100% Homemade Lathe

Step 13 Chuck Construction

Because I like to do things the hard way, I made a chuck from scratch instead of buying one from Amazon. This chuck looks like a really nice one, but I couldn't justify the $170 dollars when I thought I could do it for under $2.

The basic idea of the chuck is to hold the work. I chose to make a 4 jaw chuck because I can hold square things as well as round things. I started by cutting a 5" circle out of some thick MDF to the best of my ability with a jigsaw and then drilled a hole in the middle. I fitted the hole in the middle with a tee nut. Using the same method as the pulley, I threaded this piece onto the shaft and secured it with a nut. Using a very steady file and a moderate speed, I smoothed out the edge of the disc to make it uniform. By holding a pencil up to the disc, you can draw circles on the disc, so I made one near the outside edge.

Next I drilled and tapped carefully lined up holes in aluminum angle. I secured the four pieces of angle evenly spaced around the circle I drew. Through the other hole in each piece of angle, I put a screw. Look at the first photo to see the completed chuck. Basically a piece of wood can be secured in the center of the four jaws by uniformly tightening the four screw, kind of like a Christmas tree stand.

The first picture shows the finished chuck. The second picture shows a side view to show how the shaft needs to end inside the chuck. The third view shows the mounted chuck from an angle.

Comments

[lenny25]

I really like this intructable, I admire your DIY attitude.I would like to make something like this as well, so thanks for all the great ideas. But i'm also going t be honest with you and say that chuck looks verrry dangerous, To me it just does'nt seem solid enough. I've been hit in the face with a piece of wood that shot off a circular saw, it missed my eye by a centimeter. It was not a fun experience, certainly one i never want to repeat.

[msil3070]

I agree. This is a great Instructable. I am making a wood lathe for my son and will use this chuck design.. I think it would be ok very very slow speed turning of soft materials... But I would stongly suggest that the body of the chuck be made of steel and permanent screws be loc-tighted in place.   I know this makes manufacture a  little more complex.. but that is what our creativity is for.. Thanks for the great Ideas.

[triumphman]

Nice job! I have one suggestion- your chuck can only take a piece of wood stock the size shown between each angle of metal. I was thinking if you drilled their holes shaped like a capsule (about 3 or 4 drill holes long) if it fits, maybe smaller. The bolts could be moved in or out to take different size pieces of stock. Or cut a slot in the metal(even better) to allow the L shaped holders to move in and out to do the same thing! Utilizing bolts and nuts under the circle chuck to allow for adjustments. It would only mean loosening and tightening of four bolts.Whatever way works without the chuck brackets getting loose.Allowing the wood stock to fly out. Ouch!!! But hey thats what makes woodworking fun. Right? Do it yourself is very rewarding (to a point). Let me know what you think! Also what is that white plastic stuff and where can I buy it? Thanks. As ever Triumphman

[catwood]

well the way it is now, it can fit 2x2s. If i need to hold smaller things, i could use longer screws to reach farther in. If i need to hold larger things, i could reverse the angle to make them a wider diameter. Just having one precise hole means its easier to get the piece centered too; just count how many turns the screw goes in. The white stuff is UHMW. I buy mine at Interstate Plastics, but its expensive. Some other material would probably work just as well.