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CHUCKS AND JAWS

Wood Lathe Chucks and Jaws

At The Woodturning Store, we offer a comprehensive selection of wood lathe chucks and jaws to help you tackle a wide range of projects - from simple pens to more advanced workpieces. A chuck is an essential tool for woodturning, providing a secure hold on your workpiece while you shape and refine it on your lathe. Our chucks and jaws are available in various styles and sizes to accommodate different projects and materials, ensuring precision and stability. We offer a wide range of options to fit virtually any full-size, mini and midi lathe. Whether you have a more popular size with a 1 1/4" x 8 TPI or 1" x 8 TPI thread - or something more unique such as a 3/4" x 16 TPI or M33 x 3.5mm - we have a chuck for your lathe.

Selecting the right wood lathe chuck depends on the type of project you plan on working on. For example, larger bowls typically require a 4-jaw self-centering chuck, while smaller projects such as pens benefit from using a scroll chuck. Our selection of chucks has been hand-selected by our experienced team of woodturners to only include trusted brands with a track record of offering durabile and reliable products - including Hurricane Turning Tools, Axminster, Record Power and Oneway.

Types of Chucks for Woodturning

We carry various types of wood lathe chucks to cater to different woodturning applications:

  • 4-Jaw Independent Chuck: Each jaw operates independently, making it ideal for holding irregularly shaped workpieces.
  • 4-Jaw Self-Centering Chuck: All four jaws move in unison to center round pieces automatically, perfect for most woodturning projects.
  • Scroll Chuck: Provides secure and consistent clamping, ideal for medium-sized projects.
  • Drill Chuck: Often used in tailstocks to drill precise holes in woodturning projects, ideal for deep hollowing tasks.
  • Vacuum Chuck: Using suction to hold workpieces without damaging the surface, Vacuum Chucks are perfect for finishing or sanding bowls and platters.
  • Eccentric Chuck: Designed for off-center turning, allowing for more creative and unique woodturning designs such as pendants or goblets.

Common Types of Chuck Jaws

Chuck jaws are the interchangeable components that hold the workpiece on your lathe. Typically, jaws are NOT interchangeable between different brands - so you will want to stick with jaws that were specifically made for your exact chuck. The chuck jaws that we have for sale include various types - from common dovetail jaws to specialty jaws. Below are some examples of the jaws we have to offer:

  • Dovetail Jaws: These are the most commonly used jaws for woodturning and are often included in many chuck packages. They are used across a wide variety of projects and are perfect for holding large bowls and shallow pieces securely.
  • Step Jaws: Used for irregular or smaller diameter workpieces.
  • Hollow Form Jaws: Designed for turning hollow vessels, these jaws offer extra reach and a strong grip on large diameter workpieces. Ideal for creating vases and deep bowls.
  • Pen Jaws: These smaller jaws are specifically designed for pen turning and other small, delicate spindle projects. Their slim profile provides precision and minimal marking on small workpieces.
  • Button Jaws: Button jaws are specialized for holding finished workpieces, such as bowls, in a non-marring way. They use rubber buttons to grip the exterior, protecting the surface of your project.
  • Deep Grip Jaws: Built to hold larger workpieces securely, deep grip jaws provide a strong clamping force for deep, heavy, or irregularly shaped projects, offering stability during turning.
  • Pin Jaws: Designed for holding small and fine details, pin jaws offer exceptional control when working on miniature spindles, small bowls, and intricate designs. Their narrow profile allows for precision clamping without damaging delicate materials.

Popular Brands of Chucks

We offer a curated selection of premium lathe chucks from trusted brands, each renowned for their quality and performance in woodturning:

  • Hurricane Turning Tools: Offering a balance of affordability and durability, Hurricane chucks are perfect for woodturners of all levels. Known for their precise machining and excellent value, these chucks are versatile and reliable for various turning tasks.
  • Oneway: Known for their robust construction and exceptional gripping strength, Oneway chucks are ideal for full-size lathes to turn larger woodturning projects. Their precision engineering ensures consistent, secure holding for demanding tasks.
  • Axminster: Favored for their advanced engineering and innovative features, Axminster chucks are highly versatile and built to last. A majority of their chucks are made with high quality, stainless steel for maximum durability. They offer a massive selection of jaws which provides woodturners with flexibility for complex turning applications.
  • Record Power: Offering premium quality at competitive prices, Record Power chucks are designed for both hobbyists and professionals. Their strong grip and durability make them a popular choice for woodturners seeking reliable performance.

Choosing the Right Lathe Chuck

When selecting the right chuck for wood lathe projects, consider the size, type, and the nature of your workpiece. For larger bowl turning, a 4-jaw self-centering chuck is recommended. For smaller, more intricate work such as pen turning, a collet chuck is often the best choice. Be sure to also match the spindle thread size of your lathe to the chuck for compatibility.

Lathe chucks can vary widely in price due to factors such as the quality of materials used during the manufacturing process, the brand, and added features like self-centering mechanisms. For example, chucks made from high-grade stainless steel with advanced features typically come at a higher price. However, we also offer more affordable options that still deliver excellent performance, making them a great choice for hobbyists or beginners.

Buying Wood Lathe Chucks and Jaws

Here at The Woodturning Store, we are happy to be your your one-stop shop for wood lathe chucks, jaws, and accessories. We carry an extensive selection to suit virtually every skill level and offer options to help you tackle any project requirement. Whether you're just getting started with woodturning or are an experienced professional, you'll find everything you need to help bring your woodturning projects to life. No matter if you're crafting basic functional pieces or are turning intricate artistic designs, having the right chuck is essential to success. Explore our full range of chucks, jaws, and accessories today and take your woodturning projects to the next level.