The Indian 'Zither' made chucks were/are better than the Chinese ones which ARC sells. However, at time of earlier discussion with Jason, Zither were quoting long lead times, and later they decided to stop production on smaller sizes, concentrating instead on 160mm+ sizes for which they have large orders. As a result, ARC is slowly clearing the Zither stock it has.

ARC has also reduced prices for its Chinese chucks, sourced from two different Chinese factories. Once this stock is cleared (don't know when), a new range will be offered.

Ketan at ARC.

It is common for a four jaw independent chuck on a lathe to be a little larger than scroll types used on the same machine. Check the swing of your lathe, a four jaw independent that has about 1 1/2" clearance from the ways would be a good size.

As long as the screws are not cracked where the key fits, and the jaws are a good fit, a Bernerd is worth more than the average chuck. At the moment, 160mm backplates are in short supply, but if that chuck has front mount holes on a pcd about half the overall diameter, then it can be fitted to a 125mm backplate easily.

Bernerd, Pratt, Pratt Bernerd, Bison, Toolmex, TOS and Vertex are the better makes, at a price, Chinese vary from poor to excellent, its a lottery with them. I just bought a 160mm three jaw scroll chuck which was unused, and it is very good indeed, when I took it apart to clean it I found that the scroll is a better fit on its bearing then any of the other chucks I have. It runs 0.002" tir at any opening. I took a chance on it, as it was cheap and got lucky.