Axminster O’Donnell jaws

[Alan Weinberg]

I bought these but I’m not sure I understand why the dovetail for gripping a tenon is so shallow. The description talks about using a long spigot which I guess bypasses the dovetail. Seems like that would be its only use, not for any significant tenon that would bottom out. Here’s a picture of mine and a link to the description. I haven’t measured but I’d bet the dovetail depth is just 3/16 inch. Anybody have some advice?

Axminster, 38mm O'Donnell Dovetail Jaws

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www.thewoodturningstore.com

 

[Wyatt Holm]

You have more options on how to hold your work. Suppose you were turning a long box or a goblet, you could bottom out the cylinder in the chuck and get a much more secure hold. If you wanted to grip a small narrow bottom bowl you could make a tenon for the dovetail a good distance up the piece and grip and the extra length will give you clearance for the long narrow base.

 

[Bill Alston]

I first saw the Jaws many years ago in Michael O’Donnells book “Turning Green Wood”. Although this diagram mentions gripping small stock, much is made of the ability to easily work on the back of a piece.

I bought a set many years ago but haven’t actually used them. I even bought some spare Chuck Jaws to which they are still attached.

A diagram from the book.

 

[Dave Potts]

The other super-powers the O'Donnell jaws give you is a very fast way to step up or down in jaw sizes. In addition to the main jaws, the two additional jaw inserts give the turner the ability to hold stock as small as ⅝" square. Yes the dovetail is small, but it's one of those features you have to plan for in advance. I made a tray to keep my jaw sets visible so that I can quickly measure while laying out my tenons. PPPPP: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

And, you can run your stock past the dovetail and rely on the sharp corners to take a tiny bite.

 

[Bill Alston]

The other super-powers the O'Donnell jaws give you is a very fast way to step up or down in jaw sizes. In addition to the main jaws, the two additional jaw inserts give the turner the ability to hold stock as small as ⅝" square.

Record Power recently introduced an even quicker Jaw swapping system, as the screws remain in the Jaws.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Record Power recently introduced an even quicker Jaw swapping system, as the screws remain in the Jaws.

Well, that's nifty. Good clearance on the chuck side of the wood, and 4 screws to only loosen rather than 8 to remove. If I were starting from scratch, I'd consider that system, especially if upsizing jaws weren't a heavy part of my practice (or have another check dedicated to larger jaws).