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Oneway aluminum jaws

Joined
Nov 15, 2020
Messages
997
Likes
877
Location
Huntington, VT
I'm considering getting a set of #5 or 6 jaws for a Oneway Stronghold chuck, but am wondering if aluminum is a good choice - and why Oneway made that choice? Strictly weight savings?
 
I have a #5 set, used dozens of times, work great just like all Oneway profiled jaws. The largest I’ve turned is ~ 15” dia x 15” tall hf.

Why AL? My assumption is weight. A piece large enough to need these jaws is heavy, at least initially. Using AL makes it easier on the lathe motor to start/stop. The AL has been plenty strong in my use - do not torque the screws down, just “snug up”. Overtorque could result in galling under the screw head.
 
I have my own version of these jaws, in fact three different sets. I find they are not so vicious on the wood, especially if you have to give them an extra turn. Likewise, I made mine out of Aluminium as it is very easy to machine and it was what I had it on hand at the time.
 
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