Axminster (new chucks) vs New Vicmarc

[Scott Horton]

I'm in the USA considering one or the other of these brands to standardize on. Specifically the VM100 and a Axminster 100. The impression I get from a lot of reading is the Vicmarc's are almost universally liked. Some of the biggest names in woodturning use them. That's a pretty good testimonial. But the Axminster seems to get the nod for being slightly higher end, construction wise. Both brands have all the jaws I'd ever need. With a set of 4 jaws chosen to fit my needs the price difference is about $210. I do like the shark jaws available for the Vicmarcs. But what I love about the Axminster is the ability to "Crank out" the jaws for jaw changes (if you want to spend another $60 on extra mounting jaws for every jaw set).

Today I learned Axminister is out of stock on all Evolution 100's. And apparently they are changing to a new chuck they are calling the "Discovery", also out of stock until Dec-ish:

Axminster Woodturning Discovery SK100 Chuck & Backplate

The Axminster Woodturning Discovery SK100 chuck is designed to maximise work holding options. It is a chuck to enhance your woodturning, making it easier, accurate and more enjoyable. Supplied as the chuck only body with interchangeable backplate. The...

www.axminstertools.com

It looks like an Evolution and the only differences I see are:
1) they dropped the lifetime warranty
2) added "SafetyJaw© accessory mounting jaws"
3) dropped price a little
4) apparently the Discovery line has interchangable "backplates" , akin to using thread inserts. Can't see how this wouldn't have the potential to affect runout vs a dedicated thread in the chuck. But maybe not.

I don't know what the quality difference will be .


THREE QUESTIONS:

1) Anyone know any details on this chuck model change? Evolution vs Discovery quality? Features?

2) Any fresh opinions based on the current lines on Vicmarc vs Axminster? I know the old stuff some of you have is still your workhorse, mainly interested in newer gear opinions.

3) Anyone do the "crank out" thing for VIcmarcs for jaw changes?

 

[Russell Nugent]

My nova chucks are all under a few thou for runout with the adapters. I'd be willing to bet you won't be seeing a noticeable issue with the axminster replaceable backplate.

 

[Ross Berning]

I’m happy with the jaw changes on the Axminster Sk114 and don’t see the need for multiple chucks anymore. And I’m pretty sensitive to the downtime when changing jaws. That seems to be the main real difference, feature wise, between it and other chuck brands

 

[Richard Coers]

You might want to check on where the new chuck is manufactured

 

[Scott Horton]

You might want to check on where the new chuck is manufactured

They claim UK in release literature. Doubt they’d admit otherwise. All I have to go on. It I get the point and had already considered same.

 

[Scott Horton]

I’m happy with the jaw changes on the Axminster Sk114 and don’t see the need for multiple chucks anymore. And I’m pretty sensitive to the downtime when changing jaws. That seems to be the main real difference, feature wise, between it and other chuck brands

I do like this “feature”. Although I see no reason offhand why it couldn’t also be done with Vicmarc. Their scroll jaw carriers are more expensive by roughly $10/set. With both brands it’s as $50-$60 USD additional cost to every jaw set to make it work. So there’s that. Still, I like this vs. the screw change business.

 

[Scott Horton]

On the Vicmarc side of the scale they have the most jaw travel by a wide margin. I know it’s best to use in the true circle size but there are times when it doesn’t matter and the extra range is helpful.

 

[William Rogers]

Both are excellent top the line chucks. I went with Axminister because of jaw change and the O’Donnell jaws. Vicmarc does not have jaws comparable to the O’Donnell jaws. I have two of the older style gear SK100 (looks like it is now called the GK100) and two of the SK114 chucks. I have no desire to go back to removing screws to change jaws.

 

[Lance Mirrer]

I haven't used them yet, but I hear great things about the O'Donnell Jaws. They are the main reason I would look at an Axminster.

 

[Brent@TurnRobust]

I think Vicmarc chucks are good and I have several I've been using for 20+ years with no complaints. I've handled the SK 114 and if I was buying chucks again, I'd get them without reservation - biggest attributes are the stainless steel body and the excellent machining. I have seen pictures of the factory in the UK where Axminster makes their chucks. It is modern and well equipped. Not to take anything away from Vicmarc, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Axminster chuck. And, I have no dog in this hunt.

 

[Scott Horton]

I don’t like swapping jaws with screws but I have a lightweight cordless semi-dedicated Bosch torque controlled driver that makes it relatively easier to deal with. So it is not the chore it is for others doing it manually. And it is gonna cost around $500 to equip all my jaws with extra carriers. So it’s not trivial to implement the crank out method if you have several jaws. As for Odonell I just don’t see them being that much different than Vicmarc shark jaw chucks. Both sufficiently extend the dovetails away from the chuck, but vicmarcs add the ability of a more robust deep grab bs a smooth small cylinder.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

I have sk114's with the O'Donnell and others. I try to keep a set of small medium and large jaws on the chucks. It usually ends up being a "H" gripper, a "C" jaw so I can use face plate rings that I have set up for my vacuum plate and then the "G" gripper for larger bowls. I also have the colossus jaws for the "why am I doing this?" times.

I prefer the gripper jaws because it's just easier for me to make a tenon with 90 degree sides instead of putting the correct angle for a dovetail.

The main reason I went with the axminster was because of the stainless steel construction that was mentioned before. At the time I was turning a bunch of green wood and all I had was a grizzly chuck I had bought with the lathe so I figured no rust was better.

 

[William Rogers]

As for Odonell I just don’t see them being that much different than Vicmarc shark jaw chucks. Both sufficiently extend the dovetails away from the chuck, but vicmarcs add the ability of a more robust deep grab bs a smooth small cylinder.

The O’Donnell jaws are a lot different from the Vicmarc shark jaws. I can clamp as small as 1/2” round to over 2” round in the O’Donnell jaws. You can clamp over an inch inside the O’Donnell jaws and that is more than enough for excellent holding. Not to say the Vicmarc shark jaws are not nice, but they are just not the same as the O’Donnell jaws and IMO the O’Donnell jaws have much more capability. As far as screw removal, I have had “stuck” screws and stripped screw heads. Just something I want to avoid.

 

[Scott Horton]

I have sk114's with the O'Donnell and others. I try to keep a set of small medium and large jaws on the chucks. It usually ends up being a "H" gripper, a "C" jaw so I can use face plate rings that I have set up for my vacuum plate and then the "G" gripper for larger bowls. I also have the colossus jaws for the "why am I doing this?" times.

I prefer the gripper jaws because it's just easier for me to make a tenon with 90 degree sides instead of putting the correct angle for a dovetail.

The main reason I went with the axminster was because of the stainless steel construction that was mentioned before. At the time I was turning a bunch of green wood and all I had was a grizzly chuck I had bought with the lathe so I figured no rust was better.

Sam that’s interesting about the gripper. I’ve heard others have negative opinions on them. I don’t mind making dovetails but straight is obviously easier.

And I too like the stainless construction. Big plus for them.

 

[Scott Horton]

The O’Donnell jaws are a lot different from the Vicmarc shark jaws. I can clamp as small as 1/2” round to over 2” round in the O’Donnell jaws. You can clamp over an inch inside the O’Donnell jaws and that is more than enough for excellent holding. Not to say the Vicmarc shark jaws are not nice, but they are just not the same as the O’Donnell jaws and IMO the O’Donnell jaws have much more capability. As far as screw removal, I have had “stuck” screws and stripped screw heads. Just something I want to avoid.

William, I know you’re a fan and have contributed your perspective in all the older threads I researched. Appreciate your input here too. I don’t see how you are clamping 1/2 to 2”. Their specs don’t indicate that capability. Unless you are taking about multiple jaws. For a particular range comparing a single jaw, I like the shark design. Axminster has one, wish they make a couple more.

 

[William Rogers]

@Scott Horton The O’Donnell jaws have 2 sets of inserts attached with cap head screws. the inside of the jaws are smooth, but I have never had a problem with holding, clamps a good inch of material. The pictures are with a 2 3/8” round and a 1/2” dowel. The jaws and inserts also have dovetail for internal and external use. Hopefully the pictures explain. The shark jaws don’t have the same capability IMO.

Inserts



Clamping a 2 3/8” round without any insert and of course could be a square



Clamping a 1/2” dowel with small insert

 

[Ken Loy]

I have a couple SK114s and I really like them. I wanted stainless steel because the garage can get damp and I wanted to minimize rust. Nice and solid grip. I’ve also used the vicmarc and can’t say that these are substantially different, at least to my eye.
I’d recommend getting the long chuck key also, as it helps with mounting wide bowls when the foot is away from the headstock.

 

[Scott Horton]

@ Scott Horton The O’Donnell jaws have 2 sets of inserts attached with cap head screws. the inside of the jaws are smooth, but I have never had a problem with holding, clamps a good inch of material. The pictures are with a 2 3/8” round and a 1/2” dowel. The jaws and inserts also have dovetail for internal and external use. Hopefully the pictures explain. The shark jaws don’t have the same capability IMO.

Thanks for the pics. Tha's what I figured you were up to. Technically that's changing jaws, albeit 4 screws instead of 8 granted, but not the same jaw. Not meaning to split hairs and I think the screws being SHCS are more robust than the M5 FHCS in a Vicmarc jaw makes it more pleasant to change the 4, but it is 2 jaws. And they are proud of that set.

 

[William Rogers]

Thanks for the pics. Tha's what I figured you were up to. Technically that's changing jaws, albeit 4 screws instead of 8 granted, but not the same jaw. Not meaning to split hairs and I think the screws being SHCS are more robust than the M5 FHCS in a Vicmarc jaw makes it more pleasant to change the 4, but it is 2 jaws. And they are proud of that set.

Yes they are proud of them around $220 for the jaws and the 2 sets of inserts and then $$ for the sides. There are only 2 sets of inserts. Yes, the SHCS are much easier to deal with than the FHCS screws. You could also buy individual jaw sets, but that would be a lot more $$ and it is fairly quick to swap the inserts.

 

[Brian Deakin]

I live in the uk I have both the sk100 and sk114 chucks

Please see the information below which may be helpful

(1) The Axmister C jaws do not have a dovetail profile I have never found this an issue
Please see link below which illiterates their features
Axminster c jaws - Google Search

axminster c jaws - Google Search​

(2) The carriers on the sk114 are longer than on the sk100 this provides additional stability

(3) Axminster have a range of videos on their web site you may find useful
https://www.youtube.com/@axminster

(4) If it states the product is made in the uk you will see a British made logo
https://www.axminstertools.com/british-made/

(5) If you watch Stuart Batty videos which were originally on Vimeo but are now on his web site Stuart explains the limitations of Shark type jaws and why he does not use them

Stuart Batty Tools

​ Stuart Batty Tools​ STUART BATTY TOOLS

In summery I am very happy with all my Axminster tools

Other please note American and British companies will always struggle to compete on price with Chinese companies The reason you can never compete with a company that can operate from a lower cost base
I will be attending a Woodturning show in Harroegate England on Friday 15th November I will enquire about the Discovery chucks and report back