Record Power SC1 Chuck

I recently purchased a "Record Power SC1 Mini Geared Scroll Chuck" at Christmas time. A present to myself.

I have really grown to like this chuck in a short time. I have been thinking about turning some weed pot examples for my students and this chuck really excels at small things. It tightly grips things like a big 4 jaw scroll chuck.

The wrench is a little weird. But, it works no problem. It needs to be weird to fit inside of a chuck body that has been scaled down to be just 2" in diameter.

I have shown it to several people and they really like. Thus, I decided to put it on my blog.

I actually agree with the sales hype on the Highland Hardware web site.

– The SC1 and SC2 are the first mini-chucks on the market to offer woodturners a premium-quality solution for those who regularly turn small, intricate items.

– It has a very compact 53.5 mm (2”) diameter body – giving easier access around the work piece making it ideal for the turning of very small items.

Google "Record Power SC1 Chuck"

Record Power SC2 Chuck

The SC2 chuck is a little bigger (2-1/2" diameter body) than the SC1 (2" diameter body) chuck and looks more like big 4 jaw woodturning chucks. I never really considered it when I purchased the SC1.

I decided to purchase SC2 chuck while the price was right. I may need two chucks for my students.

I like the SC2 chuck better than the SC1. Why? I really don't known. Probably because it looks more like the big 4 jaw woodturning chucks.

The SC2 chuck also has a weird little wrench. It is NOT the same as the SC1 wrench. But, it works no problem.

If you are only going to get one then I recommend the SC2 chuck. The jaws open further. Thus, it has bigger internal and external grip range. SC2 internal expansion mode is 13/16" to 1-5/16". SC2 external compression mode is 1-1/8" to 2". See chart below for SC1 ranges.

Google "Record Power SC2 Chuck"

Note: I have one of the smaller Barracuda2 chucks by Penn State Industries. That damn chuck drives me crazy. I have to fight with the wrench. When you try to tighten the jaws the wrench pops out of the hole. Err… The Record Power SC1 & SC2 chucks are definitely better quality then the Barracuda chucks. No problems with the wrenches. They cost less!

Jaws for SC1 & SC2 Chucks

The SC1 and SC2 chucks use the same jaws.

The standard jaws are really nice. They have a little lip on the inside top that really grips a tenon firmly.

The dome jaws are good for finials. Check out the YouTube video below. I DO NOT own the dome jaws. Thus, I have not tried them.

SC2 Chuck Example – Weed Pot

Here are some photos showing the SC2 chuck in action. Making a Weed Pot. I was able to flare the top of the weed pot with a spindle gouge. No problem. I did NOT rip the weed pot out of the SC2 chuck jaws. See last photo.

Note: NOT the wacky weed that you are thinking of! Weed Pot = A small turned vase like shape, with a small diameter hole drilled into it from the top, almost to the bottom. The vase is NOT completely hollowed out. A weed pot is used to hold and display dried plants and flowers (weeds).

SC2 Chuck Example – Finishing the Bottom of Vase

I like to sand and finishing my GREEN hollow forms and vases on the lathe when I turn them. When they are still round. I don't like to come back latter after the pieces have dried out and gone oval.

The SC2 chuck makes this a lot easier. I can turn a small 1-1/2" diameter tenon on the bottom that will fit in SC2 chuck AFTER I am done turning the piece on a faceplate. I remount the piece on SC2 chuck and put it on my air drier for a couple of hours. (See my "Sanding Wet Wood" blog entry.)

After the SURFACE is dry I can then remount the piece on the lathe via SC2 chuck. Sand it and apply a finish. The small SC2 chuck size allows me to get in there and sand easily.