I quite agree that a chuck is not essential. IMO, though, it makes a lot of
tasks more convenient and it is useful for holding small spindles such as
icicles for ornaments as well as face work. A chuck is just a somewhat
universal jig and there is nothing to stop you from making your own
purpose-built jig to do any task - I would just sooner use a chuck.
billh

"cm" wrote in message
...
Chucks are over priced and not needed to turn a bowl. I turn up 24" bowls
with no chuck and no tailstock. The bottoms of my bowls are conclave and
nicely finished.

cm


"Don Sforza" wrote in message
...
Go easy on me... I'm new to turning, but getting hooked.

After about a year of turning pens and other "between center" things, I'm
ready to make the jump into other turning... bowls and the like. I began
a search for a chuck and I've narrowed my choices down. BTW, I bought a
Penn Industries Barracuda (not the B2), and it's going back today. I was
really diappointed in the fit of the jaws and the overall finish. I woudl
have jumped at a B2, but none are in stock. From the looks of the
Barracuda, I would have been buying another one in short order. I like to
buy tools ONCE, but I'm not opposed to saving a buck if the functionality
is not compromised.

So I'm thinking either a Oneway Talon with the extra set of small jaws or
the SuperNova. I currently have a Jet Mini, but will be looking to
upgrade in the next year. Prices seem comparable, but I'm looking for
some of that peer to peer banter of the relative merits of each.

Don