KBC 6" Chuck - Anyone Used One?

[Shiseiji]

Trying to not be penny wise and pound foolish on purchasing a D1-3 3 jaw chuck. The 6" KBC chuck on 11/13/2021 is $326.70 USD. No total indicated run-out, in fact no specifications, are given. Something I find disappointing. The next viable option is a Bison at ~ 3X the price. Never heard anyone regretting a Bison purchase, but the cost is not inconsequential.

Here's what I'm working with. Stumbled into a Monarch 10EE. Have about $3,600 USD in it to this point, purchase, moving, small parts, new cross slide and compound nuts. Also have an upcoming move from VA to WA that impacts the budget.

Have it running, still needs a lot of maintenance. Spindle appears to have zero run-out. The bed, very quick check with the cross slide, is ~ .001 Haven't tried to check the cross slide or compound yet. With new nuts and thrust bearings, the cross slide backlash is still big, ~ .04. A 10EE uses a nut deflection screw to tilt the nut to decrease the back lash, haven't tackled it yet. Compound is about the same but the thrust bearings still need to be replaced.

Opinions?

TIA

Ron

 

[craniac]

Well you certainly have a lathe that could take full advantage of a good chuck, and be worthy of it. If you haven't started acquiring tooling yet your budget needs to brace itself. You could look at the used market too.

Maybe look at using a 4 jaw? TIR might not matter so much if you can dial it out.

Disclaimer- as an Atlas owner giving advise about a Monarch may be above my pay grade.

Tim

 

[Shiseiji]

Well you certainly have a lathe that could take full advantage of a good chuck, and be worthy of it. If you haven't started acquiring tooling yet your budget needs to brace itself. You could look at the used market too.

Maybe look at using a 4 jaw? TIR might not matter so much if you can dial it out.

Disclaimer- as an Atlas owner giving advise about a Monarch may be above my pay grade.

Tim

Given that I lucked into the 10EE and was very happy with my Logan 820 10", no worries. "Most" of the Logan tooling will work fine on the 10EE. On another forum, fully disclosed cross-posting, Gater was suggested as a good option. Have asked my CNC instructor brother his opinion on a 6" vs. an 8" on the 10EE as the actual throw is 12-1/2"

 

[matthewsx]

Do you have a suitable chuck on it now?

If not I'd get something that suits your budget and keep looking for a good used one. KBC is a decent supplier and I'm sure they'll work with you if theirs doesn't meet your requirements.

John

 

[Shiseiji]

Do you have a suitable chuck on it now?

If not I'd get something that suits your budget and keep looking for a good used one. KBC is a decent supplier and I'm sure they'll work with you if theirs doesn't meet your requirements.

John

Yes and no. I have a 4 jaw. The build sheet lists a Cushman 6" 3 jaw and the one that's on it looks like it could have been the original. It has a QC mark that mimics others on the lathe. It's trashed, takes two go arounds to tighten it and then .014 TIR.

Thanks for the general opinion on KBC.

I stumbled across a Gater 8". the 10EE is actually a 12-1/2" throw, but I have AXA tooling, and generally use tangential holders with 1/4" HHS the most. A little hesitant about not having sufficient reach with the cross slide move in close with an 8". Not going to be and not looking for a perfect solution, don't exist. Just trying to not be stupid.

R

Trying to not be penny wise and pound foolish on purchasing a D1-3 3 jaw chuck. The 6" KBC chuck on 11/13/2021 is $326.70 USD. No total indicated run-out, in fact no specifications, are given. Something I find disappointing. The next viable option is a Bison at ~ 3X the price. Never heard anyone regretting a Bison purchase, but the cost is not inconsequential.

Here's what I'm working with. Stumbled into a Monarch 10EE. Have about $3,600 USD in it to this point, purchase, moving, small parts, new cross slide and compound nuts. Also have an upcoming move from VA to WA that impacts the budget.

Have it running, still needs a lot of maintenance. Spindle appears to have zero run-out. The bed, very quick check with the cross slide, is ~ .001 Haven't tried to check the cross slide or compound yet. With new nuts and thrust bearings, the cross slide backlash is still big, ~ .04. A 10EE uses a nut deflection screw to tilt the nut to decrease the back lash, haven't tackled it yet. Compound is about the same but the thrust bearings still need to be replaced.

Opinions?

TIA

Ron

OK, made a decision. Gator "PS" Series 6-1/4" 3 jaw direct mount. Ajax's eBay store US $499.00 + shipping and tax. What pushed me to it was the Chuck T.I.R (in) of 0.0012 Figure with what I do I'll be long dead before TIR is an issue.

All the input is appreciated. Thanks everyone

R