The optional 6" set true style scroll and 8" independent QMT/PM chucks are made in Taiwan and they both offer very good quality/vale, and I see no reason to pay more at this point. The value of a good chuck is not only the runout (TIR) but also the grind of the jaws and the skew when clamping stock. I have also had issues with balance problems of cheaper chucks due to irregular castings, this can be a significant issue with the 1236T/1340GT because they are light weight lathes. The TIR of a chuck is primarily an issue if you chuck up your stock multiple times and each time the chuck will hold the stock slightly different. A 8" scroll chuck is pretty darn big, in particular for this lathe. Most people prefer a 6.3" (160 mm), and for bigger stock use a 4J 8" independent. That being said, if you just wanted one chuck to do it all, you might look at the Bison 4 jaw 8" combination chuck, this is a scroll plus independent in the same chuck. It is easy to get the stock in/out and dial down the TIR, the scroll repeats to around 0.001", but it is a heavy chuck around 65 lbs. I use to use the combination chuck and the 5C for almost all of my turning, but these days I am back to using my 6" PBA setrite (set-Tru) 3J because it is less cumbersome switching chucks.
A single phase motor usually used an electrolytic start capacitor which is energized for a very short period when starting the motor, the capacitor can heat up very quickly with repeated on/off cycles and will fail. The other concern with single phase motors, is that if the motor does not wind down before you reverse it, it can continue in the same direction say if you through the spindle switch from forward immediately into reverse.
A single phase motor also delivers power in pulses, which can show up in the surface finish of the piece you are turning, a 3 phase motor the power delivery is smoother because each wave is staggered by 120 degrees. The issue with buying a single phase lathe and then converting it to 3 phase at a later point is that both of these lathes have very small space for the motor. You are very limited to the type of motor that will fit and a replacement motor new can be $600+ unless you get lucky and find one on eBay. There are numerous threads on replacement motors for these lathes. The 1236T the motor space is even smaller, so a very tight fit. The stock 3 phase motor for these lathes works well enough and I have not heard of any issues with it.
You can get very deep in the hole when tooling up, I did it over years as I learned more, and got rid of some of my initial purchasing mistakes. If you plan on keeping your machines for a long time (and using them), then you are left with only buying consumables down the line.
If I recall, Mike's (Aukai) is 3 phase with a VFD, would be a good deal if shipping could be worked out.
Bison 8 Inch Combination Chuck, note the clearance to ways can be an issue when holding stock. Also be mindful that the jaws have a maximum extension to keep enough teeth in the scroll portion of the chuck.
PBA 6.3 Inch 3J Scroll Setrite
PM/QMT 8 4 Jaw Independent (jaws were offset to bore/thread a hole off center)
5C chuck at speed, much safer for the hands when working close to the chuck.
or will wish which I should have gotten. Both of these are the right size/class of lathe for me. Since they are so similar, I'd prefer they only offered one... decision made then and I don't have to slice/parse the slight similarities and differences.
