Hi everyone. A very simple question (but perhaps one with a complicated answer). I’ve been enjoying turning pens and small objects on my mini lathe for a while now but have decided to take the plunge and start bowls. Along those lines, I am in the process of putting together a budget to outfit my humble shop with a larger lathe and the necessary basics for bowl (and perhaps someday hollow vessel) turning. I am planning to purchase a heavy duty lathe (probably a Powermatic 3520B). I like the powermatic since I don’t want to have to go bigger later and I’m not prepared to shell out the scratch for one of the premium monsters (i.e. a oneway, robust, etc).
My question relates to the chuck requirements. What would you bowl gurus consider the appropriate chuck to purchase for bowl turning? I’ll admit, I’m pretty uninformed at the moment. Seems like some use a 4 jaw chuck while others favor a vacuum chuck, etc. I can see the attraction of the vacuum chuck if I graduate into hollow vessels. Since I’d rather do it right from the beginning, can you give me some guidelines on what I should acquire at the start to attach “stuff” to the lathe? Specifics on brands would be helpful. Much appreciated. Sorry if this is a well worn topic.
Rick
Replies
I like the Oneway ('original'). If you're going for the PowerMatic, you might want to go for the Oneway Stronghold. In either case, you can start with one body and a selection of jaws -- you'll definitely want the jumbo jaws. The Oneway chucks usually are packaged with the #2 jaws. Before long you'll want more chuck bodies so that you don't have to spend so much time changing jaws, which deserves some thought as you consider big chuck (i.e., Stronghold $$$) versus medium (i.e., original Oneway $$).
A lot of people go for the Nova chucks. They're not terrible, and a little less expensive. IMHO, the Oneways are a step up though.
Vacuum chuck vs. 4-jaw, it's not an either/or thing. Each has its application. Start with the 4-jaw. The vacuum chuck is only useful when you have something round enough to sucked onto the end of a cylinder...
I have a 15 year old Nova scroll chuck that just will not die. Good stuff, although, the key type chuck would be easier to use I think.
I personally own several of the Vicmarks, some small ones and one large that I have added to my collection over the years. I have used others and never had a problem, all the major players are about the same so it doesn't make much difference. Stick with one brand though, the jaws are rarely interchangable. Biggest difference really is how they tighten, some use two "Tommy" bars and seem difficult to me, others use a big chuck key which works well (probably the most common) with one hand, and Vicmarks use a big hex key (technically I think it would be an Allen Wrench) which also works well with one hand.
I also bought one of the Grizzly that is a knock-off of the small Vicmark for a lot less, even uses Vicmark jaws. To be honest the one I had was junk, just made very poorly. I gave it to a new turner until he could afford something better, but I have also heard that a lot of people have had good luck with them. Maybe mine was just a bad one but I have gone back to buying Vicmarks and will avoid the Grizzly.
Vacum chucking is useful at times but not nearly as useful as a good 4-jaw chuck. I turn a lot of bowls and other items and still have decided it's worth it to me to invest in a vacum system for chucking. It would be nice someday but right now I have other things that I "need" worse.
If you haven't posted this on the AAW website you may want to look there, lots of turners with lots of help.
I have a couple of the Novas and like them -- I turn mostly bowls. The vacuum chuck (I don't have)is used to reverse turn the bottom of the bowl, so a vacuum will not do the whole enchilada. For me turning is the $100 a month club. That's about what I spend each month for something I think I need and that does not count wood. Your budget may vary
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