What do you see as the fundamental difference between a Nova and a SuperNova?
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Favorite chuck?
- Thread starter Claudio Feler
- Start date
I also sand in reverse.
The original Nova Chuck was a Tommy bar chuck the Supernova Chuck was an open back chuck with a key similar to the G3. The Supernova 2 chuck has a “sealed” back and uses an Allen wrench.
@Bill: Agreed, the shark jaws are not the best designed jaws from Vicmarc - or I never found out how to benefit from the design.
I use alle sizes of Vicmarc chucks and love them. If I was a production turner doing spindle work, I would consider using the Oneways, but I have time enough to make dovetails.
My Vicmarc 120s are the kings of my workshop and the 150 is the emperor seldom disturbed.
I use alle sizes of Vicmarc chucks and love them. If I was a production turner doing spindle work, I would consider using the Oneways, but I have time enough to make dovetails.
My Vicmarc 120s are the kings of my workshop and the 150 is the emperor seldom disturbed.
Does any one else besides me have step jaws that just sit and collect dust?
robo hippy
robo hippy
Yes! I've never found a use for them.The ones I have were included sets of multiple jaws.
One more set of step jaws here just gathering dust.
Bought them 8 years ago against advice from an experienced turner - guess I had it coming!
Bought them 8 years ago against advice from an experienced turner - guess I had it coming!
I have only the Supernova 2, its worked pretty well so far. I read on a forum that they were not made in China, but when I got it I saw it indeed was.
I wish I bought, https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/176/5714/easy-wood-tools-4-Inch-Easy-Chuck . I may later. Anyone tried the easy chuck for changing teeth? The Supernova 2 seems annoying to change teeth in and out of. American made is a big plus for me.
I wish I bought, https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/176/5714/easy-wood-tools-4-Inch-Easy-Chuck . I may later. Anyone tried the easy chuck for changing teeth? The Supernova 2 seems annoying to change teeth in and out of. American made is a big plus for me.
I dont change jaws often but it's probably less than 2 minutes to change jaws on the supernova.
Up here I can buy 3 supernova chucks for the price of the easywood chuck. I know they may be made in china but I haven't had any quality issues.
The screws for my jaws didn't fit right so I had to file down some of the screws and part of the inside of the jaws. They didn't fit seamlessly which irked me, its fine now. Its 8 screws off, 8 Screws on to change the jaws. Its kind of annoying, but its my only chuck and therefore my favorite by default. As my first it also makes me fond of it. I thought they came from New Zealand, I wish websites posted where things are made more often. If it wasn't Chinese made I would be fine getting more Nova parts, I have a tool rest from them as well that is pretty nice as well.
When you only have 1 chuck like me and are debating new sets of teeth, additional chucks and long-term quality these threads are heaven-sent. I might be choosing something I use for 50-60 years from now if I stay healthy. Closing and opening a chuck for small project by hand to make sure I get the size right also saves time, any small time savers over the years could be hundreds of saved hours and less of a headache for a few hundred bucks now. The Easy Chuck has a lifetime warranty, and supports jobs in my home country.
D*** it now I am talking myself in to buying more expensive stuff.
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I think that Bill's analysis is spot on. As such, I recommend that all new turners not buy a chuck until they take a look at Hurricane chucks. It is my opinion that they are a high-quality chuck, have a great selection of jaws, great customer support...and you just can't beat the price.
Kevin Jesequel
TOTW Team
When you only have 1 chuck like me and are debating new sets of teeth, additional chucks and long-term quality these threads are heaven-sent. I might be choosing something I use for 50-60 years from now if I stay healthy. Closing and opening a chuck for small project by hand to make sure I get the size right also saves time, any small time savers over the years could be hundreds of saved hours and less of a headache for a few hundred bucks now. The Easy Chuck has a lifetime warranty, and supports jobs in my home country.
D*** it now I am talking myself in to buying more expensive stuff.
The last time I was in my local Woodcraft (Portland), I noticed that they had three or four Easy chucks on clearance for $299. They don't list them on their website, so either they used to cary them and stopped, or the manager of my store ordered them thinking they would sell, but they didn't. It might be worth a phone call to your local Woodcraft if you are thinking about going with this chuck.
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That is a complicated thing. We have ownership, made in, assembled in.
Budwiser, Chrysler, Tampa electric are foreign owned. The electricity is made in Tampa from US produced fuels and Sunlight ( likely using some imported equipment)
Toyota is foreign owned.
Toyota’s, Budweiser, and Chrysler’s are assembled in the US all may contain imported components.
Robust Lathes are assembled in the US with a goal of using US made parts.
Tracing the sources of components and materials used by their suppliers is a huge task.
This is the web statement.
- “We certify all Robust products have a domestic content of over 85%, but most are more than that.”
When I worked for DOD a brand new Savin copy machine was installed in the office,I worked in. 6 months later it was replaced by a brand new Savin copier. Reason - contract specified some level of US manufacture. The first one was determined to be in violation.
That's how I got a Stronghold and insert for under $150 -- it had been in the case at the local Woodcraft for a couple years and they were discounting stuff which had lingered on the shelf. It was my second Stronghold -- price was too good to pass up. I have had my first Stronghold for about 10 years -- very happy with it, and it seems bulletproof. Being dropped etc hasn't affected it. It is, however, awfully big for small-diameter short spindle turning.
I have several Nova chucks. A couple Nova G3s -- bought with the mini which was my first lathe. Still use use them for small projects but don' t really like them. I also have a couple Supernova 2s. They are much better. The main virtue of the Nova chucks is that jaws work on any of their chucks. Not true of Oneway chucks.
I've seen the Easy Chuck demoed by the company several times. Their plant is about 2 miles from my house, so over the years I've seem them a lot. Couldn't see paying their price. I can buy 2-3 other chucks for about the same price and avoid changing jaws. That said, I don't mind taking all of perhaps 2 minutes to change jaws if necessary.
I think a lot of us would rather have 10 chucks with 10 different sets of jaws than one chuck with 10 sets of jaws.... I would most likely lose one of the jaws on most of the sets of 4.....
robo hippy
robo hippy
Hello Claudio........the supernova uses a heavy duty allen type wrench to tighten/loosen the chuck and the supernova is a little larger than the nova. Both are good chucks IMO. Happy turning!
The original nova Chuck is a tommy bar chuck. The supernova Chuck (discontinued) is a keyed Chuck with an open back similar to the oneway chucks the supernova 2 is a closed back Allen wrench chuck.
FWIW When expanding into a rebate, Nova is the only chuck that is righty tightly lefty loosey.
I’ve used most of the chucks talked about in this thread. My favorite is the Nova Infinity, followed by the Supernova 2.
FWIW When expanding into a rebate, Nova is the only chuck that is righty tightly lefty loosey.
I’ve used most of the chucks talked about in this thread. My favorite is the Nova Infinity, followed by the Supernova 2.
I have a Oneway Stronghold and am very pleased with it. But it’s time to get an extra body. I frequently use the number 2, 3 and the mega jumbo jaws. The extra body would sure come in handy!
If my memory doesn't fail me I believe the first Vicmarcs open and closed in the same directions as the Nova chucks.
True, but I find the screws used on the Nova chucks, which hold the jaws in place have really weak Allen recesses. I use a high quality set of wrenches and still struggle to keep those pristine (or usable). I bought extra screws as a result. But, It annoys me that they are this way. Having never used another chuck than the Nova, I have no points for comparison. Based on the robust response, it seems a topic with little agreement. The price variances in these items is significant, also interesting. For myself, I prefer American made....but that is a philosophical statement.
Those are the same three jaw sets I use most frequently......except although I have both the jumbo jaws, and mega jumbo jaws, the jumbo jaws are used the most.
An odd thing about the mega jumbo jaws, is the first set of gripper holes actually will hold a smaller bowl rim than the jumbo jaws will! When I can use the jumbo jaws, I'd prefer that, because of the smaller overall diameter, and safer.....imho anyway!
note: With the jumbo and mega jumbo jaws, I've cracked a few bowls in the expand mode......so, if the bowl looks questionable at all, I always use the contract mode. When the bowl looks solid and not likely to have any weak spots, I usually choose the expand mode, because there is less exposed grippers, and safer.
The #2 and #3 jaws, along with the jumbo, and mega jumbo jaws, all have dedicated Stronghold chucks. When I need to change out jaws, I always use the Stronghold chuck that is dedicated to the #3 jaws.
-----odie-----
Thank you, I think that since I have already invested in this line of chucks I will look for a SuperNova 2.
I have 2 Nova 2's, one Titan II and one Titan III. I have e 12 sets of jaws. Most folks talk about hating to change jaws because it takes so much time. I don't really mind changing jaws as when I've timed myself, it only takes about 90 seconds to change jaws if you have everything at hand and ready. Yes, tightening by turning counter clockwise was difficult to get used to and I still sometimes try tightening down on a tenon by turning clockwise. f I was starting out today, rather than 4 years ago, I would buy 3 Vicmarc 120's and 1 Vicmarc 150 with a full range of jaws.
Teknatools/Nova sells a set of replacement screws, currently $6 at Rockler. There's someone on amazon who will sell you 50 non-Teknatools brand screws of similar dimensions for $8. I bought a set of the Teknatools screws confident I would lose one in the shavings, but I've still got the same screws in all 3 chucks. It's a miracle!
Hi Odie. I agree with your comment on compression and expansion. I have found that cedar and other softwoods are notorious for cracking in expansion mode.Those are the same three jaw sets I use most frequently......except although I have both the jumbo jaws, and mega jumbo jaws, the jumbo jaws are used the most.
An odd thing about the mega jumbo jaws, is the first set of gripper holes actually will hold a smaller bowl rim than the jumbo jaws will! When I can use the jumbo jaws, I'd prefer that, because of the smaller overall diameter, and safer.....imho anyway!
note: With the jumbo and mega jumbo jaws, I've cracked a few bowls in the expand mode......so, if the bowl looks questionable at all, I always use the contract mode. When the bowl looks solid and not likely to have any weak spots, I usually choose the expand mode, because there is less exposed grippers, and safer.
The #2 and #3 jaws, along with the jumbo, and mega jumbo jaws, all have dedicated Stronghold chucks. When I need to change out jaws, I always use the Stronghold chuck that is dedicated to the #3 jaws.
-----odie-----
I started off with Nova, and then Super-Nova chucks, but my all-time favorite is the hard to find British made Axminster stainless steel Evolution. The Axminster jaw sets are particularly useful for my applications, with pronounced dovetails and deep recesses.
I recently bought an Axminister chuck, primarily for the O'Donnell jaw sets [at the bottom of your picture] which they offer. Those ought to be ideal for the small diameter spindle turning I tend to do. I had long thought about buying them and finally did when Lee Valley recently discontinued them and reduced the prices for clearance. I have long used the Nova 45 mm and 35 mm spigot jaws, but they have not been ideal. The O'Donnell jaws should give me much better clearance for work close to the chuck.
I have yet to strip out a Nova chuck screw, and at least one of my Nova chucks is over 10 years old with almost all of the original screws. The only reason I have bought extra Nova screws is because I have lost a couple.
I do - keep trying to find a good use for them and not succeeding. Anyone need them?
Here's an example of the kind of turnings that require the Axminister (or O'Donnell) deep jaw set...I haven't found any other chuck/jaw-set that will allow for this reverse chucking technique and clearance requirement:
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I had forgotten that some where along the line, Vicmark changed from turning one way to tighten to the other way. I got used to it, and when I am using the odd chuck, I remember fairly quickly.
robo hippy
robo hippy
As a Nova user in my own shop, to me, the Oneway Strongholds at the school where I teach are backwards!
Makes no difference ... just takes a second to adapt.
Makes no difference ... just takes a second to adapt.
The new NOVA PRO-TEK SUPERNOVA 2 (Available later this month) will tighten the "RIGHT" way.
I see there will be a Pro-Tek in the G3 also. Wonder if this means the old chucks will be discontinued?
I think they will be as there has been some really good prices and bundles lately.
which means that they will tighten into a rebate the (LEFT) way.
Yes. Much more intuitive to me.
As a Nova user in my own shop, to me, the Oneway Strongholds at the school where I teach are backwards!
Makes no difference ... just takes a second to adapt.
Agreed.
This seems like such an insignificant point. I just checked my Stronghold chucks and they are clockwise contract.....but, I didn't know that until I checked. I'm on my laptop out in the shop right now.
-----odie-----
Odie as I have done machining, and these chucks all have the righty tighty ....... lefty loosy way of working, and it would be really easy to forget with those chucks that use the opposite way of closing, a nice turning falling out of the chuck would be very likely to happen some times.
Reed was saying he has the step jaws and never use them, I do have the Talon step jaws and use them a lot with holding the Birdhouse ornaments, especially the roofs, but also at times the body, the jaws are mounted on one of the Talon chucks, so going from the #2 jaws to the step jaws is as fast as you can unscrew and mount the next chuck, probably 20 seconds
They are also nice to turn the pegs from thin stock as they will close down to about 6mm/1/4"
Reed was saying he has the step jaws and never use them, I do have the Talon step jaws and use them a lot with holding the Birdhouse ornaments, especially the roofs, but also at times the body, the jaws are mounted on one of the Talon chucks, so going from the #2 jaws to the step jaws is as fast as you can unscrew and mount the next chuck, probably 20 seconds
They are also nice to turn the pegs from thin stock as they will close down to about 6mm/1/4"
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@Leo: The Vicmarc/Rafffan Step Jaws are primarily focused on spigot use (two or three sizes). The Oneway is quite a different animal - and apparently more useful.
I have the step jaws that fit my original Oneway (the tommy bar one) and Talon chucks (as shown by Leo), and I do use them on occasion to hold small stuff.
(The problem I am having with my Oneway is that I can't get the tapered adapter out of it in order to change from 1" x 8 tpi to 1-1/4" x 8 tpi -- it's been in there for ~20 years and is apparently permanently seized now.... I guess I'll just have to buy another Talon chuck body now to go with that adapter ...oh well!)
(The problem I am having with my Oneway is that I can't get the tapered adapter out of it in order to change from 1" x 8 tpi to 1-1/4" x 8 tpi -- it's been in there for ~20 years and is apparently permanently seized now.... I guess I'll just have to buy another Talon chuck body now to go with that adapter ...oh well!)
What steps have you taken to remove the old adaptor so far?