Barracuda Chuck Disappointment---major defect >:-(

[redfishsc]

My new Barracuda chuck (the 'Cuda 1) arrived today, all nice and shiney.

So I put it on the lathe, but praise the Lord I didn't turn on the lathe. I spun the handwheel, instinctively to see how it spun.

The thing is probably a heavy 16th" out of round. I checked and rechecked if I had it tightly screwed on, and I did. I double checked my lathe, which has been sitting dormant for a few months during this rough semester, and it seems as good as ever (which ain't saying much, the Delta leaves a LOT to be desired).


My Beall seems to turn true and nice, but man is that 'Cuda chuck horrid. Back to PSI it's a-goin. If the next one comes in just as FUBR as this one, no 'mo PSI chucks. I'll stick with Teknatool.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Redfish,
Sorry you got a bum chuck.. I recently bought the utility grip from PSI.. runs true and really like it.. this is second chuck I have from PSI.. both are good.

 

[Randy_]

Something similar happened to another IAP member a while ago.....I think it might have been William?? He had to back and forth 3 or 4 times before he got a good one.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Originally posted by Randy_
<br />Something similar happened to another IAP member a while ago.....I think it might have been William?? He had to back and forth 3 or 4 times before he got a good one.

Might have been me. A couple years ago I bought one of the first PSI knock-off chucks, a mini, CMG3. We exchanged three or four times but I finally got a good one. Except for the frustration at the front end, no regrets. Good chuck and much better price than the European varieties. PSI gives good customer service. Just call, tell them the problem and they will take care of you, including shipping both ways. I will soon be buying another of their chucks, I think the Barracuda 2 plus a flat face plate.

 

[Randy_]

Thanlks, Frank. Now that you mention it, I think it was your situation that I was thinking about.

 

[alamocdc]

RF, first make sure that the chuck is "seating" against the shoulder of the spindle. I've read that they don't have the threads to make it all the way to the shoulder on some lathes. The fix for this is to buy a large washer to put on the spindle between the chuck and spindle shoulder. This solved the problem for one of our members a year or two ago.

If it is seating against the shoulder, then the chuck is probably faulty. I hade that happen with a Teknatool SuperNova, but I have three PSI chucks (Utility, Barracuda1 & Barracuda4) and they are all dead on.

 

[mewell]

Originally posted by alamocdc
<br />[snip]I have three PSI chucks (Utility, Barracuda1 & Barracuda4) and they are all dead on.

I have to agree - The Utility I've had for a while and the 3000C I just got for SWMBO both run great!

Mark

 

[Boomer]

With all the chucks out there how do you pick the right chuck for a person's needs.

Dave
Cedar Rapids Iowa

 

[Rifleman1776]

Originally posted by Boomer
<br />With all the chucks out there how do you pick the right chuck for a person's needs.

Dave
Cedar Rapids Iowa

Like anything, know your own likes and wants. For little stuff, get a mini chuck. If you have a full sized lathe and plan to turn big bowls, etc. look at the larger chucks. Compare what you get for price. Know that most of the high-priced European versions only come with one set of jaws but the PSI's have three or four, a huge savings in money. Just read the descriptions and capacities.

 

[redfishsc]

Boomer, I picked the 'Cuda for two reasons:

1) It came with EVERY jaw that I needed for what I do.

2) Price-- was a lot more affordable than a lot of the name brand stuff.


That being said, pretty much all of the mainline chucks do a great job: Teknatool, Vicmarc, Oneway. All good stuff. PSI's chucks normally have a good reputation but I certainly got the bad apple. I guess it can happen to them all.


Any debate over which chuck is better than what is like the Ford/Chevy debate (which invariably ends with "just buy a Toyota").

 

[toolcrazy]

I have a Cuda 2 and just love it. I added a large flat plate, and I need to get the smaller one, now. Mine ran true and smooth out of the case.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Originally posted by redfishsc
<br />Boomer, I picked the 'Cuda for two reasons:

1) It came with EVERY jaw that I needed for what I do.

2) Price-- was a lot more affordable than a lot of the name brand stuff.


That being said, pretty much all of the mainline chucks do a great job: Teknatool, Vicmarc, Oneway. All good stuff. PSI's chucks normally have a good reputation but I certainly got the bad apple. I guess it can happen to them all.


Any debate over which chuck is better than what is like the Ford/Chevy debate (which invariably ends with "just buy a Toyota").

No debate. Dodge. []