WEN LA4444 4-Inch 4-Jaw Self-Centering Chuck Set with 1-Inch x 8TPI Thread

This is a decently designed chuck for all around wood lathe use. Although keyed lathe chucks can be easier to use, this design works just as well. Incidentally, for those concerned about being able to acquire additional jaw sets, this chuck is compatible with Nova chuck accessories. The current selection of 3.75" jaw sets available from WEN do have the right screw pattern and will fit, but the holes for the mounting screws will need to be drilled and countersunk for 6mm screws.The biggest concern that I have with this chuck is that there is no set screw to lock it onto the headstock spindle. As such you will want to use caution if you habitually use the handwheel to slow the lathe when stopping to check progress, etc. With a set of 8" flat jaws attached, the inertia from all that mass can be enough to unseat the chuck from the spindle and send the whole assembly flying across the shop. Don't ask me how I know!!! I intend to drill and tap the shank of this chuck and install a set screw to stop that problem.---------Update 05-21-2024:Just a quick follow up.Shortly after writing this review I drilled and tapped the collar of the chuck so I could install a set screw to prevent the chuck from unseating itself when using flat jaws to clamp a bowl rim. In case someone else wishes to attempt this, let me highlight a few things I learned while doing it. First, although the collar itself is not hardened, the threads themselves were definitely harder than the rest of the collar (presumably due to cold working of the steel during the threading process). Also, due to the thickness of the steel you need to be very careful while tapping (I used an M6x1.0 tap, and there were a number of times I felt the tap begin to flex). Be sure to use lots of tapping oil and back the tap out at very frequent intervals, especially if you feel things beginning to bind. Things turned out well, and now I don't need to worry about the chuck unseating itself at a bad time.

works very well

I bought this to increase my lathe capabilities on my Wen lathe. I am writing this review going from a beginner in turning to a seasoned hobbyist. I bought this chuck just over a year ago and wanted to give this item a decent long term review.The Good:-Inexpensive and perfect for the beginner wanting to enter the world of more advanced wood turning.-The chuck has a variety of gripping abilities and has a pretty good ease of use with it.-When used properly, it holds the items being turned really well.-Comes with all of the accessories needed to secure it into place.The kind of bad:-The screw that comes with it can be a bit of a pain to get set into wood. Experience plays a key factor here in getting it properly secured into the block of wood.-The piece is secured into the chuck by turning the back of the chuck then tightening with two rods. If this is not done right the piece can and will come loose, fly out like a rocket, and potentially knock a 3" hole in your ceiling. Make sure that when you cut your gripping areas, you cut a matching bevel to help the chuck hold more securely. Once I started doing this, if it loosens a little (rarely) the bevel catches it from flying out. (speaking from hard learned experiences here)Overall, I like this tool. It was perfect for a beginner and the weekend woodworker like me. I have spun everything from spindles, magic wands, cups, and bowls. Learning is a part of the process behind every tool. I was a beginner when I first bought this and learned lessons the easy and hard ways. When use properly it works very well.My recommendation:I like it and would certainly recommend (and have recommended) it to people to get started with as a beginner chuck. It was an update to my accessories that I really like having around.

My favorite chuck for my midi lathe.With this type of tightening system, you can really crank this thing solid!Very well made and solid as a rock- no wiggle, tolerances are super tight.

I haven't actually used this as yet for wood turning as I just received it today. What I have done is install it and ensure the specifications were as describe. It fits perfectly on my old General Industries Lathe (bought in 2012. I hadn't needed a chuck before as my wife and I only turn small items like pens. The lathe chuck was extremely well packaged and appears to be sturdily built. I was attracted to it by the low price compared to other chucks that were 1/3 to three times as high. I'll try and modify this review after actually using it for my turning projects.f

works great very well made!

Ordered this to replace my original that came with the lathe. Much easier to use.

This chuck works, but I ended up replacing it with a model from the same manufacturer that tightens with a key rather than the two-tool system that this chuck uses.