To Chuck or to Roll, that is the question!

One of the most common questions we hear from makers starting with tumblers is:

What is the difference between a chuck and a roller-style rotary—and which should I get?

It’s a great question because the differences aren’t huge—but they matter. Think about the projects you plan to run, read the pros and cons below, and choose what fits your work. Many makers own both to cover the widest range of objects.

Before we dive in, here’s what they share and why you need a rotary in the first place.

What is a Laser Rotary Attachment?

“Rotary” refers to an attachment for your CO₂ laser that lets you engrave cylindrical items—tumblers, mugs, bottles, even baseball bats. Instead of only moving in X/Y for flat work, the rotary spins the object so the beam can engrave it line-by-line around the circumference.

Both chuck and roller rotaries hold and rotate the object as the laser fires. They sit inside the laser and connect to a dedicated rotary port or the Y-axis port.

The Chuck Laser Rotary Attachment

A chuck rotary uses a metal jaw system (like a drill chuck) to clamp the item securely. You can grip an object from the inside or outside; inside clamping often leaves more usable outer surface for engraving.

Benefits of the Chuck

• Handles heavier objects, especially with a rear support.
• Supports bidirectional moves (e.g., cross-hatch/scoring) since the piece won’t slip.
• Excellent for small items like pens.
• Very secure grip for high precision—no walking or slipping, even with heavy handles.
• Clamp inside or outside the object.
• Can handle some non-cylindrical shapes.
• Allows faster framing/idling without losing registration.

Drawbacks of the Chuck

• Typically requires a chuck key/Allen wrench to adjust.
• Often bulkier, limiting clearance in smaller lasers.
• May require more setup time to level irregular shapes.
• Jaws can crack thin glass if over-tightened—use care.
• Higher cost (quality chucks are expensive components).
• Usually requires changing diameter settings when switching cup sizes.
• Slower swap-outs when doing many pieces back-to-back.

UPDATE: We designed a chuck that removes virtually all of these drawbacks. Meet the PiBurn Grip 2.

The Roller Laser Rotary Attachment

Roller rotaries rely on friction between motorized wheels and the object. They’re versatile and easy to use, but unbalanced items (e.g., mugs with heavy handles) may slip without added traction. High-quality rollers include a clamp to increase friction. PiBurn’s metal clamp is exceptionally strong and features adjustable tension for stubborn objects (think heavy beer steins).

There are two overall “roller” styles: wheel and “hot-dog.” We’re discussing the wheel style—it’s more versatile. And for handle-bearing items, a roller with a clamp is a must.

Simple eBay roller rotary:

Top-of-the-line roller: PiBurn V

Benefits of the Roller

• Engraves cups, mugs, wine glasses, and tumblers with handles (with a clamp).
• Low risk of damaging drinkware—no hard jaws.
• Easier to master for beginners; fewer moving parts.
• Height adjustability (on quality rollers) makes leveling tapered items simple—no shims.
• After initial dial-in, you usually don’t change diameter per cup.
• Generally smaller / lower-profile than chucks—more Z-clearance.
• Fast swap-outs on quality designs like PiBurn.

Drawbacks of the Roller

• Because it relies on friction, frame and jog slowly (lower accel/max speed) to avoid shifting.
• Very heavy/unbalanced items can challenge traction; full-wraps demand zero slip. PiBurn’s adjustable-tension clamp helps—lower-end rollers may need added weight inside handled cups.
• Full wraps are less forgiving—tiny slips can show as a seam.
• Rollers typically engrave in a single direction, so cross-hatch techniques aren’t practical.
• Walking (axial drift) can skew designs on some rollers. PiBurn counters this with an adjustable front stopper and a rear stopper with a wheel for smoother rotation.

Want both? A few systems combine chuck + roller. One rare example is the PiBurn Omni.

We hope this helps someone choosing between roller and chuck. Share with a friend who’s getting into tumbler engraving!

Best,
Len and Stan @ LensDigital