The jaws on the 4-jaw chuck move independently. Accuracy level is about 0.010 Accuracy level is between 0 and 0.001 3-Jaw chuck has one hole for the chuck key/wrench to tighten or release the jaws' grip. 4-Jaw chuck has four holes for the chuck key/wrench to control each jaw, one at a time.

The most commonly used lathe chucks are the three jaw universal, four jaw independent, and the collects chuck. Three-jaw universal chuck: Three-jaw universal chuck is used to hold round and hexagonal work.

If you switch to a lathe with different drive spindle specifications, the chuck won't work. With insert chucks, inserts/adapters are available for a variety of drive spindle specifications, so you can just get a different insert if you change lathes.