Customer Reviews

PSI Woodworking CSC3000C Barracuda Wood Lathe Key Chuck System

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had this chuck for over a year now and have used it quite a bit. I find it easy to use and reliable. You get a fairly complete set of jaws as part of the standard package - I added the large flat jaws but wish they were even bigger.

Someone asked about the screws holding the jaws on - I also worried about losing one or more in the shavings when I was changing the jaws so I contacted PSI and asked them about buying some more. The sent me eight screws free. If you're having problems (like with the allen wrench), contact them. I've always found them extremely responsive.

I bought this chuck just about a year ago. I have used it weekly since then and today bought the jumbo bowl jaws for it.

The good:

1. Price. It's much cheaper than the high end products from Oneway, Vicmarc, etc.

2. Machining is adequate. No runout. Jaws hold well.

3. Accessory jaws (flat bowl jaws, dovetail jaws, etc.) are available from PSI and are very affordable.

The bad:

1. It does occasionally require retightening while turning.

2. The key chuck is touchy and needs to be fully inserted to turn. I haven't had any problems with it not working and once you're used to it it won't bother you.

Other reviews have complained that this product isn't as good as Oneway's, Vicmarc's, etc. It's not meant to be. This is the entry level product in the 4-jaw chuck field, meant for us poorer folk to have access to what I now consider a vital bit of turning equipment.

For the price this chuck is top notch. If you're a beginner/intermediate turner looking for a first chuck, look right here.

very smooth operating chuck system, even added the jumbo flat jaws to mine, makes turning a snap. I too had the problem with the hex head screws, the wrench they sent was a 3.0mm, and the screws are actually a 5.0 mm. If anyone knows how to find replacement screws, please post. hard to find in any hardware store. All-in-all, best bang for the buck.

In the May 2007 issue of Wood magazine there is a short evaluation of this chuck. I have found the artical to be supported by my own experience. I have turned several bowls and boxes using the Barracuda2 system with complete success. The real plus for this system is the set of different jaws that come with the chuck, the versatility of the system allows for a wide range skill development. I also purchased the jumbo jaws at the same time, and this attachment was worth the added cost. It is the cost that makes this system the value that it is. The cost of what I purchase would not have covered the price of a higher price chuck and the jaws that came with it alone. This system does have limitations, but as my skills develope I can chose to up grade if I want, and still have a solid chuck system for basic turning.

This is a good little chuck but I'm still a bit disappointed in it. First thing I noticed when I took it out of the case is it doesn't have a back on it. I was a machinist for over 20 years and I have NEVER seen a chuck without a back plate on it. There are three drilled and tapped holes on the back for a plate, but no cover plate. This leaves the gear inside exposed to get clogged up with dust and chips.

Another thing about this chuck is the way that the chuck key fits into the ring gear inside it. I have never seen one like this before either. You have to be sure that the tip of the chuck key is fully inserted into a hole on the inside of the chuck before trying to tighten or loosen it. If its not then the teeth on the end of the chuck key slip out of the teeth on the ring gear and could damage them. I have posted pictures of this with the product description.

After clamping a work piece in the chuck you need to stop and re-tighten it a few times as your working on it. It has a tendency to loosen as its being run. And be careful when stopping the lathe. My chuck has screwed itself off of the spindle a couple of times after I turn the lathe off.

But, over all and compared to the more expensive chucks that are about a $100 more than this one, it's still a pretty good deal and a fairly good chuck for the price.

After uploading the pictures of the one that I got I have notice that it is NOT the one shown in the product picture. The one shown and that I thought I was ordering has sealed inserts for the square end of the chuck key. Like a normal chuck does. NOT at all like this Abortion that I got that is all open.

Is anybody else's chuck like this abortion of one that I got or did you get the one shown? Please let me know.

This is a good chuck that does everything they say it does. Even though it may not be quite as smooth operating as a ONEWAY chuck, it is much more reasonably priced. And it is there that you get the biggest bang for your buck and it will do everything a Oneway will do.

George

The chuck seems to work fine, but the hex wrench that came as part of the kit does not fit the screws that holds the various parts of the lathe chuck adaptors at all. An sae 1/8th inch hex key will remove and replace the flat head screws but they are a very poor fit and over time will probably round out screws. Quality control is very poor in this area.

Thank you John W. Stevens

This chuck is great. I was surprised when it arrived. It is well packed in a hard plastic case with a 1" cushion. The allen wrench fit (as opposed to earlier reviews). Each piece was individually wrapped as well. The range of plates included makes this an outstanding buy. I have used all of them in various projects and been very pleased with the performance. I recommend this to anyone looking for a new chuck.

October 2009: For 2 years now I have used this chuck exclusively. Not one time has it ever needed re-tightning once it was set. The only issue I have ever run into is there is a small margin of error between the large and medium jaws in which neither can grab the work (large is too big when fully tightened and medium is too small when fully expanded). Though I'v only run into this a half dozen times and now that I am aware of it I'm just careful not to turn chuck blocks into that range.

The open back does allow dust to get into the gears but one hit with the air hose and it cleans out quite well. I'v never had any item break (all original parts still function) and I run this chuck about 25-30 hours every week.

Like any good quality tool, if you take care of it, it will last you many years.

I have been using this chuck for 9 months on my Jet 708376 JWL-1220 12-inch X 2-inch Wood Lathe and it works great. It comes with a screw chuck and several sets of jaws to hold your piece firmly to the lathe. The check key is easy to use to tighten the jaws. Changing the jaws is easy, but it makes me wish I had another dedicated chuck body per jaws set to speed my turning.. Perhaps someday I'll buy a second set.

Well made and well priced. It was a very complete system with all the different jaws. I especially liked the 1"-8tpi with the adapter for smaller lathes with 3/4"-16 tpi because I'm sure I'll have to upgrade to a heavier lathe in the future, and I didn't want to have to purchase a new chuck. I added the Cole Jaws, and there's almost nothing I can't chuck on the lathe. The only complaint was that the carrying case wasn't designed to hold the chuck key and the allen wrench properly - a very minor issue.