I have turned some spindles, and am thinking of trying my hand at some bowls. I would like to purchase a chuck, but don't know much about them. Shopsmith has a middle of the road one for $202 called a OneWay Talon. I have found another company Teknatool SuperNova2 with the proper fitting for the shopsmith. It would cost $175. It seems like a better deal, as it weighs 2# more and is larger in diameter.
Is there any reason to choose one over the other? Anyone have experience with both to recommend one over the other?
I was thinking of buying the bowl tools that shopsmith has on sale to get me started. Is that a pretty good set?
Thanks.
Jeff
Lathe Chuck Question
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mbcabinetmaker
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Lathe chucks
Oneway makes very good chucks. They are the no 1 choice of most woodturners. The Talon is their middle size chuck. They also have the origional Oneway and the Stronghold chucks. Accesory jaws are a must for some turnings, and are available for all chucks including the Nova. In my opinion the Talon would be the best size for a Shopsmith. The Supernova 2 is very equal to the Stronghold products. You will be satisified with either. I hope this helps in your decision.
Jeff- I've been very satisfied with my Oneway Talon. I also have the Jumbo Jaws for finishing off bowl bottoms (bought from Shopsmith), and the #1 jaws for small turnings (bought from Woodcraft). The local Woodcraft store uses Talon chucks when teaching their lathe classes, and the instructors recommend them to their students as well.
I like my SS bowl turning chisel set- nice and sturdy tools, and certainly cheaper than buying individual Sorby chisels.
I gave up on the SS lathe chisel sharpening jig, though, just couldn't get the hang of it. It was difficult trying to keep the bowl chisel shaft flat on the jig while rotating it- the tip kept trying to lift up due to the weight of the other end of the long bowl chisels. Worked great for sharpening the scrapers, though. I bought the Oneway Wolverine system and I find it much easier to use, since most of the chisel's weight is supported by the jig and you're just moving the tip of the chisel.
Hope this helps,
Gary
I like my SS bowl turning chisel set- nice and sturdy tools, and certainly cheaper than buying individual Sorby chisels.
I gave up on the SS lathe chisel sharpening jig, though, just couldn't get the hang of it. It was difficult trying to keep the bowl chisel shaft flat on the jig while rotating it- the tip kept trying to lift up due to the weight of the other end of the long bowl chisels. Worked great for sharpening the scrapers, though. I bought the Oneway Wolverine system and I find it much easier to use, since most of the chisel's weight is supported by the jig and you're just moving the tip of the chisel.
Hope this helps,
Gary
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james.miller
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:16 pm
Just a quick note about sharpening the shopsmith bowl turning chisels. I have the Oneway Wolverine system attached to an 8" slow speed grinder, it works extremely well.
I prefer an Elsworth/Irish grind on my bowl gouge and it is just about impossible to do this without a proper jig attached to a grinder.
The Penn State system is supposed to be almost as good as the Wolverine for a lot less money http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lcgrind4.html Woodcraft sells an 8" slow speed grinder with Aluminum Oxide wheels.
Craft Supply has a lot of wood turning information in their catalog and if you get serious about turning you should probably have a copy of the catalog. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/ also sign up for their email sales.
It doesn't take much and the price goes way up so you may want to buy a little at a time.
I prefer an Elsworth/Irish grind on my bowl gouge and it is just about impossible to do this without a proper jig attached to a grinder.
The Penn State system is supposed to be almost as good as the Wolverine for a lot less money http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lcgrind4.html Woodcraft sells an 8" slow speed grinder with Aluminum Oxide wheels.
Craft Supply has a lot of wood turning information in their catalog and if you get serious about turning you should probably have a copy of the catalog. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/ also sign up for their email sales.
It doesn't take much and the price goes way up so you may want to buy a little at a time.
Jim in Tucson
Jeff - just finished checking with other supply houses and found Shopsmith's price to be right on with other's. (plus or minus a few cents). Shopsmith's set also contains a wormscrew, which I saw as extras from others'. In selecting your first lathe chuck, I think the important thing is you get the size of jaw opening and closing you wish. Another consideration is: I saw that some chucks use a lever to close them. Oneway has a 5:1 ratio screw tightening system. I've not used the wormscrew yet, but may someday.
I bought a Oneway Talon from Shopsmith to do salt and pepper mills and have been very satisfied with it. If you decide to go to another brand chuck, or go to another supplier - here's something to watch out for: You will need an adapter to fit the Shopsmith spindle. Some will offer this adapter and others don't make the need apparent. To make sure you are getting the right part, it is safest to order from Shopsmith. I really know little about other brands, but I didn't see any call for adapters while doing my recent scan of chucks.
I bought a Oneway Talon from Shopsmith to do salt and pepper mills and have been very satisfied with it. If you decide to go to another brand chuck, or go to another supplier - here's something to watch out for: You will need an adapter to fit the Shopsmith spindle. Some will offer this adapter and others don't make the need apparent. To make sure you are getting the right part, it is safest to order from Shopsmith. I really know little about other brands, but I didn't see any call for adapters while doing my recent scan of chucks.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Wolverine Is Terrific
I hate admitting I am not smart enough to make the Shopsmith sharpening jig work. I have tried every sharpening method suggested by shopsmith and been frustrated with all of them.
The Wolverine worked right out of the box coupled with a Delta variable speed grinder. I do suggest watching the video's on wolverine's website prior to using their system.
I attended all three days of the traveling academy and learned a huge amount except for the sharpening part. I would like to believe some methods work for some folks and not for others. I hate admitting I am not bright enough to understand anything. My kids of course would take issue with that assumption:-) Jim
The Wolverine worked right out of the box coupled with a Delta variable speed grinder. I do suggest watching the video's on wolverine's website prior to using their system.
I attended all three days of the traveling academy and learned a huge amount except for the sharpening part. I would like to believe some methods work for some folks and not for others. I hate admitting I am not bright enough to understand anything. My kids of course would take issue with that assumption:-) Jim
F. Jim Parks
Lakewood, Colorado:)
When the love of power is replaced by the power of love the world will have a chance for survival.
Lakewood, Colorado:)
When the love of power is replaced by the power of love the world will have a chance for survival.
Jeff
I also have the Talon chuck from Shopsmith and use it for all my turnings with the exception of pens. I have the jumbo jaws as well and use them when I am doing bowls. Also have the universal tool rest from shopsmith which makes turning bowls and hollowing out ornaments real easy with the maneuverability it offers. I also have both the shopsmith sharpening jig and a slow speed grinder with a wolverine sharpening jig. I use the wolverine setup mostly, as that way I don't have to change setups when I am turning a project and need to re-sharpen a chisel. Hope this helps you make a decision on what to purchase. I have a friend who loves the Nova chuck, so everyone to their own. I started with the chisels that came with my shopsmith and bought the bowl set at one of the travelling academies. I honestly don't notice much difference between them and a set of Sorby chisels I have. The instructor suggested that they were made in England but couldn’t say who made them for shopsmith. (maybe made by Sorby for Shopsmith) Just bought a new style of captive ring chisel from Woodcraft while they are 20% off and just finished using it yesterday and was really pleased with the ease of making a captive ring without a catch. It is item #83589 Captive Ring Tool Set. Well worth the price. Also, if you have and Woodcrafts stores close by, take some of their turning classes as I have learned a bunch from them. Enjoy your turning experiences as you get into it more.
I also have the Talon chuck from Shopsmith and use it for all my turnings with the exception of pens. I have the jumbo jaws as well and use them when I am doing bowls. Also have the universal tool rest from shopsmith which makes turning bowls and hollowing out ornaments real easy with the maneuverability it offers. I also have both the shopsmith sharpening jig and a slow speed grinder with a wolverine sharpening jig. I use the wolverine setup mostly, as that way I don't have to change setups when I am turning a project and need to re-sharpen a chisel. Hope this helps you make a decision on what to purchase. I have a friend who loves the Nova chuck, so everyone to their own. I started with the chisels that came with my shopsmith and bought the bowl set at one of the travelling academies. I honestly don't notice much difference between them and a set of Sorby chisels I have. The instructor suggested that they were made in England but couldn’t say who made them for shopsmith. (maybe made by Sorby for Shopsmith) Just bought a new style of captive ring chisel from Woodcraft while they are 20% off and just finished using it yesterday and was really pleased with the ease of making a captive ring without a catch. It is item #83589 Captive Ring Tool Set. Well worth the price. Also, if you have and Woodcrafts stores close by, take some of their turning classes as I have learned a bunch from them. Enjoy your turning experiences as you get into it more.
Ron from Lewisburg, TN
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james.miller
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:16 pm
One difference the Nova chucks have is they tighten backward, you turn them counter-clockwise to tighten and clockwise to loosen but you get used to it eventually then try to tighten the SS drill chuck and the bit falls out because you loosened it instead. It is an excellent chuck but I prefer the Oneway.
I talked to the Robert Sorby rep at the Sorby turning demonstration at Woodcraft last week, he said that Robert Sorby doesn't make any tools for anyone else to put their own brand on so it must be one of the other Sheffield companies. All of the chisels I have ever used that came from Sheffield England were very good so you will get good chisels buying them from Shopsmith. The combination of being made out of HSS and in Sheffield is a winning one.
I talked to the Robert Sorby rep at the Sorby turning demonstration at Woodcraft last week, he said that Robert Sorby doesn't make any tools for anyone else to put their own brand on so it must be one of the other Sheffield companies. All of the chisels I have ever used that came from Sheffield England were very good so you will get good chisels buying them from Shopsmith. The combination of being made out of HSS and in Sheffield is a winning one.
Jim in Tucson
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flashbacpt
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:41 pm
- Location: Concord, Ca.
Chucks and Tools
One cannot go wrong with the One Way, and SS bowl tools. SS tools allows one to "grow into bowl turning", gaining experience and confidence. From there, you might find yourself buying individual turning tools for specific needs.
Have fun with whatever decision you make!
Flashbacpt
Have fun with whatever decision you make!
Flashbacpt