I need a chuck. I just ordered a Jet 1840 and it should be delivered next week. I was looking at Woodcraft and not sure which would be a good choice. This is my first lathe and I have no turning experience. I could use suggestions at to brand, etc.
I need a chuck. I just ordered a Jet 1840 and it should be delivered next week. I was looking at Woodcraft and not sure which would be a good choice. This is my first lathe and I have no turning experience. I could use suggestions at to brand, etc.
That has not always been the case - several years ago at the garage sale held by Craft Supply before the Utah symposium I stumbled on a set of Oneway jaw slides for the Stronghold that were machined for Vicmark jaws - they work perfectly, packaging indicates they were made by Oneway complete with a part number. At the same sale I got a set of Vicmark 110mm jaws that Vicmark made for the Oneway Stronghold chuck - also machined perfectly for the Oneway chuck slides. Bought both and been using them for many years now. The Vic jaws on a stronghold is my go-to chuck for larger bowls and always for coring.In general, while all the brands do the same thing and have more or less similar jaw sets available, they are not interchangeable between brands.
I second the recommendation for VicMarc chucks. I've got 4 at this point and love them. The only reason I have more than one of any given chuck body size is that I found I was constantly switching jaws back and forth, which got to be a pain in the butt. I have several VM100s (the small ones) and one VM120. They're rock-solid and the dovetail jaws provide an incredibly secure grip. Well worth the money.I'm a Vicmarc chuck fan. I've use a lot of chucks and owned a variety. I now have 3 vicmarc chucks and 2 vicmarc copies. Ive had problems with both aftermarket chucks but not my vicmarcs that are much older. The reason I chose the Vicmarc over others was the chuck key. It's just a standard 10mm hex key. No teeth to break. If you lose it just go to the hardware and by another.
Are the Hurricane jaws compatible with Vicmark chucks?Highly advise giving a close look at Hurricane chucks. I've used a ton of different chucks over the years and a bunch of them have good points, however, I've been using Hurricane chucks for a couple of years now and I find that they are absolutely great chucks with about the broadest selection of jaws that anyone could ask for. They are offered at a great price plus I don't think that you can beat the great support.
I have signed up for a bowl turning class. But it is 2 counties south and the central coast is on a variation of shelter in house due the the corona virus.
I can't answer that. Recommend that you drop the guys at Hurricane an email (or phone) and ask them this question.Are the Hurricane jaws compatible with Vicmark chucks?
We just like to talk about it again, LOL My vote is always for Vicmarc Chucks. I just ordered another one, the bigger one, the VM150.I asked the same question a couple weeks ago... maybe that thread will help too?
Can't afford a bunch of chucks so I have to change jaws but don't turn that many things, then jaws aren't an issue. Time? I'm retired so I'm not in a hurry nor a production turner. As for screws, I don't change them at the lathe but take the chuck to the workbench. Screws are kept in a magnetic tray from HF.I am not a proponent of changing jaw sets back and forth in any particular chuck for several reasons. First, it takes an unreasonable length of time. Second, unless you bought a gross of replacement screws with the chuck, you will spend far more time looking for a screw lost in the shavings. Third, sometimes the jaws do not align perfectly so the spin of the work piece does align perfectly with spin axis of the lathe and the live center so more time needs to be spent check for and correcting any misalignment. This is particularly a problem with pin jaws which typically would be used when turning very small items. I would suggest that a second chuck is a better investment for a new turner than buying two or three additional gouges/scapers/skews/etc. Faceplates make good alternatives to larger jaw sets for many purposes.
I've had two Vicmarc chucks, and one Technatool chuck in the past. Good chucks, but I sold them, mainly because they operated with tommy bars. I now have four Oneway Stronghold chucks, and am satisfied with them. I am a faceplate turner, and only use a chuck when roughing, and preparing seasoned bowls for attachment to wasteblocks. I prefer the serrated jaws, because IMO the grip is better. This is because an angled tenon must fit perfectly to have an even grip from top to bottom of the tenon. A few degrees off will effect the strength of the grip. Also, a straight up tenon is much easier to form, and better for attaching, and final turning with wasteblocks.
-----odie-----