Large chuck thing for the mini lathes

[Andrew Field]

When I was at the Sophie's BBQ I turned a nice little plate on his Delta Midi. I turned a tenon in the foot then reversed the plate and placed the tenon in a chuck (oneway or talon or something) and worked on the top. When I was done we took the plate to a larger jet lathe which had this large chuck thing it it. We then placed the plate between a number of small rubber holders that contracted to hold the plate so I could finish the foot. From the looks of the thing I don't see how it would have fit on the midi.

My question is, when I get my mini lathe what chucks do I need for turning plates and such. I am tring to do this on a minimal budget to begin with, but I don't want junk. So which chuck do you recommend for holding the tenon. And what do I use when I need to hold the face of the plate and work on the tenon?

Also, what are the best catalogs/companies to by turning tools from? Woodcraft seems to me to be a decent place.

[Eric Apple - Central IN]

You can make the large chuck thing with the rubber feet. I don't recall the name of the chuck. Someone here will probably mention it in this thread. So that's turns out to be pretty cheap. Once you get the name do a google search and you should be able to find plans.

The best buy on a scroll chuck is probably the original nova chuck. This chuck holds very well and it is worth the cash they ask for it. You can usually find this online for less then $100.

The newer improved super nova is a better chuck, especially the serrated jaws that come standard. This chuck holds extreamly well. The others you mentioned are good equipment too and from what I recall are an equal class to the super nova, and it comes down to personal preference. Also get a screw chuck (wood worm it's usually called) to fit your scroll chuck when you buy. Use this to attach the blank between centers while you rough out the circlular shape and form a tennon or recess for the chuck jaws. Once I get the blank balanced I move the tail stock away and the wood worm holds the blank so I can easily cut a recess or tennon.

You don't need have to use a scroll chuck to make bowls. But it sure makes the process a lot easier and they are worth spending the $$. The real cheap way is with a face plate and lag bolt to serve as a screw chuck. You waste more wood, and time. But it's cheap.

P.S. Once I saw the post below, I remember that Dave Peebles (I think) gave one away as a door prize at a BP gathering in Indiana. He would be a good source for the construction information.

[Keith Outten]

Andrew,

I just got a Jet Mini and I'm in ther market for a chuck as well. Here is a link to a chuck ($104.99) that might interest you;

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...20&1=240&3=303

Also Bestwoodtools has some nice accessories;

http://www.bestwoodtools.com/

I know you will get lots of responce to this post, lots of advice as to which chuck is the best and hopefully you won't have to spend more for your chuck that you did for your wood lathe

If you find a great deal let me know...and I'll bet that there are at least 20 others here who are shopping for chucks. Maybe Ken Salisbury can get us a bulk buy deal from his friends at GIS.

How about it Ken?

[Richard Allen]

Hi Andrew

Yes there are several catalog companies that focus on woodturning:

Packard woodworks, Craft Supplies to name two.

One of the best sources for links I have found is on Dave Peebles web site . This isn't a forum site so I guess it's okay to point you to that page. You will find many many links to vendors there. Including the 2 mentioned above. While there are a lot of links on that site it is by no means complete. It is however a good start.

Thanks

Richard

[Bill Grumbine]

Hi Andrew

The real answer is that you don't need any chucks for turning plates and such. You can get by with a faceplate or two, a waste block of wood and some glue, or even double sided carpet tape.

However, the reality is, a chuck will make the job go faster. A Oneway Talon or a Supernova chuck is plenty for a mini, and will serve you well on a full sized lathe as well if you decide to move up. There are large plate jaws with rubber buttons available for these chucks that fit mini lathes, but if you are on a budget, you can look at the device I have on my website. It can be made using a faceplate, some carriage bolts, and a few scraps of plywood, and is very secure for holding plates, bowls, etc in place while you finish the bottoms. If you click on the www button below it will take you to my personal site. Look for the link on making a compression chuck, where you will find pictures and directions on how to build one for yourself.

Good luck with it.

Bill

[Scott Greaves]

Hi Andrew,

After the answers you've already received, I really don't need to post. But because I'm full of it (how's that for an opening, Ken?), I'll jump in anyway!

Like Bill said, you really don't need a chuck. You will find that there are a number of ways to do most everything on a lathe. But you should remember that I am a tool junkie, so of course I will tell you about chucks.

I have three chucks - a Oneway Stronghold, and two Super Novas. All are good chucks, but from the experience I've had with the Stronghold, I would recommend the Oneway Talon. Oneway builds nice stuff (remember that!)! You may also want to check out the Vicmark and Axminster chucks. I would be leery of the chuck that Keith linked to (sorry Keith) except for one thing - it is on the Highland Hardware site, and those guys usually don't stock junk. Chucks will have interchangeable jaws. That being said, I hate changing jaws on chucks!

There are some great places to order turning tools and supplies from. Craft Supplies (The Woodturner's Catalog) and Packard are the best! And if you have a chance to talk to them on the phone, you'll find out why they're the best! Excellent people! Best Wood Tools has great stuff, so does Beall. I hear the place to buy a Nova or Super Nova chuck is from KMS Tools in Canada (authorized dealer). I also like to order stuff from Jacques Coulombe - he knows his stuff, and I like the Hamlet ASP 2060 tools!

Even though I have the three chucks, I still like to use faceplate for some things. Steve Mink and Don Pencil both offer nice little faceplates for not much. Don also has some other things that are nice as well, such as his Scorpion hollowing system.

And don't forget that you could skip the scroll chuck, and go right to a vacuum chucking system!

Do you think you'll turn any pens? I really enjoy turning pens! If you think you'll do any pens, get in touch with Bill Baumbeck and get a copy of his video. I wish I had it when I was starting out!

Notice I haven't posted any links. I don't do links on this forum. Each of these places should be easy to look up in Google. Good Luck!

Scott.

[Ken Salisbury]

Hi Andrew,

After the answers you've already received, I really don't need to post. But because I'm full of it (how's that for an opening, Ken?), I'll jump in anyway!

Good Opening Scott !! -- I agree - the experts have spoken and Andrew has gotten the answers.

Notice I haven't posted any links. I don't do links on this forum. Each of these places should be easy to look up in Google. Good Luck!
Scott.

Scott -- It is Ok for you to include links as long as those links are germain to the topic being discussed. Just thought I would clear that up. We just don't allow a link to your own site as part of the "signature" that would appear on all your posts.

Maybe Ken Salisbury can get us a bulk buy deal from his friends at GIS.

How about it Ken?

Maybe so - I will be going to GIS next Wednsday to pick up my Jet 1642 and I will ask Rick about it.

[Keith Outten]

Andrew,

I took the liberty of searching for and listing the links that Scott refered to in his post. No doubt that many people will benefit as they may have never found these sites otherwise.

Thanks Scott for the links and the good advise.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/

http://miva3.synergydns.net/Merchant...ode=tools-pkrd

http://www.kmstools.com/

http://www.bestwoodtools.com/

http://www.bealltool.com/

http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/

http://www.minkcrafts.com/

http://www.donpencil.com/

http://arizonasilhouette.com/search_...Category=Books

[Scott Greaves]

I took the liberty of searching for and listing the links that Scott refered to in his post.

Thanks Keith!

I was going to dig them all out and post them (after Ken said it was OK), but you beat me to it!

One thing I didn't mention in my earlier post was how to get a Oneway chuck for less. Oneway controls their prices pretty carefully. About the only way you can get a better deal is to find a dealer that is having a "percent off" type of sale. I bought mine at Hartville Tool when they were having a 10% off customer appreciation sale. The same thing would probably work at Woodcraft.

Scott.

[David Sophusson]

Hi Buddy!

The chuck you were using was my Nova with a set of Cole jaws attached. I got the Nova at Woodcraft when I was down there a couple of years ago for 99 bucks.

Glade you had fun!