Woodturning - Vacuum Chuck - Do You "Need" One?

It was suggested that I produce a video explaining how a Vacuum Chuck works. I hope the information will be useful.
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[@williamellis8993]

I don't need a vacuum chuck since I don't have a lathe, Gord. The need I felt was to give you a view, a like, and a comment to help your channel. Take care. Bill

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Bill. That is very thoughtful of you, my friend. I appreciate you very much. Thanks for watching! Take good care of yourself, buddy! …..Gord

[@ThePapa1947]

Great video on a vacuum chuck Gord. I thought I needed one but the more I trip over everything I have the more I think I don't! LOL My lathe is suppose to be already setup for one so you just never know. Great explanation on how they are used. And great demo on how to use it. Take care, Gary

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Gary. I very rarely use my vacuum chuck but it sure is handy at times. It sure would be easier to set up if your lathe comes ready for it. You southern boys sure do have everything! LOL!! Take care, my friend.

[@gavincoyle]

Gord great video and a great set up, I also really love the modification to the bowl it shows off the grain even more so now 👍👍👍

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Gavin. I’m glad you liked it. 😃😃😃 Thanks for watching! Happy turning, …..Gord

[@dougmajor381]

Thanks Gord, very informative for a new turner

[@GordonRock1]

My pleasure, Doug. Thanks for watching!

[@spindlesworkshop9744]

Gord, Very well explained makes me want to get one! not on my poor boy list right now but definitely on my wish list Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@GordonRock1]

I’m glad you liked it, Luie. I’m sure it will eventually filter its way to the top of your list. You seem to have a way of doing some great work without needing one of those. 😃😃👍👍 Thanks for watching!

[@donaldtrabeaux5235]

Awesome video very informational, thank you Mr. Rock take care stay safe god bless.

[@GordonRock1]

I am happy that you liked it, Donald. Please just call me Gord. Thanks for watching!

[@glencrandall7051]

I also have a vacuum chuck that has yet to be used. However I have a bowl on the lathe right now that is ready to be reversed so that the waste block can be removed. The vacuum chuck will be put into service for that. So your review came at the right time. My system is different from yours but your review still helped. Thank you for sharing. Have a great 2022 and stay safe. Keep up the good work Gord.

[@GordonRock1]

I'm happy that I may have given you the inspiration to use it, Glen. I hope you like it as much as I like mine. Take care, my friend. Thanks for watching!

[@JordanWoodwerx]

Great information Gord! Well explained! Thanks buddy!

[@GordonRock1]

Glad you liked it, Bruce. Thanks for watching!

[@TheMessyStudio]

Nice one, Gord. I have a vacuum chuck, I've just not set it up yet... 2 years... lol

[@GordonRock1]

LOL! After 2 years I would probably forget that I owned it, Billy. 🤣😂 Thanks for watching!

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Hi Gord, Great video. I have a vacuum chuck but have never used it. There will be a time that it will be the only thing that will work and I bought it for a great price on eBay. It was the full kit including 2 sizes of vacuum cones. Take care Gord. Cheers, Huw

[@GordonRock1]

Wow, that sounds like a great kit, Huw. I’m sure when you use that you will be very happy with it. Take care of yourself, my friend. Thanks for watching!

[@judithfairchild8620]

Thanks for your explanation and examples.

[@GordonRock1]

My pleasure, Judith. Thanks for watching!

[@WolfRidgeWoodworking]

Very informative video Gord! I’ve been looking at getting one for a while. I have the pump from my vacuum chamber. Just need the chuck assembly. Take care. - Ed

[@GordonRock1]

I hope it was helpful, Ed. Thanks for watching! Happy turning, …..Gord

[@user-jp2iv3yo8i]

Very useful information, Thanks

[@GordonRock1]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@erniestrauss2364]

Always enjoy your videos Gord. At 8:08 you mentioned that the volume of the chuck affects the vacuum. It doesn't. The force holding the work on is pounds per square inch, so the force is dependent on the area of the hole in the chuck touching the object. Open up the hole in the front of your chuck and you will get more holding force. The large volume does nothing for the holding power.

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Ernie. I appreciate the input. I don’t remember where I got that misinformation but I appreciate you clearing it up for me. Thank you again. Thanks for watching!

[@alinmayerthorpe7801]

Good video Gord, well explained and demonstrated, not sure I would own one because of price! But it is worth thinking about it! Thanks! Cheers Al

[@GordonRock1]

I know what you mean, Al. I spent a long time thinking about it because of the price. To be honest, I don’t use it nearly as often as I could. Thanks for watching! Take care, …..Gord

[@patcallaway9804]

Great video. Along with making a mess of the shop, the oil mist is REALLY bad to breathe. Putting the pump outside is the easiest way to resolve the problem. Keep up the good work.

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Pat. I had not thought to mention the breathing aspect. Thanks for pointing that out. I hope others will read your comment. Thanks for watching!

[@jayscott306]

Thanks, Gord! I never completely understood how they worked. Now I do.

[@GordonRock1]

My pleasure, Jay. A little bit of information is certainly a good thing to have, in my opinion. Maybe someday this will be helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@Secondlifeofwoodturning]

For sure it is effective tool and sometimes it is only one solution for some projects but setting up all that pipes, adapters would irritate me. One thing is sure for me, it is a very good explanaition and demonstartion, Gord. It's good to now how it works 👍 Take care my friend 👍 Rav

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Rav. I'm happy that you like it, my friend. Thanks for watching!! Safe turning, .....Gord

[@jontoolman]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@GordonRock1]

My pleasure, Jon. Thanks for watching!

[@SiamWoodShop]

Great video Gord, thanks for the info, John

[@GordonRock1]

Glad you liked it, John. Thanks for watching!

[@jackthompson5092]

Great video Gord.

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Jack. Much appreciated, my friend. Thanks for watching!

[@danepowell3128]

Excellent video. I built a similar one last year. I think the vacuum chuck is one of the most important tools I have for turning. Thank you so much.

[@GordonRock1]

Much appreciated, Dane. I don’t use mine all that often although for some reason recently I have been getting a lot of use out of it. Thanks for watching!

[@brnforce]

Beautiful work!!

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you, Brian. Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@vinsavmom]

I really enjoy the videos you provide. I have the same hand wheel and have been searching for a adapter. I may look into having one similar to yours made.

[@GordonRock1]

I’m happy that you enjoy the videos. Thank you for the kind words. I hope you can find an adaptor or have one made. Thanks for watching!

[@randallwilkie4658]

Hi Gord. Great video. Just one point of clarification. The vacuum chuck holds based on the atmospheric pressure pushing on the “front” of the bowl with the vacuum on the “back”. Therefore, it is not the volume of the space behind the bowl that affects the strength of the hold, but rather that size of the opening on the mount. A larger diameter mount will hold better than a smaller one. Hope that helps.

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you for the information, Randall. That’s the best clarification of this that I have read. 👍👍👍 I appreciate you taking the time to inform me. Thanks for watching!

[@randallwilkie4658]

@@GordonRock1 my pleasure Gord.

[@markv1027]

Thank you for the video. I had always wondered how the vacuum chuck works. I enjoy your videos.

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you so much, Mark. I am happy to give you a little bit of information. Thanks for the kind words. Thanks for watching!

[@mnp1964]

That was great Gord I was wondering how a vacuum chuck worked and what it looked like thanks for sharing with us

[@GordonRock1]

Always happy to help if I can, Wade. Thanks for watching!

[@steveeure5975]

The hub you have looks like the Precision Vacuum Hub made by JT Turning Tools LLC. Unfortunately I heard he is deceased. I do not know if his business is still going from some other family member, or if it is being made elsewhere. It is a very nice hub though. I bought one several years ago and absolutely love it. Great video as always Gord.,

[@GordonRock1]

That name doesn't ring a bell, Steve, but it takes a lot for a bell to be rung for me these days. I should see if my wife has the receipt. She has kept receipts for years. I'm certainly happy with the one I have! Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!

[@PhilAndersonShadyAcresWoodshop]

Lots of great information well presented in an easy to understand manner. Excellent job, Gord! Now I know I don't want one! LOL! However, I can see how useful a vacuum chuck can be for remounting a piece. Your platter looks great after removing the center dip portion. Of course, it looked great with it in place, too! Just a nice piece of wood. Great video, buddy! Phil

[@GordonRock1]

I can’t imagine how you would need one for the type of work you do, Phil. You already have an excellent way of removing the tenon from the bottom of your pieces. A vacuum chuck would probably be something that would just sit in your corner and never be used. I’m glad you liked this video in spite of that. Thanks for watching, buddy! I hope you are doing well today! I look forward to seeing you back on KZbin!

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Good info my friend. I have the pump, but never got into setting one up. As my garage workshop is not heated, maybe try something once things warm up. What type of remote is that on the pump setup? Always good to have the inventory management in place as you do loose track of what you have made over time😁. Beautiful platter now and good enough to have a small bowl of smarties as its center attraction🤣🤣 Take care both of you and stay safe and well Cheers Gord Harold

[@GordonRock1]

Thank you very much, Harold. The remote is one that came in a package of five of the remote controlled receptacles and two remote controls. I find it very handy in a lot of different areas of my shop. My wife used one of them to turn the lights on and off on the Christmas tree this year. I got it, where else, from Amazon. You’re right, my friend, a bowl of smarties in there would look real good. I also wonder how good it would look if I just filled the whole thing with Smarties. 😎😎😎 Thanks for watching, Harold.

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

@@GordonRock1 Filler Up Gord... Smarties are so meditative 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Cheers my friend Harold

[@jamesstanlake4064]

Love the vacuum chuck. Fortunately mine is built into my lathe so none of the issues with a stand alone assembly. The Powermatic 2448B is a powerful machine with all the bells and wistles.

[@GordonRock1]

Sounds like a great machine, James. You must be very happy with it, my friend. Thanks for watching!!

[@davidmorgan7522]

Thanks for the good info Gord. I have a PM 4224B with the built in vacuum set-up. Before I got it I used the same vacuum that I bought for my stabilizing set-up. Could probably get along ok without it but it's sure convenient. I trust it more than my Cole Jaws. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Take care, Dave

[@GordonRock1]

Very cool! That sounds like a wonderful lathe, Dave. Thanks for watching!

[@tompuskar4426]

Glad my recommendation motivated you to do this video. It was very informative. Your system is quite elegant. I made mine a few years ago using a Harbor Freight pump which also doubles as my vacuum source for stabilization. Never thought about a water trap--I'll be heading out tomorrow to get one! LOL Nice job!

[@GordonRock1]

I'm glad you liked it, Tom. Thanks for the inspiration. Yes, that filter is very important. I usually don't think of those things until I have damaged something so someone else must have suggested it. LOL! Take care, .....Gord

[@JiggsysShed]

Great video Gord. Have had a few occasions where a vacuum chuck would have been handy, but it won't work on my lathe.

[@GordonRock1]

Glad you like it, John. May be a vacuum chuck will work well on your NEXT lathe. 😁😁👍👍 Thanks for watching!

[@JiggsysShed]

@@GordonRock1 quite possibly, though got quite a bit of saving to do for that

[@wakelywanderer12]

I’ve been finishing off the bottom of bowls with vacuum for a few years now. The padding is very important to keep from marring the inside of the bowl. By the way my pump is an fjc that sells for $117 on Amazon and works fine.

[@GordonRock1]

Yes, that is another very good reason for the padding. It's essential to retain the vacuum, too. I just had the vacuum chuck fail today for the first time. I was turning something far too heavy and the craft foam ripped. Oh well, back at it tomorrow. Thanks for watching!!

[@ronaldcumpsty5605]

I mounted an automobile in line fuel filter on the exhaust of my vac pump, not the same as this one, and not only did it trap most of the oil but it also acted as a muffler. Runs really quiet and does not get hot. I keep it under my lathe table and have not found any build up of oil.

[@GordonRock1]

That is an excellent idea, Ronald. Thank you for the tip. I will keep it in mind. Thanks for watching!

[@donaldmackay6749]

Oh Gordon, Gorden, Gorden…so disappointed. Do I need one? Really….

[@GordonRock1]

Don't take it personally, Dan. I can't imagine you not having a tool as handy as this one, buddy. Take care of yourself, buddy. Thanks for watching!

[@donaldmackay6749]

@@GordonRock1 sad thing is, is that I don’t have one. Although I have thought about getting one…