On Apr 3, 10:27*am, "Leon" wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "mac davis"
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.woodturning
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 11:08 AM
Subject: Nova G3 or PSI Barracuda

On Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:12:18 -0500, "Leon"
wrote:

I am interested in your opinions as to which may be the better chuck.

Only 2 choices, Leon?
Which Barracuda? (at least 3 models)

Of the 2, I'd go with Nova every time..

Thanks Mac, *I am heavily leaning towards the Nova and you helped me make
that decision. *The Houston WW show starts today and I hope to find a deal
on one there.

I have 2 Oneway Talons that I've been abusing for years and like a lot...

Considering a Vimark or Oneway Stronghold for the next chuck..

I have seen those and I am not quite there yet. *;~)

Leon - what are you doing over here?!?

Good to see you!

I have a Nova, and two Vics. I love those Vicmarcs. They are
machined out of a solid chunk of metal, and it shows. I have had one
for about 10 years now, and it has been beaten up without any second
thought.

I have literally (no kidding... honestly) turned a few thousand pieces
using my two Vics.

As for your question concerning two specific chucks, I am with Mac
100%. I would certainly vote for the Nova.

From time to time there have been a few comments about quality control
from Penn State, but they always fix things. I have bought a ton of
stuff from them and they stand behind their products.

The Barracuda is a much better value for he casual turner. The Nova
is better chuck.

Take a look at this page:

http://tinyurl.com/coqh9p

(If the link doesn't work, it is a search on Amazon of "nova chucks"
that brings up the Nova, PSI, etc.)

The things I don't like about the G3 are the fact that it is an open
back chuck, and when I turn, dust, finish, goo, and turnings seem to
get all over everything. And personally, I just don't like drill
chuck style keys. You get some crap on the teeth and they are easy to
strip.

With a hex key, (see the Supernova 2 !)
you can't strip out anything. The back of the chuck is closed, so no
"stuff" inside the chuck. If you lose the key in a pile of shavings
or just lay it down and forget where you put it, it is a trip to Auto
Zone and you can get another.

You can get the Supernova for under $200+ shipping from

http://www.woodturnerscatalogue.com

While you are there, check out the Vicmarcs. I have two of the 3 1/2"
and those are my mainstays. They include the insert (supernova
doesn't) and are about $229.

BUT

I have seen this one and couldn't really tell much between it and my
Vics:

http://grizzly.com/products/H6265

Lots of folks have them, and they seem to love them. I sure like the
price. If I get wound up and feel like I need another chuck, this one
might be my choice. It is made in Taiwan/China like the G3, the Jet,
and the PSI products.

Although I can't say so personally, I have heard over at Wood Central
that the jaw for the Vics fit perfectly, or with just a tiny bit of
Dremel work.

All that for $95 skins. Heck, you could buy two!

I hope you post what you get and what you think of them after putting
them through the paces.

Robert

P.S. - I looked for a black and gremlin green model, but none could be
found!

;^)