Recently updated on March 21st, 2023 at 03:30 pm
The 4-Jaw Chuck is one of the most versatile workholding solutions for turning, but many beginners are afraid of them. They reason that it’s too much touchy trouble to align the 4-jaw so the work is centered. Once you get used to this vital machinist’s skill, nothing could be further from the truth and they’re easy to set up. But, there’s nothing wrong with making them even faster and easier.
I got a nice letter from Aaron Gough, who had just watched a video he found on CNCCookbook’s Lathe Workholding Page by David Lemeris:
David’s method is the one I use and it is super fast and easy. If you were afraid of the 4-jaw, there’s no need to be, they’re easy to set up and extremely accurate once you know how. One of the things Aaron noticed in the video was the very nice indicator holder that goes right into the QCTP (Quick Change Tool Post) on the lathe–very convenient. So, he wanted to pass along his very nicely executed version as well as a drawing on his own blog:
Click the image for the full-sized drawing…
Thanks Aaron, for contributing to the cause!
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Bob is responsible for the development and implementation of the popular G-Wizard CNC Software. Bob is also the founder of CNCCookbook, the largest CNC-related blog on the Internet.
![6-Jaw Chuck [Making a Backplate for my Buck]](https://www.cnccookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PA162583.jpg "6-Jaw Chuck [Making a Backplate for my Buck]")
![Lathe Tool Storage [QCTP Holder Storage]](https://www.cnccookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ToolHolder1-1.jpg "Lathe Tool Storage [QCTP Holder Storage]")
![Fitting a Quick Change Tool Post to your Lathe [QCTP]](https://www.cnccookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/P9272526.jpg "Fitting a Quick Change Tool Post to your Lathe [QCTP]")
![Tailstock Die Holder for Lathes [ Easy Machining Project ]](https://www.cnccookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TailstockDieHolder.jpg "Tailstock Die Holder for Lathes [ Easy Machining Project ]")
I do have to admit, I have feared away from the dreaded 4-jaw chuck in the past for this very reason. Thanks so much for posting this. This just gave me a hug boost of confidence. 🙂
Now I understand why I recently saw a surge in YouTube subscribers to my videos.
Next time when I make a video, I’ll try not to mumble so much 🙂
David Lemereis
I could understand you just fine. Thought it was an awesome video. Great job!
By the way, it’s not just the dedicated indicator holder that makes this quick, but especially the extra miniature chuck key which allows you to align using both hands at the same time, nudging the workpiece back and forth. Without the extra key it would take much longer to align.
David