• PathPilot®
  • PathPilot® HUB
  • Contact Us
    Logo Tormach_T Icon_Solid Shape_Horizontal_Blue_NoTM
    • Home
    • News
    • Learn
      • Learning CNC
      • How to
      • Shop talk
    • Get inspired
      • Art & jewelery
      • Automotive
      • Education
      • Gunsmithing
      • Hobby
      • Knife making
      • Medical
      • Prototyping
      • Production machining
      • Replicas & models
      • Robotics
      • Sports
      • Woodworking
    • Tormach.com
    20161018_121746-800x450

    news

    Workholding of the Month: Chucks

    10/ 18/ 2016

    chuck workpiece chucks tools Workholding center 4th Axis Jaws turning vise Lathe Projects lathe tool holding

    dsc_6650

    While there are a number of ways to hold work, when there aren’t many (or any) flat surfaces, a standard vise can complicate things. When using a lathe or holding something that just doesn’t have flat sides, a chuck is a great solution. A chuck is essentially a round vise, with jaws that hold your workpiece. These handy tools come in a variety of flavors, but most often are found with either three jaws or four jaws. Chucks can also have various methods of closure. Some are manual, which requires the turning of a wrench or key to tighten things down, while some have more advanced options, like pneumatic or even hydraulic closure systems. 20161018_121746

    Four-Jaw Chucks

    Four-jaw chucks look like they would be intuitive to use, but when working on a lathe they can present a more challenging workflow. Machining on a lathe requires a workpiece to be center, which can sometimes be difficult with a four-jaw chuck. Tedious, tiny adjustments will get you there, but some of us are just too impatient for such things. Some four-jaw chucks have the capability to move all four jaws at the same time, which can streamline this process a bit more, but generally speaking, they are harder to center. Using four-jaw chucks are fantastic if you need to turn something off-center – like a crankshaft journal. They also can allow for truer centering, if you’re willing to embrace the challenge.

    20161018_121739

    Three-Jaw Chucks

    Three-jaw chucks are incredibly common. In fact, they are typically what most people see when they first experience using a chuck of any kind. Three-jaw chucks generally have the ability to self-center, making the process of securing a part properly much easier. While three-jaw chucks are immensely faster, unless you take special precautions or spend lots of money, your repeatable center will only be within a couple thou.

    20161018_121809

    Where to Use a Chuck

    Chucks are used in a variety of places, but most often, they are used to hold round parts or tools. You can find chucks in the end of hand power drills or in spindles holding drill bits or end mills, but they are most often found in lathes, 4th axis units, or other workholding situations that involved turning. Their versatility is one of the strong points, because like standard vises, their jaws can be reversed, allowing you to hold parts by either the outer edge or the inner edge. Chucks are broad-reaching and easy to operate, making them one of the simplest, yet most useful, tools for workholding.

    20161018_121800

    Sharing Pitfalls and Triumphs Helps PCNC Hobbyist Machine Better

    Stop! Don't Take That Part Off the Machine Just Yet!

    Quick links
    • Home
    • News
    • Get Inspired
    • Shop Talk
    • Learning CNC
    • How-To
    • Shop Tormach
    • Privacy Policy
    Recent posts
    Making Household Art with a Tormach 1300PL Plasma Table
    Prototyping Motorcycle Suspension Systems Makes Business Sense with a Tormach CNC Mill
    Pet Business Launched with a Tormach 770M CNC Mill
    3D EXPERIENCE WORLD Brings Engineers and Teachers to CNC Education
    Prototyping Parts In-House Saves This Logistics Business Money
      SUBSCRIBE

      Stay up to date with the Tormach community by subscribing to our blog now.

      Get in Touch
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •