Thanks for taking the time to watch! So many tools get over looked because of the old way of thinking about what a place sells and sometimes it's worth taking the risk AND it saves a little money as well.
It's not all knock offs. The Bauer and Hercules lines are their own. The old central machine they used to sell might have been. I do know the original lathe I had from HF was made by Grizzly. Same lathe as the Grizzly model. HF is getting rid of the central machine line it looks like anyway.
This chuck seems to be "inspired" by the Vicmarc VL-100. Vicmarc chucks are the best. So we have that option. In the US, the VL-100 body is over $200. And you need a spindle adapter for another 30-something. And jaws. Still the best jaws and everything will last a lifetime. Want a Nova chuck? Made in China. I have one of the last Nova Titan chucks made in New Zealand. Very nice chuck. I also have a Nova Midi chuck, the first one. Made in New Zealand, and absolute garbage. They even recalled that one, but I wasn't informed of this. I have several sets of Nova jaws, mostly made in China. A set of long jaws already slightly bent, but usable, and this without abuse. So right now, invested in Nova Teknatool jaws; why not use the hf bodies for those as I transition to Vicmarc, especially for the larger stuff? Vicmarc and Vermec are made in Australia. Great stuff. OneWay is made in Canada. Great stuff. Vevor are German. Axminster is made in Britain, but some friends express quality issues over the older units. Everybody copies. In 1988,Teknatool produced the first self-centering scroll chuck specifically designed for woodturning. Everybody above has copied that basic design, not just the Chinese, which, BTW, Americans and others ask for. So far, the hf seems like something that will go to work. And better and safer than my made-in-New Zealand midi chuck! I'm not thrilled about manufacturing going to China. Not just the jobs lost here, and a certain lack of security when it comes to lack of PPE during a pandemic, but the working conditions and injury/death rates over there are unconscionable.
@@greggerstner5599 thank you for the insightful comments. Since China has no copyright laws and everything being made there the only thing you pay for anymore is the name. I'm not big on names, but quality is a big deal for me. So far this HF seems like quality (China or not). I am going to have to look into those other chucks though. Thanks again!
Believe it or not, there are patent and copyright laws in China. Not always the easiest to enforce, but it has happened. A quality sawmill maker, Lucasmill, noticed a real Chinese knockoff by a Chinese company. Took them to court in China and prevailed. This is a best case scenario and such often depends on the market -- if big bucks are involved, think tech, that fickle government might sit on its hands. Just got the hf. Does seem to be fairly robust and, after a fashion, accepts my Nova jaws. Have to trim down the hf screws a couple mm. Had to go to a different town to get and now they're out of stock in SC. Probably get a few more if it works out. And if they're ever back in stock. Decades ago, I got a no-frills 1inch×8 chuck from grizzly. Tommy bars. Interchangeable with nothing, jaw-wise. No name. But the thing works. Holds like grim death. Can't remember anything flying off. And probably the patent on scroll chucks has expired.
@@greggerstner5599 didn't realize China had those in place. Was always told that was why there was so many knock offs. I found out the old central machine lathe HF had is almost exact to one of the grizzly lathes. Only difference is the name on it. I'm looking forward to using my Bauer more in the near future. Actually considered getting one more so I have one with an extension jaws (my small record power) one with the soft grip jaws (my regular record power) one with small dove tail (Bauer) and one with large dove tail (Bauer). As much as I love my Record Power jaws, if I could find someplace with just the 3 or 4 model in stock (just the body) I'd get that and then I'd have all 4 sets I'd need. One place I found that normally stocks them (at least on the website) is ALWAYS sold out.
It is a money saver at times. I always start off there when I can. I upgrade when I can if needed. Only had one tool break on me the whole time I've used HF. It was a Dremel. Everything else has been great so far. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Hello Chris, time will tell eh? Two sets of jaws and a chunky wood screw looks good for a starter chuck package, especially at that price. Put the screw into the chuck jaws and tighten it up, then screw your blank onto the locked chuck. Remember it's the jaw faces that contact the wood which provide the main drive. Large jaws are better than small ones for screw chucking, they have a bigger footprint and provide a much steadier hold. Anyway, best regards. 🙃
You could file or grind a couple of flats on the wormscrew. I would also cut a plastic washer from a milk jug to prevent the chuck from locking onto the spindle.
Thanks for the review. I have been thinking about buying this chuck and your review was what I needed to pull the trigger on this, that is, if Harbor Freight ever gets it back in stock at my store.
Like many tool these days, it wouldn't surprise me if these Bauer chucks were made in the same factory as some of the bigger named brands' chucks. They seem to be quality chucks and should last, so I see no need to replace them. If anything, use the low price and HF's sales to buy several to keep various size jaw sets on them because it does get old taking jaws off and pitting others on for projects.
@fretless05 oh I have seen many companies using the same factories to make different products for different companies. My old HF lathe is the exact model as one of Grizzly's lathes only difference is the name on it.
went to hf Sunday bought my first lathe tools i picked the Bauer 8 pcs set .89.00 looked nicer than the other 2 sets they were small steel nice handles 39.00 and 49.00 icut a small bowl out with the set on my grizzly 12x 36 i just got i was happy with the Bauer set cant find anyone that doing reviews on the set. do you have that set?
Didn't even know Bauer was making the tool sets. I'm still using the other brand HF sells that I got in 2018 and slowly upgrading those. May have to look into that set and do a review on them. Thanks for the heads up and be on the lookout for a review!
Thanks for the video, for old retired guys just looking for a hobby don't always have the bank account to buy expensive tools. I go with Harbor Freight on a lot of things because of the price and their great return policy. I'm 67 years old not looking for a new career just a hobby.
Screw chuck was that odd looking screw with round end on it. The round end gets held in the 4 jaw chuck. Then the wood blank with appropriate hole in it will get screwed onto and held by the threaded end of the screw chuck
HF has really stepped up their woodturning game. The Bauer lathe is awesome for the price, the chuck is great quality, and the new chisels are as good as Benjamin's Best. Well done review! It's great to know that RP jaws can fit the Bauer body... What series RP chuck did they come from?
I bought one as a back up chuck. I found that the holes do not line up with any of my chuck jaws from another standard chuck (not sure why they are different) Also the jaw that comes with it is smooth, no dovetail grip on inside and it also does not hold the lathe screw well in the middle. I tried to use the worm screw and it kept sliding back into the chuck when I was trying to push on the wood. Kind of mostly useless except for a recess tenon.
Sorry, you got a dud mine even in the. Review I said I didn't like the design of the worm screw. I didn't have any other issues other than the worm screw. Mine seemed to work fine. I was able to line it up with some record power jaws. As well as some Nova jaws. And neither one of the jaws that came with it. Have I had any real issues with as of right now? I also got mine as a backup however. Again, the design has changed since I bought mine. I noticed that the adapter screw. That was originally pictured when I bought. Mine is no longer pictured on the website. So you may have got an older model. However, if I had such issues that you were having, I probably would have exchanged it or just returned it instead of trying to make it work
I too bought one. It is my second chuck. It is so nice having two. So far, I have no complaints. I have made several bowls and handles using it on well dried White Oak. It has just held. It almost holds better than my OneWay Talon!
That's awesome. I debated getting another one, I have 3 (2 record power, and the Bauer). Only had a chance to use this a couple times, but no complaints.
11:21 I have just bought this very same Chuck... I haven't even had a chance to try yet.. Im just getting into wood turning.. So I'm starting small.. I couldn't pass up this Chuck at this price.. I also bought Bauer's wood turning chisels ... A set of 6 for $89.00 The price on this Chuck has gone from $99.00 up to $130.00 ...
Thanks. Looking to get one as I have a pile of nova jaws. A (NZ-made) Titan chuck. I want to use some smaller chucks for some of the jaws. If it works As others have claimed, cool. I have a Jet mini with this spindle size, so either way it'll work for something. Other lathes are bigger, but I have an adapter. I want to switch to Vicmarc chucks eventually, Not terribly pleased with the nova quality, but jaws are available locally. As for the screw attachment, put it in the chuck first. Drill an appropriate pilot hole in the blank. Spin it on. No need to wrench it on separately. Many of us start the lathe slow and offer the blank and it mounts itself. Then turn lathe off and tighten blank as needed. If I've misunderstood your concern re the screw, apologies.
All good. Not familiar with Vickark though, may have to look them up. Yea after posting this I discussed it with a coworker and he even agreed that I wouldn't need a wrench with the worm screw. I didn't even think of putting it in the chuck and screwing it on when I did the video. Thanks for watching and for commenting.
All good. Not familiar with Vickark though, may have to look them up. Yea after posting this I discussed it with a coworker and he even agreed that I wouldn't need a wrench with the worm screw. I didn't even think of putting it in the chuck and screwing it on when I did the video. Thanks for watching and for commenting.
Vicmarc is a company in Australia that makes awesome lathes and (in my opinion) the best chucks, especially the jaws. Pricey, but wonderfully designed and built. I have the good fortune to have a Vicmarc VL300 lathe. Love it. And again, thanks for this generous demonstration. Hope to find this chuck this weekend.
