Chuck recommendations

[stewart]

Hi all
On Saturday I become the proud owner of a Wivamac DB1000 lathe
My current Clubman chuck won't fit and there's not a backplate in the available thread size of 33 x 3.5mm.
What experience have other users had of the Versachuck or the new Axminster Evolution. I'd like to have a chuck that would cope with the increased capacity of the Wivamac lathe. I assume that both of these chucks would be more than adequate.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or comments.

 

[Rhossydd]

I've had a Versachuck for coming up to two years now. It's a solid bit of kit, that's worked well for me.
Although I haven't used one myself, the Evolution looks better made. If your workshop has any tendency towards damp or condensation the stainless steel construction of the Evolution may make it a better choice alone. If you've a nice dry workshop, there's probably little between them.

If you do choose the Versachuck, go for the Axminster compatible jaw carriers and your Clubman jaws should fit. I'd also suggest buying Axminster's own jaw sets too. They're better finished and cheaper than the Versachuck's own ones.

 

[CHJ]

The Versachuck is sound, not quite up to the same standard as the original Axy. Precision Chuck, but makes a good companion for them, if you go that way I would second going the axy. jaw carrier route.

The Evolution has one advantage in that it has a slightly bigger expansion range being 115mm dia. this may not seem much but it helps overcome one of the niggles of using Cole Jaws with a 100mm chuck in that you often get caught at an in between size that falls outside the button/expansion combination available. (The reason I love my older style 120mm axy. goliath.)

Just make sure the Evolution has a rear fitting that will clear your lathe headstock, being a flush back on most versions not all thread options available as 'standard' will and. (won't fit my older Poolwood for instance)

 

[chipmunk]

I'd say it depends how many sets of jaw-carriers you have for your Clubman chuck and Axminster jaws since you'll be taking them off and putting them into a drawer and having to replace them if you go the Versachuck route.

What threadsize is your Clubman? If you can buy a thread adaptor from M33x3.5 to get it to fit, even if you don't use it often, it'd be another reason to stick with Axminster. A second chuck is always handy.

HTH
Jon

 

[stewart]

Thanks for the replies.
My Clubman is 3/4 by 16, so I know I can get an adapter for it. I just wonder if having this smaller thread will limit the use I can make of the improved capacity of the Wivamac.
I've only got one set of Axy jaw carriers but I have two sets of jaws that are fixed to Axy jaw carriers which will only fit in the Axy chuck, so I'd need to replace these jaws if I go the Versa route.
Decisions, decisions!
I'll measure the Wivamac spindle and look at the Axy specs as I see that they do several 33 by 3.5 versions.

 

[Rhossydd]

I've only got one set of Axy jaw carriers but I have two sets of jaws that are fixed to Axy jaw carriers which will only fit in the Axy chuck, so I'd need to replace these jaws if I go the Versa route.

It might be prudent to check if the Clubman carriers will fit a newer body.

Drifting a little OT; I've never quite understood why people buy extra carriers for their jaws, I find it quicker to swap jaws on fitted carriers, rather than remove the full assemblies and re-engage them with the scroll.
A ball ended T handle allen driver makes the job so quick.

 

[CHJ]

Drifting a little OT; I've never quite understood why people buy extra carriers for their jaws, I find it quicker to swap jaws on fitted carriers, rather than remove the full assemblies and re-engage them with the scroll.
A ball ended T handle allen driver makes the job so quick.

Funnily I find the opposite far quicker and convenient, especially so where I have customisable wooden jaws fitted, no need to snug down closed jaws before the final tighten for best alignment.

A small battery powered torque limited drill driver is what I use to change accessory jaws or Cole Jaw buttons, once a technique is adopted to avoid cross threading it makes a for a quick change routine.

 

[Dave Brookes]

Stewart,
I've had a Versachuck for about 8yrs now and have had no problems with it. I have Axy jaw carriers for it as I have a Clubman chuck for use on my Jet mini lathe so I can swap jaws as/when needed.

Dave

 

[stewart]

Thanks, Dave. I'm still humming and ha-ing....

 

[chipmunk]

It might be prudent to check if the Clubman carriers will fit a newer body.

Drifting a little OT; I've never quite understood why people buy extra carriers for their jaws, I find it quicker to swap jaws on fitted carriers, rather than remove the full assemblies and re-engage them with the scroll.
A ball ended T handle allen driver makes the job so quick.

I think the problem of jaw carriers fitting is associated with the nickel plated chucks where the plating can sometimes be a bit thick. If the OP buys a new chuck these are all stainless and so they are unplated. I'd expect them to fit straight off.

To ensure concentricity of the jaws it's not just a case of screwing on the new jaws on to the jaw carriers. You really need to tighten the jaws together in the closed position before snugging up the 8 screws. (Edit: Sorry I missed the fact that Chas already said this) So I still think there are advantages of keeping the carriers attached to the jaws so it's a simple wind out and wind in again.

HTH
Jon

 

[graduate_owner]

I love my Evolution chuck. Fitted with a set of O Donnell jaws it does me just fine. I have a few other jaws too. A while ago Axminstet were offering jaws plus carriers for £30 ish so I bought a set of those as well. They may still have them on offer.

K

 

[Doug B]

I have a supernova 2 & Versachuck & the latter gets far more use, I really like its ease of operation.

 

[SVB]

Hi there,

So, today's the day - really interested in delivery / set up photos if you can find time to share.

Re the chuck, I'd avoid the spindle adaptors that step down threads for all but occasional use - ends up with chuck half way up the bed and just doesn't look right to me!

So, which one. This was a post I made 3 yrs ago (doesn't time fly) but hopefully will help (to cut a long story short, I'd stick with APTC) but here is some of the background!!

Best regards,

Simon

decided-which-new-lathe-now-what-t75861-30.html?hilit=Chuck

 

[stewart]

Hi there,

So, today's the day - really interested in delivery / set up photos if you can find time to share.

Re the chuck, I'd avoid the spindle adaptors that step down threads for all but occasional use - ends up with chuck half way up the bed and just doesn't look right to me!

So, which one. This was a post I made 3 yrs ago (doesn't time fly) but hopefully will help (to cut a long story short, I'd stick with APTC) but here is some of the background!!

Best regards,

Simon

decided-which-new-lathe-now-what-t75861-30.html?hilit=Chuck

Cheers, Simon - I'm pretty much decided on the Axminster route - I thought my supernova2 was 33 x 3.5 without an insert but it turns out it's about 37mm and I can't find an insert to make it 33 x 3.5 (will keep looking though as it's a nice chuck).

This picture is on another post of my new lathe but that thread's got a bit focused on a VB36 on ebay...



It took a while to set up and some bits are rather heavy single-handed! There's strangely more room in my workshop with the new lathe as I can get a chest of drawers under it and keep my old lathe set up for interested purchasers to see...

 

[stewart]

Decision made...axy evolution 114 to be ordered tomorrow. Resisted all other temptation to order other goodies but an excellent reason to join a woodturning club is the discount you can get on orders made through the club...15% makes a nice difference!
What do people think about their screw check to fit in the c jaws? I've used the supernova 2 screw chuck a lot. The axy ones look a little less robust...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Grahamshed]

Great choice of chuck ( I have 3 ) but I am not so impressed with the screw. The main body holds in the chuck well but the screw tends to move no matter how you tighten it.

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Graham,
The set screw in the plate should tighten into a dimple on the side of the screw's shank.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-screws-for-woodscrew-chucks-ax799520
Are you missing the dimples on your screw(s)?

Jon

 

[Rhossydd]

The main body holds in the chuck well but the screw tends to move no matter how you tighten it.

Not had a problem with that here. The grub screw seems to hold it well.
I'm not convinced that the plate fits the jaws as well as it could though. Sometime I'll get round to working out why and seeing if there's a fix.

 

[Grahamshed]

It was an ongoing problem until I ( hopefully ) solved it with half a bottle of superglue. The grub screw appeared to be holding it tight but when on the lathe you could turn the blank to and fro a bit as the screw turned a bit on the grub screw. Pretty sure I had it in the right place.