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Upgrading chucks

Ted Pelfrey

Ted Pelfrey

Joined
Jan 12, 2014
Messages
264
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1,234
Location
Crossville, TN
So am going from a 1” spindle lathe to a1 1/4” spindle lathe. Have to upgrade chucks. No problem with my Oneway Stronghold, just change out spindle adapter. But I have a G2 Nova chuck that has to have a spindle adapter that makes the chuck stick out another 2” or so. I’m worried it will cause to much vibration. Any experience with these adapters? Should I just go with another Oneway? For a cheaper chuck I really like the little Nova.
 
I know this isn't a prefered practice, but I was turning on an 18" lathe today and it had a 1 1/4" to 1" spindle adapter between the chuck and spindle. Turned an 11" bowl and had no vibration or movement. Was using 3 1/2" jaws and a tenon. Was running it anywhere from 700 to 1200 rpm. Dried walnut. It was nice having the bowl a couple inches further away from the headstock compared to my lathe. It gave more movement of the gouge available when working at the bottom of the bowl with a push cut. I would buy the adapter for your Nova chuck and buy 1 1/4" chucks in the future.
 
I use a long adaptor to provide a deeper reach for re-chucking inside deeper bowls and they work just fine with both my Nova and Vicmarc chucks. That give me an extra clearance of 100mm/4" away from the headstock.

As mine are a 'same thread to same thread' they are not really an adaptors, just an extension, so I had to get mine custom engineered as not an off the shelf item.

A more readily available off the shelf adaptor would I expect be a cheaper solution than selling your current chucks 2nd hand and buying new ones.
 
If this is the smallish G3 chuck, and you have a larger chuck for larger work, you will probably use the G3 for smaller projects. With that in mind, the adapter should work fine. If it doesn't, you're only out $30 or so. If you're planning to turn 16" tall hollow forms with the G3, you might get into trouble with an adapter, but you'd likely get into trouble with this use anyway.
 
If you keep turning you will probably want another chuck (or 2 or 6) anyway. Keep it. I have a number of G3s with 1" native threads and one with a 1" adapter. These are in addition to my Supernovas and Stronghold. I frequently use the G3s on my Powermatic with an adapter. No issues for me. If it gives you a problem, then you have an excuse to get that Vicmarc VM120.
 
Rick Urban said:
If you keep turning you will probably want another chuck (or 2 or 6) anyway. Keep it. I have a number of G3s with 1" native threads and one with a 1" adapter. These are in addition to my Supernovas and Stronghold. I frequently use the G3s on my Powermatic with an adapter. No issues for me. If it gives you a problem, then you have an excuse to get that Vicmarc VM120.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Was considering a new Oneway Talon as a smaller chuck with dedicated 1 1/4” threads.
 
I had a spindle adapter once, before I knew about getting different inserts for my chucks. I didn't like it because I noticed right away that there was more vibration. The farther some thing sticks out past the base of the headstock tower, the more vibration there will be. This is why most hollow form turners will use a steady rest. Most bowl turners do not. Platters seem to be a different animal here, and a very light touch is needed near the rim.

robo hippy
 
robo hippy said:
I had a spindle adapter once, before I knew about getting different inserts for my chucks. I didn't like it because I noticed right away that there was more vibration. The farther some thing sticks out past the base of the headstock tower, the more vibration there will be. This is why most hollow form turners will use a steady rest. Most bowl turners do not. Platters seem to be a different animal here, and a very light touch is needed near the rim.

robo hippy
Click to expand...
Exactly what I was afraid of. I ordered the adapter and if it doesn’t work I’ll go with the Talon. Thanks to all who commented.
 
If you engage the tailstock when turning bowls on an adapter, that will eliminate most of the vibration. I prefer to turn bowls without the tailstock engaged.

robo hippy
 
Ted Pelfrey said:
So am going from a 1” spindle lathe to a1 1/4” spindle lathe. Have to upgrade chucks. No problem with my Oneway Stronghold, just change out spindle adapter. But I have a G2 Nova chuck that has to have a spindle adapter that makes the chuck stick out another 2” or so. I’m worried it will cause to much vibration. Any experience with these adapters? Should I just go with another Oneway? For a cheaper chuck I really like the little Nova.
Click to expand...
I have A G3 that I used with an adapter for a ShopSmith. I purchased a lathe with a 1 1/4" spindle and bought an adapter like you are talking about. I have no problem with vibration. I even use that G3 with Cole jaws on it and have no problem.
 
I have and use chuck adaptors. What do you think runs flawlessly under all conditions, a chuck directly connected to the headstock spindle or one that has an adapter or an extension in between? Which connection has the better chance of generating vibration? In my experience, approximately 99.99% of the time it works flawlessly. The .01% is acceptable in my woodturning. I don't worry about the exceptions because adaptors work most of the time.
 
When you stack pieces up there will be movements, especially if they are threaded pieces, threads do have to have room to screw together, one each need that, or else they can not be treaded together.
Tapers are the closest you will get to fitting together without extra room and running true, that is why I choose the Oneway chucks, also because they are made with better steel and machining, yes more expensive maybe, but I rather cry ones rather than every time I need it to use them.
 
Ted Pelfrey said:
So am going from a 1” spindle lathe to a1 1/4” spindle lathe. Have to upgrade chucks. No problem with my Oneway Stronghold, just change out spindle adapter. But I have a G2 Nova chuck that has to have a spindle adapter that makes the chuck stick out another 2” or so. I’m worried it will cause to much vibration. Any experience with these adapters? Should I just go with another Oneway? For a cheaper chuck I really like the little Nova.
Click to expand...
Had the same issue when I upgraded but have a good spindle adapter and can't tell the difference when turning.
 
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