Lathe Chuck Question

[DR Buck]

1st - The disclaimer...... I have never turned an item on a lathe.   I have a Jet Mini with the extended bed and floor stand, some cheap turning tools and a couple of "how to turn" books.   

The lathe has the stock factory spindle, I want to buy a chuck and there are a few online seasonal specials going on for the Barracuda2 Lathe Key Chuck System .    The question I have is this a decent chuck system and is it worth the ~$150 price tag?

[Left Coast Chris]

The hang up with the cheaper chucks is that the available jaws may be limited.   If you get into bowl turning very heavy you will want two or three sizes of beveled jaws for griping the bottom of a bowl and a good size set of cole or rubber nubb large jaws for gripping the outside or inside of the top of a bowl to finish the bottom.

Not saying the Baracuda is not acceptable for starting but I went with a OneWay because it has a better jaw assortment available.   The OneWay worked very well.

[shinnlinger]

I have at least half a dozen nova chucks in the school shop mostly g2 s. Most Pro Turners do not like but  I got a wicked deal and they have held up well to high school use.  Significant variety of jaws to boot

[DR Buck]

Here's what is included in tha package deal.   The larger flat plates grippers are options.


Type: Key Operated, "C" Style

Compatible Spindle Sizes: 3/4" x 16tpi, 1" x 8tpi

Included Jaws: Pin,#1,#2,#3,Screw Chuck

             Pin Jaw Grip: Internal: 1" to 2-1/4"
             #1 Step jaw gripping: External: 3/32" to 1-3/8", Internal: 11/16" to 2-3/8"
             #2 Standard Jaw gripping: External: 1-1/2" to 2-5/8 " , Internal: 2" to 3-3/8"
             #3 Large Round Jaw Gripping: External: 3-1/16" to 4-3/8

             Optional - Not Included
                            Large Flat Jaw Gripping:  External: up to 8"
                            Small Flat Gripping: External up to 5"

[Lud]

I turn a lot with a super nova 2 chuck with 3 sets of jaws.  Changing jaws is a bit of a pain and so you tend to make do with what's on there if you can make it work. 

I kind of like the challenge of turning with a minimal grip on a wood block and stuff goes flying occasionally so you should stay out of the line of fire. 

There's an old school of thought that a turner "should" eliminate evidence of how the piece was held on the lathe to preserve the mystery of the craft or some such nonsense.

So here's a poser........how do you rank what's most important for a great turning?

• great wood
  quality lathe
  well sharpened tools
  quality , flexible chuck
  experience and imagination
  
  
  • 
    
  
  I intentionally didn't put in an "all of the above"! 8)
  

[Woodwalker]

Any chuck is going to expand your turning capabilities. I say the best you can afford.

In answer to Lud's question, experience and imagination will make up for any deficiencies in material or tools.

[Tree Feller]

I know of several people who have the Barracuda chuck and say it's a great bargain.

Personally, I like the Oneway chucks and use the Talon with the No. 2 jaws the most. It's a compact chuck and would work well on a mini-lathe, too, although it has plenty of gripping power for bowls up to 12 inches in diameter. The thread insert is changeable for multiple drive spindles, too.

The jaws are not interchangeable between mfg's so you are restricted to using the Barracuda jaws only with the Barracuda chuck. If you were to upgrade someday to a large lathe and need a large chuck, like the Oneway stronghold, they will be incompatible. For that reason, it's wise to pick a system and stay with it.

[Radar67]

I have heard good things of the Barracuda as well. I forget the name of the chuck I bought, but it was a four jaw from Grizzly and cost $99. I have been happy with it on the Jet Mini (1410).

[tyb525]

I also bought a 4 jaw from Grizzly and I love it. Nothing fancy, but I can make it work for just about any bowl, just got to think a little more ;)

[DR Buck]

Well It's done.  I ordered the Baracuda.    Should be here any day.

[CHARLIE]

Be sure to give us your evaluation after you use it awhile. We're all interested.

[metalspinner]

I have the Nova and like it.  I started with the Delta mini lathe, too, but upgraded it after a few years.  The interchangable thread adapters allowed me to use the same chuck for the 1 1/4" thread on the new lathe. The first chuck cost me serious money paying full retail.  Since, I have picked up two other Nova chucks on Craigslist for 1/2 the money and no longer need to change out jaws. ;D