Just purchased a Delta 46-460 lathe mostly for grip turning and not sure of which chuck to buy (Nova G3, 3-jaw, 4-jaw, mini?). So many options it seems, much different from my Grizzly hobby lathe days! Mainly turn cork on a 1/4" mandrel but also plan to turn reel seats, acrylic inserts, etc. Thanks for any and all suggestions - very appreciated!

I find the "3 jaw" perfect for holding mandrels and use the "4 jaw" for square pieces, like reel seat blanks, etc. YEP you will find you use them both.

If you pre-drill the inserts with a drill press and a jig, you will not need a 4-jaw chuck, but if you plan on drilling them on the lathe, unless they are already round you will need a 4 jaw chuck, preferably a self centering unit. At the present I do not have one but I wish I did, but so far the cose of the one I want has prevented this.

Ron Weber

Mike,
As the other posts have suggested, the 3 jaw chuck is fine for about 90% of your needs, but you will be happy to have the 4 jaw chuck for those times that you need to chuck up a non round piece of work.
Penn state is a quality supplier at good prices:

[www.pennstateind.com]

Depending on what you need and your head stock shaft size, the Taig tools and chucks are excellent quality:

[www.taigtools.com]

This lathe looks like about the perfect lathe for rod building. Great choice:
[www.portercable.com]

[www.amazon.com]

[www.thefind.com]

[www.thefind.com]

Be safe - turning.

Roger

Very helpful - Thank you all so very much!

PSI does look like a good choice - Thanks Roger!

Appreciated, Mike

a four jaw chuck will hold a mandrel and square pieces..a three jaw will hold and mandrel and won't hold square pieces....if you plan on one get a 4 jaw it is more versatile....You can then center bore on the lathe which is very accurate. I think the Penn State chucks are a great value for the money spent and i use them...the others are very nice(nova, vicmarc, etc) just more expensive. it all boils down to how much you want to spend and how far you plan on taking your turning adventures

I was at the WoodWorking show (in Indianapolis) 2 weeks ago. I bought a 4 jaw self centering chuck, with 5 sets of jaws, in a case, with adapter from 3/4x16 to 1x8. for $200.
I got it at the Woodline Booth, btw GREAT people to work with.

I don't know where you live but below is a link for the show.

[woodworkingshows.com]

t

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tom in indy

Like JP said, a 4 jaw is by far the more versatile. The Penn State 4 jaw Utility is very good. Mandrels can be used in a small 3 jaw or even a cheap MT jacobs chuck

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Thanks again everyone, this helps a bunch and I'll do some more research into the Penn St products. A decent 4-jaw would be nice, I would like to dive into other projects when comfortable, bowls, bats, etc. Have a great day, appreciated - Mike