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Lathe chucks for beginners ????

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lathe turning
2K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  shawnmasterson 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have recently gotten the bug to turn. I have an older lathe c-man and have been using the centers and a face plate. I have been looking for a chuck. I keep finding stuff like this and was wondering if any one makes adapters to fit a chuck like this to my lathe? also would a 3 jaw chuck work?
I am not wanting to cheap out, but I don't want to invest a pile of money in something I am not sure I will love for ever.
thanks
 
#2 ·
That looks like a metalworking chuck. Tell us what the spindle thread is on your lathe and there are some serious turners here who could give you a good range of chucks to look for.
 
#4 ·
Unless you're really good with a hammer, you'll probably want to determine that before you go too much farther. :) If you've got a cheap pair of HF calipers you could measure how fat it is, that would tell us the OD, and by holding a small ruler up to it you could count how many threads you see per inch. That should narrow it down quickly. You've got a faceplate, you could take that to the hardware store too and see if any of their stock bolts work, like 3/4-16, although depending on the lathe it might be bigger than any bolts they have.
You could also post the model # of the lathe - even if it's an uncommon one there's a good chance someone else here has the same model and can tell you the specs or point you to a manual online.
 
#5 ·
most of these chucks are HEAVY! compared to a chuck used for wood turning. Most wood working chucks are Four jaw self centering, which means that all four jaws close at the same time. usefull for chucking up both square stock directly or for stock that is already round. the three jaw metal working chucks are selfe centering but they are made for round rod and make chucking up a square blank dificult. most four jaw metal working chucks are independant jaws. many of the wood working specialty stores have refurbished chucks for sale for a reasonable cost. you will see arguments for each being better than another but fo starting out it really makes no diferance as to A,B,or C brand.
 
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