NOVA Chuck Owners Note

[MichaelMouse]

When I bought my "new" lathe, it came with a SuperNova chuck. I hadn't been using it much, since it seemed stiff in operation, but I got my new 75mm (a lie, they're 80) jaws, and figured I'd put them on chuck # 3 versus the seldom-used power grip jaws. Blew the thing out, added WD40 and all, and still stiff in opening, so I decided to open it up to attempt a fix.

Former owner had screwed the stop screw in too deep, and scored the outer portion of the #1 jaw thread when opening to max. The peened portion dragged the threads inside, making operation difficult. Those with similar chucks might want to check to see that the safety stop screw is up high enough to catch the upper portion of the jaw, rather than low enough to do the same. Not a lot of good reasons to use the things fully expanded anyway.

CA will serve as Locktite

 

[dkulze]

Thanks. Will check mine tonight.

Dietrich

 

[underdog]

I never put those screws in my Midi chuck.

That's the ones on the perimeter of the rim right?

 

[Griesbach]

Thanks, Michael, I'll be checking mine too.

 

[tjchigh71]

Thanks for the heads up!!

I have two super nova chucks and one is silky smooth and easy and the other is stiff and new ? lubricated and couldn't figure it out I bet this will fix it cool !! Thanks Michael
Tim

 

[Steve Dickson]

What is the Stop Screw for

I have the midi and I dont understand what that stop screw is for. The only thing I have found is it is in the way when I try to open or close the chuck.

 

[MichaelMouse]

Its purpose is to prevent you from opening the jaws too far, and getting into an unsafe condition. They want all three or so threads engaged. Not too much of a problem if you're in expansion mode, as the piece itself will limit you. Problem is with the contraction mode, where vibration could cause a catastrophic loosening. If it's too low, it'll only catch the very bottom of the thread, as with this one, and can peen it or peel back a small metal shaving which will interfere with smooth operation. I sanded the irregularity off and elevated the screw so it would get more surface against the thread - just below the top of the jaw. I have a feeling the previous owner of the chuck used it in the contraction mode, and cranked a bit too broad at least once. With some force, apparently.

 

[maico3]

it stops the jaws from falling out of the chuck.
what insert do you need for a pm3520B

 

[MichaelMouse]

it stops the jaws from falling out of the chuck.
what insert do you need for a pm3520B

You want the "L" 1 1/4 insert. It has a hole bored and tapped for a lock screw, and is longer. Believe the 3520B (you dog, you!) is a long thread.

 

[maico3]

to change or not to change

I am new to this vortex (and I enjoy every minute)
I am to get in a couple of days my new pm3520b (I can´t wait)
my problem is I have a delta 12x36 with a spindle 1x8 tpi.
what do you recomend to buy an spindle adapter for my chuck and face plates or sell everithing and start all over with the correct size (1 1/4" x8) this come to is the spindle adapter good o produces vivrations etc.
best regards
Maico

 

[MichaelMouse]

Spindle adapters made by good machinists may be just fine, but use allows any error in machining to be magnified by distance from the reference. I had one chuck which was directly threaded, and I elected to go to new adapters for the others. You're risking perhaps 35 bucks to try. I figured it wasn't worth it against thirty each for the adapters for the other three chucks. Your money, but you needed a new chuck anyway, right?

 

[maico3]

I dont need a new chuck the supernova I have with every accs.included is a good chuck but has an adapter for my old lathe. (1"x8"tpi)
I think will buy an spindle addapter and see if every thing works.
what is (if there is) the advantage having a spindle 1 1/4"direct from the lathe or be reduced to 1" by a spindle reducer is more weak when you work with large unvalanced lumber or come to make no diffrence

 

[MichaelMouse]

You have an adapter? The chuck is not directly threaded? No debate needed. If you have a chuck adapter, remove and replace with the appropriate one. Avoids an extra place where you might have loose threads, any run-out you might have added by extending the chuck away from the spindle, and if you get the locking kind, you can turn left-handed by reversing the lathe without unthreading.

Adapt the chuck http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Mer...&Category_Code=lathes-acc-fourjaw-nsupernova2 , not the spindle http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Mer...ode=112862&Category_Code=lathes-acc-spndladpt on the lathe.