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Nova Soft Jaws
- Thread starter grandy
- Start date
Bought a pair right after they hit the market. When installed they are very noisy but, versatile as you can hold just about anything without marring the surface. I drilled a center hole in mine with a forstner bit to 3/8 as I recall, and then use them to hold small shafted items. They are a small investment for a good bit of capability. Phil
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
You can make your own from MDF if you leave the area behind the gripping surface thick. MDF is weak to shear but it doesn't take much pressure to hold a bowl when the circle has been sized to fit. Glue up 2 or more layers and then turn the proper size circle into it when your ready to use it. You can turn 3 or 4 sizes in one set and then occasionally adjust the size for that odd size bowl. When you get nervous about the thickness of the jaw just replace them.
I have 3 sets of the Nova soft jaws. I use two of them (different sizes) for holding my spinning spaceships around the outer edge, so that I can turn the top. The 3rd set I use as a quick and easy replacement for jam chucking any item within the size of the jaws.
Simply stated, they are wonderful, and you'll find many uses for them. The last time I checked they are less than $20, and well worth it.
These jaws also provide a way to guarantee perfect centering, especially with reverse chucking.
As for turning the jaws themselves, you'll want to use a very sharp square end scraper. I would advise a negative rake square scraper as well. Be careful because dig-ins occur easily. You'll end up with a lot of plastic shavings clinging onto the trailing end of each jaw and screw hole. I trim these off easily with a 1/4" skew.
The soft jaws are also offered by Vicmarc and Sorby (for the new Patriot chuck). Sorby says that the Patriot chuck will accept all Nova jaws, so I would assume that their soft jaws would also fit a Nova chuck. Those jaws seem to be thicker, but a little smaller in diameter (only availabe through Packard, AFAIK).
Simply stated, they are wonderful, and you'll find many uses for them. The last time I checked they are less than $20, and well worth it.
These jaws also provide a way to guarantee perfect centering, especially with reverse chucking.
As for turning the jaws themselves, you'll want to use a very sharp square end scraper. I would advise a negative rake square scraper as well. Be careful because dig-ins occur easily. You'll end up with a lot of plastic shavings clinging onto the trailing end of each jaw and screw hole. I trim these off easily with a 1/4" skew.
The soft jaws are also offered by Vicmarc and Sorby (for the new Patriot chuck). Sorby says that the Patriot chuck will accept all Nova jaws, so I would assume that their soft jaws would also fit a Nova chuck. Those jaws seem to be thicker, but a little smaller in diameter (only availabe through Packard, AFAIK).
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2009
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I'm not familiar with soft jaws and did not find them in Craft Supplies catalog.Are they very new and where are they available?
Larry
Larry