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.