Chuck?

Re: Chuck?

Both. Some are threaded and some require an insert with the correct thread.

Re: Chuck?

Are the jaws included or is this something that is  purchased separately? 

Jaws are usually attached when sold new, but...

I suggest  buying a chuck that requires a matching insert should you want to change lathes in the future.

Re: Chuck?

Your first decision might be which brand of chuck-and-jaws you want to purchase. Some brands may have more purchase options and flexibiity than others.

 I have two Vicmarc chucks. I purchased them with a manufacturer's internal thread and an insert to fit the threads on my lathe spindle. If down the road I purchase a lathe with different spindle threads I can purchase the appropriate insert from Vicmarc and continue using my chucks.

 I think both Packard Tools and Craft USA offer the chuck alone, or the chuck with "standard" jaw set. So I purchased my first Vicmarc chuck with the standard jaws, several additional jaw sets over the following couple years, and then a second Vicmarc chuck by itself, without the standard jaw set, to save a few dollars.

Re: Chuck?

Since most jaws out of the box come with 2" jaws a person can end up with a multitude of extra jaws. One thing you will find for sure is that a woodturner who owns something it is the best and if you ask what to buy they will tell you that. I have over 40 chucks. Vicmarc, Oneway, Nova, and Axminster for the most part. Myself I have not found one of these brands to be better than the others, they all work perfectly. The main difference is what you will pay for them. When I go to my cabinet to get a chuck I don't pick a brand I choose a chuck for what jaws that are on the chuck for the purpose I need. Regardless of whether the chuck has an insert or is direct threaded I have all chucks that run true.

Re: Chuck?

Besides what has been written, some brands of chucks come in different body sizes. Part of the decision may depend on the lathe size, power, and the type of things you want to turn.

 For example the Nova/Teknatool chucks are available in three sizes. In general, all three will fit or can be adapted with inserts to fit any lathe, however some may be more appropriate for smaller or larger lathes.  For example The Novs G3 is smaller and may be more appropriate for smaller lathes.  The Supernova II is larger and a good all-around for most lathes but I don’t use them on the mini lathes.  The Nova Titan is larger and more massive and best for larger work on a larger lathe.

 Most on the Nova jaws can be interchanged between the different sizes of chucks but not all.  Very few if the jaws for one brand will fit on the chucks of other brands, one reason for staying with the same brand of buying a second chuck some day.

As someone mentioned, although there are people who strongly support and recommend the chuck brand they have, the truth is  nearly any brand chuck will do the job.  I personally stay with Tecknatool/Nova chucks and have 20 and numerous jaw sets.

For specific recommendations you might state the lathe model, swing, the spindle size and thread, and the type and size of things you might want to turn - bowls from green wood, pens, Christmas ornaments, chair legs, etc.  Some lathes are less approprate for some applications and that might suggest the chuck you buy.  

As mentioned, if you buy a chuck with changeable inserts you can use the same chuck on a new lathe you buy someday simply by swapping inserts.  This flexibility also makes the chuck easier to sell at some point or give it to a friend.  For example when a friend got a lathe I was able to give her two chucks by simply changing the inserts to fit.

JKJ 

Re: Chuck?

Like many woodturners, I have several chucks but still lust for more. IIRC, I have three Vicmarc chucks in various sizes. I also have, IIRC, three Record Power chucks, which are a clone of the Nova chucks. I have also had several less expensive, 'house brand' chucks. The ones from PSI were junk. I could literally bend one of the 'standard' jaws with my thumb. The Woodriver chuck I got from Woodcraft (I was in the middle of a project and needed a set of smaller jaws. Buying from Woodcraft allowed me to get the project done that day.) The Woodriver chuck was better quality. I still use it occasionally. With that as background, here are my thoughts on chucks:

First -- You most likely don't need a chuck. Chucks are convenient and I use mine a lot, but there are lots of other ways to mount work to your lathe. Some are actually better than using a chuck. (Lyle Jamieson has a great DVD on turning bowls. In it, he explains why he believes using a faceplate with a glue block is better than using a chuck.) Previous generations of woodturners were turning the same things we make today long before chucks for woodturners were invented. I wish I had learned these methods before buying my first chuck. If I had, I'd be better prepared for those times when a chuck won't work well. I also might not own that Woodriver chuck.

Second -- While I really like my Vicmarc chucks, I don't believe the 'extra quality' Vicmarc provides is required. My Record Power chucks do the job just as well. So, while I think Vicmarc, Axminster, Sorby, and Oneway chucks may be better quality than Nova or Record Power, I wouldn't encourage anyone to go with one of the premium brands unless there is a need for it. For example, one of my Vicmarc chucks is larger than any chuck Record Power sells. For larger work, I always use the large Vicmarc. Or, there may be a particular jaw set that's available for one of the premium chucks that isn't for the Nova or Record Power. (That's very unlikely. The Nova, Record Power, and Sorby chucks all accept the same jaws. Among the offerings from those four brands, you should be able to find the type of jaws you think you need.) Having said that, I'd stay away from the no-name and house brand chucks. They're generally not that much less expensive than the Nova and Record Power chucks when on sale, but the quality of the lesser expensive chucks can be a gamble. 

Third -- I prefer a 'closed-back' chuck. I've had some of mine for more than 20 years. I opened the back of one of them just to see if any preventative maintenance was required, and it was pristine. So, I believe the closed-back chucks require less maintenance than the open-back versions. More importantly, the closed-back chucks use an Allen wrench to tighten. The open-back use a chuck key. Not only do I find the Allen wrench more convenient to use, it's easy to find a replacement should it be lost. That's NOT the case for a lost chuck key.

Fourth -- While my Record Power chucks serve me well. If I buy any more chucks, they'll most likely be Vicmarc chucks. Why? I like finely made tools. Remember when wrist watches were powered by a spring rather than a battery? Back then, a Timex watch did the job well. But, once I could afford one, I wore a Seiko. That's how I feel about my Vicmarc chucks. YMMV.

Re: Chuck?

John,

My lathe is an older  Rockwell/Delta. The swing is about 13".

Re: Chuck?

A good source of info can be a local turning group.  Quite possibly you will find members willing to show you their chucks and perhaps turn a little bit with them.  Another significant factor will be what types and sizes of projects you think you would like to turn in the next 12 months.

Re: Chuck?

One other thing to consider is there are two ways of closing chucks, keys and tommy bars.  Keyed chucks are generally easier to use, while tommy  ar chucks might make you wish you had a third arm.  But then your shirts wouldn’t fit😀

Re: Jaws are usually attached when sold new, but...

I agree with getting a chuck where the chuck can be adapted by changing inserts for different threads rather than a one-size threaded body. This is a money-saver should you change your lathe or even if you want to do outboard turning and your lathe has a LH thread outboard (or even a different diameter if it's a General). You should also ensure that you select a brand that has a variety of jaw types available. As was said, a chuck isn't essential but it sure is convenient, so convenient that I have several.

I have Oneway chucks and find them very good but they aren't the only game in town.

Bill