Replies

1. 
   RickW | Oct 22, 2003 05:37am | #1

   I can't help much with which chuck to buy,but I can help answer your question about which Morse taper your lathe has.Here are the diameters of the three most common tapers for wood lathes:numbers 1,2 and 3. The diameter of the socket for a number 1 Morse taper is .475, for a number 2,.700, and for a number 3,.938.

   I suspect your lathe has a number 2 Morse taper.It's the most common.

   If you want more info on your machine, try the Old woodworking Machines Forum at http://www.oldwwmachines.com.

   Rick W.

2. 
   jako17 | Oct 22, 2003 06:12am | #2

   Hi Ron the things to bear in mind are:

   1) can you get the accessories/jaws that you need for the type of work you anticipate doing

   2)how much of the chuck do you have to replace when you change lathes,some have interchangeable adapters

   3)Are the jaws knuckle busters when fully extended
   Both those  manufacturers make good chucks they aren't cheap but you pay for good engineering.Personally I find that a 4 jaw screw chuck is a bit more forgiving than a collet chuck allowing more tolerance in the diameter of the dovetail grip 

   I hope this is of some help in deciding

3. 
   Napie | Oct 22, 2003 06:15pm | #3

   I love my old Nova scroll chuck.  It was low cost and with a extra sets of jaws has handled anything I have thrown at it.  It is supper strong and fast to use.  It can be had in any common spindle thread size and a custom inserts for odd sizes.

   Most machine shops have taper gages to check the spindle.