Vicmarc direct thread chuck, how to remove

[Steve Tiedman]

I've owned a Vicmarc VM120 chuck for nearly 25 years. (I don't own an inventory of chucks. Up until a few years ago, it was my only chuck for my VL300 and 200 lathes. A Oneway Talon was included with the VL200 when I bought it.)

My VM120 uses the threaded insert. For removal from the headstock spindle, I insert a tommy bar in the hole on the side of the insert and thump it with my hand, and off she comes (hand on handwheel if needed, never against the index pin). See pic below.

With the direct thread Vicmarc chucks (no threaded insert), does one still use a tommy bar inserted in a hole... somewhere, to remove the chuck, or some other removal method? I've seen photos from retailers, but don't see how to remove it other than doing the same procedure but by thumping the hex key in the gear drive socket. If you can, please include a photo of the mechanism/function that removes the insert-less chuck from the spindle. Thanks.

 

[Brian Gustin]

I've owned a Vicmarc VM120 chuck for nearly 25 years. (I don't own an inventory of chucks. Up until a few years ago, it was my only chuck for my VL300 and 200 lathes. A Oneway Talon was included with the VL200 when I bought it.)

My VM120 uses the threaded insert. For removal from the headstock spindle, I insert a tommy bar in the hole on the side of the insert and thump it with my hand, and off she comes (hand on handwheel if needed, never against the index pin). See pic below.

With the direct thread Vicmarc chucks (no threaded insert), does one still use a tommy bar inserted in a hole... somewhere, to remove the chuck, or some other removal method? I've seen photos from retailers, but don't see how to remove it other than doing the same procedure but by thumping the hex key in the gear drive socket. If you can, please include a photo of the mechanism/function that removes the insert-less chuck from the spindle. Thanks.

Cut yourself a scrap stick of wood about 1/2" x 1" x 12" and squeeze one end between the jaws , gives you a handy-dandy "spanner" handle for removal, installation, and even storage (drill hole in other end and hang em on a wall hook?)

 

[Roger Wiegand]

Hex wrench in the socket, give it a tap with your hand.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Hex wrench in the socket, give it a tap with your hand.

I've seen a lot of people do just that. But a strap wrench would also work.

 

[Brent@TurnRobust]

I've had a couple of Vicmarc chucks for 25 years or so. I always remove them by putting the hex key in the socket, just like others have mentioned. Works just fine. If there was going to be a problem, I think it would have showed up by now.

 

[Dave Landers]

I am also in the "hex key in socket" group.
A couple times (years ago) I did have an insert loosen up while doing this. Knowing me, I probably was too aggressive when putting the chuck on the spindle. I try to restrain myself these days. Anyway, I drilled a little dimple for the insert's set screw to seat in and have had no issues.

 

[robo hippy]

I also use the hex key in the socket. One other way would be to clamp a metal bar in the jaws, and using the spindle lock on your lathe, twist it off. Maybe a spanner wrench if you can find the correct size. I have had the inserts loosen up before, but not a problem to put them back in.

robo hippy

 

[John K Jordan]

I'm a chuck wrench person. That's one reason I like the Nova chucks with insert,s - they all work with the same wrench.

I bought a Nova Titan direct thread - no place for a wrench. Some said put a piece of board between the jaws - won't work if leaving the piece in the chuck while working on something else. Some said tap the hex key. I almost put it on the mill and machined some flats for the wrench but fortunately the problem was suddenly resolved when I gave the chuck to a friend.

JKJ

 

[William Rogers]

For me the best way is to use a strap wrench. I have a large Ridgid that is over 60 years old given to me by uncle who was a plumber. It is a fabric type and not sure if the rubber strap wrenches would work, never tried. this one is 18”. No beating on anything needed.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Very good, thanks for the replies. I'd rather not hit upon the hex key, but if they gave no other provision to remove the chuck...

Funny, I've had the Talon chuck since Oneway introduced it in the late 90s. I remove the Talon by setting the gear wrench and thumping it with my hand.

 

[Kent Jaffrey]

Watched a Vicmarc video recently and the hex in the socket is the way they remove them. I figure if it good enough for the manufacturer it’s good enough for me.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Some time ago I made this wrench for removing my Nova Titan chuck. It has a piece of an appropriate size Allen wrench epoxied into it and is cushioned with a section of bike inner tube. It is particularly useful when there is a piece on the chuck that I don’t want to remove from the jaws but want to take off the lathe.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Some time ago I made this wrench for removing my Nova Titan chuck. It has a piece of an appropriate size Allen wrench epoxied into it and is cushioned with a section of bike inner tube. It is particularly useful when there is a piece on the chuck that I don’t want to remove from the jaws but want to take off the lathe.
View attachment 82947View attachment 82948

Now that's clever!

 

[Marc Banka]

@Steve Tiedman,
The tool you’re looking for is called a spanner wrench. Use it in the hole of the adapter,,or hook one of the hex holes. The 2-4 3/4” wrench is ideal for VM120 chucks. Also works well on nova chucks.