Using the tailstock as long as possible when making your pieces probably
preserves your bearings better than a lesser weight chuck. What would
bother me is the loss of capacity from a longer chuck. Regular Novas work
in a bit less space, and as you are tightening the bars against each other,
should make no difference with the bearings, even if they were so weak you
could pull them out of round.

Own two regulars and a Super, and the only way I chose which to use in my
shop is by which jaws are currently attached.

"David Claborn" wrote in message
...
I've heard conflicting reports on whether or not a Supernova chuck is too
heavy for a Jet Mini's bushings/bearings. Is the difference in weight
really all that much?

Relatedly, doesn't the method of tightening the Nova put quite a bit of
weight on the bearings/bushings in the first place -so that the Supernova
may actually be better b/c you never have to tighten with force downward
on
the headstock?

scratching head

Thanks in advance,
Dave