Despite knowing the Nova DVR XP is a pretty substantial lathe, I was still a bit iffy whether the Longworth chuck I had picked up at the wood show would actually fit. It wasn’t whether it would fit and be able to be spun up – being able to turn the DVR head outboard means the lathe can mount a huge turning. The question was whether the outboard tool rest would clear the chuck sufficiently so I didn’t have to find an alternate tool rest.
I needed have worried. A 24″ chuck fits just fine on the DVR. It is too large for me to be able to use the tailstock, but that is just the price I have to pay for such capacity.
The Longworth chuck design was inspired by Mr. Longworth from the Hunter Valley Woodturning Club, NSW, Australia in 1989. One of those simple yet cool concepts (or applications of a concept) that makes you wonder why it took so long for someone to think of it.
Still, turning a bowl that then justifies having it reverse-mounted in this Longworth (at maximum capacity) would be quite an experience. Or should I say will be!
On the back is a simple metal disk to be held in the jaws of a chuck. In this case, nothing beats the power of the Titan II chuck, with the power jaws to boot. Seems fitting to use the most powerful Nova chuck to hold such a large aftermarket chuck on the lathe.
Looking forward to giving it a workout! Will need the room of the new shed however – the chuck may fit the lathe, but the combination is too tight for the current space.
Filed under: Lathe, Manufactures and Suppliers | Tagged: Chuck, DVR XP, Lathe, Longworth, Nova, tailstock, Teknatool | 5 Comments »
Stu's Shed 