Turn a Pendant with a DIY Dux Chuck

I demonstrate how I make a Dux chuck and use it to turn a pendant. Here is a link to a video of the inventor, Jim Duxbury, explaining his chuck • 2023-01-18 Homemade De...
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[@kreech68]

there are a lot of videos for how to make pendants like this, but this is the best that I've seen to-date - a bit of prep on a custom chuck/jig, and then some efficient use of lathe-time! Thank you!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@darraghquinlan3943]

Very useful and inspiring video Mike. Many thanks Darragh

[@boydblack9087]

Thanks Mike. I am a relatively new turner and was looking for tips regarding how to make pendants. Your video was very helpful. I've prepared the jig and mandrel and am about ready to turn my first pendant. I was also inspired to increase the length of the mandrel to about an inch to keep my fingers farther away from the rectangular mandrel.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@goflyfish51]

Thanks Mike. One of the many things I appreciate about you is that you come upon your mishaps and uncertainties in the same way that we all do when we are not being watched. I'm particularly speaking of the point where you are trying to decide which way to open up the pendant hole. What we can learn from that moment is that even highly skilled turners such as yourself stop, think and reconsider. That is a true act of well deserved self-confidence.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate that

[@knothead5]

Watched the video, paused about 327 times to take notes and make a sketch of the Dux Chuck. Now...on to the shop!

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Mike just made this jig n watched twice to do some trials

[@kenvasko2285]

Looks like somebody is getting ready for Valentine's Day. Good job explaining the fixture and it's uses.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes we are

[@MarklTucson]

Interesting fixture design, the clamping mechanism is quite clever, particularly using the offset. In that out-take, it seems like one might be able to make the end result a feature rather than a flaw, giving an asymmetric pendant; the cord hole would just need to be drilled in a strategic location to take advantage of that resulting shape.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Great idea!

[@j.hankinson7803]

Thanks for posting Mike. I plan to put a Dux Chuck to work on my ornamental lathe.

[@monophoto1]

Thanks, Mike. Looks like another tool I need to make! You mentioned two problems. First, wood splitting. I think there is less risk of a split if the diameter of the dowel matches the diameter of the hole. But another solution might be to borrow a trick from the concrete folks - pretension the wood in the jig to resist splitting by drilling a hole through the solid end of the jig, and running a machine bolt through it to apply pressure across the grain of the wood. The second problem related to centering the workpiece when you flip it around to turn the face of the pendant. I know this one well - in some of my earliest attempts, I drilled a very small hole all the way through the pendant to use for recentering, but that meant that the mounting hole had to be large enough to drill away that centering hole. A solution I have never tried is to make another jig - just a scrap of material (anything would work) with a round recess the diameter of the initial turning (of the back of the pendant), and a small concentric centering hole. To use it, drop the partially-turned pendant into the recess, apply turners' tape on the turned back, line up the centering hole with the tailstock and press onto the dowel mandrel. That would mean that the initial (obverse) turning would have to be to a standard diameter, but you could easily have several jigs to choose from.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Great tips! Thanks for taking the time to share with our community.

[@glennnord2605]

I can see were you can use a lot of small end peace and make something interesting , Good project

[@user-sc7hb1ci9m]

Bonjour Mike.Un sujet et une démonstration à ne pas rater ,à regarder et à reproduire.Merci pour l'info.J'aime👍

[@bradbyers7505]

I particularly like the fixture you made to hold the work. It’s simple but effective, and the strip of metal was icing on the cake in my opinion. Thanks for the lesson.

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Thanks for the demo Mike Take care Cheers Harold

[@gordongroves6674]

I like them a lot. Thanks for sharing the technique Mike I will give it a try.

[@edwardukleja4583]

Hi Mike, great video, perfect timing. I read the recent articles in Woodturning magazine about the Dux Chuck, seeing you use one was far more useful and informative.

[@bernardfutter5327]

Same here. Thanks Mike. Bernard.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I did not realize Jim published an article on that.

[@billy19461]

You could also use a counter sink bit in your drill chuck.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes, that is an alternative if you do not want a very wide bevel.

[@jackthompson5092]

Beautiful pendants Mike.

[@jerrystark6766]

A well-designed jig. NIce project, too. Thanks for the video. 👍👍

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for watching!

[@DKWalser]

Mike -- That looks like a nice jig that will allow you to create a number of interesting patterns. Here's a quick tip: Use a pencil to get an idea of how your next cut will look. Simply hold the pencil on your tool rest and mark the wood where you intend to make your cut (while the lathe is spinning). If I want to make indexed cuts, I put tape on the tool rest and mark where to make my cuts. Then, as I index the pendant in my jig, I can easily repeat each cut from the newly indexed location. If I'm making a complex design, I will frequently layout the entire design using a pencil as described above before making any decorative cuts. Then, by carefully returning the jig to the appropriate offset and index for each cut, I get the design I wanted. Your jig makes this possible. It's easier with the Joyner off center jig, but your jig works, too. It will just take more care.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for the tips, David. I just need to find time to play with it more.

[@jeanlong4285]

Nice jig. Thanks for great ideas.

[@carolriley8472]

Love this project...looks like fun to make!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

It was!

[@kurtcorgan4358]

Thats brilliant!! Thank you for sharing this!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

My pleasure!

[@theangrywoodturner9972]

Nice..I may have to steal the concept and tweak it a little. I don't know how you keep your content fresh but keep it up thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate that! With more than 700 videos, I sometimes wonder if I will run out of ideas, but they seem to just keep coming!

[@georged1209]

Instead of boring the large hole you can save more surface area for decoration if you use an eye screw on the edge for the neck cord attachment.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Always more than one way to do things. Personally, I think a screw eye would not look very elegant. You can purchase a jewelry part called a bail with similar functionality but a more elegant look than a screw eye, IMHO. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@georged1209]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning you are right, I have used those also.

[@pjseiber2774]

Very interesting need to make one of these. ❤

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You should!

[@glencrandall7051]

Do you think this jig is better, or worse, than the Niles Multi center jig? Would you say it's easier or harder to use? It's obviously cheaper. Looks easy to build too. All parts readily available. Thank you for sharing. Have a great 2024 and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I would say probably not as good as the Joyner Off Center Jig now sold by Carl Jacobson, I believe. But for someone just wanting to play and make a few pendants, frugal may be the way to go. That said, if you already have a bottle stopper mandrel, the Joyner componenets are not real expensive.

[@DKWalser]

If you're going to turn a number of pendants or want to decorate smaller turnings with off-center designs, I strongly recommend the Joyner Off Center Jig from Ruth Niles. The Joyner jig makes it much easier to repeat favorite designs or to create precise geometric patterns. It's well made and has been a good addition to my shop. I like it so much that I have two.

[@PattersonPatch]

I make a fair number of pendants but I use the Joyner Jig, which is an investment in more tools and jigs vs making your own. I use my Robust live center with a wooden screw on cap I made for it to have tailstock support, especially when working on the back side of the pendant. On reverse side of my pendants I frequently use my Robert Sorby Micro texturing tool to add decroation since the can flip over when being worn. I then use my jig I made to hold a diamond carbide in place to rotate though different offsets and indexes. I drill a 2.5mm hole afterwords and just use jewerly findings.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing. I think the Joyner jig is great if you can justfiy the expenditure - that is if you are going to use it a lot.

[@ronbeckhaus7326]

I liked where you were going in the design section at the end. May I suggest using your point tool to create a curved cross hatch design? Thanks for sharing, Mike, cheers, mate.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for the tip!

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Thanks Mike for the good idea. What do U use for hanging these with, thin strips of leather perhaps? The diy dux chuck was exceptionally well done and explained.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thin leather or special cord from the jewelry section at an arts and crafts story like Michaels or Hobby lobby.

[@MASI_forging]

How awesome. 😍😍

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thank you! 😊

[@knothead5]

Made a Dux chuck and turned three diameters (OD) of backup blocks. Now...when you drill through the pendant material, what happens to the backup block? Use it again but rotate the material so I doesn't drill in the same spot? Drill in the same spot? You realize your video has opened a Pandora's Box? :D

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

😀✌

[@Lawrence-tg6lp]

Very nice was wondering ha small of a collet chuck you make using this technique ‼️‼️‼️⁉️⁉️⁉️

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

If I understand your question, mine is 1 7/8" wide and about 4 1/2" long.

[@Lawrence-tg6lp]

My question is I want to try and make some dip pens in but need a collet chuck or is there another way

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

@@Lawrence-tg6lp Here is the collet chuck I use kzbin.info/www/bejne/jamwZWeKeZWXiLs You can make a collet chuck similar to how the late Bob Hamilton demonstrates here kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJmrpmqXl86Ia7s

[@martinmissouriusa3616]

Why no metal strip on both sides?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good question. After using it a bit, I think a strip on both sides would make it slide easier. Thanks for the idea.

[@r5yamaha]

Few has this equipment.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

A lathe is necessary for woodturning. The other steps on this project could be done with hand tools.

[@Fasikamerhawi-vc5fc]

H>iiii

[@garyfestarini9608]

The jig is good. But I am trying to save some poor turner a nasty injury when their ring or watch is caught in the jig. Please tell people to ditch the jewelry when they turn