Wood River 4 Jaw Chuck

[Randall Smith]

Looking for info on this Woodcraft chuck. Does anyone know the size and TPI of the chuck body? Mine has an adapter for a 1" spindle and I'd like to adapt it to 1 1/4". Also, anyone have a manual or parts diagram? Thanks in advance for any info you might share.

 

[Richard Coers]

I would not recommend a tommy bar chuck. Look for something with a key.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

It is probably a WoodRiver chuck, that's the house brand. But nope I was not able to find a manual on line. It did take inserts so if it has an adapter to go on a 1" spindle, you may got lucky and find that it is 1 1/4" body. Also try calling Woodcraft Customer Service. They may have a paper copy of the manual they could scan and send you.

 

[Brian Gustin]

I would not recommend a tommy bar chuck. Look for something with a key.

Hmm to each their own, I suppose. I got a PSI Barracuda as a second chuck (with extra jaws) to supplement my original (no-name import) that came with my used HF lathe, which was a Tommy Bar chuck. I find that I actually prefer the tommy bar chuck over the key style.

Oddly enough, appears my no-name tommy bar chuck (with just one set of dovetail jaws) appears to have an insert so I could just get an insert (assuming I can find any) - However, I strongly suspect , given what I believe of Wood River brand's origins, it probably would use the same insert as my no-name chuck does, so probably most any generic brand adapter would fit - I do believe (Hockenberry may know) One Way has a very nice adapter that can put a 1 inch chuck onto a 1-1/4 lathe spindle....

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

I would not recommend a tommy bar chuck. Look for something with a key.

I’m with you there. The first time I used mine I was holding the bowl with one had and squeezed the bars with my other hand and bent the bars. Once I bought a Chuck with a key I have never gone back to the Tommy bar Chuck.

 

[Richard Coers]

Hmm to each their own, I suppose. I got a PSI Barracuda as a second chuck (with extra jaws) to supplement my original (no-name import) that came with my used HF lathe, which was a Tommy Bar chuck. I find that I actually prefer the tommy bar chuck over the key style.

Oddly enough, appears my no-name tommy bar chuck (with just one set of dovetail jaws) appears to have an insert so I could just get an insert (assuming I can find any) - However, I strongly suspect , given what I believe of Wood River brand's origins, it probably would use the same insert as my no-name chuck does, so probably most any generic brand adapter would fit - I do believe (Hockenberry may know) One Way has a very nice adapter that can put a 1 inch chuck onto a 1-1/4 lathe spindle....

I suspect the size of work has more to do with preference than just random personal preference. No way can I load a 75 lb block of maple and have 2 free hands to tighten the chuck. For your mushrooms and mortar and pestle work, it's a much different story.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I have a Woodriver chuck and the insert is for 1 1/4" X 8. The insert was first sold for Nova chucks (and they didn't cost much) but they did not work very well for the Nova chuck. Somehow I ended up with about 7 or 8 of the inserts. When I picked up the Woodriver that chuck used these inserts and unlike when used on the Nova the Woodriver with the cheap insert runs perfectly (less than .001 runout). I have a half dozen or so Tommy Bar chucks and I use them. If you have a spindle lock it is actually faster than a geared chuck. Here's a pic of the back of the Woodriver chuck and 2 of the 1 1/4" inserts. If you need one you can pay shipping and I'll send you one.

 

[Randall Smith]

It is probably a WoodRiver chuck, that's the house brand. But nope I was not able to find a manual on line. It did take inserts so if it has an adapter to go on a 1" spindle, you may got lucky and find that it is 1 1/4" body. Also try calling Woodcraft Customer Service. They may have a paper copy of the manual they could scan and send you.

Thanks, I called Woodcraft and they know absolutely nothing about the chuck and have no manual. I just need to determine the threads on the chuck body so I can find the correct insert.

 

[Randall Smith]

I have a Woodriver chuck and the insert is for 1 1/4" X 8. The insert was first sold for Nova chucks (and they didn't cost much) but they did not work very well for the Nova chuck. Somehow I ended up with about 7 or 8 of the inserts. When I picked up the Woodriver that chuck used these inserts and unlike when used on the Nova the Woodriver with the cheap insert runs perfectly (less than .001 runout). I have a half dozen or so Tommy Bar chucks and I use them. If you have a spindle lock it is actually faster than a geared chuck. Here's a pic of the back of the Woodriver chuck and 2 of the 1 1/4" inserts. If you need one you can pay shipping and I'll send you one.

 

[Randall Smith]

I'll gladly buy one from you and pay shipping as well. Text me at eight zero 6; 438; seven zero 1 eight and I'll send you my address and arrange to pay you. Thanks a bunch for your reply and for your help!

 

[Randy Heinemann]

The probable reason that Woodcraft doesn't have any information is that, in the time I've been turning - about 6 years - I've only found Nova chucks in the 2 Woodcraft stores I am closest to. They sell quite a few Woodriver turning tools and other lathe accessories, but not Woodriver chucks. Maybe it's from the past.

 

[Bill Blasic]

Randall look here for info on the Woodriver chuck. https://www.woodcraft.com/products/4-jaw-lathe-chuck-with-case

 

[Cindy Navarro]

Looking for info on this Woodcraft chuck. Does anyone know the size and TPI of the chuck body? Mine has an adapter for a 1" spindle and I'd like to adapt it to 1 1/4". Also, anyone have a manual or parts diagram? Thanks in advance for any info you might share.

Woodcraft sells inserts for chucks. I use both tommy bar and keyed chucks. No problem with either.

 

[JeffSmith]

I suspect the size of work has more to do with preference than just random personal preference. No way can I load a 75 lb block of maple and have 2 free hands to tighten the chuck. For your mushrooms and mortar and pestle work, it's a much different story.

I like the one tommy bar chuck I've got. If your lathe has a spindle lock that can be set and stays on (like Robust) tommy bar chucks are simple, one-handed operations. Granted, mine is relatively small so a 75lb blank may be at the top of its range, but I find it great for anything about 12" and smaller., and almost any size spindle is easily accommodated. Its a Oneway and takes any of the Talon jaw sets.

 

[hockenbery]

I know a couple of production turners who like the tommy bar chuck for speed.
Spindle locked one hand holding the blank or bowl the other hand operates a a long handled tommy bar with one push or one pull

I much prefer a key and of the keys I like the hex key.