AWGB Woodturning Forum
General Category => Tool tips & reviews => Topic started by: Paul Disdle on April 02, 2013, 08:25:59 PM
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Could someone enlighten me of the pros and cons of either cole jaws or a longworth chuck. Has anybody made one or the other or has plans?
Thanks
Paul
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I have both, made the Longworth and bought the Coles.
I stole the information off of the internet, so what I post here is not mine, and is available from other sources and in other guises;
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Which do you prefer?
Thanks
Paul
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There isn't a preference, to me they work differently.
The Coles Jaws I can tighten onto a form ( or expand into the the shape permits it) and therefore I feel it has better holding power, they are also smaller, so used on smaller items.
The Longworth, I made to the maximum diameter of my lathe's throw. It has fewer button's, therefore I run it much slower and only for fruit platters that are quite flat in section. As it grips by the action of the rotation I don't tend to trust it quite as much. Certainly not without the tailstock brought up anyway.
If you Google you will find manufactured ones now available and even small homemade ones that would equate to the Coles.
With either tail support is highly recommended because (hard to explain) when moving the gouge across the timber, you cause a 'lifting' action which if you are not careful will dismount the wood.
The homemade chuck to over-come this is the donut chuck (Google with American spelling)
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Thanks, I am looking for the best solution for bottom cleaning. I only have a jet mini lathe so homemade longworth should hopefully do the job. The donut chuck looks interesting.
Paul
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Don't forget to post your completed chuck.
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I made a wooden faceplate and glued thick foam to it. I use that for cleaning the bottom of bowls with the tail stock holding the work in place. I use mine on a jet mini as well as on the larger lathe and it's fine. You need to clean the last little nipple off with a chisel and sand that but it's fine apart from that. When you turn your tenon initially make a little indent in the centre so you can centre the bowl or whatever up to clean the bottom.
Pete
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I am looking for the best solution for bottom cleaning.
Paul
Andrex?
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:D
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I have all three, Cole jaws, and homemade Longworth and donut chucks. The Cole jaws are from Sorby and fit both my Axminster and Record 4 jaw chucks. The Longworth I tend to use off lathe for ring centering in my segmented lay ups. For removing chuck mounts on bowl or vase bottoms I tend to always use the donut chuck as I think this is alot more secure. I have a few top donut rings I have made for various projects, and if I need a different size I simply turn one from 18mm MDF and use that with the standard base. If pushed I would say use a donut chuck always, and it doesn't cost much to make. Hope this helps. Malcolm.
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One thing I didn't mention is that when using the donut chuck the tailstock centre is used to position and hold the turning centrally, and the bolts and studs are then tightened with some cushioning between the donut ring and the turning. Once secure the tailstock is removed, leaving plenty of space around the base for the toolrest and tool manipulation. If you want I can post a couple of pictures of my donut chuck in place with a bowl being finished on the base. This will be in a couple of days though. Malcolm.
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Thanks Malcolm, pictures would be handy when you have time.
Paul
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Hi Paul. As I fonished typing the last posting, I realised I already had some donut chuck pictures on my computer, so here they are. If you need any advice or other pictures of the chuck or parts, then please ask and I'll post some more pics in a day or so. Hope these help. Malcolm.
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I go for the 2 layers of cloth over the chuck if its a small bowl,or I have 3 different sized pieces of 1/2" ply turned round with a single layer of cloth over both methods with tailstock brought up with light pressure,regards,
Eric.
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I made this to start with
10" mdf circle with a faceplate ring on the back and router type mat on the front.
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That is an excellent idea!!!
Regards
Terry
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10" mdf circle with a faceplate ring on the back and router type mat on the front.
To steal George's thunder...
Make sure is it Router mat, not the cheap stuff from pound shops that looks the same. It's not nearly as 'sticky' and therefore fails to grip/hold as well.
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I really like that chuck idea, Paul....I think that it's what was being recommended to me in an earlier thread, but now that I've seen a photo, it makes more sense. Is there some sort of ring fixed on the back of the mdf that fits your chuck?
Les
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Good point, this is the real deal. I do a fair amount of routing and this mat will even hold up under my big belt sander.
Paul
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Hi Les
Yes it is a axminster face plate ring http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-faceplate-rings-prod22097/ that fits the jaws on my K10 chuck. I happened to have one I got free with my chuck. My original plan was to turn a mount to fit the chuck jaws.
Thanks
Paul
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I have Cole, longworth and donut chucks all homemade.
The Cole jaws are plywood and fit/screw on my SN2 chuck. I dont use them much except for small jobs ie lids finial etc.
The Longworths are 600mm and 300mm in dia made from Polycarb 10mm thick. One is one faceplate screwed to it and the other has a face plate ring attached.
The donuts of a similar size and a similar attachment as to the Longworths, all made from plywood.
Which do I prefer? Well each has it uses, benefits and limitations. The donuts have a greater capacity to handle a wider variety of shapes and forms over all the rest. But would be the most cumbersome to assemble and use.
Both the Cole and Longworth are basically for grabbing the rims of bowls and area capable of a wide variety of sizes. But light cuts only due to the design.
It pretty wells boils down to what your going to turn. If your doing small intricate bowls with lids and finials etc I would make a Cole setup. On the other hand if your doing salad bowls and the like. Then the Longworth are very versatile and suit this well.
The Donuts on the other hand can handle pretty much all of the above in a general sense with some mods etc. They do grip/hold best of all three and if your really keen hollowing can be done as well. But as I said the most cumbersome to set up etc.
But the up side is you can make the lot your self.