Do I need this chuck?

[skipwill]

Sears has a closeout on a 4 jaw chuck for $49.95. Is it worth it?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00929842000

I havent done much turning (a few pens..) but want to get started doing more(bowls, etc).

I currently have one similiar to this: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/cmg3.html but havent used it yet.

Thanks for any input!

Skip

[bmyers]

I dont think that chuck will work for you in making bowls. The jaws move independently which isn't want you want.

Your cmg3 is a half decent chuck for the money. I have one also plus the "jumbo" jaws. Thats about all you need for bowls up to about 4 inches in diameter. Larger than that and you'll need to jam/friction chuck the bowl to finish the bottom of the it.

You'll want to start out with smaller bowls anyway for now. Did you get the cole jaws with the cmg3?


Bill

[skipwill]

quote:Originally posted by bmyers

I dont think that chuck will work for you in making bowls. The jaws move independently which isn't want you want.

Your cmg3 is a half decent chuck for the money. I have one also plus the "jumbo" jaws. Thats about all you need for bowls up to about 4 inches in diameter. Larger than that and you'll need to jam/friction chuck the bowl to finish the bottom of the it.

You'll want to start out with smaller bowls anyway for now. Did you get the cole jaws with the cmg3?


Bill

I didnt get the cole jaws but am thinking about it. I am going to try some small bowls (after i get a bowl gouge).

What would a 4 independantjaw chuck be used for?

Skip

[bmyers]

Skip,
If you had something that wasn't round or square, you would use independant jaws or perhaps off-set turnings.

I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in as to what you would use them for. I'm still a little green behind the chisel as far as turning goes.

Bill

[kwgeorge]

Skip, this type of chuck is great for turning pieces off center or chucking up odd shape pieces. I don’t feel however that it is that well suited to general turning. If you look at the jaws closely you will find that they were not really made to grip all that well. Rechucking a piece would be a real bear since the jaws move independently.

[skipwill]

quote:Originally posted by kwgeorge

Skip, this type of chuck is great for turning pieces off center or chucking up odd shape pieces. I don’t feel however that it is that well suited to general turning. If you look at the jaws closely you will find that they were not really made to grip all that well. Rechucking a piece would be a real bear since the jaws move independently.

Thanks! I think i will save the $49 for something else then...

Skip

[germdoc]

I did a BUNCH of reading on chucks in order to get one which would work with my lathe spindle. The only chuck that I could find which was compatible is the Oneway scroll chuck, which I just got in the mail today. My initial impression--the product seems very well designed and made, and the company was very helpful on the phone(www.oneway.on.ca). It's not cheap (~$200), but it is versatile and should keep me from having to buy another chuck for awhile.

If you have a standard lathe spindle, the cheapest option for an expandable chuck is Grizzly's. They have various models starting at $39.

[kwgeorge]

I hope you have better luck with yours than I did with mine. Oneway is great as long as everything is working but if you buy it and its bad you will have a heck of a time convincing them.

The true mark of a company is not how they react when everything works but how they will react when something is bad and Oneway has done a poor job of that with me. My chuck has more runout than any cheap Chinese chuck I have every Had, Used or seen.

[germdoc]

Well, Ken, I note your experience with this product. I'll have to give it a try and hope I won't need to argue with them about a problem. I did read a number of reviews, including one by frequent forum contributor Tom Hintz (http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/onwytlonrvu.html), that convinced me this chuck would be worth a try.

As always, YMMV.

[kwgeorge]

Oh I agree Jeff. One of the major selling points for me was the different reviews and recommendations. I think I just had bad luck with mine as far as it being bad out of the box and with there customer service rep. I screwed around with him so long I lost my 30 return window.

I was actually wishing you better luck with yours and hoping the best for you.