03-05-2015, 11:05 AM
I think most of us have an in-built aversion to stuff made in countries such as India and China.
Last year I looked for a 60 - 75mm chuck to fit on my little 100 year old Lorch lathe, the original having developed rather too much run-out to use for small diameter turning.
There aren't too many small chucks around, and I looked at several makes, and visited RGD and Arc Euro Trade (based near Leicester), who - among other chucks - sell small 3-jaw scroll chucks by an Indian firm called 'Zither'. 3-jaw scroll self-centring chucks aren't noted for accuracy, and I was as sceptical about buying an Indian made chuck as I would be about a Chinese one so I made the trip down from Hull to Leicester to see a chuck for myself before I took the plunge.
I was impressed by the spec: within .08mm (3 thou) on a test bar, and .03mm (1 thou) on the face and periphery of a test ring held internally and externally.
The chuck and its two sets of jaws were all stamped with the same serial number and the test certificate which accompanied the chuck indicated that it was within tolerance. I've been delighted with the chuck, which shows no run-out at all on a DTI. I looked up Zither on internet to find out more about the firm, (who I'd never heard of), and noted that they've been in business since 1948 and are an ISO 90001 company.
I posted a write-up on the Model Engineer Forum, not appreciating that the proprietor of Arc Euro - Ketan Swali - was a member of the forum.
He posted some interesting information about Zither on the thread. He'd dealt with Zither for years, and the chucks were made to Arcs requirements:
http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=97930&p=1#1672219
ARC are an excellent firm to deal with - very helpful and friendly.
I've attached a pic of the old and new chucks. The wear on the scroll of the old chuck is apparent where the jaws don't close.
No good trying to judiciously grind the jaws, as while they may centre on one diameter, they won't on another. (Tried that!).
Last year I looked for a 60 - 75mm chuck to fit on my little 100 year old Lorch lathe, the original having developed rather too much run-out to use for small diameter turning.
There aren't too many small chucks around, and I looked at several makes, and visited RGD and Arc Euro Trade (based near Leicester), who - among other chucks - sell small 3-jaw scroll chucks by an Indian firm called 'Zither'. 3-jaw scroll self-centring chucks aren't noted for accuracy, and I was as sceptical about buying an Indian made chuck as I would be about a Chinese one so I made the trip down from Hull to Leicester to see a chuck for myself before I took the plunge.
I was impressed by the spec: within .08mm (3 thou) on a test bar, and .03mm (1 thou) on the face and periphery of a test ring held internally and externally.
The chuck and its two sets of jaws were all stamped with the same serial number and the test certificate which accompanied the chuck indicated that it was within tolerance. I've been delighted with the chuck, which shows no run-out at all on a DTI. I looked up Zither on internet to find out more about the firm, (who I'd never heard of), and noted that they've been in business since 1948 and are an ISO 90001 company.
I posted a write-up on the Model Engineer Forum, not appreciating that the proprietor of Arc Euro - Ketan Swali - was a member of the forum.
He posted some interesting information about Zither on the thread. He'd dealt with Zither for years, and the chucks were made to Arcs requirements:
http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=97930&p=1#1672219
ARC are an excellent firm to deal with - very helpful and friendly.
I've attached a pic of the old and new chucks. The wear on the scroll of the old chuck is apparent where the jaws don't close.
No good trying to judiciously grind the jaws, as while they may centre on one diameter, they won't on another. (Tried that!).
Regards, David.
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
