What type of lathe chuck are you folks who build quads using? I'm at the point where I need to purchase a 4 jaw chuck to hold quad sections and I'm torn between a smaller (like 4") independent jaw chuck (I have a 7" independent 4 jaw chuck but it won't close enough to hold smaller sections) and a 4" 4 jaw self adjusting chuck. Prices are all over the place and I really don't want to spend a lot on something I probably won't use all that much. Any suggestions?  (Winston Binney)

I use the Sherline self adjusting chuck. Works well for me.  (Bob Maulucci)

I use a mini lathe with a 3", 4-jaw independent chuck.  Self centering chucks won't work for rectangular quads and irregular objects.  The chuck was about $50.  (Robert Kope)

John Zimny helped me turn my quad blank on a 3 jaw chuck at the Great Western gathering. We simply used shrink tube to round out the blank. After I was done turning the handle I simply cut it off. Worked great. (Jim Lowe)

I've never made a quad but you might try making a 2 piece round filler made as the attachment below.

Take two half circles in plywood and file a 90° included angle triangle in each (see drawing here) on to match the size of your blank at the station.  Assemble around your blank and chuck up in the 3 jaw.  Of course you will have to size  everything to fit your situation but it "should work."  (Larry Swearingen)