Vicmarc Chucks & Jaws: The Ultimate Guide

In this post and companion video (see below), we dive deep into the world of Vicmarc chucks and jaws. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from selecting the right chuck size to understanding the unique features of each chuck jaw set.

Why Vicmarc?

In the world of woodturning, precision and reliability are paramount. Vicmarc chucks and jaws stand out for their:

• Powerful Gripping Force: Securely holding your workpiece is crucial for safe and accurate turning.
  
• Dependable Operation: Built to last, Vicmarc chucks are designed for a lifetime of use.
  
• Wide Range of Options: With three chuck sizes and a diverse selection of jaws, you’ll find the perfect fit for any project.

Choosing Your Chuck: VM100, VM120, or VM150?

Vicmarc offers three distinct chuck sizes, each tailored to specific turning needs:

• VM100 (3-1/2”): Ideal for smaller lathes and spindle projects like pepper mills and box blanks. It’s lightweight and easy to spin up to speed so virtually any size lathe can handle it.
  
• VM120 (5-1/2”): The versatile mid-size chuck, perfect for larger bowls, platters, and most general turning projects.
  
• VM150 (6”): The heavy-duty powerhouse, designed for large-scale projects (18-24” and beyond) and outboard turning. It offers the most clamping force and the option for scroll chuck operation.

Vicmarc Jaws: A Comprehensive Overview

Vicmarc’s extensive jaw selection allows you to tackle any turning challenge. Here’s a breakdown of the key jaw sets:

• Dovetail Jaws: The workhorse of any woodturner, capable of clamping onto tenons or expanding into recesses. These are the go-to jaws for bowl turning and Vicmarc sells a side range of sizes. Scale your jaw size to your project for optimal grip.
  
• Shark Jaws: Extended dovetail jaws with interior and exterior serrations, perfect for gripping round stock and long, unsupported spindles. Great for pepper mills and boxes.
  
• Step Jaws: A versatile option for those starting out, offering multiple dovetail diameters in one set. Ideal for experimenting with different tenon sizes. Keep in mind - because of the steps each dovetail is smaller than standard dovetail jaws. Also, the nature of these jaws limits your design options since you won’t always be able to reach the bottom of your turning.
  
• Pin Jaws & Extended Pin Jaws: Designed for small spindle projects like finials and knobs. The extended version provides more gripping force and clearance. Excellent for expanding into drilled holes in pepper mills or other spindle projects. One of our most used jaw sets.
  
• Long Nose Jaws: Similar to shark jaws but with added length for increased clearance, especially when working on the back of bowls or box lids.
  
• Pen Drilling Jaws: A must-have for pen turners. Comes with just 2 jaws that self-center your blank so you can turn accurately on your lathe. These jaws ensure accurate and repeatable drilling on the lathe and will pay for themselves over and over by limiting blowouts when drilling pen blanks.
  
• Faceplate Rings: These rings give the benefits of a faceplate at a fraction of the cost. Mount your workpiece directly to the ring, then expand your jaws into the ring, keeping your chuck on the lathe.
  
• Adjusta-Jaw: A premium remounting solution for bowls and platters so you can turn away the foot or work on the bottom of your piece without jam chucks or vacuum chucking option. They feature adjustable, non-marking grippers that can be moved and rotated to fit your piece.

Tips for Getting the Most out of your Chucks & Jaws

• Matching Tenons: Ensure your tenon profile matches your jaw profile for a secure fit.
  
• Jaw Sizing: Scale your jaw size to your project for optimal grip and stability. Bigger projects need bigger jaws.
  
• Maintenance Matters: Regularly clean and maintain your chuck for a lifetime of dependable operation. For detailed instruction on how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble your chuck check out our companion article: Vicmarc Chuck Maintenance
  
• Jaw Screw Inspection: Ensure your jaw screws are in good condition and not cross-threaded. Jaw slides are numbered one through four as are the jaws, so install the correct jaw to the corresponding jaw slide.
  
• RPM limits: Be aware of the RPM limits of your jaws, especially with the Adjusta-Jaws.

With Vicmarc chucks and jaws, you’ll have the tools you need to bring your woodturning visions to life. Happy turning!