Stuck Chuck

This is a little video of how I overcome the problem of having a stuck chuck on my lathe. I had watched lots of other videos, but didn't like some of the ideas, as they could cause damage to the chuck, or even the lathe itself.
Here is the link to the tool which I purchased www.screwfix.com/p/silverline...

[@cdrive5757]

First I'd like to say that your little Coronet is exquisite. I thought I was familiar with most model lathes, both wood and metal but I somehow missed this one. As for those straps... Yup I have three of them hanging on my wall. Unfortunately that's where they usually remain. As mentioned by others, the type of sticking that chucks exhibit don't lend themselves to StrapWrench cure. Chucks and Faceplates usually get stuck because the turner spun the chuck onto the spindle. I have found that placing a thin plastic or fiber washer between the chuck and the spindle will greatly reduce the likelihood of a stick. I made mine out of a thin piece of Masonite. In the end though....NEVER SPIN THE CHUCK ONTO THE SPINDLE! Wakodahatchee Chris

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi, and many thanks for your comment. The Coronet Herald lathe is very good, and I would recommend it to anyone that is short on space, but wants a lathe that has a swivel headstock, so to be able to turn larger pieces. Regarding the strap wrenches, I made the video for those who find it difficult to generally loosen a chuck after turning, as I personally usually find it too tight to loosen by hand. I have never had a chuck stuck so tight that the strap wrench doesn’t work, but maybe I have been lucky up to now. I like your idea of a plastic washer, which I have heard of before being used to reduce sticking. Happy Turning….

[@bruceallen6377]

very cool, i just got an idea to make one of these out of wood and a leather belt. Thanks for your channel!

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Good idea of making your own. I will be hopefully posting some more videos soon, but I have been busy with other things.

[@raydriver7300]

Hi. It’s nice to see a Brit on KZbin. Great explanation 🌞

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Thank you! 😃

[@k.s.1871]

Exactly the tool that I use to tighten and loosen my Jacobs collet closer on my metal lathe -- they work ideally ! I buy more of those strap wrenches whenever I get a chance or find them at a good price . For awhile, they seemed hard to find and my closer tends to abuse them, so I always want to have more on hand . Nifty solution to many problems !

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi, many thanks for your comment. I only use mine to loosen the chuck after each job, as the chuck cannot be undone by hand alone. I wouldn’t recommend it for chucks that are really seized on, due to rust etc, though no lathe should be in that condition, unless in a damp area. There are chain versions that might be better for seized chucks, but they would probably mark and scratch the chuck, plus they might slip, as being made of metal. Happy turning…

[@calmwoodcreations3709]

When this happens with one of my chucks, I use an adjustable spanner wrench. Have never noticed any damage to a chuck. I've also used a strap wrench, but the spanner is my choice. Nylon drive washers also help.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi, somebody else mentioned about using nylon washers to help. As I mentioned way back, I personally like using the strap wrench, as it is really only meant for using after general turning when undoing the chuck by hand is difficult, which usually happens for me. It is nice hearing other turners solutions. Your idea also sounds good. I just didn’t like the idea of putting metal bars in the jaws themselves and hitting it with a hammer, as it might damage or mark the jaws, and also put strain on the small screws that hold them. Many thanks for your comments, and happy turning.

[@calmwoodcreations3709]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 Maybe what comes up in a Google search for "adjustable spanner wrench" isn't the same in the UK as it is here in the US. Didn't mean through the jaws! Yikes! What I've got is a handle with a hinged pin/peg. Lock spindle, put peg in key hole, use handle to break the hold. No damage.

[@davidfriedman3962]

Thank you, just purchased my Herald Record Power, getting started. Looking for ideas to hang and adjust my dust collection hose to maximise collection. I saw your set up any details or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Again thank you. David

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi David, Many thanks for your comments. I think you will love your Herald, as I do mine. There are a couple of little secret tricks that you can do on this particular lathe, which I will show in a video at some point, as I want to do a review on it. One thing I haven't purchased yet is the optional magnetic stop button, which can be handy, especially when you have the headstock swivelled, so you don't have to reach over for the stop button on the main control unit. Shame they don't also do an extendable attachment to control speed. I did purchase the optional outrigger for turning larger items. Happy turning...

[@avijitDrilling92]

👍

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Many thanks…

[@andyvan5692]

good solution, oil drilling rigs do the same, to remove the drill pipe, grip on the outside, sometimes they use just a length of chain wrapped around the pipe, to the "torque device", you see it in the "roughneck" videos.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi, Many thanks for your reply. Also mechanics use a similar tool to unscrew oil filters from cars, which led me to discover the item I purchased. There are probably lots of other ideas out there, which will also do the job just as well. It certainly has made it a lot easier for me. Regards John

[@andyvan5692]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 yes, but the most common is to have a hex on the chuck mount flange or a series of holes, so a supplied open ended or hook spanner can be used( commonly to hit with a rawhide or rubber mallet), to apply the leverage right neer the threaded end so no torque reaction hence the breaking of parts.

[@GnosisMan50]

Hard to believe the lathe does not have a locking mechanism specifically for removing the chuck.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

As you can see in the video, I can lock the spindle, and there is a sort of wrench that Record Power supply with their chucks, but I find it doesn't hold well, and has slipped on me quite a few times, which isn't great on the knuckles. Plus it is very uncomfortable on the hands. I know, and have seen that on the larger lathes, they have a better system. Since using the strap wrenches, I no longer have any issues. Happy turning...

[@maggieirving]

Genius!

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi Maggie, Many thanks for your reply. It was just an idea that I hit upon, and seems to work very well at removing the chuck, after you have finished with it. I don't know how it would perform on a chuck that was really seized up, due to being on a lathe for many years. Glad you liked it. I will be making more videos very soon. It's just finding the time to make them.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

I have those strap wrenches with the rubber strap. I have been disappointed when trying to use them on e.g., water filter cannister. The rubber stretches too much. The version of strap wrench with a braided material strap should work better, but these are not easy to find these days. I prefer to prevent the chuck getting really stuck by using a plastic antilock lathe spindle washer. Commonly available in the US wood turning mail order stores. My metal lathe also has threaded chuck. The manufacturer does state to use a metal bar in the jaws of the chuck, but metal lathe chucks are VERY beefy so not likely to be damaged. Dave.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi Dave, Many thanks for your comments. I have to say that the ones I purchased are definitely not stretchy. I like the idea of the antilock spindle washer, which I haven't heard of before. Regarding the use of a metal bar, which I have seen, and used myself in the past, it's more the concern of damaging the little screws and threads, as some of the jaws only have one screw holding them, like the pen and pin jaws, which is why I started using the wrench idea. I have been lucky up to now, as I have never had a chuck on really tight. There are a lot of products I have noticed that are readily available in the US, but not in the UK, which is a shame. Regards John

[@lv_woodturner3899]

I had not tried to find in UK. I just did a search for wood lathe no lock washer and found 1 link but at Pds14. Crazy. I cannot add a link or my comment will go into limbo, but they searching UK Ebay with the text "M33 - 33mm FORM A FLAT WASHERS NYLON PLASTIC CLASS 66 - DIN 125" This is Pds2.39 much more reasonable. Sad that they are common in the US but not the UK. Dave.

[@philbutcher6959]

I have the same lathe, John and have just switched to a 5 inch Robust tool rest. The difference is huge. Apart from being very smooth, it is much lighter, so moving the rest around is easier. Your hand will be more comfortable, too. Regards the chuck, I found I have coped ok with the tool supplied, but there is always the chance of slipping, so your idea is a good one. I am thinking of getting a 2nd chuck, as changing the jaw's 8 screws is a little slow - maybe also a Longworth remount, too, that fits quickly onto the 50mm jaws. The Record Power is good, but so many screws to adjust.

[@philbutcher6959]

...and where did you get the flexi dust pipe holder? Cheers, Phil

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi, I will look into the rest you mentioned. I did purchase a second sc4 chuck myself, as it is a pain having to keep changing jaws all the time. The second chuck came on it's own, with a thread adapter, which I purchased from Yandles. I also use the allen keys with the T handle grip, so as to make it easier on the fingers. Here is a link to the ones I purchased from Toolstation www.toolstation.com/draper-expert-soft-grip-t-handle-hex-key-set/p49663

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

@@philbutcher6959 Hi Phil, I bought it off of Ebay. It is used for holding mobile phones. Here is a link to one I found on Ebay just now, as the seller I bought it from, no longer has them. There are lots to choose from, but the one I have is quite sturdy, and does the job. I then just adapted it slightly to hold the flexi pipe www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234704282651?itmmeta=01HR7Q75SK4WXPEC9RBJWRKGFV&hash=item36a577241b:g:UMEAAOSwj~xjK~f6&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAABEP26wW4Wkj1UxWd4rDGdnXICOkXjv6HGTzvarGUmm7YJ%2BzlO9Tx3ENIMVaR%2BznZBOP%2BJUMxQYxf8TYfQyqu1bgPsWPlZni2N6KMOP%2FrzuEI741Ht7QlzS9bwiDLi01x7IJjjtZuioyp8keXo9IkENeZ2oLAiSSitz4bDdQYU9o2lorJXEGo0Tog3abLGvnThBJTjiPSa1tqQ%2B2c%2B5E66lp%2BKdFcPcqmTsglW4%2F8YlOz49johi%2BMJfdnwUf1jHra1575xKq%2BNGVSA7g3fQurTAfXeKj2HQP8FMTz0EpWHmJqeQ%2Fr3gL2uF9SlWsNjssht%2FKo11v2tk3OEOPEutnlKWIwMVrqCagDNU48Itw4rZCh5%7Ctkp%3ABFBMjN2c98Fj

[@philbutcher6959]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 Thanks for both replies - all very helpful. I had thought about the T handle allen - good idea. The worst is dropping the tiny blighteres into saw dust pile.

[@philbutcher6959]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 Bought one from your link, John and it arrived and looks good - many thanks again.

[@colinchalmers1099]

It’s a good idea,but it’s the blunt force that releases the chuck,I don’t think this would work well if the chuck was really stuck….not to sound bad,but your chuck wasn’t stuck tightly on,anything that has stretch on it,won’t work well.All the other ways you motioned work great,but as you say,not recommended,a c clamp would be a perfect solution,but most chuck manufacturers don’t include them…. Cheers for sharing.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

I agree. The method I show is only for chucks that are generally hard to remove by hand, which normally happens. You would need brute force on a totally seized chuck, which might be rusted on the lathe.

[@michaelwillson6847]

Many thanks for this video i actually was in my shop last night and realised i have this problem and was cursing and swearing a couldnt get it off. I have the lumberjack lathe and doesnt have a lock mechanism for the head stock although from seeing this video and the nock out bar it may have that will need to reases although not sure what I'll do if it doenet. Any thoughts would be helpful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Hi, regarding locking the headstock, as you are probably already aware, different lathes have different methods. I originally had an Axminster Craft Lathe, which didn’t have a locking feature, but instead it came with two spanners. One went on a nut connected to the spindle, and the other went on the chuck itself. You then just pushed and pulled in opposite directions to loosen the chuck. You might want to google search the manual for that particular model.

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 it's the lumberjack 12" cast iron mini lathe it did come with a large wrench and probably me being in the shop late last night didn't even think about that but you could be right I will try that. Not sure about locking the spindle it came with knock out bar but will need to relook at it figure it out. It may just have been me late last night being daft.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

@@michaelwillson6847 Hope you sort it out. I did amend my reply just now, and added that you might want to google search for the manual for that particular model, as you can get most manuals free online nowadays. Happy turning.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

@@michaelwillson6847 I just looked it up and it seems to have the similar nut that I was mentioning behind the spindle thread.

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 yea a can probably find it on there website I'll look into it if a can't get it figured out. Thanks for the help though 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@AntonMans]

It seems no longer available? The link leads to a dead page.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

I just looked on Screwfix and found it. They probably did a website update. Here is the link again www.screwfix.com/p/silverline-rubber-strap-wrenches-set-2-pack/508fu

[@daviddejong187]

Use anti-seize lube on the spindle threads. No more problems

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

Many thanks for your comment. I personally haven't heard of that one, but sounds like another good solution.

[@jodyjohnson3146]

The plastic chuck washers cure this problem

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

I might try them. One question though, with a plastic washer in place, is there no resistance when taking the chuck off? I just find that I need that little extra help with the strap wrench to loosen the chuck. Happy turning…

[@jodyjohnson3146]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 There is a slight bit of resistance. But nothing compared to a stuck chuck. I make mine out of plastic milk jugs. Works perfectly.

[@thewoodturningwizard7514]

@@jodyjohnson3146Do you use the bottle or the screw cap to make them?

[@jodyjohnson3146]

@@thewoodturningwizard7514 Just the bottle. Just your standard one gallon plastic container thats a whitish colored plastic