magnetic softjaws

[Gregg Zank]

I read a recent post in the For Sale forum from Scott Horton selling a Super Nova 2 chuck and jaw set. What caught my eye was a JS50 50mm jaws with magnetic soft jaws. I have been wondering if there is an "aftermarket" series of "jaw coverings" that one could find to help with reverse chucking of a small mouth bowl / hollow form that would reduce / eliminate any marring from the metal jaws. Application for me would be to use in finishing a bottom and marking / layout for basket illusion where cole jaws can get in the way. Thought about 3-d printing them as a possibility but would like to have a place to start from if anyone has done it.

Thank you community!

 

[Paul Paukstelis]

I have contemplated something like this in the past. If I get some CAD time this week I will create some. There are a variety of 3D printed "soft jaws" out there. The problem you run into is that standard filament (ABS, PLA, PETG) is still harder than most woods, so they can still causing marring. TPU is a good choice for a jaw covering, though it can be a bit more difficult to print.
I did design some 3D printed chuck insert rings for a club member to fill in a gap between chuck jaw and collet chuck sizes. Similar idea, but those are basically fixed sizes.

 

[Kurt Manley]

I read a recent post in the For Sale forum from Scott Horton selling a Super Nova 2 chuck and jaw set. What caught my eye was a JS50 50mm jaws with magnetic soft jaws. I have been wondering if there is an "aftermarket" series of "jaw coverings" that one could find to help with reverse chucking of a small mouth bowl / hollow form that would reduce / eliminate any marring from the metal jaws. Application for me would be to use in finishing a bottom and marking / layout for basket illusion where cole jaws can get in the way. Thought about 3-d printing them as a possibility but would like to have a place to start from if anyone has done it.

Thank you community!

I don't know what kind of chuck(s) you have but I have some flat jaws for my Oneway chuck that allow me to bolt wood to the flat jaws and then I can turn a jawset that won't mark the work piece. Not what you were looking for but another, hopefully helpful, option for you.

https://oneway.ca/index.php?route=product/category&path=59_69_97_162

 

[Neil S]

Most chuck brands have 'soft jaws' that you can buy for them.

Or, make your own out of thick polypropylene kitchen cutting boards (discarded ones work just as well). Likewise, make them out of softer wood. That way you can have multiple 'soft' jaws sets with different profiles to suit the pieces you are working with. Use a set of you existing jaws as the template for the screw hole positions.

 

[hughie]

I have a stock of uhmw plastic that I use its very forgiving. But then I really only turn hardwood, so pretty much any plastic will do for me

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I have been wondering if there is an "aftermarket" series of "jaw coverings" that one could find to help with reverse chucking of a small mouth bowl / hollow form that would reduce / eliminate any marring from the metal jaws. Application for me would be to use in finishing a bottom and marking / layout for basket illusion

A trick I have used a few times is to wrap the steel jaws with a thick rubber band, then judiciously expand the jaws inside the opening. The rubber band protects the wood surface, adds traction, and is not too "sloppy".

Obviously the opening has to be large enough to fit the jaws. The expansion pressure has to be modest, so you don't break the piece. This is not a rock hard holding method, but may be adequate for what you want to do, particularly if you can keep the tailstock engaged until late in the game.

(And then there's friction chucks like a Rubber Chucky cone, or a custom made jam chuck.)

 

[Lance Mirrer]

Rubber Chucky (Don Doyle) may have some products to meet this need. I know he has rubber rims to cover vacuum chucks.

Fits OneWay™ Vacuum Drums

Rubber Chucky Products, LLC manufacturers and distributes rubber jam chucks and other woodturning aids; enabling both the beginning and professional woodturner an easier way to create their masterpieces. Proudly made in the USA

www.rubberchucky.com

 

[Steve Tiedman]

A trick I have used a few times is to wrap the steel jaws with a thick rubber band, then judiciously expand the jaws inside the opening. The rubber band protects the wood surface, adds traction, and is not too "sloppy".

Brilliant!!