Author Topic: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion  (Read 3995 times)

Offline BillTodd

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3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« on: March 25, 2017, 06:27:03 PM »
I watched far too many youtube videos over the winter months , and I caught 6 jaw chuck envy....

I can't afford to buy one, so why not make one?

I have an old Hardinge 3 jaw and a set of soft jaws , all I need to do is add another set of soft jaws . They'll fit comfortably on the scroll but will sit slightly in or out from the standard set. I have a heavily machined set that are long enough (as proof of concept) and just needed to raid the softjaw draw at work to find a better set ;-)
« Last Edit: March 26, 2017, 05:47:17 AM by BillTodd »
Bill

Offline BillTodd

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2017, 06:34:15 PM »
Aligning the new slot to the old one is easy if you can find something to fit the slot nicely.

Machining the T slot with a home ground 14mm T-slot cutter was simple enough

Once the new T slots were cut, the chuck was mounted to a temporary back plate and the longer jaws bored back to match the other set.

All I need to do now is machine the end of the jaws to a 60 degree point ready for a final bore to size.
Bill

Offline awemawson

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2017, 03:31:40 AM »
Now that's a VERY cunning mod  :bow:

Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline mexican jon

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2017, 03:39:25 AM »
 :nrocks: That's what I love about this place  :scratch: everyone is as mad as A Box Of Frogs  :lol: Seriously though what a great idea  :clap: and as you said much cheaper than buying a 6 jaw  :headbang:
People say you only live once ! I say thank F@*K can't afford to do it twice.

Offline mattinker

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2017, 04:25:35 AM »
Some of the best ideas are so simple! In a word, Brilliant!

Regards, Matthew

Offline ieezitin

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2017, 07:25:29 AM »
Smashing idea great work.....  Hows it work for you do you see a difference ?

Anthony..
If you cant fix it, get another hobby.

Offline BillTodd

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2017, 01:01:38 PM »
The setup to machine the angle on the jaws turned out to be a PITA. In the end I settled for a vice in a vice arrangement that was slow to set up but at least reasonably consistent. So, after roughly levelling the tops of the jaws, I cut the angle ... twice 'cos first time I didn't take enought off to leave a nice small point to the jaw.

Once the angles were cut, I just needed to trim off an extra tooth of a couple of the jaws , machine a Cartouche for the jaws number and remount in the chuck for boring and facing.

I now need to mount the chuck on a better backplate (with a set-tru adjustment) , then I'll face the chuck and probably the jaws again. .

I have as yet to decide whether to cut them to a traditional inside stepped form or maybe even cut them down and screw demountable jaws on the top ... It can wait 'till later.

Bill

Offline BillTodd

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2017, 01:03:56 PM »
do you see a difference ?

Anthony..

Yes, there are three more jaws  :lol:   

No but really the only use I can see for a six jaw chuck is for holding thin walled parts.  The only time all the jaws will grip is if the part is perfectly round or deformable .

Bill
Bill

Offline Biggles

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2017, 02:23:09 PM »
Now that’s an idea Billtodd absolutely brilliant well done.  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :headbang: :nrocks:

Offline BillTodd

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Re: 3 jaw to 6 jaw conversion
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2017, 02:47:58 PM »
Thanks for the kind words guys :beer:

Bill
Bill