Hi Kevin, Please wait your turn to feel silly over a foolish decision re
buying turning equipment. There's a long line of us who have the right
to feel silly ahead of you.

Suppose you had reversed that silly feeling and bought a heavy expensive
lathe and a cheap chuck. Notice I didn't say "less expensive chuck". I
think there are adequate chucks for midsized lathes for under $235 on
the market.

I agree that your chuck won't be wasted when you upgrade to a heavier
lathe, but it seems to me that most turners who own big heavy lathes and
chucks also own a mini (I know! I know! tiny things can be turned on big
lathes, but what's the fun in that?) and these less expensive chucks
serve mini's very well. I use one on my Jet mini. IMHO, using a _cheap
chuck on any lathe is not only silly, it is dangerous. Be glad it was
your feeling 'silly' that was short lived and not one of your body
parts.


Harbor Freight is all about separating the bargains from the junk and
IMHO there are bargains to be had at HF just as there are rip offs
available from the "silk stocking suppliers". Seems to me that many
turners upgrade their lathes and tools, but hold on to their lesser
quality chucks, often wishing they had bought better quality in the
first place. I don't know why upgrading chucks seems harder to do than
replacing lathes and tools. Now that just may be silly.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


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