuck body and the Jaws (slides) on various chucks. The tightest are my metal work lathe chucks.
My Axminster SK100 chuck is also very good. My Record Power and Nova chucks display more movement. The RP and Nova chucks have cast Jaws whilst all the others are machined.

I’ve not noticed any significant vibration that I could attribute to Jaw movement though.

 

[Webb Willmott]

Perhaps a little chuck maintenance might help? Take the slides out and give everything a good cleaning.

 

[Bill Alston]

I know some on here disagree, and have even stripped it all out, but Teknatool recommends lubricating their chucks. I suspect even a modest amount of grease might help with vibration? They recommend a Heavy Viscous Grease in their literature.

 

[John K Jordan]

When mounting jaws I always follow the instructions:

• Clean dust and debris from all slides and jaws.
• Place the jaws in a circle in the right order looking from above (1-4 clockwise)
• Open the slides a bit.
• Place each jaw on the grooves on the slides, one at a time starting with any slide. (Nova changed orig instructions at some point.)
• Insert screws and initially tighten them LOOSELY. I "snug" then back off a partial turn.
• Close the jaws with the key till they all meet and tighten the screws firmly.

Don't mix up individual jaws from other jaw sets, at least with older jaws which were made differently than I think they are now.

Don't know if the above will help with what you are seeing, but with my 20+ Nova chucks and numerous jaw sets I have never had a case where I could wiggle the wood the slightest bit once firmly mounted.

Also, once I bought some used chucks very cheap from a fellow woodturner. They were almost worth what I paid for them. He must have secretly been the Incredible Hulk or used long cheater bars but the chuck bodies were distorted such that it was nearly impossible to make them function correctly. It tool me days of rework until I was happy with them. I'm assuming new chucks won't have this type of problem. If these are old chucks, maybe something is worn.

JKJ

 

[Doug Freeman]

All slides/jaws will be loose when “free”. You don’t describe the shape of the blank(s) mounted. Sometimes I hear a click as you describe, and find that one jaw is not loaded. Happens with stock that isn’t quite square, or a tenon that isn’t quite round, especially one that warped a bit from drying.

Sometimes I can make it go away by tightening the jaws, other times I need to correct the shape of the work, and other times I just let it be - not an option if it is affecting your cut.

 

[Bill Hamilton]

I have been turning spindles the last couple of days, and have been having a lot of problems with vibrations. I originally thought that the issue was in the lathe, or with the set of the chuck on the spindle. But I've checked and rechecked those, and there is no issue with any of that. I then held the chuck firmly, and pushed and pulled a little on the blank I had in the chuck, and I could hear a bit of a click. On deeper investigation, it seems like my chuck jaws, may in fact be a little loose. I first pulled the blank out, and checked the tightness of every jaw screw. All were quite firm and the jaws themselves are not loose. It seems to be the slides that the jaws screw into, that are loose. Not a lot, but enough that it is causing a very problematic vibration, even with very short blanks (2-3 inches, which I've never had a problem with vibrations with before).

I am not really sure why the slides would be loose, but that seems to be the problem. I am now wondering if this is fixable...

 

[Bill Hamilton]

the jaws have to be slightly loose so they can be tightened and loosened with the chuck key.

 

[Jon Rista]

All slides/jaws will be loose when “free”. You don’t describe the shape of the blank(s) mounted. Sometimes I hear a click as you describe, and find that one jaw is not loaded. Happens with stock that isn’t quite square, or a tenon that isn’t quite round, especially one that warped a bit from drying.

Sometimes I can make it go away by tightening the jaws, other times I need to correct the shape of the work, and other times I just let it be - not an option if it is affecting your cut.

When mounting jaws I always follow the instructions:

• Clean dust and debris from all slides and jaws.
• Place the jaws in a circle in the right order looking from above (1-4 clockwise)
• Open the slides a bit.
• Place each jaw on the grooves on the slides, one at a time starting with any slide. (Nova changed orig instructions at some point.)
• Insert screws and initially tighten them LOOSELY. I "snug" then back off a partial turn.
• Close the jaws with the key till they all meet and tighten the screws firmly.

Don't mix up individual jaws from other jaw sets, at least with older jaws which were made differently than I think they are now.

Don't know if the above will help with what you are seeing, but with my 20+ Nova chucks and numerous jaw sets I have never had a case where I could wiggle the wood the slightest bit once firmly mounted.

Also, once I bought some used chucks very cheap from a fellow woodturner. They were almost worth what I paid for them. He must have secretly been the Incredible Hulk or used long cheater bars but the chuck bodies were distorted such that it was nearly impossible to make them function correctly. It tool me days of rework until I was happy with them. I'm assuming new chucks won't have this type of problem. If these are old chucks, maybe something is worn.

JKJ

Ok, this might be a factor. I think I may indeed have mixed up jaws from two 50mm sets. It looks like maybe 1/4 of the jaws is from the other set. I have two sets of 50mm jaws, and I suspect I haven't kept the closest eye on them. I did not notice the issue, until just now, closing the jaws all the way down and one of them does not seem to align with the others. All four jaws are attached to their corresponding numbered slide, so I think its the 4th jaw that is incorrect. Hopefully, this means that one of the jaws isn't clamping properly causing the issue... Will see in a bit here.

The blank itself does visbly move. Its not a ton, its maybe a millimeter rock at most. However, that is more than enough to cause problems turning spindles, even when there are only a couple of inches or so of spindle to turn. With 6+ inches, its pretty wild, I've had to keep the tailstock engaged until the last possible moment. Really hoping the issue is this swapped jaw...and that something is just not clamping down right.

FWIW, these two chucks, my G3 chucks, get very regular cleanings. They gum up and pack in dust really easily, and I have to clean them all the time. They are very clean, but...not greased. I don't really like the idea of greasing them, I feel that just makes them accumulate dust even faster, but, maybe it is necessary.

I haven't damaged these in any meaningful way. Some scratches from sandpaper here and there, but otherwise they are in good condition. I may sell them, and get some other chucks. Someone mentioned their Axminsters are very tight tolerance. I have an RP as well, an SC4, which seems very good to me. I have just never really liked the G3 chucks...so maybe its time to sell them and move onto another brand. The RP is compatible with all my Nova jaws, so maybe another SC4. Did I read recently that Axminster released a new line of chucks as well?

 

[John K Jordan]

I think I may indeed have mixed up jaws from two 50mm sets.

When I remove jaws, I've started putting the sets in zip-lock sandwich bags to keep them together. Since all the chucks came with 50mm jaws I have a box of spares of those! If one gets dinged up or just dirty, I swap it out for new, pretty jaws.

Maybe I'll do an art installation with the extras and sell it in a ritzy NY gallery and retire. No wait, I've already retired, almost 20 years ago...

 

[Bill Alston]

Ok, this might be a factor. I think I may indeed have mixed up jaws from two 50mm sets. It looks like maybe 1/4 of the jaws is from the other set. I have two sets of 50mm jaws, and I suspect I haven't kept the closest eye on them. I did not notice the issue, until just now, closing the jaws all the way down and one of them does not seem to align with the others. All four jaws are attached to their corresponding numbered slide, so I think its the 4th jaw that is incorrect. Hopefully, this means that one of the jaws isn't clamping properly causing the issue... Will see in a bit here.

The blank itself does visbly move. Its not a ton, its maybe a millimeter rock at most. However, that is more than enough to cause problems turning spindles, even when there are only a couple of inches or so of spindle to turn. With 6+ inches, its pretty wild, I've had to keep the tailstock engaged until the last possible moment. Really hoping the issue is this swapped jaw...and that something is just not clamping down right.

FWIW, these two chucks, my G3 chucks, get very regular cleanings. They gum up and pack in dust really easily, and I have to clean them all the time. They are very clean, but...not greased. I don't really like the idea of greasing them, I feel that just makes them accumulate dust even faster, but, maybe it is necessary.

I haven't damaged these in any meaningful way. Some scratches from sandpaper here and there, but otherwise they are in good condition. I may sell them, and get some other chucks. Someone mentioned their Axminsters are very tight tolerance. I have an RP as well, an SC4, which seems very good to me. I have just never really liked the G3 chucks...so maybe its time to sell them and move onto another brand. The RP is compatible with all my Nova jaws, so maybe another SC4. Did I read recently that Axminster released a new line of chucks as well?

Yes Axminster released a new range a while back. They are expensive but extremely well made in Stainless Steel to tight tolerances.
They also sell the biggest range of Accessory Jaws as well, some types being unique to Axminster. They make 88mm, 100mm and 114mm diameter models.