Some details on Nova G3 adapter(s)

[pennview]

Trainguytom, how do you use a "1x8 Shopsmith" adapter on the Shopsmith when the Shopsmith spindle is 5/8" smooth bore?

After you answer this question, we'll try to explain what is making this complicated.

[trainguytom]

Trainguytom, how do you use a "1x8 Shopsmith" adapter on the Shopsmith when the Shopsmith spindle is 5/8" smooth bore?

After you answer this question, we'll try to explain what is making this complicated.

Ok, first, I'll start by saying that I'm just a simple guy who tries not to make woodworking too complicated. Next, I'll admit that when I get to following threads like this one, I scratch my head & wonder if I'm just missing stuff or if the rest of the world just likes to over complicate things.

Okay, to address the question "how do I use..." The picture I added is the adapter, the big part is the 5/8" smooth bore w/locking screw that goes on the shopsmith shaft, then I spin on my Nova chuck to the threaded end of the adapter. Works great. The adapter fits my Smith and the Nova chuck fits onto the adapter. Was cheap. No compatibility issues. What am I missing?

[pennview]

Trainguytom, I didn't see you photo before submitting the above.

What you have is a Penn State Industries adapter that mounts on the Shopsmith and allow you to mount accessories with 1" x 8 TPI threads.

Virtually all Nova chucks have a female thread that measures 1 1/2" x 8 TPI. In order to mount the chuck on a wide variety of lathes with different spindles, you need a Nova adapter that has a female threat that matches you lathe, along with a male thread that matches the Nova chuck's 1 1/2" x 8 TPI threads. Since the Shopsmith spindle doesn't have threads, you need a Nova adapter with a 5/8" female bore and the 1 1/2" x 8 TPI threads to fit into the chuck. There a couple of version of the Nova 5/8" bore adapter, the "F" and the new "S."

Now if you are able to mount a Nova chuck using the Penn State Industries adapter on a Shopsmith, you have (1) one of the few Nova chucks available that have a female thread of 1" x 8 TPI or (2) you're using two adapters on your Nova chuck. ((Nova sells chucks with 1" x 8 TPI and 3/4" x 16 TPI threads that mount directly to the spindle of lathes with those type spindles, but I don't know if they even sell them in the U.S. Perhaps the chuck Delta sells is one of them, but I don't know that either.))

If you're using two adapters, you are moving the chuck away from the spindle bearings and thereby applying additional, but unnecessary stress to to the bearings, especially if you're turning large or out of balance turning blanks.

[trainguytom]

I must have one of the few Nova chucks that have 1"x8 threads. Maybe the Nova midi chucks are that way. I only use the one adapter.
See...life is simple for me.
I know some of the guys in our lathe club have different chucks & most seem to have the 1"x8 mount, so I figured that was common. That's one of the reasons I got the chuck that I have, the adapter was cheap on Amazon & I figured I could use it on several different chucks besides the one I got.
And now I know what all the discussion is about, so thanks.
By the way, the midi by Nova is a nice chuck. Here's a pic of the setup on one of my 10er's.
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[backhertz]

Trainguytom,
That is a good question. As I type this, I note Pennview's post and note you just posted a pic of yet another adapter I am seeing for the first time.

Regarding the original photos in this thread, the one with the "F" adapter with the gap between the adapter and the Shopsmith aluminum keeper, the Nova G3 owners manual states that "the chuck body must contact an accurate register on the lathe, either a shoulder on spindle or bearing face etc to ensure chuck will run true. If further modifications are needed (e.g. spacer) these are the responsibility of the user."

Something else of interest in the owners manual is the statement that "user must be professionally trained to use this chuck. Vocational school courses recommended."

I must admit I've never read the manual and have little intention of being professionally trained or going back to school. But it seems I learn a little bit more of the story (remember Paul Harvey?) Vocational school courses recommended? I usually go to TSOHK- the school of hard knocks. But I have no problem reading instructions.

So today Pennview posts yet a different adapter and says it works fine. Many said their IFNS adapters worked fine. I wonder if Pennview's adapter fits like the one bobgroh took pics of on his Shopsmith? Can we get some pics?

Traintomguy- I honestly have no idea other than from my own experience in learning I was first provided an IDNS adapter for my Shopsmith. The IDNS is is 1" 8 TPI adapter made for Delta, Rockwell, Golding, General, Teknatool Comet (North America) & Mercury Lathes. I simply wanted the correct adapter for my Shopsmith & it seems there were two: IFNS and the ISNS & learned the IFNS was the chicken and the ISNS was the egg that was designed especially for the Shopsmith.

The ISNS thread Dusty posted in one of his posts included Tekatool Nova's latest brochure which reflects the correct adapter for the Shopsmith. The ISNS shown in Bob's pictures fits flat against the aluminum spindle knob on the quill. Shows how well the ISNS fits on the Shopsmith and he shows the small space when a IFNS is fitted.

So like anything, it's up to the user- or is it? Today's posts have provided some more information I do not believe was mentioned in the other threads, or I must of missed it & apologize if it was. The G3 has been dicussed to the point of being a dead horse as Dusty mentoned. It might be a bit more complicated than a general statement of leaving it up to a user. I'm not a person who really knows enough about this to advise anyone what to do or not to.

I honestly don't believe I've ever encountered anything as complicated as a G3 adapter for a simple Shopsmith. Perhaps someone else can summarize it all up in a few lines as I know I have a habit of writing a lengthy posts. But to my knowledge and poor memory, it had to do with the IFNS using a 3mm Allen instead of a 5/32" Allen used throughout the Shopsmith and also that the IFNS did not address the angled taper on the Shopsmith to allow the 3mm Allen set screw to sit flat whereas the ISNS allows the 5/32" Allen to sit flat. The ISNS is much larger than the the IFNS. Those are the facts as I understand them.

I am not a turner and simply came across a good deal on the G3 adapter from either an Amazon seller who was very helpful in getting me the ISNS adapter. Have a good day!

[trainguytom]

By the way, the wood in that pic of the chuck that I just posted didn't end up being a hot dog in a bun, but rather it's a Christmas ornament.
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[pennview]

Trainguytom, can you show us a photo of you chuck mounted on your 10er that shows the back of the chuck along with the Penn State adapter.

I've got a brand new Nova G3 that arrived in today's mail that came with the "D" (1" x 8TPI) adapter. It fits my mini lathe. I've ordered an "S" adapter so that I can use it on my Shopsmith. I have one of those Penn State Industry adapters as well, but I don't think it is wise to use it in conjuction with the "D" to mount the chuck on my Shopsmith. I also have one of the original Nova chuck that uses tommy bars -- it looks similar to your Midi Chuck. For this one, I have a "D" adapter as well as the early "F" adapter.

I'm glad you're happy with your set-up. That's what counts in woodworking, as well as many other things.

[pennview]

There is definitely a problem and it could be dangerous for someone using the old "F" adapter on a Shopsmith as pictured by Bob Groh in the original post on this thread. I have an "F" identical to Bob's. I just went out to the shop and noticed the problem for the first time in all these years that I've had it, as my chuck is one of the original Nova's with tommy bars.

If you notice in Bob's photo, there is a small gap between the "F" adapter and the aluminum keeper on the Shopsmith spindle. That gap actually indicates that the set screw in the adapter will hit the reverse taper flat on the Shopsmith spindle and that should keep the chuck on the spindle even if the set screw loosens up a bit.

On the other hand, you can slide the "F" adapter up against the aluminum keeper on the spindle and tighten the set screw, but this is where the possible problem exists. The set screw in this case is clamping onto the short round part of the spindle between the keeper and the reverse taper flat that is 5/8' in diameter, and should the set screw loosen up in this case, the chuck can come right off the spindle.

I'd say that the best bet it to not use this old style "F" adapter on a Shopsmith. Get the new "S" model.

[trainguytom]

Here's the adapter & chuck.[ATTACH]19918[/ATTACH]
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[reible]

Hi,

What seems to be missing is the adapter I got when I ordered my chuck from shopsmith.

Since we are rehashing this yet again. I have an adapter that has a "F" stamped on it. The set screw is the stock shopsmith size. It is angled just like it should be. It works fine and I have no interest in replacing it.

It does not look like either of the pictured ones so I'll and a pair of pictures.

In the first picture you can see the allen wrench fitting the setscrew and the taper matches the angle of set screw hole.

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The second picture show how wide the "nut" is, and that the setscrew is not on the flat, it also shows the "F" stamp.

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Ed