I'm not even sure I'm even committed to buy one, but noticed this Gator/plate combo on ebay. Just wondering if anyone has direct experience with these chucks brand/quality wise? I have a direct mount D1-4 3-jaw Bison which is very nice quality IMO, about 0.002" runout, good repeat. It was bought on sale before Bison prices became stupidly expensive in Canada although I'm noticing new Bison on-line sellers at lower prices. Asian imports are obviously copying them, the question is where are they cutting corners? The cloned set-tru configuration would theoretically minimize run-out, but what about jaw & scroll quality? Here is what I've come up with so far. If anyone has other brands or comments in general, all welcome.
6” Gator Lathe Chuck $785 including choice of TRU ADJ Plate
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/6-GATOR-Lathe-Chuck-6-Jaw-Semi-Steel-TRU-ADJ-Plate1-903-0600-/311602367190?hash=item488cf2cad6
The (same seller) Bison equivalent is $1450 with D1-4 adapter plate
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/6-Bison-6-Jaw-Set-Tru-Lathe-Chuck-Adapter-Plate-/281474219393?hash=item41892bbd81
just noticed Grizzly carries Bison now, when did that happen? $1138 = 864 chuck + 274 adapter
http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-1-4-6-Jaw-Set-Tru-Chuck/T10420
http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-1-4-D1-4-Back-Plate-for-Set-Tru/T10426?utm_campaign=zPage
Shars $643 = 561 chuck + 82 zero set adapter
http://www.shars.com/6-6-jaw-0005-adjustable-universal-chuck-2-piece-jaws
http://www.shars.com/lathe-chuck-adapter-plate-6-d1-6-finished-machined-for-zero-set-lathe-chuck
6” Gator Lathe Chuck $785 including choice of TRU ADJ Plate
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/6-GATOR-Lathe-Chuck-6-Jaw-Semi-Steel-TRU-ADJ-Plate1-903-0600-/311602367190?hash=item488cf2cad6
The (same seller) Bison equivalent is $1450 with D1-4 adapter plate
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/6-Bison-6-Jaw-Set-Tru-Lathe-Chuck-Adapter-Plate-/281474219393?hash=item41892bbd81
just noticed Grizzly carries Bison now, when did that happen? $1138 = 864 chuck + 274 adapter
http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-1-4-6-Jaw-Set-Tru-Chuck/T10420
http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-1-4-D1-4-Back-Plate-for-Set-Tru/T10426?utm_campaign=zPage
Shars $643 = 561 chuck + 82 zero set adapter
http://www.shars.com/6-6-jaw-0005-adjustable-universal-chuck-2-piece-jaws
http://www.shars.com/lathe-chuck-adapter-plate-6-d1-6-finished-machined-for-zero-set-lathe-chuck
Last edited: