Accessories for Jet 1014 Mini - Which Chuck?

[underdog]

I'm going to be picking up my new Jet Mini at the Woodcraft store this weekend or next weekend, and I thought I'd look at getting a chuck while I was there. I'm wondering what chuck will give me the most bang for the buck?

I'm also thinking about getting some good tools while there and wondered if you could give suggestions.

I'm going to be looking for:
1) a diamond type parting tool
2) spindle gouge
3) skew
4) bowl gouge

Those are the ones I know I'd like to get. I may want some other things, but those will get me started down the "vortex" as someone so aptly put it... I don't know what sizes to get either. But mostly it will be small stuff on this mini, so big tools will have to wait til I get a big lathe.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I don't know about "bang for buck" since that is very subjective, but I am thoroughly pleased with my Oneway Talon chuck. I also have the #3 jaws and the mini jumbo jaws. Some of the cheap chucks require you to have three hands and they don't offer many, if any, accessories.

Size doesn't matter: I often use my big tools on my mini and sometimes my small tools on the big lathe.

Bill

 

[underdog]

As I begin to look for a chuck, I'm thinking I'll be limited to the Nova Midi chuck which looks to be around $100 through Amazon... I'll probably need to stay around this price if I'm to have any chance at all to buy some tools also..

What do you guys think of this chuck? Besides the fact that you have to have three hands....

 

[mkart]

Nova Midi chuck

I purchased this chuck on sale at Woodcraft a few months ago for $80. It is not as handy as my Supernova but has been a good chuck so far. My other nova jaws fit it so I did not have to purchase more and it has held anything the Jet mini is capable of turning. Look around for the best price, they often pop up on ebay. I have not tried one for fear they are junk but grizzly offers a similar chuck pretty cheap, around $40. Maybe someone can write in if its worth trying. It's also worth speaking with the manager at Woodcraft on larger purchases, sometimes they will cut you a deal if you ask.
mkart

 

[Jonathon.C]

Talon chuck!

I have a talon chuck that I really like!! I am pretty new to woodturning and I also have a jet mini lathe... this chuck is pretty spiffy! The talon chuck is really nice because it is very easy to use and isn't horribly expensive. Another good quality about it is the big woodworm screw that comes with it is really heavy duty. I have heard (haven't experienced it; this is the first chuck that I have owned) that other chuck screws have had problems with bending. Also the standard jaws that come with it give you a good turning range... they open far enough that it works for some big turnings and most small turnings. This chuck is really a strong chuck, fits most lathes, and seems relatively inexpensive. I found it on this (the Woodcraft) site for $180... I have seen them for as much as $220 at other places! Well, Good luck with your search!!

 

[JimQ]

If you get it this weekend, you can get the Pinnacle 8 piece turner's tool set for $159.99, $50 off. There was a thread on another forum that rated the pinnacle tools as being very good for the price. On sale through Monday.

The Midi chuck is the updated version of the Compak chuck. It has never given me any problems, and has a heavy enough wormscrew that it will handle anything the Jet 1014 can. Also the jaws are designed so that they will take most of the jaws from the larger Teknatool chucks.

Good luck.

JimQ

 

[Brian Hahn]

Pinnacle tools

If you can wait a couple of days, Woodcraft will have a 5-piece Pinnacle tool set on sale. Check their November sale flyer. (Mine arrived yesterday.)

 

[underdog]

I was looking through the Penn State Catalog last night and noticed the chucks by PSI.

They have their "Utility Grip" chuck that comes with a #2, and #1 set of jaws, and a screw chuck thrown in for $79.95. I seem to remember one of the guys in our club bought one of these and he was happy with it. Any one know about these?

I'll take a look at the Pinnacle set too. Thanks for the tip.

 

[MichaelMouse]

You don't need three hands with the Nova, just two and your tailstock. One and your tailstock if you get a pin spanner. I'd be shy about some of the Chiwan patent infringement stuff, especially when the difference in price is small.

 

[underdog]

Oh.. so these PSI chucks are knock-offs?

I'm searching for "Pinnacle" on the forums, but nothing is coming up, but this thread...

Perhaps that was on the old Forums?

 

[Brian Hahn]

The only discussion I've seen recently was in the Tool Talk forum at Woodturner's Resource.
Here's a link to their forums Woodturner's Resource forums

 

[underdog]

Thanks,

I took a look at that. Some of those guys are tighter than I am...

And the guy who has the "lefty" Avatar got a real chuckle out of me...

I just spoke with the manager of the Local WoodCraft store. I can't remember what the Woodcraft guy said the price on the 5 piece Pinnacle set was going to be, but I think it be on sale next week for around $100. The Midi Chuck and the Super Nova 2 will be on sale as well.

 

[S. Clark]

The midi chuck is a good chuck but avoid the old Compak chuck. I purchased one of these when I first got my Delta midi lathe and had all kinds of trouble. I didn't know enough at the time to realize that the Compak chuck was making things harder for me. The jaws on this one have a lot of wiggle and it is very difficult to get your blank to remain centered. I replaced it with the newer ndi chuck and Nova corrected the problem by designing this one more like their larger version.

As for two hand use, its no problem with the lathe you're getting. Two bars are required to open and close the jaws but you can brace one bar against the lathe bed and use one hand to rotate the other one while inserting your blank.

 

[dkulze]

I had always shied away from the Penn State and Grizzly chucks out of fear of, basically, death by flying wood and metal. Then Wood magazine did a review on them a couple of years ago. The general consensus was that they are solid, well built, and safe. The jaw compression compaired well with the nova and oneway and, although they weren't felt to be a smooth or easy to use, they weren't considered dangerous either, so if ya aint' got much, one of those might be a start.

For tools, the Pinnacle set is a good buy at Woodcraft, like folks said.

Don't forget, you need a face sheild and a respirator as your first purchases. Figure $50 for both at most. Face shield not goggles cause you still have lots of face exposed to catch chunks with, and shavings in your eye will still happen. Respirator not dust mask cause the tiny stuff that will cause major problems down the road can go right through and around a dust mask. The little $30 3M respirators for doing drywall and for chemical vapors work great.

Good luck,
Dietrich

 

[S. Clark]

Tool Handles

As for tools, a big part of it has to do with the feel of the handle in your hand. You need to handle several styles and see if you have any particular preferance. Some people do and some don't. I purchased all my first tools at flea markets, garage sales, and junk stores. Within a month I had a dozen differnet tools to work with and i probably only spent $40. Most of these were'nt of the hiest quality but they function well enough for me to learn what to do with them, how to grind and sharpen, and what types were actualy necessary to purchase of better quality.

I like the Sorby handles the best but these tools are pricier than others. Crown is also nice in my hand and a little better value. Some of the cheapy stuff I got at the garage sales now have good handles that I made by copying Sorby's design. This is pretty simple to do and is a good spindle turning exercise.

 

[underdog]

I like the idea of making my own handles. Sometimes I get a bigger thrill out of making tools, than I do out of making other stuff.

I've also looked at some "unhandled" tools. Wondering if anyone has run into some good deals on those?

I found out yesterday I won't be picking up the lathe until Saturday next... So that will give me some time to shop around for other stuff.

As far as a face shield goes, I've got one, but it's kinda scratched up. Know how to fix that?

And I need some parts for my respirator. I guess I really ought to get a new one...


Thanks again guys for all your input.

 

[dkulze]

If you have a Beall type buffing system, you can buff that faceshield right out. Otherwise, replacement lenses usually are pretty cheap and a whole new one is only about $15. As for the respirator, not talking about one of the powered ones. Just the little pad and cartridge ones you get at Home Despot. Bout $30 with replacement pads at about $1 each. I change the charcoal cartridges about once every 2-3 years cause I don't work with vapors much.

Dietrich