chuck problem

[Mark F]

I'm turning my first bowl. I'm using a nova midi chuck with a worm screw. The problem is the worm screw keeps coming loose from the chuck. I thought I turned it pretty tight, didn't want to over do it. Any idea what I may be doing wrong?

I'm using a block of indonesian mahogany from woodcraft. It seemed nice covered in wax, but now that it is rounded out, it seems too dry, light and soft. looks like cedar. Any thoughts on this wood for turning?

Mark F

[TDHofstetter]

Ya prob'ly just ain't tightening it far enough... don't misjudge that steel, it'll take a lot of pressure before it really distorts.

I'm thinking that mahogany will be OK. It may be wicked porous when you're done, but it should turn fine. Easily, even. I've got some awfully lightweight mahogany here that I sometimes use for miscellaneous projects... the heavier mahogany (no, I don't know which it is) seems more substantial, though.

I think you'll find that it takes detail very well with sharp tools, and that it's not too bad for tearout.

-- Tim --

The more aware we become,
The better we realize
That each of us is,
On the whole,
Right smack in the middle
Of "average".

[Tom Hintz]

I had a Super Nova and had a little trouble with the wood screw as you describe. I found that I was not getting the wood screw seated correctly in the jaws. If I tightened the jaws so they were almost in full contact with the woodscrew, then rotated the woodscrew back and forth a little, I could work the jaws down so they were fully seated on the corners of the wood screw. Then honked the jaws down good and tight. As mentioned, they do take some pressure without problem.

[Dario]

Mark,

Not sure about the Nova but my Talon's woodworm screw have a "neck" and "grooves" that the jaws (base side) lock into. If you don't get that seated right, it might come off like you described.

Steel don't compress easily so don't be shy tightening it. ;)

Dario :)
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[runway1]

I have the same feature as Dario describes. I have a Penn-State C3000 midi chuck. The worm has a neck and flange below the head. That area needs to get checked on and it sits straight and firm.. If I chuck just on the head, I can get that reaction.

Does your worm have that feature? Maybe another feature that's meant to make contact with the chuck, specifically.

[Limey]

Mark,
That little recess just behind the threaded section is the part you grip on. It should be a perfect fit on inside of the jaw segments..
Does that make sense?,,,if not I'll try and post some pics.. if it's a large set of jaws they don't get in the way of the worm screw as you wind the blank on

[Dario]

You got that right.

"A" is the "neck" I was talking about. If placed properly, you can't budge that screw out of the chuck!

Dario :)
[h4][font color = "blue"] Innovate or Stagnate[/font]
[font color = "red"]"I count my blessings more than my misfortunes"[/font][/h4]

[a href="http://www.aoturnings.com" target="_blank"]AO Turnings – Fine Handwriting Instruments[/a]

[Limey]

You have it Mr wetterfish...
Apologies Dario I didn't formulate a picture in my mind reading your words..see... I like pictures..I'm good with pictures.. :)

Didn't intentionally trample over your post dismissively :*

[Limey]

Why not?? You Merry Cans have a hard job understanding English and remember that Aussies come from uneducated convict stock..It has to get through two encumberances by the time you read it.

:7 :) :) :) :)

[Dario]

Limey,

No apologies needed...I sometimes can't understand myself LOL :D

Dario :)
[h4][font color = "blue"] Innovate or Stagnate[/font]
[font color = "red"]"I count my blessings more than my misfortunes"[/font][/h4]

[a href="http://www.aoturnings.com" target="_blank"]AO Turnings – Fine Handwriting Instruments[/a]