Lathe Chucks - what should I look for?

You have to match the chuck to your lathe’s spindle size. I belive your Jet is 1” diameter spindle 8 threads per inch TPI….

The Nova would be a nice chuck…

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Let’s see – I have the Rikon Mini/Midi Lathe and bowl turning in an important part of what I do. That said budget is everything because it isn’t just the chuck its the extra jaws, the Cole jaw set, the spur insert .. ....

I decided on the Pinnacle chuck system sold by Woodcraft. So far I am happy with my choice and it has done everything I needed it to do and has a full range of accessories. As with most chuck systems it has a threaded insert that you match to your headstock spindle so if you work on more than one lathe you only need the proper insert.

Oh I should also mention that I will probably buy a second check early next year – lathe tools are like potato chips never can stop with one. Not sure if I will buy a second Pinnacle or go with a Nova but then there are those darn accessories.

Cheers
Mike

-- Mike, Maryland, www.thewoodenquill.com

I think that Nova G3 is a very worthy chuck. I use Nova chucks and really like them. The G3 replaced their Midi line and the G3 is a better system. You just get the size to match your spindle, as Wayne said. The nice thing about the Nova chuck is that it uses spindle inserts. So if you buy another lathe you can just change the inserts in your chuck…if that lathe has a different spindle. Your lathe has a 1”x 8 TPI spindle.

Cheers!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I have a couple of the Oneway chucks, and a couple jaw sets – very well made. I’ve heard good things about the Nova (Teknatool’s) chucks too.

If you started with the Pinnacle, you may want to stick with it – especially if the parts are interchangeable, which it sounds like was a concern…

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

I have the Nova G3 as well. Nothing but good things to say about it. I have a Jet Mini lathe, it does have a 1˝- 8 TPI spindle.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I know this is an older post, but I’m in the same boat now too.

I own a Turncrafter 12” variable speed midi from PSI. So far, it’s an ok lathe, but I’m really missing out on a lot of face turning because I don’t own a chuck. (I’m trying to work with the faceplate, but it’s not as friendly to always mount to a waste block, glue, etc…)

Has anyone tried the Barracuda chucks?

I’m leaning more toward the Nova G3, if nothing else, but for the accessories and the expandability.

-- Christopher - Virgina

The teknatool chuck is very good and is what I have.

-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL