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Help in deciding on a chuck!

Martin Osborn

Martin Osborn

Joined
Nov 24, 2010
Messages
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Location
Inland Empire, CA
Website
www.martinpens.com
I recently bought a PM 3520. I have a smaller chuck whack requires an adapter. I don't mind this for smaller pieces as it increases distance between the headstock and the piece being turned. However, I will need a larger chuck for larger pieces. It has to be 1" 1/4 x 8". I am looking at the Barracuda and the Super Nova. Feedback from owners and some advice on an excellent chuck would be appreciated.
Martin
 
I thought Woodcraft had the SuperNova on sale this week........you may want to check it out..............
 
Martin Osborn said:
I forgot to include the Oneway Stronghold chuck!
Click to expand...

I have three of the OW stronghold chucks. Purchased the first one around 1990, or so........bought two more about 5yrs ago, so the jaws I use most don't need to be changed out. (Mega Jumbo Jaws, #2 jaws) The third chuck is the one I use to change jaws out on. I have every set of Stronghold jaws that are available.

Obviously, I'm pleased with the Stronghold. I've had a Nova chuck, and Vicmarc 3 1/2, and 5 1/2 chucks, but these three were purchased when they were only available with the tommy bars for opening and closing the jaws......(mid to late 1980's) Both seemed very good quality, too. I've since sold all three of these chucks and have gone with the Stronghold exclusively.

Anything with the tommy bars are definitely NOT recommended, because they are a hassle to manipulate in all applications......go with the keyed chucks ONLY

From what I gather, most all the chucks that are on the CSUSA, Packard, Woodcraft, etc., are of good quality.....so, you are not likely to have any real big disappointments. The accessories available to the Stronghold are one of the reasons I decided that was the one I'd stay with.......

ooc

The second photo shows the Cole Jaws installed on the Nova chuck, prior to selling it........
 

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Another plug for the Oneway Stronghold. I have 2, one with #2 and with #3 jaws. I have a set of pin jaws as well, but don't find that I need the cole jaws for turning off tenons. I use a jam chuck (or friction drive) and just get the tenon down to a little peg, and break it off. I have a vacuum pump, but haven't gotten around to making an adapter since I got my Powermatic. I am quite happy with the power of the Stronghold, and will likely buy another one at some point. I have also heard very good things about Vicmarc chucks, but decided to go with the Oneway. I'm happy. I also own a supernova, but prefer the profile jaws holding power. mine is an older model, purchased used on Ebay, and has the chuck key that can pivot slightly--this means its hard to get into the chuck at the proper angle. I also don't like that it clamps opposite the Oneway. I always learned "righty, tighty, lefty loosie". I can't get used to tightening to the left. Just my stubborn nature I guess.
FYI; I did own a barracuda 2 as my first chuck--it was decent, and did what it was supposed to do, but doesn't come in a 1.25x8 configuration, or at least did not when I bought it several years ago, and doesn't have the holding power of the Oneway.
 
I use Nova chucks as all the jaws (except the Titan Powergrip Jaws) fit all the Nova chucks up and down the line. I like the dovetail jaws but if you need the teeth in a jaw set they have several but as I said the dovetail works very well for me. For me the price, availability, quality of these chucks and the fact that I do not like changing jaws (I have more than a few) have made their use exclusive. If you buy any of the three big names in chucks I'm sure you will be satisfied. One last thing, by having all Nova chucks they all open and close in the right direction.😀
 
The "which chuck" question is like the "which lathe" one - certain to provoke religious-like wars. I'd first:

  1. Figure out the size you need, then
  2. Look at what jaw sets are available and then
  3. The combined prices of the chuck AND the jaw sets you think you'll need.
You should also check pricing at several places (Woodcraft, Packard, Craft Supplies, Amazon, etc.). I started out with an open back Super Nova, added a Titan, a mini and finally a G3 (all the jaws are interchangeable) before finding out that I needed better functioning bowl jaws than the ones Teknatool offers. After looking over what was available, I settled on a Vicmark 120 and three of their bowl jaw sets. But that doesn't mean you should go out and buy anything I did.
 
Personally I don' think you can beat Vicmarc. Mike Mahoney and Richard Raffen also speak highly on Vicmarc. The dovetail jaws hold extremely well. They can grip the tiniest groove when necessary. They have a huge range of jaws some of which aren't always carried by the dealers in the US but you can buy them from overseas if needed.
I have used the VM100 for years and have 4 of them. I have turned up to 20" with these. I keep looking at the big chucks but since I've turned everything I have wanted with the smaller ones I not sure why I would need it.
I am a huge fan of the chuck key. It is just a 10mm allen wrench. If you should misplace it, lose it, or leave it home like I did for my last demo, then you just go to the local hardware and buy another one. You can't do that with any geared key. It also takes less fiddling around to get it lined up to tighten or loosen jaws. I was turning a very large weird shaped piece and couldn't get my chuck key in there because the T part was in the way. I got an old 10mm allen key out of my junk bin and welded it to an extension piece of steel. Welded a handle on that and I was ready to go. Couldn't do that with a geared key either.
Can't afford a Vicmarc, buy the GRizzly copy. It's a decent chuck and takes all of the vicmarc accessories.
 
vic marc

I have 12 chucks all makes and models, they all work fine. I do like the strong hold, but the Vicmarc now has jaws up to 8 inches, so buy according to what you think you will want to turn.
 
Like John, I have been extremely satisfied with Vicmarc chucks. I own two VM100's, and one VM120, as well as one of the Grizzly knock-offs of the VM100. What he said about the hex-key vs. geared keys is another important feature to consider - hex keys are much easier to use than having to fiddle with meshing gears every time you engage the key.

I have spindle adapters for 1-1/4"x8, 1"x8, and M33x3.5 for my Vicmarc chucks, and with these, I can use any of them on pretty much any lathe I demo on, and on all three of my own lathes. The chucks operate very smoothly and grip well. I'm considering getting a third "naked" VM100 simply because I don't enjoy changing jaws 😉.

If Vicmarc chucks were to disappear from the Earth tomorrow, I would seriously consider replacing my chucks with Oneways, although I still don't like the geared chuck keys they have. They do operate smoothly and grip well.

Rob Wallace
 
Another vote for the Vicmark chucks. I have 4, and need a few more. The dove tailed jaws do hold better. There is a mechanical advantage to the dove tail, which is why a dove tail joint is used in flat work so extensively when you want some thing to hold forever.

robo hippy
 
i own 1 OW stronghold chuck, i do take jaws off after each turning session so i only need 1 chuck 😱😀
 
Maybe I'll get a Vicmarc 120 and a stronghold and use different jaws on each. I need a strong chuck for the bowl saver system. Will also be turning hollow forms and some really hard, dense Australian woods. Sounds like both are excellent choices. Thanks fornthe input. It has been helpful.
 
Mat
Don't buy the Vicmarc yet

Look on page 62 of the current American Woodturner for a 10% off code for Vicmarc chucks and jaws

Ralph
 
n7bsn said:
Mat
Don't buy the Vicmarc yet

Look on page 62 of the current American Woodturner for a 10% off code for Vicmarc chucks and jaws

Ralph
Click to expand...

Making me think I need to get another 120.😀
Had mine for 4 years now and like others here, I don't like to change out the jaws.
 
Dean Center said:
Are the jaws interchangable from one Vicmarc model to another?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, when looking at CSUSA catalog they show different jaws for the 100 and the 120.
Someone else might be more sure of this. If all else fails, call Craft Supplies.
 
Bought a Vicmarc 120 last night from CSUSA. 10% discount via AAW journal thanks to the response. Paid $265, which was a pretty good deal. Now I need an education on what jaws to use depending on the wood/project. I see a lot of posts on here about different jaws and multiple chucks. Sooooo . . . . . . What do YOU use particular jaws for. How about a discussion on which jaws you use for a particular turning. Thanks for all the feedback! Greatly appreciated.
Martin
 
Another Vote for Vicmarc

Martin, I too, use Vicmarc chucks exclusively. There are 2 reasons I prefer them to any other chucks, including the Oneways:

1) at the time I purchased the Vicmarcs, I needed Cole Jaws, and the Vicmarc cole jaws were larger than any available at that time, around 2003. (I now use a vaccuum chuck). The Vicmarc chucks also had smooth dovetail jaws, and I don't recall that Oneway had any jaws that were smooth. They only had (or advertised) the serated teeth. Like Robo Hippy, I prefer the holding power of a smooth dovetail to the crush of the serated jaws.

2)When opening up the jaws on the Oneway, the slides will quickly extend beyond the body, and it doesn't take much before that happens. I work close to the body of my chucks, and like my knuckles excatly where the good Lord put them. 😀 I understand one has the ability to change this, as I've been advised. But every time I use a club lathe, and forget to bring my own chuck, I'm very aware of those slides!

I'm not knocking Oneway - I love their machinery. I own one of their lathes, and at least 80% of all the accessories that they make. I just prefer the Vicmarc chucks.
 
Come and visit if you're in the "old stompin grounds"...

John Nicholson said:
Hi Rob,
I am from Pleasantville,27 miles southeast of Des Moines, only I left 40 some years ago.
Click to expand...

Hello John!

If you're headed back through these parts any time in the future, let me know and you're welcome to stop by and talk turning. We have an active turners group here in Ames (and in Des Moines too).

Happy Holidays!

Rob Wallace
 
Consider a smaller chuck

While a large lathe enables you to use larger chucks, that does not imply the chuck has to be bigger -- in fact a large chuck such as the Stronghold can very often be a disadvantage unless the turning is very large. Unless you only turn from very large heavy pieces of wood, a chuck the size of the Oneway Talon is more than adequate. If your turnings are typically less than about 15 inches in diameter, consider getting the smaller size first. It did not take me very long to realize that the large chucks significantly restrict access around the tenon. If I were turning pieces that required a chain hoist to lift the wood, then I would feel the need for a large chuck. I like the Oneway chucks because of their heavy duty rugged design and perfect balance. Jaw style is no longer an issue as most all brands now offer both serrated and dovetail jaws. My normal preference is the serrated jaws, but there are some situations where dovetail jaws are better (if it is necessary to reverse mount a turning several times, the dovetail jaws seem to be a bit more repeatable in alignment accuracy).
 
Bill, check your pm
 
Bill Boehme said:
While a large lathe enables you to use larger chucks, that does not imply the chuck has to be bigger -- in fact a large chuck such as the Stronghold can very often be a disadvantage unless the turning is very large. Unless you only turn from very large heavy pieces of wood, a chuck the size of the Oneway Talon is more than adequate. If your turnings are typically less than about 15 inches in diameter, consider getting the smaller size first. It did not take me very long to realize that the large chucks significantly restrict access around the tenon. If I were turning pieces that required a chain hoist to lift the wood, then I would feel the need for a large chuck. I like the Oneway chucks because of their heavy duty rugged design and perfect balance. Jaw style is no longer an issue as most all brands now offer both serrated and dovetail jaws. My normal preference is the serrated jaws, but there are some situations where dovetail jaws are better (if it is necessary to reverse mount a turning several times, the dovetail jaws seem to be a bit more repeatable in alignment accuracy).
Click to expand...

Bill's, comments in my view are spot on. I currently have a OW Strong Hold and two Talons. The strong hold is rarely used because I don't turn many 15 inch or larger bowls or platters.

After reading Raffan's article in the Journal, I may invest in a set of dovetail jaws for my Talons.
 
Bill Boehme said:
While a large lathe enables you to use larger chucks, that does not imply the chuck has to be bigger -- in fact a large chuck such as the Stronghold can very often be a disadvantage unless the turning is very large. Unless you only turn from very large heavy pieces of wood, a chuck the size of the Oneway Talon is more than adequate. If your turnings are typically less than about 15 inches in diameter, consider getting the smaller size first. It did not take me very long to realize that the large chucks significantly restrict access around the tenon. If I were turning pieces that required a chain hoist to lift the wood, then I would feel the need for a large chuck. I like the Oneway chucks because of their heavy duty rugged design and perfect balance. Jaw style is no longer an issue as most all brands now offer both serrated and dovetail jaws. My normal preference is the serrated jaws, but there are some situations where dovetail jaws are better (if it is necessary to reverse mount a turning several times, the dovetail jaws seem to be a bit more repeatable in alignment accuracy).
Click to expand...

Bill, I really appreciate the input. It is so typical for me to go overboard initially. I may have done just that with my purchase of the VM 120, but it arrived yesterday. It is huge, heavy and impressive. I would like to do some turning of large pieces and one of the woods I have access to is a large and off balance, rock hard Australian Burl. The smaller oneway chuck I have has the serrated jaws and takes two bars to tighten - a real pain sometimes. I will definitely make use of this chuck - but suspect, as you have said, that a mid sized chuck may have been a smarter first purchase. Live and learn. Thanks!

Martin
 
Martin Osborn said:
Bill, I really appreciate the input. It is so typical for me to go overboard initially. I may have done just that with my purchase of the VM 120, but it arrived yesterday. It is huge, heavy and impressive. I would like to do some turning of large pieces and one of the woods I have access to is a large and off balance, rock hard Australian Burl. The smaller oneway chuck I have has the serrated jaws and takes two bars to tighten - a real pain sometimes. I will definitely make use of this chuck - but suspect, as you have said, that a mid sized chuck may have been a smarter first purchase. Live and learn. Thanks!

Martin
Click to expand...

Every woodturner goes through the same dilemma, Martin -- I know that I did. Because of the psychology of marketing, it is easy to get into the mindset that bigger equals better, but really bigger equals bigger (and more expensive). Someone at Oneway talked me out of getting the Stronghold and told me that the Talon would suit me just fine especially since I was a beginner and did not intend to turn huge pieces.
 
Well, now that I have the VM 120, how about some recommendations on some flat jaws so I can do some finishing on the bottom of my bowls. Thanks everyone. I'm enjoying the vicmark. I am looking to turn some fairly sizable pieces, so will make good use of it.
 
Bill Boehme said:
While a large lathe enables you to use larger chucks, that does not imply the chuck has to be bigger -- in fact a large chuck such as the Stronghold can very often be a disadvantage unless the turning is very large.
Click to expand...

I have a PM 3520 and seven Strongholds. I HAD two talon chucks, but sold them off to a friend because I didn't want to "bother" with the different chuck keys and the fact that the jaws are not interchangeable between the two chuck sizes like some...
I LOVE the OneWay chucks, but...

After having worked with just the larger chucks for a while now, and since I have designated jaws for too many chucks, it was a mistake to get rid of the Talons. The smaller body on the Talon made it easier to get behind the turning with tools. Keep that in mind and don't be too quick to get rid of the "smaller" chuck.
 
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