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Robert Sorby Precision Chuck
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:54 pm
by hoagie
Can any of you offer an opinion on the Robert Sorby Precision Chuck? I have the opportunity to pick one up for about $120. It has all the parts except the elastic bands for the collets.
Although new to the SS, I am very interested in getting into turning. I know this chuck is no longer being made or sold. Is this a quality chuck? Are there alternatives that would be a better choice, even if a bit more money? Or am I just getting way ahead of myself looking at an advanced chuck system?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Brian
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:56 pm
by curiousgeorge
Brian,
I don't think I would want to buy a "discontinued" model of anything. Think "replacement parts". Instead why don't you check out the chucks offered by Shopsmith? You are in luck... They are on sale until Oct. 31!!! I have the Nova and it is an excellent chuck.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... hePromo06/
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:48 pm
by beeg
curiousgeorge wrote:Brian,
I don't think I would want to buy a "discontinued" model of anything. Think "replacement parts". Instead why don't you check out the chucks offered by Shopsmith? You are in luck... They are on sale until Oct. 31!!! I have the Nova and it is an excellent chuck.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... hePromo06/
The other problem might be HOW are you going to attach it to a SS? I think that chuck threads onto a lathe and the TPI of that chuck may not match the SS adapter.
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:53 pm
by beeg
hoagie wrote: Or am I just getting way ahead of myself looking at an advanced chuck system?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Brian
Don't think your getting way head of yourself. It would give you flexibility of not having to always use between centers or a face plate.
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:58 pm
by cincinnati
beeg wrote:The other problem might be HOW are you going to attach it to a SS? I think that chuck threads onto a lathe and the TPI of that chuck may not match the SS adapter.
Would this work?
http://www.amazon.com/PSI-Woodworking-L5818-Headstock-Shopsmith/dp/B000KIEC88/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1225403813&sr=8-2
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:15 pm
by beeg
As long as it matches the chuck he's looking at. That chuck might be a inch and a quarter .
Probably Going to Pass it Up
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:42 pm
by hoagie
CG summed up my biggest concern: This chuck has been discontinued by Robert Sorby. They have a great reputation, but in doing a search for any information I ran across a thread where someone had contacted them for the owners manual and RS could not help them. No archive material on it. Told him to try a few of the 'former' dealers.
This particular chuck (according to the seller) was designed to be used with the SS.
The attraction was as Beeg stated, the flexibility for various configurations. Still, I can probably put the money towards some other accessory until I actually become more proficient on the lathe. Still just destroying scrap wood and making wood chips at this point.
Thanks.
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:27 pm
by brunutt
I'm the one with the Sorby chuck on ebay thats being referred to. as far as a manual i contacted Sorby's in England and they gladly photo-copied the manual and mailed to me at no cost to me. The chuck comes drilled to fit a ss, it was with one i bought several months ago. i don't need it myself as i'm using face plates to turn segmented bowls with. As per Malcom Tibbets book.
Bruce
Re: Robert Sorby Precision Chuck
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2019 5:44 pm
by wgander
I've never used the Sorby Precision Chuck I bought in 1989.
I may finally try doing some lathe work and it looks clumsy to set up and the instructions aren't very clear.
Shopsmith now has the Nova G3 on sale. Is it just a better version of my old Sorby?
Is it any better than what Sorby now sells?