After having a jam chuck fail me, I’m considering getting either a Longworth chuck or a Vacuum chuck. I was about to order the Longworth but noticed a couple of members here mentioned selling theirs in favor of a vacuum chuck. I realize neither will be perfect for every bowl but do you think one is more versatile over the other. 
Thanks,

Gordon

I think they both have their pros and cons. I personally use the Longworth chuck mainly because it was less expensive to get started with. 

 

I made my own Longworth chuck and made several types of hold downs to match the different turnings. Hold downs, along with nylon strapping tape have never failed me although it can sometimes be a challenge to get odd pieces centered. I also made a chuck with straight slots for use with turnings that have odd shapes.

 

 

 

 

 

In my own personal experience I much prefer a vacuum chuck. Curious as to why yours failed? For the record, with either setup I keep tail stock support as long as possible.

33 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

Curious as to why yours failed?

Failed might be inaccurate term, I should have turned a new jam chuck that closer matched the bowl plus I might have over tightened the tail stock. As I was turning the tendon off, the numb split and separated from the tail stock. Without the tail stock support it slid off and slammed onto the bed. I just felt that if I had either a vacuum or Longworth chuck I would have had more time to react and would have saved that bowl. 
That along with I sold off some other things that allows me to “invest” in a new toy. 

3 hours ago, Gordon said:

Failed might be inaccurate term, 

I basically misread your OP. For some unknown reason I thought you meant a vacuum chuck had failed. Sorry. You are right though in thinking that a longworth or vacuum may have saved your bowl.

I sold my Longworth several years ago when I got the vacuum system. To me it is much more versatile and as Steve said keep the tailstock up as long as you can. Some turners have problems with the vacuum chuck because they take larger cuts, Just small cuts will get you there. Yes it is a little easier to catch the bowl coming off a vacuum , it kinda gives you a warning.

Well (for me) the debate is over. I got a vacuum chuck and a vacuum pump. I turned my first tendon off today and I’m pretty happy with it. Thanks everyone for all your help.  
Gordon. 

2 hours ago, Gordon said:

Well (for me) the debate is over. I got a vacuum chuck and a vacuum pump. I turned my first tendon off today and I’m pretty happy with it. Thanks everyone for all your help.  
Gordon. 

 

Awesome! Can you give us a little information on what all you purchased?

1 hour ago, lew said:

 

Awesome! Can you give us a little information on what all you purchased?

I ordered the vacuum chuck and manifold from Simple Wood Turning Tools. 

https://www.simplewoodturningtools.com/collections/vacuum-chucks/products/vacuum-chuck-for-woodturning-on-a-wood-lathe?variant=24831074181 . They shipped immediately and it arrived quickly. 
I got a Vevor vacuum pump off Amazon. 
I looked hard at the HoldFast system but I was a little worried about how long my little Harbor Freight air compressor would hold up, but the deciding factor was that I’ve been thinking about getting a vacuum chamber for Stabilizing and or epoxy. This way I’m half way there. 

Thanks!

I prefer a vacuum Chuck. I started with a vacuum generator that works off the compressor. Did not like that. Bought the cheap vacuum pump from Harbor Freight. It has been working flawless for around three years now.

On 9/11/2025 at 4:58 PM, Gordon said:

Well (for me) the debate is over. I got a vacuum chuck and a vacuum pump. I turned my first tendon off today and I’m pretty happy with it. Thanks everyone for all your help.  
Gordon. 

Is that the Chuck from simple wood tools? How do you like it. I did a vacuum Chuck demo at out club last month and borrowed one from a woman in our club so I could show it. The seal around the end was tore up so I didn’t get to use it but it seemed like a decent Chuck.

Edited November 14, 2025Nov 14 by RustyFN

17 minutes ago, RustyFN said:

Is that the Chuck from simple wood tools?

Yes it is. So far I’m very happy with the chuck. I bought a cheap Vevor vacuum pump, it works fine but Now that the weather is turning cold, it doesn’t like the cold weather. I’ve learned that I have to heat up the oil housing with a heat gun to get it to run. I’m guessing that would be true with any pump though. 

Cannot tell the brand of the pump on my system but I do not have to heat anything to start. It is from Frugal.

I have a pond aerator powered by a Thomas-Ritchie pump. I don't run it all winter (off Dec. through March or so) , but it's still running right now and runs through cold weather with no problems....down to mid 20s regularly. I have the same model pump on my vacuum bag system in the shop, though I always warm things up in there before using it for the glue. These are both oil-less pumps though.

Edited November 15, 2025Nov 15 by Fred W. Hargis Jr