Can anyone help me identify this 4 way chuck?

J

J-Gilly

Plastic

Joined

Sep 17, 2020

• Sep 17, 2020

• #1

Hi guys. Newbie here. Just purchased a South Bend 9a lathe with some tooling. This chuck was thrown in with the parts. Don’t know if it will work with my 9a. The hole in the rear for the spindle looks the same as the 3-way chuck that was mounted on the spindle, at 1-1/2”. However, the threads are recessed about 7/8” down in the hole. Anyone know what this is, and can I use it with my South Bend 9a? Thank you for any help.

 

D

dalmatiangirl61

Diamond

Joined

Jan 31, 2011

Location

BFE Nevada/San Marcos Tx

• Sep 18, 2020

• #2

First off you need to use the correct terminology, there is no such thing as a 3 way or 4 way chuck, it is 3 jaw chuck (usually but NOT always a scroll chuck), and 4 jaw chuck (usually independent, but can be a scroll chuck). Looks like you need to turn down some of that adapter to make it work.

Edit: unbolt that adapter from the chuck, flip over and see if it screws onto your spindle, if it does do some reading on here to find out how to fit it to your lathe. It looks like a new adapter that was just never machined to fit. I would also change out those square head bolts for allen head, but that may just be my taste.

 

crossthread

Titanium

Joined

Aug 5, 2004

Location

Richmond,VA,USA

• Sep 18, 2020

• #3

It might work as it is but if you need to turn down some of the back plate, you need to make sure you do a good job of it. That shoulder is what indexes the chuck to the spindle and the threads just hold it on. Resist the urge to spin the chuck on. You will be sorry if you do. I think you could clean it up and make a serviceable chuck out of it. Don't think you don't need a four jaw. You need a four jaw as it is the only way to guarantee repeatability.

 

Phil in Montana

Stainless

Joined

Jul 31, 2007

Location

Missoula Mt

• Sep 18, 2020

• #4

Pre 1900 a old timer,...Phil

 

I

Illinoyance

Stainless

Joined

Aug 24, 2015

• Sep 19, 2020

• #5

Phil in Montana said:

Pre 1900 a old timer,...Phil

Click to expand...

Yeah. The square head bolts say OLD.

 

J

JohnMartin

Hot Rolled

Joined

Jul 8, 2006

Location

Cumberland, Maine

• Sep 19, 2020

• #6

If the threads start too deep to give a good hold on your spindle, take the backplate off and mount it backwards on your spindle. That way you can make certain the threads match. Assuming that they match, you can then turn off some of the extra non threaded length.

 

J

J-Gilly

Plastic

Joined

Sep 17, 2020

• Sep 22, 2020

• #7

Thank you!

 

J

J-Gilly

Plastic

Joined

Sep 17, 2020

• Sep 22, 2020

• #8

So new here that I didn’t realize that the part on the back is an adapter, and that I could remove it, turn it down, and reinstall it. How much should I remove? Thinking the threads should ultimately be at the same depth as my 3-Jaw chuck that came on the lathe, but thinking it could be a safety issue, I should figure it out before doing. I won’t be able to uncut it! Like the light bulb vs. the pregnant girl, you can unscrew the light bulb, but......

 

J

J-Gilly

Plastic

Joined

Sep 17, 2020

• Sep 22, 2020

• #9

To clarify, what do you mean by “resist the urge to spin the chuck on”? Do you mean do not force it on, without cleaning it up? Because it would damage my spindle?
What I’d like to do is clean it up and make sure the threads match, then proceed with caution, and go slowly with little force. Anything else I need to be careful of? Thank you, not being a smartass, just new here, and my lathe seems to be in great shape.

 

Gordon Heaton

Titanium

Joined

Feb 19, 2007

Location

St. George, Utah

• Sep 22, 2020

• #10

He means don't 'give it a spin' and let it clunk to a stop. Very difficult to remove sometimes if you do. And if you lock the spindle with the back gear to 'spin it on', you can break gear teeth.

 

D

dalmatiangirl61

Diamond

Joined

Jan 31, 2011

Location

BFE Nevada/San Marcos Tx

• Sep 22, 2020

• #11

You will need to remove the existing chuck from the lathe and examine your spindle to determine how much to remove, you want the adapter to seat on the face of spindle before the thread bottoms. When you have that done, screw it onto spindle and face it and turn outside dia if needed so it runs true.

If you have not done so yet, read "How to run a lathe", you should be able to find it online.

 

D

donie

Diamond

Joined

May 17, 2003

Location

Walla Walla Wine and Wild Turkey

• Sep 22, 2020

• #12

I cant see any reason to put time in that chuck, its so old, it wasnt very good when new, unless its for a restoration, just saying.