Stupid Four-Jaw Chuck Tricks

[@AndysMachines]

Great video! I love the dead centre tip. But there's a neat trick you left out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaLPlHaaiMaeaKM

[@Blondihacks]

Whoa, that’s awesome!! Now that’s how you do a response video. 😀 Thanks for sharing! That’s a great tip and I love how you called out the limitations responsibly. Thanks for sharing!

[@AndysMachines]

@@Blondihacks Well thank you for the kind words! 😊

[@AndysMachines]

@@andypughtube That's true. The work is only being gripped with this method, not physically constrained by the jaws as it would be normally. Yes, you want to take extra care with unbalanced workpieces.

[@randynovick7972]

Dang. I knew about the copper jaws thing, and about reversals, but the dead center trick took the ribbon home. Nifty!

[@ron.owensby]

I agree, great tip!

[@dercebe]

Would it be helpfull to use some sort of tap follower so you do not have to readjust the distance to the life center while finding the center position?

[@randywl8925]

I don't own a lathe, but it would be nice to have one I just don't have the space. I totally agree that dead center trick gets the ribbon. That was impressive enough that was going to be my comment and someone beat me to it. ........by a year. 😁 I also liked using that angle metal in the vise for a second bend. No lathe, but I have a vice. 😁 I just recently joined your channel and even though I don't have the machining tools that you do the procedures you show the imagery in your videos and your precise descriptions of your procedures is as good as it gets. Everything makes perfect sense and the added humor is the kicker. This is great stuff that you're showing. How about a video on improvements to a drill press table to improve accuracy or repeatability.

[@532bluepeter1]

Another tip for the four jaw that I believe I learned from Tom at 'Tom's Techniques' is to clone your four jaw chuck key and use both keys simultaneously on opposite jaws. This really facilitates matters when truing work.

[@drd1924]

I was going to suggest the same thing, I use a short small chuck key for the rear and turn both front and back at the same time for large adjustments and getting close. Then fine tune with the main chuck key one at a time. By this method you can often dial in to +/- 0.0001" TIR within 2 minutes from chucking part up... to dialied in. I used to hate dialing in a 4 jaw, but now...I never even use the 3 jaw lol since it would take more time to swap out the jaws than to just dial in. But this is a great video still, she definitely knows her stuff.

[@button-puncher]

Good point. If I did that I *KNOW* that I'd have to put a chain or something on it because I'd forget that 2nd one. Make the handle a giant blaze orange plastic disc or something like that. UFO? Nah, just my 2nd chuck key.

[@dekutree64]

Great tip. Probably could even 3D print it since you won't be using much pressure when doing the simultaneous motions.

[@incubatork]

For the copper soft jaws i use a short offcut of copper tube/pipe, set the jaw point with a round bar held firmly in the chuck. Once tight squash the sides with grips, you then have to mark and cut the tabs similarly to the way you did but leave the rest closed as it helps stop the softjaws opening up once they have been used a few times. They end up the same as yours but closed at the back part.

[@dalekify]

Yep, and while she's make the first one you'll be finishing the fourth.

[@claudiomenesesc]

I must be REALLY stupid since I found these tricks brilliant. Thanks !

[@forrestaddy9644]

Alternative: buy a few feet of annealed bare copper wire from the electrical dept of your fav big box store of a size that nestles in the jaw serration. Measure the diameter of your work and cut off a length that will wrap most of the way around. 3 times the diameter is close enough. Make a ring of the wire and slip it over the diameter to be chucked. After a dozen jobs you accumulate enough rings so the need for new ones drops to replacement level. The beauty of the narrow rings is they allow you to bump the far end of the work so you can dial in the full length very presicely for center driling. The ugly part is if the chucked surface is too smooth the work can slip axially under heavy cuts or drill feeds. The same is true of the design Quinn demonstrated. Axial slip is something to keep in mind unlees the work is blocked or solidly shouldered against movement. One thing, be sure the copper ring lies in the plane of rotation, preferably in a jaw serration. If it's skewed the part will tend to nutate (wobble so the part axis follows a cone.) If your four jaw lathe chuck jaws are smooth ie, have no annular serrations, you might consider grinding in at least one shallow groove. Do this in the lathe with the jaws locked on a short slug gripped at the heel. A Dremel or die grinder will do the job. Use a mointed point grinding wheel B-70 if 1/8 shank or A-36 if 1/4 shank. Dress the included angle to 90 degrees symmetrically on the radial plane. Two sets of jaws are handy: one ser smooth, one set serrated

[@Gottenhimfella]

I like the notion of being able to bump the axis true for long (eg shaft) work. I suppose this could also be done with soft steel wire, which would permit of gripping a bit tighter? Hardened C clips from round wire were sometimes used for gudgeon (wrist) pin retention (and can be made by starting to make a spring but changing your mind and cutting it into rings) but I guess these would mark the work, and perhaps not even conform well enough to develop a secure grip?

[@woodscreekworkshop9939]

I don’t know, that chuck looked pretty smart to me 😬

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I liked the centering up the off center bar trick😊

[@CleaveMountaineering]

That double dead center trick is great! I would have only thought to use the dead center in the tailstock.

[@toddfisher2335]

I like the dial indicator mount on the quick change. How about making a video on that?!

[@johnapel2856]

Those weren’t stupid at all. Now, if you had shown them to us while wearing, oh, I don't know, maybe a SpongeBob flipeez hat (which in and of itself is NOT stupid), well that might have been stupid. No, I changed my mind. That would have been funny. Good tips. Thanks. Meow.

[@glenntrewitt]

Since 16 gauge copper is harder to work with and the only purpose is not to have the chuck jaws chew through it... How about using 24 gauge (22 vs. 64 mils) and solder a couple of small pieces to thicken the copper, just at the tip of the jaws?

[@Somun-a]

Really great tips. Thanks for taking the time. I have seen copper jaw covers so many times but this is the first time someone is telling how to make 'em. For the dead center trick, how about using a tap follower to keep the center from falling during the initial eye-ball stage? Edit: Of course someone already came up with that idea : )

[@prodoverjeff2876]

I once ran a job on a Brown&Sharpe screw machine, about .025 off centre in an off center Hardinge collet. Turned, formed, drilled and tapped. I was new in machinig in an old company, so I thought nothing of it. It took a lot of years before it hit me how many guys would have told me, "Can't be done!"

[@sstorholm]

Very nice video, even though a lot of these were "obvious" once I saw them, it would have taken me quite some time to figure them out myself standing with the work piece in hand by the lathe. This also very neatly demonstrates why the lathe is the king of machine tools, it's the only machine that can in theory replicate itself.

[@Armedlegally]

Quinn! If I could give you three thumbs up I would. Whats interesting is I love playing in my hobby shop and I'm trying to get my wife to do a few things with me. Well you're helping in that area and you just don't realize it. So later on today were going to go out and try a few things together!! WOOOHOOOOO

[@eddietowers5595]

Lol, love the title. Though nothing stupid about them, specially if you’re subscribers are having “eureka” moments with them.

[@CreaseysWorkshop]

Thanks for being part of #tipsblitz19. Awesome video!

[@etprecisionmachine2379]

A tip from a 45 year experience machinist: use a wiggler instead of a dead center. Wigglers are spring loaded so the tailstock won't need backing off. Put the indicator tip as close as possible to the work. The farther away the less deflection of the indicator. If you wanna really hold tenths then having the indicator tip 1/2 inch away from the work will not give accurate results. Furthermore, since one end of the wiggler is held in the chuck it won't fall on the cross slide. All of my 3 jaw chucks are adjustable. If bought that way they are more money than hobbiest folks want to pay. I have modified several of my chucks to make them adjustable. Small chucks can be challenging but I have done 4 inch chucks that work very well. Please let me know if you would like to see how I have done this. I can take some pics. And who doesn't like pictures of metalwork? Eric

[@jimbos3421]

Excellent tip with the dead center! I’ve always used a 100 year old 10 to 1 “wiggly” & my calibrated eyeball, your method is better.

[@OldtimeIronman]

Oh I am so discombobulated, a Blondiehacks on a Friday ???

[@Blondihacks]

You and me both! 😀

[@Guds777]

Doing stupid things on the lathe for shit and giggles since 1774. :D :D

[@grayskwerl4973]

Information well presented. +Thanks +

[@grantlockridge9354]

If you use a spring loaded tap follower instead of a dead center you don't have to back off the tailstock when you make your beginning course adjustments...

[@clintchapman4319]

That's a pretty cool trick using the dead center to set up off center work.. Nice one!

[@AMillionInAOne]

Another great video Quinn. I'd love to see "stupid tail stock tricks" at some point in the future especially on your particular lathe. For selfish reasons since my lathe is similar.

[@Blondihacks]

Good idea! I’ll see what I can do.

[@WildmanTech]

If only I could get the four-jaw chuck I bought to mount to my lathe. I need a new lathe. Great tips!

[@railgap]

Use the lathe to make an adapter plate? I need to do that.

[@EmmaRitson]

oh thats really nice and clear, as always. the soft jaws are nice. thanks for being a Gem.

[@rennkafer13]

More great tips! Thanks Quinn!

[@kmet2000]

Hi, the dead center trick is great! BTW - I saw you struggling on getting the right feeds and speeds on aluminum. Try rubbing alcohol. Any feed / speec will work great. And parts will come out clean.

[@Critical_Path]

Fantastic Video!! Really awesome "stupid" tips here. Very informative, to the point but hilarious at the same time. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed

[@bostedtap8399]

Excellent tips, for very small chucks, copper tube offcuts can be used. Thanks for sharing.

[@robertgarthwaite9199]

I thought the "fired" and "rehired" labels on the nub was pretty funny.....good job, Quinn.

[@danedewaard8215]

Not stupid, maybe stupefying!!! Thanks for those neat tricks!

[@TheSuperCyborg]

Always get a warm feeling when in your intros you go from badass boss, to speaking with the sweetest children storyteller voice and demeanor. And it doesn't disappoint when your videos always range in between (more like the latter!). Excellent work, Quinn! Forever a fan!

[@bobaloo2012]

Not going to make a joke about how you've always been told that 4 inches is 7 inches, nope, not going to...

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot9942]

Don Johnson that’s thinking out-loud )

[@rockerpat1085]

I don't think she's into 4 or 7 inches!!!

[@britishreaction54]

@@rockerpat1085 just what exactly is that supposed to mean?

[@rockerpat1085]

@@britishreaction54 Just what exactly are you not understanding?

[@britishreaction54]

@@rockerpat1085 What you are implying she is "into" and how, specifically, that relates to two imperial measurements.

[@chieft3357]

Thanks much for the info. I've wanted to do copper soft jaws for my lathe and now is a good time to do it. :-)

[@guye7763]

Fantastic good video

[@mtwagner]

Do you have a 5C Collet chuck for the PM Lathe? Will that be a possible future thing? I'd love to see a videos covering chuck changes (doing something on the Faceplate, also you don't see done very often here on KZbin), and gear changes for threading.

[@Blondihacks]

I really really want a collet chuck, for sure. I’ve been working out designs to adapt one for this machine. It’ll happen at some point. Great idea about the faceplate, as well. I’ll add that to the schedule.

[@mtwagner]

Blondihacks I saw this one in my internet wanderings, seems like make a compatible backplate for the PM would be an interesting episode. www.accusizetools.com/0269-0010-5c-5-collet-chuck-plain-back/

[@TrevorDennis100]

The last tip was something I'd not come across in 40 years as a toolmaker, and was pretty nifty to boot. An added bonus to this is that the #tipsblitz19 link brings up some engineering channels I was not aware of so doubly useful. I didn't see a tip from This Old Tony though.

[@EmmaRitson]

there was one!! hope you saw it.

[@mrcpu9999]

on the round stock, could you stick a vblock in there to clamp against?

[@Just1GuyMetalworks]

Nice😃! Really dig that dead center trick. Not stupid whatsoever 😊. Thanks, Quinn😁.

[@tomherd4179]

Like your tips. I made a 2nd chuck key for my 4 jaw and found it is somewhat easier to dial in parts using the 2 keys 180 degrees apart. Again thanks.

[@glenntrewitt]

Regarding centering a random hole... What about loosening the jaws "generously" to allow the mark to be centered. Drive the dead center (only) into the mark and then tighten the jaws to grab the part. I'm guessing there might be a problem with keeping the hole aligned precisely enough? But in any case, this would let you quickly get to the final adjustment very quickly.

[@beachboardfan9544]

Dead center trick is great, not stupid! 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

A bit flasher than my bodgey copper soft jaws !

[@chriscirino8412]

Quinn Thank you and Merry Christmas. I enjoy your videos. Very informative.

[@fepatton]

I knew the four-jaw useful for something other than giving me a heart attack trying to center work in it! That offset drilling trick is great.

[@TheFishingHobby]

Very useful tip on using the dead center for checking runout. Thanks, you earned my subscription 👍

[@Blondihacks]

Thanks for the sub!

[@RagsdaleCreek]

Nice tips ! The other QUINN WATCHING IN ALABAMA CHECK OUT RAGSDALE CREEK WORKSHOP

[@AdventureswithaVerySmallLathe]

Nice! Your soft jaws are _so_ much nicer and more professional than the ones I just made for the tip blitz.

[@kylemichael2175]

Nicely put together video Quinn. I learn something every time I watch your videos. I tried making some soft jaws out of 14ga brass sheet and it didn’t work out so well. Now I see where I went wrong. Thank you. Keep up the great work. I always enjoy your videos!

[@mxcollin95]

All great tips! (None were stupid) Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@DomManInT1]

The original technique of milling was actually called rotary filing and was done with the cutting tool mounted in the lathe chuck and the work piece mounted on the lathe cross slide.

[@pauldevey8628]

Love your channel. I also like your blog content. I like that you sometimes give some theory as to support your methods. Thank You and Thank You again.

[@robertoelvir155]

Buenas tardes maestra, podría asesorarme como puedo utilizar la guía copiadora de conos de los tornos pinocho, imparto clases de máquinas herramientas en colegio técnico. Muchas gracias por su apoyo técnico. Mi nombre es Roberto Elvira Solorce

[@britishreaction54]

When you want to drill or bore an eccentric hole in the 4 jaw, engage the tailstock centre with the centre punch mark and clamp it to the face of the 4 jaw with it. Snug the 4 jaw's 4 jaws on the part. THEN do the trick with the dead centre and dial it in. Takes a lot less hands and you will be very near even before you begin dialling in.

[@Gottenhimfella]

Great tip. One further observation: if the amount of eccentricity is more than can be accommodated (because, as BH points out, one jaw can no longer reach far enough), provided you're only drilling and (gently) boring, it may work out OK (depending on the diameter of the work relative to the eccentricity) to leave one jaw off, and make as if you have a universal 3 jaw chuck.

[@gregschultz2029]

That was the comment I was going to add ,much easier !!!

[@godfreypoon5148]

You can clamp wide objects by clamping "across" the jaws, e.g. -X- where the X is the jaws. This is probably quite a stupid 4 jaw trick.

[@aceroadholder2185]

A little late to the party...but I have a centering tool made by a late co-worker of mine that makes the dead centering trick a little more convenient. It is a ~3/8" rod about 10 inches long. One end has a 60 degree point like a dead center. The other end has a 1/4" dia. spring loaded female center that extends out about 1/2" from the rod. The first advantage is that when you put the rod between the tail stock center and the center punch mark on the work it won't fall out while making adjustments. Secondly, you can zero your indicator on the rod near the tail stock end. Then you can rapidly zero the center punch mark when the indicator is brought up near the work. If the holes in the work must be located closer than you can center punch, a set of die buttons may be used. This might be necessary when, for instance, two meshing gears are to be mounted on the work. Cheers from NC/USA

[@shortbuslife3440]

Really useful tricks to know thanks, I would have probably used a pipe to make copper soft jaws just get some copper pipe about the same size but good trick either way.

[@Yukam1912]

trick # 3 phenominal , i m in r &d for so many years , never thought about that , simply wonderfull

[@luclambrechts3001]

hello I use a metal bench for billiard cue repairs, the only problem I can't solve is how to cock the cue without damaging the wood. If you have a solution I'd love to hear it. Best regards

[@IBWatchinUrVids]

The copper jaw thing, I made mine from cheap copper pipe, I cut it lengthwise with a tin snips, then annealed it with a torch. Made it quite easy to work with.

[@EverettsWorkshop]

I used that trick with the dead center to make a couple carburetor adapter flanges so the hole would be bored on target (one was offset from center). Definitely making some copper jaw covers for my 4-jaw, but will probably use leftover copper tube (cheaper!) Thanks for sharing!

[@ellieprice3396]

Careful with that red hat. Snowflakes are starting to fly. (;-)))

[@lutsifer5847]

Hi, how do you align a square for a centric runout in the four-jaw chuck? The dial gauge can only be used to scan the edges and not the surfaces. Greetings from Germany

[@billbrennan8405]

Quinn another Great video, gets my old mind thinking. Thanks

[@Rustinox]

Great. Now all i need to do is buy a four jaw chuck.

[@rickpalechuk4411]

Great tricks, and Canadian love too! The full meal deal. Thanks for sharing Quinn. Cheers

[@ronaldmoorehouse1469]

You should get you a pair of Knipex smooth jaw locking pliers there the best next thing to sliced bread won’t mar the metal when bending it ! I have every pair they make and use them in my body shop for bending metal !!

[@leerogers6423]

Good stuff. None of us has a shed full of machines and the toys that go with them ,we all have to get the job done with what we have at hand. Anything that makes more use of your lathe is worth knowing.

[@tonyhewett3729]

Nice video but I fear info like that is lost on today's youngsters going into the work place, there too scared to get their hands dirty and think everything is done by computer, 10 years from now proper machining will be a lost art in a society of 3d printed crap.

[@mamoshimamoshian9078]

Please, please dont mention your power Cross Feed anymore :( I get sad everytime :) ( I never tout of getting one at the time, and I think you are right It really pays to have a lathe with them. and you can mention as much as you want love your channel and I learned from you quiet a bet. Thank you

[@terrinewman7390]

typo meant $250.00 and 6x18 swing!

[@davidmcinnes317]

Instead of using a revolving centre in your tailstock ,use your spring die holder.It takes away the need for a third hand when adjusting the jaws.If you don't have a die centre maybe someone can show you how to make one ?

[@jackbonanno8186]

I've always had to deal with off center holes, but the dead center, I just smacked myself on the side of my head and said, why didn't I think of that. Thank you.

[@2WHEELSor2WINGS]

Loved the 4 jaw tricks. Easy when you know how! 😎

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. Cool tips. Mahalo for sharing. : )

[@mikenixon4637]

Very nice work! Definitely an asset to the online tutorial community!

[@ShadonHKW]

Not stupid if it works! Great tips :)

[@HighCaliberCraftsman]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@toolscrounge]

The central center for centering...

[@Blondihacks]

😬

[@ctrchg]

Thanks!

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

Hey Quinn !! Regarding the punch hole alignment.... I prefer to use the machinists button method as its more accurate , as the hole can drift slightly during punching... So.... u drill & tap a suitable thread & lightly fix a button (ground & bored bush) to the part with a screw & washer. Then you measure from the part edges to the bush , & allowing for the button diameter, tap the button until its dimensionally where you want it. Tighten the button retaining screw & put it in the 4 jaw & centre the button, then remove the button & bore the hole. Sounds long-winded but once you've done it a couple of times it becomes second nature & is great for making accurately spaced multiple holes with a button for each coordinate. Works great for boring on the mill too !! 😎👍☘🍺

[@Blondihacks]

Cool technique! Thanks for sharing!

[@lohikarhu734]

I'm new to yaour channel...what's with the'Canadian inches' thing ? That rule looked like it was cm, not inches ? Nice video, thank you...

[@Blondihacks]

I have a bad habit of throwing out measurements that are wrong and not catching them until the final edit. So I started calling them Canadian Inches because everything is a little different up here. 😬

[@johnellison3030]

Sub'd

[@Machine_NZ]

Great video Quinn, thanks for the upload

[@markengineeringSA]

should have just called it smart four jaw tricks :-),

[@larryshaw796]

I don't know if machinists have a faceplate like watchmakers use for off center drilling but ours have curved slots with built in clamps and what we call a pump center for alignment of off center hole alignment so maybe we have something you don't, any way great show keep up the good work, say hi to sprocket for me.

[@Blondihacks]

We do have faceplates, indeed. Great for all sorts of odd fixturing jobs. This center trick works for faceplates as well, but you have to tap the part in instead of using the jaws.

[@terrycannon570]

Thanks Quinn. Not stupid but Brilliant.

[@jasonchaney5382]

I need to get a new 4 jaw. I got one with my old ass Atlas Craftsman lath, but a lot of the threads on the jaw screws were striped off.

[@Grappa96]

Add this to your basket of 4 jaw tricks. Works quite well.

[@deweys]

In all fairness.. I have never considered using two jaws in the opposite orientation of the others... Boy I feel dumb.

[@Blondihacks]

Don’t feel dumb! It took me a while to think of it also. We’re all human.

[@roylucas1027]

Great tips. Over the years I've become so machine centric that I've forgotten how versatile the lathe is. Setup is everything and frankly I've become a bit lazy. Well, today was an epithenie! Time to stop and think the work through before committing the tool. Thank you.

[@Blondihacks]

A great reminder for me on that same subject was the Project Egress part that I made. I didn’t show a lot of it in the video, but that project was actually about 80% time spent on fixtures and setups. Every operation needed some new work holding trick. Some jobs are like that!

[@stankrieger3598]

and they say you can not teach an old dog new tricks, Thank You

[@Goguleroma]

Abut che soft copper jackets you can do a rought press template and save a lot of time by pressing the copper into the form.

[@jackbonanno8186]

Please do a video I've never seen. A neat trick if you have to chuck on a threaded shift or part using a home made soft split collet to protect the threads.

[@BenButler1]

Nice!!

[@steveshindeldecker42]

My dad showed me the dead center trick years ago and it has been a while since I have seen it done by someone else, makes me happy to know someone else does that, works great for making transfer case adapters.

[@astasuleo]

i'm trying to look for a 4 jaw chuck for my holzman 300fd lathe. i beleive it gets the same back 72mm host plate. could you please let me know what is yours and from where did you get it from? thanks a lot.

[@Blondihacks]

That plate came with the lathe. Precision Matthews sells backing plates for chucks for that plate that may help you