Indicating Square Stock in a 4 Jaw Chuck

In this video I demonstrate my ways of indicating square parts in a 4 jaw chuck. I start with a long piece of square bar and show you how to get it straight and true, and then I take a smaller block of aluminum and get it indicated as well. Enjoy!

[@ponkkaa]

I am amazed at the amount of precision required to do this type of work. We non-machinist types have no clue as to the education and intelligence that people in your profession possess. Excellent videos.

[@Abom79]

Thats a part of being a machinist, getting the work indicated, and as oxtoolco would say "square with the world!".

[@thetruth6872]

You don't know the half of it. The lathe is the hardest machine to master. You are fighting an uphill battle half the time and you are always learning. Even the old guys are learning more here and there. Once you get good you can make almost anything though.

[@davidt8438]

Ten years later, it never gets old. You’re the best Adam thanks.

[@mikebay4852]

Thanks Adam from Tasmania Australia. I am a 73 yo NEW machinist learning heaps. Your video the clearest so far for a 73 yo brain to comprehend on how to do this stuff. So Thanks from down under. :-). When I was a lad you would have to be an indentured apprentice for 5-7 years at $20 week to be allowed to get an insight into a trade secret.

[@MrBuzz151]

I enjoyed the video, I 've been a HSM for 50 years and I learned something new with every video, Thankyou

[@floridawind1]

Abom is the master. For a while all i had was a four jaw (my three jaw was totally worthless). Adam came over and gave me a few pointers- made all my jobs go so much smoother. Gill

[@Abom79]

Thanks Gill! Yes I remember playing with that little 4 jaw chuck! Hell the chuck wrench is soo small I had to use one hand...LOL. Im so used to the big chucks and chuck keys your probably faster than me on that 10EE. Which reminds me, we'll have to show off that new chuck wrench you made for the 3 jaw. Talk ta ya soon buddy! Adam

[@hansfritzmiller1846]

Exactly the lesson I needed and explained well. I hadn't considered using a square off the ways, instead I was placing a torpedo level perpendicularly to the ways on the stock. Your method of rocking the stock seems to be the quicker and more accurate solution.

[@FrankRuffolo65]

you're a selfless & humble teacher (the best sort), and w/ a machinist zen masters touch (apparently) - your stuff runs close to true even b4 you indicate :D i'm a machinist noob and eager to learn. glad to find individuals like yourself, keith fenner, mr. pete, etc., who willingly pass-on this noble, awesome trade. bless you and thank god for KZbin

[@siamaksadri242]

To be honest for lost 10 days I was watching this gentlman on different job and I find him loves his job , he absoluteiy knows what he's doing and his knowledge is fantastic . I don't know him and his name but I like him and I wish I could contact him . I am retired dental engineer, If Icould go back definitely I would do his job . Thanks man.

[@JeremiahL]

I've seen this done 200 times, but have never needed to do it myself until today. I just popped in for a refresher course, and was able to follow your instructions to get er done... Thanks and happy new year!

[@andrew_the_machinist]

love the videos. keep em coming! my quick tip for four jawing is when you first find your high and low, put zero in the middle of those so your high reads the same from zero as the low. then you know where you're going. also, when you go to the next set, the same zero is already where you need to be. this saves me a lot of time anyway.

[@eddiekawecki2510]

I searched this out today because I need to indicate a square bar on my turnwright roller project from Keith Fenner. Perfect tutorial. I knew I had seen this some time ago. Thank you, Ed K. Cleve. Oh.

[@jossfitzsimons]

Excellent. Well explained. At the beginning you mentioned 'if you have a dome head indicator' ...you can do it like round stock'. I never thought of that.. and I think I have a rarely used dial gauge to dedicate to this method. Thanks again!

[@shannonstebbens6992]

Adam, I realize that I am viewing this 3 years later but it gave me the answers to my questions about spare stock in a 4 jaw. Just graduating to the 4 jaw from 3 jaw so that tells you the level of my non-expertise.

[@nodrogawson963]

Thanks Adam that was very helpful.Liked the way you used a centre in the punch mark to indicate from,I never thought about doing it that way. Thanks for sharing.

[@w056007568]

Although I'm not a machinist at all I am able understand and follow the video quite clearly. I'm sure it will help others who need this knowledge and understanding. I think you have done this really well.

[@Abom79]

Thanks Dan!

[@reideichner8597]

Very helpful video, Adam. I have always had a bit of a problem getting good results so next time I will use your method. Thanks for taking the time to show us. Reid

[@stanwooddave9758]

I'm a year late to the party, based by the published date, but I learned a lot, on how to use my 4 jaw chuck. Thank you very much Adam.

[@brukernavnfettsjit]

This is so valuable to me. Getting the chance to learn from looking over the shoulder of a pro like this is gold. I spent most of my evening yesterday chasing the numbers, bumping and tightening and generally chasing my own tail. Feel much better now that I saw even you go many times back and forth like this.

[@HH-Machining]

Good video. I have my first job For my new 4jaw chuck. I need to make pipe jaws from square stock for my cold saw to saw 76.1 x 1.5mm pipe. I need to bore a 76.1mm hole 150mm deep. :) I then finish it with milling machine. Need to split, make lining pins and few springs to open it. Love your videos! I have been watching these to learn to how machine, atleasr to know the basics, i have no one to show me.

[@rcwarship]

Sure did like the center mark trick, it'll be coming in handy! Thanks & Best Regards Adam, Jon

[@eboneezeradams1821]

Adam, at the 30 min mark when you use the center... When you are indicating that in, it is putting stress on your tailstock center. There is a simple shop-aid tool you can make called a wobble-stick. It has male center on workpiece end, spring loaded female center on tailstock end. It doesn't need much travel, maybe .250. Use it the same way as you did with the dead center. My dad gave me the one I have. I'm 2nd generation machinist, grew up in my dad's job shop.

[@jay7605]

Hi Abom. I just purchased a independent 4 jaw for my Harrison M300. This takes patience to achieve a good setup, you have plenty. Its tricky. Thanks for the video and explanation. Really helped.

[@joepriebe6068]

Great tips, I never thought of using two centers as you did, that will come in handy. Thanks for all your videos, I'm learning a lot. Joe Priebe Rhinelander, WI.

[@markgrevatt4867]

It's such a pleasure to watch such a skilled man share his long term experiences and skills and is willing to share thanks Adam your such a gentleman and a great guy

[@TheTylerAldrich]

Adam, thank you. You are an inspiration to builders everywhere. The little tricks you have figured out or learned are ideas we cannot let die. I will pass this on to my kids. Thank you

[@lfljvenaura]

Thanks for the excellent 4 Jaw setup instruction! I will use your technique and probably use a 4 jaw chuck a lot more often than before. Your PM shop thread must have set a record by now. That is also a major piece of work.

[@Abom79]

Thanks Lawrence!

[@lfljvenaura]

Abom79 I am collecting machinist videos to teach myself how to use the machines in my shop. Yours are some of the best. There seem to be about a dozen really fine channels to use for this purpose on fundamentals of machining and welding. Where would we be without PM and KZbin??? I recommend your having a Google+ account with machinist page and circle. It is a great add-on to a KZbin channel. I have a machine shop circle and will connect my KZbin channel to it and provide a list of exceptional KZbin machinist and welding channels for anyone interested, especially learners. I look forward to keeping up with new videos in your channel. LL

[@RollingEasy]

Like your style.... Like your tips and like your approach to good machining and good workshop practices....

[@lastmanstandingwtsht]

Great video Adam,proves once again if you could only have one chuck for your lathe the 4 jaw is best. Thanks again for showing us how you do it.

[@Abom79]

You can buy a 4 jaw scroll self centering chuck, but they are pricey, but great for lots of production. Thanks Johnny!

[@manuelmonroy3267]

Another fine job and video I always stayed away from 4 jaws but now I have a little bit more confidence after that video Thanks Adam Im sure it helped out alot of other guys out there. Thanks Manny

[@Abom79]

I probably use the 4 jaw chuck 90% of the time at work. I use the 3 jaw for second ops or quick machining of already machined parts I might have to modify. Thanks Manny!

[@Cancun771]

Thumbs up! To help with the glare, often times it already helps a lot by just tilting or twisting the dial a little. We're not reading exact values anyhow so we just need to see the needle moving, or not moving. Which is incidentally how your videos made me go off digital indicators again, at least to a degree! I thought they were easier on my ageing eyes, and they are, but the needles are so much more vivid, like when you use the magnetic one as a 'countdown stop' while threading etc. I also find the white faces easier to see than the black faced dial, glare or no.

[@LA3198]

Thanks Adam for another excellent training video. I am not a machinist, but have a small lathe and want to learn more about how to use it. I have learned a lot from your videos. I like that you share about how you learned different techniques from your dad.

[@billdlv]

Adam that was great you did a really good job explaining the process. At the end I can tell you have done the process many times you made it look really easy. If you have problems with glare you might consider a polarizing filter for your gopro. I could make out your indicator OK I could see the needle moving.

[@Abom79]

Thanks Bill. Ive said it before, but I use the 4 jaws everyday for most all of my work. I get lots of practice so I can get parts indicated pretty fast.

[@juanrivero8]

Adam, thank you very much for that video. Lots of places show you how ro indicate round stuff on a 4-jaw and I do it myself all the time (I have a tiny Taig lathe, you could chuck my whole lathe on that monster Monarch of yours; but the principles are the same). I have never seen anyone indicate square stock. I will put your video to good use, believe me.

[@RollingEasy]

Well done. I learned something with the centre marked block. Suddenly things are easy and I guess that's the best way to judge a good tip. Thank you.

[@tri-rrrservices7299]

Hi Adam, been watching your channel for a while, really like the way you do things, used this video for a bit of teaching a little while back, my 14 yr old nephew was watching me true up and machine a round piece in the four jaw, and asked how I would do it if it was square, I showed him this video as you explain it so well, better than I can. Thanks again for the videos, Dewey

[@MyShopNotes]

That center between centers is great. I will definitely use that next time I need it. Regarding the centering the first piece, I've used 2 chuck keys at the same time, locked the spindle while doing it in 180deg positions and have been very successful and I find it faster than your approach. But I've only ever done it once and maybe I got lucky

[@787roofdog]

I allways learn something watching you, but this time I learned ALOT. Guess I will need to dig out my dead center now. Thanks, -Derek

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Adam floating that centre between centres everyone of your videos is machine shop gold dust and so well shot thankyou.

[@richgage6510]

Smooth going with the 4 jaw Adam and a great Video!! Thanks for sharing. 4 jaws are great! They take a bit of time to master (i spent 18 months of my apprenticeship using one as it was the only chuck i had for the lathe i was working) Great to see one set up properly and quickly. Thanks again.

[@Abom79]

I guess after using them daily for the past 16 years has helped get my practice up. :) Its good to hear someone else out there using them too Rich!

[@klmartin1962]

Looks like a lot of work, no matter how you go about it. It's one of those things you run into when you work in the trades. Sometimes you just grit your teeth and do it. Thanks for sharing, Adam.

[@Abom79]

Your right about that. In a job shop you never know what is coming so knowing how to set up parts is critical.

[@signorcosimo]

Hi Adam, thanks for your helping tips&tricks. I scaled down the informations to my 7X12" lathe and were good. Compliments to your good english pronunciation: as an italian guy, I am able to understand what you tell.

[@Abom79]

Im glad you can understand me considering a sound like a southern country boy! LOL

[@RandallMoore1955]

It helped me , keep up the great lessons, I have found 3 teachers that i can learn from. That,s where i come out, Thanks Adam.

[@paulvilleneuve9628]

I’m a novice and used first technique to turn a 1” round end on 1” square shaft for a universal joint. Worked great! Thanks 😊 (10/26/21)

[@kchu001]

Thanks Adam, I think this is something that is not done every day and this is a good reference for a first timer. Thanks.

[@rickhall5399]

I've been watching you for a long time Adam I really appreciate your videos and taking the time to share your knowledge. I'm a knife maker what is looking to save time in the set up you have help me immensely thank you very much .

[@Abom79]

Thanks Rick, glad the videos can be of help to you.

[@chuckorlando]

as always, great video. The first tool we made in school was a spring loaded tap guide. Instructor showed me how to use it to center a hole just the same way on my second tool.. Handy trick. Awesome man

[@ninalli]

I learned a lot from that. Thankyou. Although my lathe is much smaller than yours (Smart and Brown 1024) I understand the principles are exactly the same. Well done as novices like me learn so much from these films. Dave UK.

[@ctjctj2]

Adam, nicely done. I took the 3 jaw off my lathe about 4 weeks ago because of you. Went to do some simple stuff for a Christmas present which only needs a three jaw and would be "faster" but just left the 4 jaw on. Why? Because I know from your videos that I will get faster (have gotten faster) and it will work every time. Thanks for being a great teacher.

[@phuzzz1]

Great lesson Adam, I get very frustrated using the 4 jaw, these tips are going to help a lot, Thanks!

[@Abom79]

Hey Michael, that 4 jaw can be your friend. it comes in handy for many jobs. Just keep practicing with it and it will come to you. Use it more then you want so that it forces you to indicate your parts in, that way you get more practice. Thanks for watching!

[@Headshot50bmg]

Thank you for taking the time to do this videos has I learned a great amount of info in my struggles with my lathe I am just a hobbyist I TRY to build some parts for custom choppers I build.Thanks again for taking the time to share your vast knowledge with us. Derek

[@velez910]

Watching these old videos and you almost come off as if your doing it cause someone else is forcing you lmao you have come so far along and clearly comfortable behind the camera and a much better smile lol

[@arnodyck]

Really enjoyed this one. I'm not a machinist, but I work with metal and am always looking to learn.

[@DoctorBloo]

Great video Adam. I really enjoy watching the set up procedures that must be done to guarantee that the part being made is within specification. There's always so much that needs to be taken into consideration.

[@LarsBerntzon]

Nice. Smart way of using the dead center in the punch mark.

[@DEtchells]

Great, useful video (brand new lathe owner here). I particularly liked the trick with the center, that wouldn’t have occurred to me :-)

[@glenn1340]

I found it best to just touch the tool bit against the corners as you rotate the chuck by hand. Once the tool is equally touching all four corners you now you are very close then finish off by using the DTI the way you show. Great tutorial by the way.

[@EVguru]

Another good'un! On the second example, I'd use a pump centre or sprung tap guide just for the convenience if having it stay firmly in place. It's also a perfect example of where you could have used a toolmakers button.

[@Abom79]

I have used the spring centers many times instead of the dead center, and that is another good use for that tool! Thanks Paul.

[@mattcurry29]

Very cool video, I was taught the first way you showed, But I really like the second way you demonstrated. Keep them coming and thanks you.

[@Rich206L]

Adam, I'm not a machinist but I took metal shop and I was also an overhead crane operator (and chain hog before that for the crane) for Otis Elevator in Yonkers, NY in the late 60's and I watched the machinists do their thing, plus I've been watch Keith Rucker & Fenner for a long time and they both recommend your channel very highly. I also watched the 4 jaw challenge you and Fenner had out in CA. Anyway, I have to think that if you had a real job to do, you would have trued the block, regardless of length on the mill so that it would be perfectly square and true. With that said, I think your 2nd method would be a piece of cake to find the center, especially if your chuck is running true. What are your thoughts? Also, I realize that you made this video a few years ago, but I wanted to send you my heart felt condolences for your loss of Stella. It reminded me of the cats and dogs I've had and lost and I cried for them all and I cried for Stella. Regards, Rich

[@GreyInPa]

Outstanding video. I have a upcoming project that requires this. Thanks for taking the time to show us.

[@cabralbryan]

Adam, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I'm definitely going to dig out my 4 jaw now!

[@Abom79]

Get that 4 jaw on the lathe and start using it!!

[@successfulcatastrophe3480]

Great video. Adam is clearly an advanced expert with metal lathes. I have ever seen anyone handle a 4-jaw as adeptly as he does.

[@blmeflmm66]

Very well done. I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination a machinist. But I wonder why you wouldn't indicate the stock as close to the chuck as possible first, though. Since the jaws are the pivot point seems like you'd want to essentially get that point as close to zeroed out first then knock the end in line with the trued jaws. I'm probably out in left field in my reasoning, but I've worked on equipment where we had to chase the zero with the guy reading resolver readouts yelling out the readings from 20 feet away due to where the readout was in relation to the adjusting mechanism. I know how frustrating and time consuming it can be if you don't have a light touch. Thanks for posting. Always a pleasure watching you work.

[@nixnn]

Great video! The second method with the punch mark is a something new for me. Definitely will use it in the future. :)

[@cdrive5757]

The center between the centers has that hit your self in the head "Duh" factor! I love stuff like that! Its utility defies its "Why didn't I think of that? "simplicity. Thanks! Wakodahatchee Chris

[@mimlomiani6949]

You and Tom are the Best I have seen On youtube. I really have learned from all of you and mostly from you two. I remember back in the old days a new learner had to go throw a hol LOT to learn a fraction of what We have learned throw youtube from you. THANK YOU, and I really Truly Wish the best for you from the bottom of my hart....:)

[@nigelfewster]

Many thanks for making this video I am a newbie and it has helped me out immensely.

[@PeterK6502]

Thanks for sharing useful tricks. I am do little pieces for hobby only. Things I get never correctly done, seems now possible to do.

[@7333-e3k]

Hi Adam, It's nice to see someone with mechanical sympathy: 26:10 in particular. I notice this (the way that you wait for the clutch to bite before throwing it into lockup) in most of your lathe-orientated videos and it makes me smile. I also notice that the headstock bearings and drivetrain make very little noise - the sign of a well-adjusted machine. Very nice! Cheers, Some bloke from the UK with a stupid username.

[@davidoldridge3138]

Hi Adam, I watched this before my latest job with some square stock....really good technique (once I remembered to get the clock on centre height!)....Thanks for a great video!

[@aryesegal1988]

Thanks a lot, Adam, for showing this. I was really wondering what's a good way to approach this problem. :) I appreciate all the time and effort and looking forward for your next videos! :)

[@dougtisdale3262]

Centering a square block using two centers, brilliant!

[@adamjesus7862]

I love coming to videos like this and seeing how far you’ve come in both your video quality as well as just how much more seamingly comfortable you are being in front of the camera! And as always, great work!

[@vajake1]

Very nicely done! Thanks for the tip about going back and checking the trueness of the face.

[@Buckrun11]

Cool trick with the dead center. I need to dig my 4 jaw chuck back out. I use to use that all the time. Now I have gotten lazy and have been using the 3 jaw.

[@mathewwhittle10]

You are genius... and made me think about so many things in a whole new light! But, can I help you with the problem you had at 23 mins? I find that not fully slackening the jaw on the low side is a simple way to avoid "axial throw", in other words, you maintain tension in the system, it prevents the bar drooping,,, excellent videos by the way!

[@petersmith3703]

Thanks - very helpful,in the procedure and persistent in getting it accurate - makes me more disciplined!

[@jaimekeller3324]

Just wanted to say thanks for purchasing from MSC!!! I am in Telesales for MSC. :) And thanks for the videos, I've learned a lot from them and enjoy watching!

[@artmckay6704]

Nice clear and concise explanations! Thanks for the shop lessons! :)

[@andregross7420]

Adam, great video. Very informative. I'm gonna need to make myself a little lead hammer for setting things up.....

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Adam, Awesome video. You are truly Dr Smooth with the four jaw. Let me know if you need a longer handle for that chuck on the Monarch. I have one that's just the right size for you. All the best, Tom

[@Abom79]

Thanks Tom! Dr Smooth....Love it! Guess you can call me a fan of the 4 jaw chucks! If you let me borrow that shiny new chuck handle, I promiss you it will not come back straight anymore! LOL....Hell you dont need it anyways, you always use that cool 6 jaw chuck! Adam

[@jtkilroy]

Adam is the king of the four jaw for sure. I need to utilize one in my work more often. One thing most folks forget is that a four jaw is a lot stronger than a scroll chuck and you can't hardly over -tighten one whereas you can kill the scroll in a 3 jaw easily if you get crazy with the magnum chuck key!

[@Abom79]

James Kilroy Yes sir it is. Where I work I make new hydraulic rods nearly everyday. Very early on I learned that the 3 jaw chucks will not hold those chrome rods from pushing back as your making your cuts, unless you making light cuts. Another thing is that I would always get a small amount of runout which I didnt like either. I want my chrome rods running near zero when I'm machining them, and get the strong holding power of the 4 jaw. Thanks for watching James, and for the cool comments!

[@jabidwell]

Adam, Easy instruction to follow, thanks for sharing it. John

[@davidjohnson620]

Hi Adam , Thanks for the info. I have a piece of square stock I need to bore out the centre. Should be able to get it correct now. Regards Dave from WestOZ

[@Cavemannspace]

Good stuff! I learned today. Thanks man.

[@chanchanmelano5607]

Thanks Adam a lot very helpful to my job for tomorrow, best regards and more videos to come.

[@jmwarden1]

I thought that you might have used a square, I think scribing a line from corner to corner would also give you the same results, even if the stock was not square. I love the use of the two centers, never seen that before. I put my 4 jaw on a couple of months ago and after watching your videos, I'm going to leave it on. I love your videos and at 71, I'm still learning things from you pros .Keep up the great videos.

[@CliffsShed]

Cheers Adam, new I'd seen this awhile ago, but needed it again! Thanks again, making a collet block. ATB, Cliff

[@Orcinus24x5]

At about 13:40 when you start aligning the part, it would be much faster to find the low spot of one side, zero the indicator, then flip 180 degrees, find the low spot of the other side, and determine how far out it is from the first side, then just move the part exactly half that amount. For example, if it's 30 thousandths out, just move it 15 thousandths in, and that should get you there, rather than having to go back and forth a whole bunch of times. Have you tried this technique and you just prefer to do it your way? If not, try it out! It'll save you a lot of time! :)

[@glenncpw]

Thank You very much - easier than what I have done in the past with the bloody square

[@joecallaco6264]

GREAT JOB ADAM, THANKS SO MUCH YOU ARE A VERY BRIGHT GUY !!!! JOE OUT IN S. JERSEY.

[@TheDisorderly1]

Great video. Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@RJGMWR]

Another great video, I find the center punch method with the two centers also works great for lining up a part for offset turning.

[@charlesa.morgan8690]

Hey Aborn79, you're great man. Your videos help me a lot. Please keep them coming. I love being a machinist and I get the feeling you do too. Keep up the great work, and hope to see more some.

[@outsidescrewball]

Hi-lo Adam....lol Great education for me, learned a bunch! Thanks, Chuck

[@Abom79]

Good to hear...Thanks Chuck!

[@DieselCrawler86]

As always a great video, From one Machinist to another "shakes Aboms hand"

[@SegwayThessaloniki]

Thanks man! I was the 100.000 viewer. Greetings from Greece

[@jonathanlink1006]

Thanks Adam. Learning alot from your videos!

[@MatthewTinker-au-pont-blanc]

Hi Adom, would you do something for me? Would you wrap your lead thumper where you hold it so that your not in contact with the lead? Lead is an acumulative poison that the body has trouble evacuating, some gaffer tape or electricians tape would be fine. Thanks for another great video, especially centering the part in the mill, centre drilling and centreing in the lathe from there! Great tips!! Regards, Matthew

[@Abom79]

Thanks Matthew, and I appreciate your concern. Most of us get used to using things a certain way from habit.

[@clintchapman4319]

Thanks Bud! Found out just what I needed to know... Great video Brother!

[@jamesarjuna927]

Who are the idiots who put the thumbs down? This is a very good video for getting squared up and centered!

[@Grantherum]

There are some people that thumbs down every video they come across, whether the information given is good or not. You will see thumbs down on pretty much every video out there. Too bad you can't report habitual negative voters and get their votes canceled out, or something.

[@Grantherum]

roflmao... true enough... especially if Hillary doesn't want it there.

[@juggerable1955]

Man O man. watching you Adam I almost wished I was in a machine shop again. lol wtg with these vids. God Bless. :)

[@Abom79]

Thanks Steve!