New 3 jaw chuck advise

Hi guys, my 4" 3 jaw chuck on my Myford is badly worn, and is in need of replacing. I'm not to keen on buying the Chinese variants that most model engineer shops sell, but would favour a more 'quality' brand if possible. Q

What's your opinions/experience re a good quality, good self cantering chuck please? And where from?

Thanks all, Rob

Hi Rob, check your Forum mail box, PM sent.

Emgee

Rob, I would go for either TOS or Bison both are very good Bison probably has the edge on a few points. Try Rotogrip they do a TOS one with a threaded body for the Myford.

John

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The better known quality brands are Bison and Pratt Burnerd. There are others such as Rohm (others more knowledgeable than me will list others.)

I have both Bison and Pratt Burnerd 3 jaw chucks that were bought new. Although I am a patriotic as often as possible I consider the Bison to be a better quality product.! - However IMHO you will not go far wrong with either.

Sliding down the cost scale a fair bit there are makes such as Vertex. I cannot comment on their 3 jaw scroll chucks as I don't own one. But I do have a 125mm Vertex 4 jaw bought from Rotagrip that seems fine and good value.

Jason B I know now uses a 3 jaw bison after many years of using the Chinese one that originally came with his lathe to very good effect. He uses his kit far more than most here so I would imagine he will give a balanced view on the differences and if they are worth the extra coins.

I don't have anywhere near his skill level by a considerable margin. So I have to cheat and buy expensive.

Nick

Edited By Nick_G on 11/01/2016 00:28:35

Rob,

I have a couple of TOS self centring chucks that have given good and accurate service so I can thoroughly recommend them.

I understand that the Zyther brand available from Arc are also very good. They are made in India but Zyther are a world class manufacturer - have a look at their web site.

Rob,

Zither are a good step up from the Chinese chucks and are not too much more money. Arc sell them, so if you are near Leicester you could go and have a look. I've got a couple of them and am very happy with them.

Regards.

David.

+1 for the Zither chucks. I have a 4" one and its is better than I had any right to expect. Some numbering of the slots on the chuck body is not cosmetically perfect, but obviously this has no effect on chuck performance.

If you want to spend a bit more for a better chuck, without spending a fortune that they are probably a good choice.

Bear in mind also that NO 3-jaw chuck is perfectly concentric at all settings.

Neil

I am in the market for another three jaw 160mm chuck to replace the old Pratt Burnerd I have.

I did look at the TOS from Rotagrip and think it is good value. That will be my next purchase when I finish making the new cross slide and lead screw. The lathe should be in top order then.

If and when you get your new chuck you might to well to consider buying a set of soft jaws for your old on rather than disposing of it. Mine came from Rotagrip.

regards Martin

My far eastern 3-jaw was quite accurate out of the box but the scroll started to get a bit sticky so when Nick put me onto a good deal on a 5" Bison I snapped it up. Also use a slim body 160mm Bison 4-jaw that is nicer than the far eastern one and I prefer the slimmer jaws this was bought second hand.

J

Any from Bison Bail, Pratt Burnerd, and, [going up in price a bit ] Rohm. If you get a model with 2 piece jaws then

you will be able to make up "soft jaws " although there are other ways, even if the jaws are 1 piece.

I have a TOS 160mm 3 jaw and a TOS 100mm Independant 4 jaw and both are good chucks Really like the narrow grip area on the 100mm TOS as you can get down on smaller diameter stuff if needed.

Similar position to you in that my Pratt 4" is goosed and there were no reverse jaws with it so I took it out of service,

I note with interest the mention of Zither which I have not heard of so will research these myself. Can anybody advise/comment what the grip width is like for small diameters?

I think mine goes down to about 1/16" without going to check. A good test that the jaw ends are well ground and matched.

Neil

Thank you guys so much for the advise, that gives me plenty of options to look up and price.

Also, as a newbe here, how refreshing to be able to ask advise on a forum and not get shot down in flames by the key board worriers lol

Cheers, Rob.