Attaching wood to flat jaws?

[Barry Larson]

Question for those who use flat chuck jaws with wood attachments for making custom work holding jaws. I am thinking brass fastners just in case a tool edge contacts the fasteners during the process of turning the jaw shape. Do you use brass wood screws,(from the back) or brass machine screws with counterbored nuts or brass inserts? I can see an advantage of the counterbored nuts in that you can see where the fasteners are from the front to avoid. Any and all advice appreciated. Thank you.
Barry W. Larson
Calgary, Alberta, Canada eh!

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

I do have a set for the Stronghold chucks, but can't remember when I used them last, what are you contemplating of using them for ?

 

[Barry Larson]

Thanks Leo. I am planning to add some wood blocks to the flat jaws and then turn to make some special holders - for shapes that are difficult to hold in reverse to turn the base. My thinking is if I shape the wood correctly the items should be stable and centered with the added plus of being able to adjust the diameter a bit if necessary; and the wood jaws should be non-marring.
Barry

 

[Tom Gall]

Barry, I don't think you have to worry to much about that. Chances are you will initially use a parting tool for a depth cut on the wood jaws and will immediately know if and when you hit a screw - with little damage to the tool. Since most Flat Jaws are relatively small, and it might be unsafe to attach large wooden jaws, I assume the pieces you want to work aren't very large. Other thoughts: ...

- Use 2" soft wood (2x construction fir or pine). You can even glue on a second layer if you think you will need the thickness.
- Use a marker (Sharpie) to draw a circular line(s) where the screws are so you can avoid those areas.
- Open or close the jaws to avoid where the screws are. Then make your groove or shape to hold your piece ... it will always be concentric.

If you have Cole/Jumbo jaws here is another option: Ooops! see my photos on (post #13) to your thread on Feb. 17, 2023 "At that awkward size..."

 

[Barry Larson]

Thanks Tom. I went back and reviewed your comments on my earlier post. This time I downloaded your pictures for reference. I like the idea of the wood on the jumbo jaws. I think I see a possibility of making a universal doughnut chuck in this manner.
Cheers.
Barry

 

[hockenbery]

Do you use brass wood screws,(from the back) o

I just use steel screws and worry enough about hitting them before hand so that I have never hit a screw in my wooden jaw

I have hit a bunch of nails and other metal when turning green wood.
If you stop at the first tick it doesn’t take much to restore the edge

 

[Barry Larson]

I just use steel screws and worry enough about hitting them before hand so that I have never hit a screw in my wooden jaw

I have hit a bunch of nails and other metal when turning green wood.
If you stop at the first tick it doesn’t take much to restore the edge

Thanks. I'm likely putting way more thought into this than I need to - bad habit that:<)!
Cheers.
Barry

 

[Clifton C]

I use double stick tape to position the wood on the flat jaws then drill a pilot hole from the back all the way thru, that way I can see where the screws are from the front.
I still use brass wood screws because if they end up being where I need to part in... I just part in... no worries...

 

[Barry Larson]

I use double stick tape to position the wood on the flat jaws then drill a pilot hole from the back all the way thru, that way I can see where the screws are from the front.
I still use brass wood screws because if they end up being where I need to part in... I just part in... no worries...

Thanks Clifton. That's a great idea - better than just marking the screw positions as you can't turn the holes away!
Cheers.
Barry