How to Make and Use a Screw Chuck for Woodturning

I demonstrate techniques and tricks for making and using a screw chuck for woodturning. This chucking method can be fast and effective for many small projects. And it does not require the use of a scroll chuck.
An earlier, related video on using a Woodworm screw can be found here: • Using a Wood Worm Scre...
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from my Amazon shop www.amazon.com/shop/mikepeace....
Check out www.mikepeacewoodturning.com/r... for demonstration handouts, downloadable copies of articles I have published.

[@GWL420]

Thank you Mike. You are a wealth of information.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate that!

[@royboggs3849]

Way to go Mike!! I enjoyed this a LOT although it’s an “oldie” of yours.👌👌👍👍👏👏

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AlFurtado]

Nice tips that we can all use. We never have too many chucks.

[@Lee-qp6gf]

You are the master on tips. A lot of good ones here.

[@jackmaravola2496]

Thank you for sharing Mike. Makes perfect sense.

[@nava1uni]

I watch a good amount of woodturning videos and yours are really good. I enjoy how you take the time to give good information at a pace that is easy to follow. I will make myself some of these chucks. Thanks for being so thorough

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

+nava1uni I appreciate your thoughtful feedback.

[@nava1uni]

+Mike Peace My pleasure.

[@mgorrow]

Mike, thanks for sharing your ideas. I have made quite a few similar screw chucks. I am sure that I picked up some new tips from you.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Very informative, thanks for sharing that technique!

[@sidmatheny8500]

Great video Mike & thanks for the tips.

[@Barrysworkshop]

Good stuff, Mike. Thanks for sharing all those useful tips!

[@RickTurnsWoodturning]

Good video, Mike! Thanks for posting.

[@markneurohr9663]

Good job. This was very informative. Thanks for making the video! Mark

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@randywood4782]

Good job I like that screw block Thanks

[@muziqjazz]

Thanks for the pits M. Mike. Marc

[@tompalmer334]

all new ideas for me thanks

[@SteveTwoodturning]

Hi Mike !! Another cracking video, great info thank you ....... Regards, Steve.

[@dmaschy599]

More good information. " THANKS "

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You bet

[@thewoodman6039]

Mike, a big thank you. I was trying to make off center twig pots after watching you. You used a worm screw. I have the same kind, a nova chuck that came with the worm screw. But darn it wouldn't screw on the wood. I tried it on bradford pear, hackberry and persimmon. I used 5/16 bit and it wouldn't hold. I used 32 shy bit,, didn't hold. I never could get the darn thing to even screw in. So I didn't get to make one off center. But I am going to try again using my own screw. Nice nice idea...

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I always use a 5/16" screw. Add little wax. It will screw on. Don't give up on it.

[@KennethColeStatenIsland]

Neat, thanks

[@jnmfamily547]

Thanks Mike. I was turning an apple today and had a diy screw chuck. I could not figure out why the screw kept losing grip. Forgot the CA on the screw head. As usual, you rock! Thanks.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, glad it was helpful.

[@barryparks7057]

very useful. thanks a lot

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for commenting.

[@gregdagg9305]

Thanks mike..

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You bet!

[@PENFOLD1962]

Hi Mike, I'll definitely be giving this chuck a go, it looks really handy. Thanks yet again for sharing a TIP'S filled video. I've just got a small lathe so I'm at the stage of worrying what sort of chuck I need for my turning! Cheers Andy

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

+Andrew Smith Check out my video Review of the Record Power chucks. The SC3 would be excellent for a small lathe.

[@PENFOLD1962]

Thanks Mike, I'm on my way right now to watch you SC3 video, really appreciate your help. Cheers Andy

[@PENFOLD1962]

+Mike Peace Just watched your SC4 SC3 review, it looks like it would be ideal for the turning I hope to do. I've looked through Amazon for the SC3, unfortunately none of the chucks are listed! But now I know what chuck I need I can now keep a look out for it plus research into what additions can be bought for the chuck etc. Cheers Andy

[@gilgrace1915]

A guy could also use machined threads from say a carriage bolt captured inside a wooden chuck for certain applications.

[@gfotinakes316]

Thanks for your video Mike. How is the storm in your area? We are holding you all up in prayer from out here in California.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

+George Fotinakes We got a dusting of snow. Road in front of the house is dry so we are good. Probably some black ice on bridges and overpasses. Appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I don't plan to go anywhere today except into my heated shop!

[@aussieislandlife3408]

Hi Mike, I've just brought a "farm find" lathe back to life and have started worry about chucks...the shaft is 1&1/2" with 10TPI and seems difficult to find anything that size. The plate from the back of a 3 jaw chuck that came with it will work very nicely with your ideas here...thanks.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

If the lathe is worth the investment, you could get a machinist to make a spindle adapter to convert it to a more common size. Any chance it is 1 1/2 and 8 tpi? I have seen those adapters on the market.

[@aussieislandlife3408]

No, sadly it is 10TPI. I've had it to a specialist bolt shop to have a look as well. The other odd thing is the taper sizes, I cant find anything on them at all. As near as I can make it, the dead centre is 0.874" at the big end, 0.736" at the small end and 2.484" long...a taper of 2/3" per foot...so it sounds intentional. If you have any ideas I'd appreciate it but it sounds like a trip to the machinist on this as well..

[@ronh9384]

Good video Mike. Did you buy or make the soft touch pad you used in the tail vise? I will also put some CA glue in the hole of the piece I am turning just to make it a little stronger if the wood is slightly punky. And of course if you ever drill the hole to large you can fill it up with epoxy and let it cure then drill the correct size hole. I was turning a wine stopper once in some exotic (expensive) wood and the mandrel broke inside. (It had an air pocket in the metal) I couldn’t get the broken mandrel out because the drill bit was skating on the jagged metal. I partially filled the hole with epoxy, let it cure and was able to drill the hole and get it out with an Eze out. I waxed the sides with beeswax using a Qtip to prevent the epoxy sticking to the sides. Ron

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Wow, Ron. Sounds like your solution was effective but I don't think I would have worked that hard to fix a bottle stopper even if it was African blackwood!

[@aussieislandlife3408]

Just had to show off my brand new chuck...complete with filed out washer a the back. Thanks for the idea and great instructions. Hope the photo works... i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad319/qwaszxpl/20161010_1850061_zps3hmr9y3v.jpg

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Excellent! A scroll chuck is a convenience, not a necessity. That could act as a faceplate with threaded on glue blocks and carry you thru a lot of projects folks would typically use scroll chucks for.