Originally Posted by
Robert McGowen
Maybe I just don't know what a spur drive is, which is what the OP said they are using. A spur drive does not hold onto the wood, like a chuck. If you are using a spur drive and suddenly remove the tailstock, which is what you are essentially doing by parting off the chess piece, you might very well end up catching the chess piece, but the piece that was formerly being pressed into the spur won't be attached to anything and will go flying.
In the video that is referenced, it is clear that he is using a CHUCK at the 6:30 mark!