CSC3000C Barracuda Wood Lathe Key Chuck System

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've 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've 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.September 2012: This chuck continues to perform. For the last 5 years I have used this chuck almost daily. Never have I had any maintenance issues that couldn't be solved with a quick burst of air or a brush. The gears continue to hold and have never loosened during turning. I have purchased one extra large plate for it it which completes the accessories (it came with all the others). I can't say enough about this tool. It is a top quality product. No need to spend more on other brands!December 2014: This chuck is still going! Its like the energizer bunny! 7 years now and it is by far the best investment in a lathe tool, I have ever made. I had one small issue about 3 months ago, when one of the screw heads stripped out. I was able to drill it out without damaging the threads and found a replacement at the local hardware store, for about 90 cents. So in 7 years I have spent 90 cents on maintenance and it holds as good today as it did the day I got it!February 2024: it's still going. By far the best purchase I've made on Amazon. Almost all mounting screws have been replaced, but otherwise, no issues. I don't turn as much as I use to, but Iv never had to consider another chuck.

I was watching a wood working class and the instructor said;"Get a GOOD chuck... There are Expensive Chucks, There are Good Chucks, There are OK Chucks and there are Chucks that are Junk".This one is a really GOOD solid chuck. There may be bells and whistles that an extra hundred dollars will buy you, like specialty shaped jaws. I believe additional jaws are available for this chuck, if you need them later. This chuck holds tight for safe turning. Jaws change out to hold large pieces. Jaws are easy to replace. It also has jaws to all different size turning... micro turning (like pens), In-between like Boxes of all sizes and jaws for most everything else.HIGHLY recommend this chuck for serious hobby turners, conservative professionals and those that just want a safe chuck that will not let go and bonk you in the head.Cons: None really. But if I do a fair eval, and I am really, REALLY nit-picky critical... It is an open gear chuck. This is good and bad option, so you decide. The gears MIGHT possibly get saw dust in them easier than a closed chuck if you have a real messy shop, but I have not experienced this yet. Then again, it is simple to clean out an open chuck with an air hose. A closed chuck you have to disassemble to clean.The case is made from a cheap "looking" recycled plastic... only time will tell. I have had cheap plastic cases break in a year (mostly the latches) and I have a skillsaw in a cheap plastic case that is twenty years old and still going. My thought on this really is; I am a wood worker and I like my nicest tools in dovetailed wood cases. So I will make a case for this very nice tool, this winter when I am done making Christmas gifts. Lastly, the wrench to take the jaws on and off is kinda flimsy, but it works ok. Then again, so is every wrench I ever got with every tool I have ever purchased.End result... Buy this one. We all look at twenty or so chucks on Amazon before we pull the trigger. This is NOT a chuck that will sit in the box collecting dust because you loath it.PS: I bought a slighty cheaper one before this one, with a BIG name on it (bought here on Amazon). I purchased it before I did my homework. I just trusted the BIG name. What a total waste of my money. I can only use it with tail support, no bowls, boxes or spheres. This one lets me make all of those with confidence that I won't get bonked in the head. Now I am knocking out really nice Christmas presents without wasted wood. Enjoy your Wood Turning therapy.

I just got this for my Shopsmith Lathe, and it seems like it'll be a good purchase. I'm turning some coffee mugs right now and that put's it right at the edge of it's 4" max capacity, but it is gripping fine with the large jaws and hasn't loosened at all. As long as you don't have a very large radius to turn, I'd recommend. My piece was extending about a foot and a half from the chuck, and there was no wobble at all. It sure beats having to screw an anchor plate into the workpiece. I look forward to using it more on upcoming projects. (Note: an adapter with a set screw will need to be purchased to make this lathe work on the Shopsmith.)