Chuck Advice

Re: Chuck Advice *LINK*

Fred Holder

>I suggest that you look at one of the new chucks from Teknatool. The Nova Midi Chuck is a nice little chuck for a small lathe. The SuperNova2 is an excellent chuck. Take a look at Lyn's review at the link below.

I have both and use the Nova Midi Chuck on my Nova Mercury with very good results. The SuprNova2 is a bit heavier, but probably wouldn't overload the bearings on the Jet Mini.


New Generation of Nova Chucks

Re: Chuck Advice

Brad Vietje

>I love the all-new Supernova2 -- it's a very fine chuck. I would only use a tommy bar operated chuck on a lathe with an easy-to-use spindle lock. If your lathe spindle is easy and quick to lock/unlock, these can work very well.

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Chuck Advice

HeatherA

>Is there an easy to rig a spindle lock machanism for a jet mini lathe? I have the midi chuck and was thinking that would make life a bit easier.

Heather

Re: Chuck Advice

Don Henthorn

>I would think that rigging an effective spindle lock for the Jet mini wouldn't be that much of a challenge. I'll have to think about it.

Re: Chuck Advice

theeviltwinn

>Use the knock out bar in the hole in the spindle. Wedge it against the bed depending on which way you are turning.

Mike

Save me from myself

Robert Cox

>I don't know that I can look at my CPA/wife with a straight face and explaiin the need for a $200+ accessory for a $240 lathe!

Any good or bad experiences with the Nova Midi?

(Truth be told I'd look hard at, and likely buy, the new 4 jaw Grizzly for $90 if it was available)

Please save me from myself before it is too late.

I'll listen.

Re: Spindle lock

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Heather,

Since your spindle shoulder has a hole drilled to fit your knock-out rod, all you need is a piece of 2x4 cut to measure from the bed up to that hole, then insert the rod in the hole and your spindle is locked to use 2-handed tommy-bar operated chucks. You can also replace your hand wheel with an indexing plate and lock, but that's a lot more work and will need some machineshop involvment.

M

Re: Chuck Advice

MountainMan

>Woodcraft has the Nova midi for sale at $99 - I bought one - no problems - about the right weight for the mini-JET that I mounted it on... It comes with a set of 50mm jaws. The only thing I had to do differently to tighten the chuck is to position two bars - one on the lathe - and one on the chuck - then squeeze - like you see the pro-router guys do - with one hand.. same for tightening the wood in the chuck..

Good Luck!

The MountainMan

Re: Save me from myself

Patrick, Denham Springs, LA

>Robert,

I have a Delta Midi bought the Precision Midi. Here are some observations particularly when discussing wiht the CPA / Ruler of the House:

1) I bought one with a 1 x 8 tPI direct thread...this chuck will only thread on the Jet and other 1 x 8 TPIs -- What this means is you WILL be buying another chuck if you upgrade to a large lathe (Never say never), so you've spent $100 for a chuck that pretty much will stay attached to your midi and not follow you should you choose to "upgrade", assuming the upgrade is in the 1 HP or above range.

2) Getting something like the Supernova2 that requires a $25 insert, but can move to any other lathe by simply getting another appropriately sized insert.

In the long run, I spent $100 on a midi-chuck lathe and will, consequently, WHEN I upgrade, buy another chuck to go with that b/c I won't be buying a lathe small enough to have 1 x 8 tpi. So now I'm out $300 in less than a year rather than just spending the $200 for the Supernova 2.

As my wife and I were reflecting in the car yesterday, buying tools can sometimes be a real sting, but buying twice in a short amount of time stings far more disproportionately. While this cannot always be avoided, some forethought on where your going with turning might give insight and justification to spend the extra on the larger chuck.

Hope that helps. By the way, this rationale also works on lathe upgrades and turning tool purchases...

But...but...but....

Carole in VA

>if you buy another lathe, certainly you would keep the mini? You just CAN'T have to many lathes!

BTW...I have the Jet Mini with the Precision Midi Chuck. It is a well engineered little chuck from what I can see. I have been meaning to do some measuring though...it appears that the jaw capacities as stated in the Teknatool literature are a little different when you put those jaws in a midi chuck. The 25mm jaws are supposed to handle a tenon up to 1" in diameter but the midi will not let them expand that far. Keep that in mind when you buy jaws.

Re: Chuck Advice

Carole in VA

>Exactly...that's what I do.

Re: Save me from myself

Charles Bjorgen

>I'll defend the Nova Midi first by saying I also own a couple of Oneway Talon chucks plus the Stronghold which I use on my 16-inch lathe. For the current $99 price at Woodcraft, the Midi is a pretty good deal. I don't think you'd have any trouble getting $75 or so for the Midi if you should graduate to a larger lathe. I bought the Midi because it fit perfectly for my Nova Mercury lathe.

I've not had any problems using the Tommy bars for fastening work to the chuck. Bringing up the tailstock will provide the third hand needed for tightening work to the chuck. I also bought the Nova 25mm jaws for it, also on sale at the time I got the chuck.

The Talon is a heavier duty, more versatile chuck, in my opinion, but if you're concerned about your budget, I think right now the Nova Midi is a pretty good buy. I should add that I had previously tried the Nova Compac chuck, now discontinued, and pretty much share the majority opinion that it was not a very good piece of equipment. I returned that one and instead bought a second Talon.

Re: Save me from myself

Wood Spinner

>Tomy bars No

Spend a little more and get a two handed chuch.

One hand on the work side and the other using a T handled allen wrench. I have the nova @ $ 200.00 bucks and I am glad.

Good turning and be safe

Bill in Casa Grande, AZ.

Re: Chuck Advice

Chuck in GA

>Look at the Grizzly reviewed elswhere on this forum. It is about $90.