Does anybody know if the Alps upgraded chuck would fit on a Renzetti lathe? I really like my Renzetti, but would like to replace its chuck with the one from Alps which has the rubber jaws. The Alps is also easier to tighten by hand since it has serrated edges and provides a better grip.

Tony,

The Renzetti uses a 3- jaw - 3 inch chuck manufactured by Taig industries. This chuck uses a 3/4 inch by 16 threads per inch.

The Alps improved chuck uses a head stock that looks very much like the Taig Head stock. The appearance of the improved chuck is similar to the design of the Taig head stock, so it is certainly possible that the threads are the same. However, I don't have a head stock or chuck in front of me to confirm the thoughts.

If the Alps improved chuck uses a 3/4 x16 thread - the chuck will fit onto a Renzetti wrapper.

The Renzetti chuck employs a Johnny bar or a rod that is 1/8th inch in diameter. If you keep the rod close to the chuck, and use it when making the chuck tight, it makes the chore very quick and easy. Note: depending on the chuck, the bar hole may be smaller or larger than 1/8th of an inch. I use piano wire of the correct diameter to create a tightening bar/rod and keep it right next to the chuck, so that it is close at hand and quick to use.

----------------------------
By the way - with respect to the Renzetti chuck.
A couple of thoughts.
I have improved the performance of the chuck by purchasing an additional set of soft aluminum jaws from Taig Industries. Then, I have had one end of the jaws machined to match the curvature of the typical 1" diameter of a rod butt. The much larger area of the face of the jaw, lends for a better grip with minimal pressure. In addition, I apply a couple of layers of masking tape to the face of the jaws to both cushion the jaws to avoid marring the grip of the rod and to also apply a better gripping force to the butt of the rod.

Note the modifications in the chuck that I use when wrapping:
[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.cartertools.com]

Part # 1051 in the catalog:
[www.cartertools.com]

Best wishes



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2021 10:57PM by roger wilson.

I don't have a Renzetti but I do have a Taig and an Alps improved chuck.

Both my Taig chuck and the Alps use 3/4-16 threads however, one is left hand thread and one is right.

Thanks for the help. I'll look into the jaws from Taig.

Tony,
Remember, if you are going to machine the jaws, each jaw needs to be identical to the two other jaws.

Best wishes

Tony,
Did you find the chuck jaws to use on your power wrapper chuck?

Roger