Vicmarc VM100 3.5" Direct Thread Chuck with Jaws

This is my second Vicmarc chick, the first being a VM120 which managed to exceed my expectations in terms of performance and utility. I bought this smaller Vicmarc even though I had a few chucks of a similar size. The VM100’s standard jaws called for a slightly smaller tenon which seemed to work well with a lot of the smaller spindle stock I’ve been turning lately. The standard jaws are also dovetailed which is more secure than the profiled jaws iI would have had on my other similar chucks. The result is this VM100 is a very fine complement to the VM120. I initially assumed I would only use the bigger chuck with large work. That proved false and I use it’s standard jaws as routine. If my stock will not allow for a two inch tenon, I grab the smaller chuck and all is well.

The fit and finish is a notch or two above my other chucks. They have a great selection of jaws. The T bar is superior to a key in terms of feel though not important. The gearing is quick so they seem to open and close quicker than others. I can’t think
Of anything I don’t like about them.

With respect to Woodworker’s Emporium, they are the only place I know of that offers the choice of insert style or direct thread. I’ve got a couple chucks which use inserts and get taken to club events after swapping inserts, everything else has been in direct thread for the sake of simplicity. Their staff has always been helpful. There has been a couple of times where they sent me an email to let me know something was back in stock.

At the end of the day, Vicmarc chucks , if you stack them up to the others , they provide a good value., great function and superb finish and feel.