Need help sourcing a four jaw chuck

Bobbycoors

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I need help with a potential lathe purchase. I might be picking up this lathe soon.
IMG_20200527_120918164.jpg
I was wondering if anyone could help me with a ball park figure on the cost of a 4 jaw chuck for the thing. I have never owned a lathe and the extent of my machining experience is milling some flats on parts for a place I worked at 7 or so years ago. Which happens to be where the lathe is. That being said from what I have seen on YouTube and read up on a 4 jaw would be nice to have. Any and all input would be very helpful.
 
The 2nd one here: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/182/3893.pdf

Looks like this lathe. SO, its a D1-3 spindle.

The big question is going to be how much you're willing to spend on a 4 jaw chuck and the size you want. I'd say ~ a 6-8" should be about the right size for that. CME sells this one for ~350 shipped: https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-4-JAW-SE...204151?hash=item48d5b74937:g:ydEAAOSwR9NduJe1

You'll have to turn the back plate (which is easy enough) and mount it, but thats a pretty cost effective way.

If you want a really nice one, this one is about $900: https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Bison-4-...235665?hash=item48642bc611:g:-IsAAOSw5VFWFs0m

If you pay attention on ebay, you can often find chucks on backing plates already mounted for less.

If you REALLY want to go cheap, you can get the backing plate separately (looks like there are plenty for 6"/6.25" chucks in the ~$100 range), and a cheap chinese chuck for another ~$150: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Grizzly-G9...207022?hash=item421589ffee:g:~jwAAOSwl4xefntF
 
The 2nd one here: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/182/3893.pdf

Looks like this lathe. SO, its a D1-3 spindle.

The big question is going to be how much you're willing to spend on a 4 jaw chuck and the size you want. I'd say ~ a 6-8" should be about the right size for that. CME sells this one for ~350 shipped: https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-4-JAW-SE...204151?hash=item48d5b74937:g:ydEAAOSwR9NduJe1

You'll have to turn the back plate (which is easy enough) and mount it, but thats a pretty cost effective way.

If you want a really nice one, this one is about $900: https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Bison-4-...235665?hash=item48642bc611:g:-IsAAOSw5VFWFs0m

If you pay attention on ebay, you can often find chucks on backing plates already mounted for less.

If you REALLY want to go cheap, you can get the backing plate separately (looks like there are plenty for 6"/6.25" chucks in the ~$100 range), and a cheap chinese chuck for another ~$150: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Grizzly-G9...207022?hash=item421589ffee:g:~jwAAOSwl4xefntF

Thanks for the info. I'd probably go for the $350 route. Just didn't really know where to start looking. Have any good resources for turning a back plate I could look into?
 
I think ThisOldTony did one at one point, but I can only seem to find the one he made. However, it is pretty easy, and particularly forgiving for a 4 jaw:

1- Mount the oversized backing plate to the lathe, and lock it in.
2- Turn a 'step' in it down to the dimensions of the register' surface of the chuck. You'll want this pretty tight, so minimize the internal radius if you can, at least less than the radius on the chuck. Also, many don't do this with measuring, we test fit until it works.
3- If necessary, Take the backing plate off and drill/tap whatever mounting holes are necessary.

I think with those CMTs, just about everything is in place already, and you simply need to turn the 'register' part down a little until the chuck matches, as well as the 'face' (basically, a facing operation) of whatever the chuck touches to make sure it is 'square' on your lathe.

Since its a 4 jaw, the accuracy of the register doesn't really matter too much, as long as you're close. With a 3jaw, 6 jaw or collet chuck, you need to be spot on (since they get their accuracy from the 'centeredness' of the register.
 
Bobby, I own an 11" lathe and thought I would offer some thoughts. You can go with a 6 or 8" chuck but if I were you, I would seriously consider the 6" version. While it will be rare that you get close enough to the chuck to run into it, a 6" chuck will clear your cross slide but an 8" will not. A 6" chuck will be lighter so less wear and tear on the spindle. It will also allow the jaws to extend to their useful limit; the jaws of an 8" might get close enough to the ways to make contact.

You already have a set-tru style 3 jaw already so take your time and buy a decent 4 jaw chuck to fit that very nice lathe. Good brands to consider are Pratt Burnerd, Rohm, Yuasa, Samchully and Bison/TMX. It is likely that you will need to mount the chuck on a D1-3 backplate but that is not difficult to do. Most 4 jaw chucks do not see a lot of use so an older used chuck that is in good shape would be preferable to the cheap import chucks available nowadays. In my opinion, lathe chucks are foundational tools in much the same way that good vises are foundational tools for a milling machine. A good chuck may very well last you the rest of your life - why go cheap instead of good?

Bottom line: I would take my time and find a quality 6" chuck on ebay and mount it to a decent back plate.
 
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