Axminster Jaws?

[mfoster]

I have a couple of Axminster chucks and really like them. I have various jaw sets, including one Odonnel set. I really like the precision of these jaws, but often wish for a different size. I just saw that they came out with a multi-jaw long nose set. The idea is great, just wondering if anyone has it, and if they are as precise as a regular Odonnel jaw?

 

[GeeSeaWhy]

I don't have the regular O'Donnell jaws but I do have the interchangeable set. One regular jaw set plus two sets of bolt-in jaws that reduce the tenon/recess size. They are accurate - even the bolt in jaws are numbered to match them to the main set. You do have to be careful about forming tenons so they clear all the non-gripping parts of the jaws - I assume you'd have much the same problem with the one-size O'Donnells. And the tenons have to be very shallow - these are not for agressive roughing out. I certainly find them useful, in fact these are the jaws that are practically always mounted on my Axminster.

HTH

Graeme

 

[mfoster]

Thanks

Thanks for the input Graeme. I think I'll get a set.

 

[Hugh]

Graeme,
What diameter of a tenon with these jaws hold? I have two (maybe three after Christmas morning) Axminster chucks and one has a set of O'Donnell jaws - but I bought a jaw set that is too large. I am not sure whether to buy a new smaller set of O'Donnell jaws or get the changeable set? I checked the Craft Supply web site and they do not say the diameter of the tenon.
Thanks.
Hugh

 

[Angelo]

Chuck Tip

I really like the Axminster. I have four of 'em......a long story....but....I heard Richard Raffan once say that you need a chuck for each of the different size jaws you have. Well, I added that up and found that it was several thousand dollars of chuck bodies. The total was more than the cost of the lathe I was turning on at the time.

That thought stuck with me for many years. (seems I would never be a good production turner if....) In the meantime I devised an alternative. In my past, in order to change jaws, I undid and redid the 8 screws that hold the jaws to the scrolly part (I think Axminster called them soft jaws at the time) It finally dawned on me, one day, that I could afford to buy a set of scrolly things for each set of jaws I own. Instead of undoing 8 screws I could turn the chuck key (or Chuckie) to let the four jaws fall out and reinstall the larger set. That was in the early to mid 90's. Saved me a lot of time and effort over the years, not to mention looking for the dropped screw amid all the shavings.

Anyway as years passed, I slowly added 3 more Axminster's to my arsenal and I can tell you that it does not matter which jaws you have in the chuck, they are never the ones you need.

Merry Christmas everyone

Angelo