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Supernova2 or Nova midi for Jet mini

D

dontnosquat

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Dec 30, 2005
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I ordered a jet mini and a supernova2 from Amazon for my buy-it-youself xmas present. When I ordered turning tools from Woodcraft, I saw they have the "Nova midi" chuck, so I ordered one of those, too. {After all, the ad copy said it's "ideal for mini, midi, and smaller lathes"} Now I'm staring at both of them, wondering which to send back. It seems the Nova2 is easier to use [one wrench adjustment], in fact it's only drawback seems to be it's a bit bigger and heavier. Am I missing something here? I'd appreciate some advice.

By way of introduction, I've been lurking here for a month or two trying to pre-learn before posting. I'm a carpenter/contractor in Central Oregon, but this is my initial foray into woodturning. From what I've seen so far, this seems like a great forum, blessedly devoid of the weirdness on the Audio Asylum forum I sometimes frequent.

If this has been discussed before, please forgive my failure to search. Several hundred more questions to follow.

Thank you!
 
been there done that

I just went through this with my Jet mini (also a buy it myself Christmas gift) and emailed Teknatool. They assured me the SuperNova2 will work. The place I purchased the chuck also said it will work. I figure if Teknatool says it will work, it must work. I understand the SuperNova 2 will have more options regarding extra jaw sets use and it is easier to work with than the Mini Chuck.
 
I have the original Nova, the SuperNova (original) and Nova Midi. All the the jaws are interchangeable. In my opinion, the only disadvantage of the Nova Midi is that it doesn't have as large of a range of adjusment - it won't open nearly as far as the standard chucks, and that can be a real inconvenience at times! 🙁

In the "for what it's worth" department, I actually prefer the tommy bar style chucks. They open and close much faster and if you chose the correct set of holes they can easily be tightened with one hand. (I broke the tennon off the bottom of a hickory bowl once when I tightened it a little too much.)
 
Thanks Brian and Gary

Appreciate the feedback. Looks like Gary and I are starting down the same long, lonesome road. Will we ever become "members" as opposed to "junior members"?
I feel like I'm sitting at the card table at Thanksgiving dinner!
 
I just bought a Jet Mini in November, and then bought the Nova Midi Precision for Christmas. I love both of them.

Just this evening I used the screw chuck to mount one bowl blank and used it like a jamb chuck to true up the spigot for a roughed out blank. then I chucked up the spigot end in the jaws. If I have time I'll see if I can turn it tomorrow..

I'm wondering how to finish the bottom though... Perhaps it will be a bit more true after turning the inside, and then I can use the bowl blank as a jamb chuck to finish the bottom. Now I need some of those jumbo jaws with the rubber feet....

Man.. I think I've got an addiction. I've stayed up past midnight three nights in a row.. :cool2:
 
I suggest that you keep both chucks. You will have a choice of jaw ranges between the two of them and....this is no suprise....someday you will want more than one chuck.
 
I agree with Griesbach, keep both unless money is a problem. I have been turning for about 5 months and have both. You will find that some times you will want one, and some times the other. With 2 you can have one size of jaws on one and another size on the other. The Midi is not recommended for use with the larger jaws, otherwise I think it is great. If you are only going to keep one, I probably would suggest the SuperNova2 as it has a larger movement range.

JimQ
 
How far will the Nova Midi open compared to the SuperNova2? And how small can the SuperNova2 clamp down for smaller turnings?

The SuperNova2 is almost twice the weight of the Midi.

Midi: "Ideal for bowl work up to 12" in diameter and 3" to 4" deep. Body is 3-7/16" in diameter, 2-3/8" deep and weighs 2.9 lb."

SuperNova2: "Diameter of chuck is 3-7/8", depth is 3-3/8", weight 5-1/2 lb. Requires a threaded body insert to fit your lathe."
 
They both come with a standard 50mm jaw set, so the lower limit will be the same, 2". The Midi has about 1/2" of movement, and the SuperNova II has almost an inch. Course you can get larger and smaller jaws.

JimQ
 
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If you go to the Craft Supplies catalog (probably in the web site too) in the section on chucks, Nova Chucks, you will find the expansion and compression sizes of all the various jaws as they apply to the various chucks. This should help you with these decisions.
 
JimQ said:
They both come with a standard 50mm jaw set, so the lower limit will be the same, 2". The Midi has about 1/2" of movement, and the SuperNova II has almost an inch. Course you can get larger and smaller jaws.

JimQ
Click to expand...

This points to the problem I have with the Midi using the cole-jaws. I find that, due to the smaller amount of adjustment in the Midi, that there are diameters I can't grip with the Midi, that I could if the Midi has a little more range. The adjustment steps in the buttons is just too large.
 
If you just getting started the Jet Mini was a good choice. There is not much that you can't learn to do on that lathe. I would chose the Nova Midi chuck for the simple reason that it is lighter and will be easier on your lathe, and has all the capacity that you need. Yes, in time you will probbly have a larger lathe, but until then there are many tools and accessories that you will buy, needed or not. After buying a bigger lathe you wiil most likely keep the Jet Mini, at that time two chucks will be needed and it is a very good bet that the spindle size of your larger lathe will not be the same size as the Jet . So my advice is return the Super Nova 2, knowing that at a future date you will purchase another chuck and that in that time improvements will be made.
 
Hi Gary,

I'm with Bbrussel. The Midi is about perfect for the Jet Mini and can be your dedicated chuck for that lathe when you get your bigger lathe and bigger chuck. Tommy bars work fine and actually don't take three hands, since you can brace one against the rest quite easilly. And, though the extra extension with the Supernova is nice, it's not required except for unusual circumstances like mentioned with the cole jaws. I've gotten around this by turning a flat side on my cole jaw grippers. I just rotate them to the full round or the flattened side as needed. The extra money you save getting the midi will cover a nice bowl gouge or the Sorby Hollowmaster. It will also cover a couple of sets of jaws.

Also, later on, you get to decide between the Supernova II or the Titan when you upgrade, and all jaws will crossmatch.

Dietrich
 
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