4 Jaw Lathe Chuck?

[Mark M]

I'm thinking about getting a 4-jawed chuck for my wood lathe. Anyone have any opinions or recommendations?

Thanks
Mark

[shopteacher]

I think they are a great addition to a lathe. the ability to hold irregular shape objects can allow some interesting pieces to be setup in the chuck.  I use a 4 jaw on my South Bend exclusively, since I've never bothered or had time to set up the face plate for the three jaw.  
   I see a wide range of prices. Here are a couple links to Grizzly  
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G8783

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G1082

Link to the woodworkers choice

http://www.thewoodworkerschoice.com/detail.asp?product_id=3568

[sawwood]

Mark i use the OneWay Talon Chucks. There Jaws are
made to hold just about any thing you can turn. Also it
has the screw center so you can use the chuck as a
face plate, that way you can mount the blank and turn a
scoket on the end to fit the jaws. There are two woodturning
mail order co that i use. The one thing that you must have
is a chuck that is selfcentering. The ones School has list
are not that way. The first one from Grizzely are tommy
bars and you have to use two at the same time sort of
hard to use.


 Sawood

   http://www.packardwoodworks.com
   http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com

[shopteacher]

Mark:
   Sawwood surley knows more about turning than I.  However, I gave the link to  the independent  4 jaw as it can hold irregular shapes, such as a rectangle.  This is not possible with a universal chuck. So application is the key word.  These also are all lower end cost items, not knowing what price range your looking to stay within.

[SwampDonkey]

Mark:



Here's a nifty one to look at.


Here's a jumbo jaws.

[Mark M]

Thanks for the info fellas!

I've been looking at the Super Nova chuck and that Talon.. I've never been any good at setting up a 4 jawed independent chuck so I need something easy.

[SwampDonkey]

Be sure and keep us informed Mark, we might want one ourselves. ;)

[sawwood]

Mark what do you turn, Geen or dry wood? As you know
i turn segmented bowls and platers. I am working on a
cedar vase now and need to fill in 3 lines i cut in the middle
of it. I am going to use bondo colored black if i can find out
what to use to make it black. I have some Japan color dye
i might try. would like to see some of your turnings.

 ShopTeacher most all chucks have diff jaws that will hold
odd shape pices. So far i haven't had the need for just the
#2 jaws. I sure would like the jumbo jaws so i can reverse
turn my turnings and finish the bottoms. I now just use a
planer in the drill to finish the bottoms.

 Sawwood

[Engineer]

I use a Teknatool Super Nova chuck on my old Delta Homecraft lathe, like it a lot.  I'd also consider any of the Oneway chucks.   It will hold anything that will fit on the lathe.  Just starting to get into natural edge stuff, so a good quality chuck is very inportant.

[Mark M]

I'll probably be turning mostly dry wood of various shapes. I also want to be able to chuck some metal parts for polishing and the like.

[shopteacher]

Sawwood,
  What I use as a filler is marine epoxy. Make it any color you want with latex paint added.  If I can remember to take my camera to school I'll take a picture of a clook with the numbers filled in. Works real well.

[AndyB]

Mark:
  I have a super nova, oneway talon and oneway stronghold.
I think you'd be happy with either one.  The super nova turns counter clockwise to tighten.  Have to get use to that.  The oneways have either smooth or ridged jaws.  If you are going to get into hollow forms the oneway talon with ridged jaws provides better holding power IMHO.

Sawwood:
   I use epoxy and india ink to color it.  Only need about one drop of the stuff.  If you put in too much it affects the epoxy.

Happy and safe turning. 8)

[shopteacher]

Sawwood:
    Here the picture of the clock with the numbers and forestry forum filled with marine expoxy and white latex paint.  Epoxy is water soluble until hard so the latex doesn't seem to have any affect on the product.

[Mark M]

So how do you know what time it is with that clock? Is it digital? ;)

[shopteacher]

Why Mark you should be able to tell that's a retire's clock. Don't need no hands. ;D

[SwampDonkey]

If your like my father, time don't meen nut'n, never did when he was farm'n. Even less so now since he retired. :D :D :D

[sawwood]

ShopTeacher thats one cool clock you have there. I will try
the epoxy and use some japan color. Will take some befor
and after photos and post later.
 
 Sawwood

[Bill_B]

Mark you would be happy with the oneway or super nova chucks.I have the old nova that usees 2 bars to tighten.


This is a bowl jaw that  I made to use when turning the bottow of bowls and vases.
I have used epoxy with walnut dust added to fillin imperfections in turnings.
Happy Turning.