r/turning • u/ittthelp • 1d ago
newbie Blanks and chucks questions
Just a few questions, I'm new to turning. I've ordered this Nova chuck set. I want to make small boxes like this, this seems like an easy method.
Could I use 2x2 blanks like these with 2" jaws or do you have to use 3x3 blanks? I don't know if the 2" jaws will be able to close enough to hold a tenon after rounding a 2x2.
Could I use the pin jaws to hold 2x2 blanks if the 2" jaws don't work? I can't tell if the interior of the pin jaws are meant to hold a tenon or not and I'm not sure how far they can expand. I don't want to cut mortises into the pieces I make.
I think the 2" jaws will work, this page says "Tenon Diameter: Min Cylinder 45mm (1 1/14), Max Cylinder 65mm (2 9/19). Min Square 40mm (1 9/16), Max Square 50mm (2”)." Does that mean it can hold onto tenons between 1 1/14" and 2 9/19" in diameter?
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u/BlueEmu 1d ago
Yes, that’s what it means and it should work for 2x2 blanks.
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u/ittthelp 1d ago
Thanks! Just curious, are they called 2" jaws because they can hold a 2" square piece of wood or is there some other reason?
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u/External_Switch_3732 1d ago
If memory serves, that 2” is closest to the size of the smallest mortise you can use them with. It should be noted that the more accurate measurement of the jaws is the 50mm, which is then converted to roughly 2 in for the sake of marketing the jaws in America (a lot of people here have no idea how big 50mm is)
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u/BlueEmu 1d ago
Yes, a 2" mortise. For a tenon, which is what you need to make the box you want to do, it's 45mm. Note that the description (1 1/14 in inches) is a typo. It's actually roughly 1-3/4".
That only leaves a 1/8" shoulder on a 2" blank, so just make sure the piece is carefully centered when cutting the tenon. And/or leave part of the blank square near the tenon.
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u/Sluisifer 1d ago
You can always start a piece between centers to quickly make a properly sized tenon to then chuck on to. Ideally you'll learn to work comfortably between centers, on a 4-jaw, with jam chucks, etc. They all have their uses.
Generally speaking 4-jaw chucks are very useful for woodturning so I'd recommend getting one. If you're lathe has a 12-16" swing, get the Supernova 2. If it's smaller, the G3 will be fine.
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u/jclark58 Moderator 1d ago
https://www.teknatool.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Min-Max-Ranges-Jaw-Table-inch.pdf
This shows the 50mm (2”) jaws on a Nova G3 will hold a round tenon from 1.654” to 2.520”
100mm (4”) jaws cover 3.07” to 3.898”
Pin jaws are .394” to 1.220”
Not sure where the 1 1/14” (1.07”) came from as that’s plain wrong. 45mm is 1.77” which is close to the 1.654” listed on the other table.
Here’s a primer on tenon size and shape I did a long time ago. In most cases you’re better off with a tenon much closer to the minimum size than the maximum size but tenon diameter is just a small part of work holding, tenon shape and a shoulder to register against the tops of the jaws are also very important.
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