Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion on a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.
I recently purchased the following Nova G3 with an 1” 8tpi adapter, and excuse my ignorance but can’t for the life of me figure out how it goes together. I find the instructions difficult to understand. I’m not sure if I purchased the wrong chuck to go with the Shopsmith or if I’m missing something in my attempt to put it together.…
Can someone shed some light on what I need to do and how do I assemble it?
Any suggestions & assistance would be greatly appreciated
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The correct Nova insert that fits the Shopsmith is "ISNS" which is described as a 5/8" Bore, as opposed to your 1" X 8 TPI insert. Depending on where you bought it, you might ask if they will just exchange the insert as I believe they are all the same price.
Alternatively I suppose you could add a common adapter, SS 5/8" bore to 1" X 8 TPI and use that with the insert you already have. I would be concerned about the "extra" adapter adding to runout and believe the above approach is best.
The chuck you've got will work, but you need an insert. Nova make one specifically for Shopsmith. It screws into the chuck body and has a 5/8" smooth bore with setscrew, just like all the other things that fit the spindle.
HopefulSSer wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 6:14 pm
The chuck you've got will work, but you need an insert. Nova make one specifically for Shopsmith. It screws into the chuck body and has a 5/8" smooth bore with setscrew, just like all the other things that fit the spindle.
The 1x8 adapter you have might be useful for other things (1x8 is a common size) but it's not the right thing for this situation.
Thanks for the help, it is really appreciated. Thought I bought a boat anchor, good to know it’s still salvageable.
So I bought the wrong adapter (from Shopsmith) and if I get the Nova 58 plan bore I will be all set?
Unfortunately it is out of stock on the Teknatool website. Any other sources to purchase?
cooch366 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 6:29 pm
So I bought the wrong adapter (from Shopsmith) and if I get the Nova 58 plan bore I will be all set?
The G3 is available in the Insert Version that you have, which fits most lathes by getting the appropriate Nova Insert. It is also available in a 1" X 8 direct threaded version which evidently would work with the adapter you were sent. Did you get the chuck and adapter both from SS? If yes, they could have sent the wrong chuck as their photos show the 1" X 8 version. I ordered a Nova from them to and IIRC it was Nova Teknatool that shipped the wrong parts to me. (I ordered on the SS web site, but my order was shipped directly by Nova). Based on my experience, I'll say to carefully check that you got the jaws you ordered.
In any case, the insert version chuck should work fine with the insert you found on ebay. By coincidence, I just bought this same insert from the same seller for a G3 I bought in an auction that came with the wrong (for me) insert. They were very fast.
cooch366 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 6:29 pm
So I bought the wrong adapter (from Shopsmith) and if I get the Nova 58 plan bore I will be all set?
The G3 is available in the Insert Version that you have, which fits most lathes by getting the appropriate Nova Insert. It is also available in a 1" X 8 direct threaded version which evidently would work with the adapter you were sent. Did you get the chuck and adapter both from SS? If yes, they could have sent the wrong chuck as their photos show the 1" X 8 version. I ordered a Nova from them to and IIRC it was Nova Teknatool that shipped the wrong parts to me. (I ordered on the SS web site, but my order was shipped directly by Nova). Based on my experience, I'll say to carefully check that you got the jaws you ordered.
In any case, the insert version chuck should work fine with the insert you found on ebay. By coincidence, I just bought this same insert from the same seller for a G3 I bought in an auction that came with the wrong (for me) insert. They were very fast.
- David
Thanks for the info David & getting me on the right road.
I bought the G3 from Woodworkers Specialty’s (British Columbia) on Amazon, and the 1x 8 adapter from Shopsmith, thinking that would work. I wasn’t aware that there was a specific Shopsmith version available. The 5/8 ISNS adapter I’m getting from eBay is also from Woodworkers Specialty’s, and my experience with them was the same as yours, very fast and no issues. I’ll be happy with the ISNS version and glad to have a working chuck instead of a boat anchor.
I’ll just keep the 1 x 8 adapter and maybe find some use for it in the future, not worth it to return to Shopsmith, a very small way to support the Mother Ship.
