Are chuck spindle adaptors "safe" to use?

[Mark Ahlenius]

Hi,

I just got a new (used) lathe which has a 1-1/4" 8 TPI spindle. My old Delta lathe had a 1" 8 TPI spindle and I have a Super Nova chuck for that. Wondering how safe it is to use the spindle adaptors (~$20) to go from the female 1-1/4" spindle on my new lathe to the Nova chuck which has the 1" female thread? My concern is a bit more about wobble and safety as you are hanging out a large and somewhat heavy chuck on longer spindle. Does using one affect the accuracy of the chuck by possibly introducing any vibrations (via wobble)?

thoughts?

thank you

'mark

 

[robo hippy]

I would check to see if the female insert is removable before getting an adapter. I do believe most chucks are that way. There are some that are drilled exactly for one size and can't be adapted/changed out. You are correct about the adapters adding to any wobble there already is on your lathe and chuck.

robo hippy

 

[Tom Gall]

For most/majority of turnings this should not be a problem. Most adapters only add about 2" from the headstock and they are pretty stout. I went through that problem several decades ago, and still use the adapter occasionally for some chucking situations.

 

[John K Jordan]

My concern is a bit more about wobble and safety as you are hanging out a large and somewhat heavy chuck on longer spindle.

I've seen several spindle adapters and some looked better than others. I recently bought one from Best Wood Tools and it is extremely well machined. I bought the 1-1/4 to 1-1/4" version (basically and extender) but I'm assuming his others are also well made. With the smaller thread, I might be a bit more more cautious with heavy and unbalanced blanks but for most things I think the adapter should be OK.

But as Sir Robo noted, is your chuck direct-threaded for 1"x8 or does it have a removable insert? All my chucks are Novas and I use the removable inserts on each (except for one direct-threaded Titan). When I gave a couple of G3 chucks to a friend with a smaller lathe, I simply unscrewed the inserts and put in new inserts to fit her lathe. (My apologies if you are already aware of that!)

JKJ

 

[Roger Wiegand]

Seems it's more typical than not for chucks to use adapters. It's only been very recently that you could get a Vicmarc direct threaded, for example. If the inserts are creating wobble I can't detect it.

 

[hockenbery]

My concern is a bit more about wobble and safety as you are hanging out a large and somewhat heavy chuck on longer spindle. Does using one affect the accuracy of the chuck by possibly introducing any vibrations

Like @Tom Gall - Unless it is a poorly made adapter it should work well for most things.
It will introduce more vibration - but probably so small you can’t notice it.

If your chuck has an insert, the better solution would be getting a 1 1/4 insert. Then you don’t have to use an adapter.
Insert probably costs less than a quality adapter.

I often demo using chuck threaded m3.5 x 33 on lathes with 1” or 1 1/4” threads using an adapter.
Never had a problem and some club lathes are less than great.

 

[Walter Mooney]

Hi,

I just got a new (used) lathe which has a 1-1/4" 8 TPI spindle. My old Delta lathe had a 1" 8 TPI spindle and I have a Super Nova chuck for that. Wondering how safe it is to use the spindle adaptors (~$20) to go from the female 1-1/4" spindle on my new lathe to the Nova chuck which has the 1" female thread? My concern is a bit more about wobble and safety as you are hanging out a large and somewhat heavy chuck on longer spindle. Does using one affect the accuracy of the chuck by possibly introducing any vibrations (via wobble)?

thoughts?

thank you

'mark

+1 for what JKJ said — Best Wood Tools adapter. I have one and use it all the time, no issues!