Old 3 jaw chuck help

[rjwalker1973]

Ok folks maybe ya'll can help me out here. About 25 years ago when I was working on donut makers a lot we had a 3 jaw chuck system that was comprised of three base jaws with interchangeable shells in different sizes and shapes. We had square, hex , and round. Just unbolt the shells from the jaws and replace with whatever jaw you needed next. What I can't remember is if these was made in house or purchased. Also I can't remember what they was called. This was a long time ago in a period of my life where I was doing a lot of things after work I shouldn't have, (clean 20 years now), so my memory of that time is sketch at best. If it will help I can through together a rough idea of them in SW.

 

[Bill D]

Not just soft jaws?
Bill D

 

[L Vanice]

Soft jaws come in different materials and shapes, but 3-jaw chucks are usually reserved for use on round and hex parts. To hold square parts, a 2-jaw or 4-jaw is best.

Larry

 

[Limy Sami]

Index a Hex ???? http://www.rotagriponline.com/index...art&page=shop.browse&category_id=49&Itemid=29

 

[rjwalker1973]

Not just soft jaws?
Bill D

No sir.

 

[rjwalker1973]

Here is a very basic drawing I made from a model in solidworks.. The plate is just for reference, think of it as the chuck face. The jaws was 2 steps instead of three like most of the hard jaws you see. As you can see there was two bolts that bolted the interchangeable jaws to the two step jaws. The way they was set up was the two step jaws never moved. You just changed, what I called the clam shells back then, out for that ever size or shape you needed.

 

[Rob F.]

So it looks like modified top jaws with threaded holes to bolt your clamshell jaws to?

 

[rjwalker1973]

So it looks like modified top jaws with threaded holes to bolt your clamshell jaws to?

Yes. I am thinking these was made in house since I can't find any trace of them online anywhere. Like I said it was 25 years ago.

 

[Limy Sami]

Check they're not jaws modded to take W&S Collet pads

Just a thought.

 

[rjwalker1973]

Check they're not jaws modded to take W&S Collet pads

Just a thought.

that very well maybe the case.

 

[rjwalker1973]

Check they're not jaws modded to take W&S Collet pads

Just a thought.

After looking them up that is very close to the system we used back then . Thanks for the great directions

 

[jims]

They sell jaws that take turret lathe and other machine collet pads into
bored 3 jaw chucks. I have been making soft jaws like that for years. You can buy collet pads from Hardinge and other suppliers. But I kept Collet pads from old W&S turrets. Each size turret has different master collets but I bored soft 3 jaw chuck jaws ON MY Logan lathe to take the collet pads that take square ,hex & round Stock. If you want collet pads look on eBay .

 

[jims]

They work great if you bore a set of soft jaws with care . I made a set for my CNC lathe over 40 years ago. To hold hex and square bar stock. The set I made now takes pads that fit a #3 W&S on my 11 inch Logan lathe. I also have pads that fit a #5 W&S turret.