I believe it was Axminster that was the first to adapt an existing metal
working chuck for woodturning, which made them the second to offer a
four jaw chuck for woodturning. That chuck is still available as their
Precision and remains one of the best. However, my understanding is
that Teknatool is indeed the first to develop and introduce a 4 jaw
chuck for woodturning (most metal working chucks are 3 jaw). The
original idea was presented to Woodcraft, who was sufficiently impressed
with the new idea to help fund the small NZ company in bringing it to
the world. I wasn't there, so I am only relying on the folks who were
part of things at that time.

Lyn

Leo Van Der Loo wrote:
Hi Lyn

Was it not that Teknatool adapted a self centering 4 jaw metal turning
chuck, with a set of "soft jaws" to turn wood ?

Lyn J. Mangiameli wrote:

To my knowledge, only Oneway and Teknatool provide chuck inserts with
a locking screw that will ride in a matching spindle groove. On both
chucks the location for the spindle locking screw is the same, so they
each fit the same grooves found on the Oneway lathes and the more
recent versions of the Teknatool lathes.

Just an aside about Jim's speculation. The Oneway taperlock spindle
adapters are unique to the Oneway products (chucks, vacuum chucks, and
some faceplates), and can not be retrofitted to other brands of chucks.

Though you didn't mention it, I'd suggest you not count out the new
Supernova 2 and Titan chucks from Teknatool. They are a third
generation design and a significant advancement from their earlier
chucks (which, if you don't know, were ground breaking for their day,
as Teknatool was the very first to develop a 4 jaw scroll chuck for
woodworking).

Lyn

Bud wrote:

I have heard many peeps say good things about both the Vicmark &
Axminster chucks, being of superb quality, I have not seen either of
these chucks & was curious to know if either of these chucks have a
locking spindle set-screw, as on the Oneway chucks.


Thanks

Bud