for the money...

I have a number of chucks and I bought this one because of the rave reviews about it and the price. This is a very average chuck. The key cams out when tightening and you must constantly tighten it up. I rate this as the bottom of professional chucks or mid to upper level for the weekeender.

Design Flaw

The #2 Standard Jaw covers 1-1/2" up to 2-5/8 while the #3 Large Round Jaw doesn't start covering until 3-1/16. Who designed this? Why isn't there a jaw size to cover this gap?

Barracuda 2 T/N

Smooth operation and does what it's supposed to do. A cheaper chuck I have has failed many times to hold the bowl I was turning. This one holds well. Although I haven't used it extensively I still consider it a product worthy of the price.

Barracuda2 chuck

This unit works well, It really grabs the wood being turned. If the material is not true round to the chuck the jaws can be loosened and the wood adjusted so that is can be placed close to round on the chuck making it easier to complete.

Barracuda Special Edition Chuck System

Having ordered both the Barracuda from Penn and the Nova Super from Woodcraft I compared both chucks side by side. The Barracuda came with a case and a lot of attachments that the Nova did not. It would have cost me a lot more money to part up the Nova to match the Barracuda. You will have a lot of cleaning with the Barracuda due to the protectant finish that is applied to keep corrosion off but after that is done you will be well pleased. I sent my Nova chuck back to Woodcraft. The one thing that I wish Penn would do is provide free shipping like some of their competitors for orders over a certain amount of money. Orders of merchandise that can be purchased from other suppliers with identical items would lead a person away from Penn. I do like the quality I get from Penn though.

options outweight quality

The only operation item that I do not like is the jaw tightening chuck and key. It has a tendency to jump a teeth when bringing it to "tight". I am not impressed with the screw centering insert. The jaws are too shallow and allows wood to slip too easily. I am still exploring the other features.

Wood Lathe Chuck

I am very pleased with my first impressions of the Barracude lathe chuck. I have used the chuck in making a few bowls and found the slides and mounting fixtures to be very smooth operating but two of the dovetail slides are looser than I would like, otherwise a good item for the money as compared to other brands.

awesome

I have done wood lathe work for many years and just tried this 4 jaw chuck and I love it. very very good add on to any lathe. This is the best price of any of the others claiming to be the best.

barracuda 2

Nice shiny thing. Good fit and finish. Haven't used much yet but hope to soon. Packaging was very good. Nothing broken or cracked. No cleanup of parts. Only problem wasn't Penn States . UPS delivered a block from me. Had to track down, but Penn State was there to help.

very nice set

THIS CHUCK SYSTEM IS EXCELLENT. IT WAS A LITTLE SMALLER THAN I VISIONED, BUT IT WORKS WELL WITH MY MINI LATHE.