I only have two, but how many only have one chuck with multiple jaws? Why did you choose the one you have?

Nope, and not just because I have 4 lathes.... I also prefer the Vicmarc because of over all quality and they are very heavy duty. I use 3 different sets of jaws, the smaller ones, the, I think medium ones (recess is 2 5/8 inch), and one set of the extended pin jaws. I have 2 sets of 'step' jaws and they sit in a drawer since they work best on the largest diameter, and poorly in the smaller diameters, mostly access to the very bottom.

I haven't tried the quick change chucks, though I probably should some day. From what I have heard, they still have some bugs to work out.

For production work, you don't have time to swap out jaw sets. I did take an allen wrench for the chuck screws and cut it 1 1/2 inch long and put it in my screw gun. It is faster than doing it by hand. Make sure to not set the clutch to highest torque as you can over tighten them.

robo hippy

After changing jaws the third or fourth time on my only chuck at that time I made the decision to have one chuck for each set of jaws. For whatever reason I do not know but I have no patience for the time it takes to change jaws.

I only have 1 mainly because I only did a few rosettes etc. for customers till I retired.  I only did faceplate and chuck turnings when the situation dictated it.
I bought a Grizzly brand for price and little expected use and it's worked out for me.

You can get by with no chucks if you chose to. I believe it is Lyle Jameison that promotes no chucks. But personally I like to have several, it is easier to leave one on a bowl until it is finished. I have 2 one way strongholds that i use a lot. I also have 3 easy wood chucks (bought 2 used) that are nice too. Have a couple others as well. But you can turn anything you want without a chuck if you so chose

Paul Haus wrote on Apr 24^th, 2020 at 6:34pm:


The Grizzly chucks are Vicmarc "knock-offs" but are very good for their price. IMO

As I said in my original answer, it's your method of work that determines this.
I don't have an issue with changing jaws, it usually takes about 2 minutes for the entire process.
That being said, I do have several chucks which makes my method of work (MOW) more flexible. I don't always need to free up a chuck before I can move to the next step or project. Which means I can have several projects at once, in various stages of completion, all going at the same time. I also have no need to prove that I can exist with only one or no chucks at all. Lyle is on his own.


Many of the "experts" who teach and instruct  with no chucks, are constantly grabbing large chunks of wood to make a jamb chuck. They seem to think everyone has an unlimited supply of clear blanks just sitting around waiting to be turned into waste.
So, after turning away 75% of the material they say "wasn't that easy'?
For starters, no, it wasn't easy, because I'll need to do this for every piece that's of a different size.
Two, the piece you started with was larger than some of the wood I have to turn bowls with. FYI, Wood isn't free
This is where it can become less expensive and easier to purchase one or more chucks.
JMO

MOst of the time, the range of motion that the chuck has does not make a lot of difference.  The chuck has it's best holding power when the jaws for a perfect circle.  Crank it all the way open and you are holding with 8 points or only 4 if you did a recess

Joe Penn wrote on Apr 24^th, 2020 at 7:23pm:


I am curious about the Vicmarc chucks.  I have six of the SN2 chucks and have never had a piece come off once I learned to not let the wood bottom out on the jaws.  My question is this...a chuck grabs and holds wood in one axis while turning.  If it successfully holds the wood then wherein lies the need for the higher quality Vicmarc chuck?  Secondly...does anyone know if they can utilize Teknatool jaws?  thanks...