Replies

1. 
   quatersawn | Jun 28, 2002 03:04am | #1

   I have the Nova Super Chuck. I like it a lot. You need to get most of the Jaw sizes to be sure you have any size stock covered. But generally I don't think you can go wrong with it. Hold real well, pretty easy to change jaws. I've been turning for many years, with numerous different chucks, and it's the best I've used.

1. 
   Sinclair46 | Jun 28, 2002 03:09am | #2

   Thanks.  I found this listed on Ebay with multiple chuck sets, a center screw, and a cole jaw (For bowels) selling on their website for about 220 dollars.  Do you think this is a decent price? 

1. 
   quatersawn | Jun 28, 2002 10:57pm | #5

   Sounds like a pretty good price. The woodworking magazines list the chuck and one set of jaws at about $190.00. Then each set of jaws is about $50.00, so depending on how many sets come with it, you can judge. As for the post below about the grooves on the jaws, which the super nova does have. It can be a pain, but I generaly leave some length to trim off. And of course the tighter you clamp it, the more it will dent. They don't usually have to be cranked down real hard, just nice and snug, depending on the size and nature of the turning, between centers is no problem, but just off the headstock alone, you need a little more pressure. Good luck, let us know what you decide and how you like it.

2. 
   DKHutchinson | Jun 28, 2002 08:11pm | #3

   The four-jaw chucks are a wonderful thing for woodturning.  I own two Oneway Talon chucks, which are similar to some of the Nova chucks.  If I were you I would avoid the chucks that adjust with two tommy bars and buy the ones that adjust the jaws with a key.  The Supernova chuck, the Oneway Talon chuck and the Oneway stronghold chuck all adjust with a key and are very convenient to use as a result.  There are also some other chucks (Axminster, etc.) that also adjust with a key and have many jaw options.  Check out some woodturning websites to see what features look good to you.

3. 
   jhweeks | Jun 28, 2002 08:50pm | #4

   I concur with the previous responses. I would add a few bits. I have a Super Nova with the 25mm, 50mm and ?100mm? jaw sets. Unless you are turning huge, heavy pieces, you don't need the 100mm jaws. Also, avoid like a plague any jaws that "grip" with a series of small concentric groves.

   The Axminster chuck is great, much heavier than the Super Nova, and has one advantage, at least: one of its jaw sets at least will take a fairly deep tenon - 1 - 1.5 inches, in that range - as opposed to the Super Nova, which will take approximately a 1/2 inch tenon. You can turn a much longer piece with the Axminster chuck than with the Super Nova, without using an extra steady rest.