I just purchased a Delta lathe after years of working with an old drill for my handle turning. I've been looking for a good quality self centering chuck (preferably with a 1" drive, 8 thread). Delta wants an arm and a leg for theirs.

If anyone has any recommendations for manufacturers and / or sources, sure would appreciate it.

thanks, richard

Grizzly Industrial Products and Enco Industries both offer relatively inexpensive chucks and other wood and metal working equipment made overseas. It is better than you might expect.

You can contact Grizzly at www.grizzly.com. Enco's web site escapes me at the moment. Just do a search and I am sure you will come up with it.

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thanks Tom, Sully....

i'll check these out.

richard

Can anybody comment on the mini wood lathe that Grizzly has for $120? Aoolication for turning wood handles. Thanks.

It's not likely to much as far as a heavy duty wood turning lathe goes, but for shaping and turning EVA, Hypalon or cork, it will probably do an admirable job. Turning wood handles? I'm sure it will do it, but nearly all the lighter, inexpensive wood lathes lack the necessary bulk for heavy wood turning applications and may not be quite as precise as one would hope.

All in all, it's probably fine for what you wish to do.

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to Richard Harber Freight Tools has self centering chucks for $19.95 on line thats whear i got my wood lathe for $150.00 thats got all the power you would ever need. i turn wood handls for trolling rods down to wood inserts for fly rod.works great. good luck finding what you want Regards John