Shop-made Cole Jaws anyone?

[Jamie Straw]

I'm leaning toward making my own Cole Jaws, and then saving up for a Longworth-type set-up. Has anyone here made their own Cole Jaws. Found these plans online, and of course there are several YouTube videos in the search-hit list. Tips?

 

[john lucas]

Well I made a miniature version the other day for a special project. I only had MDF scraps with Formica on them to use. Not the best choice but worked fine for this project. I made the screws adjustable so I can raise or lower them to hold different work.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

I did something very similar to those, but I used plain MDF. I also used black rubber bungs that I picked up the local Ace Hardware to use as grippers. I have a few left if you need a sample.

I rarely use it since I started with the vacuum chuck, but it worked fine.

 

[diverjoe]

Cole jaws

Jamie, I have a beater Grizzly chuck that I put some alum. plates on. I then screwed wood pieces onto these. I tighten the jaws down on some spacer strips and turn an opening to fit the piece that I am working on. I then remove the spacer strips and can tighten down on my workpiece. I do have to replace the wooden pieces occasionally.
Joe

 

[Joe Greiner]

I made a Longworth first, but recently made a set like in your link. Actually several sets for custom screw locations. Instead of buttons, I used angle brackets (up to 2" x 2") with short pieces of vinyl tubing on the upstanding legs. I use them most;y for jumbo donuts. I used about 3/4" cabinet-grade plywood for the jaws, and regular cap screws to attach to the scroll chuck - with washers to avoid crushing the wood.

I've also made cast lead jaws for cheap eccentric turning. Similar cap screws with short pieces of brake-line tubing lining the screw holes.

FWIW, you can use different button radii for eccentric turning too, on any Cole jaws. Usually, only 4 or 6 buttons will match the offset circle.

 

[Jamie Straw]

Well I made a miniature version the other day for a special project. I only had MDF scraps with Formica on them to use. Not the best choice but worked fine for this project. I made the screws adjustable so I can raise or lower them to hold different work.

Thanks John, I like the idea of adjustable screws.

 

[Jamie Straw]

I did something very similar to those, but I used plain MDF. I also used black rubber bungs that I picked up the local Ace Hardware to use as grippers. I have a few left if you need a sample.

Thanks, Tom. I've used those rubber bungs for other things, so am familiar with them. Do they "squish outward" for micro-adjustments when you tighten the screws?

I rarely use it since I started with the vacuum chuck, but it worked fine.

OK, go ahead, make me envious.😉

 

[Jamie Straw]

Jamie, I have a beater Grizzly chuck that I put some alum. plates on. I then screwed wood pieces onto these. I tighten the jaws down on some spacer strips and turn an opening to fit the piece that I am working on. I then remove the spacer strips and can tighten down on my workpiece. I do have to replace the wooden pieces occasionally.
Joe

Sounds interesting, but I'm not sure I followed it completely. As I don't have any extra chuck, beater or not, the idea will go in the "someday" file.🙂 If you have the time to post a picture, someone might be interested in making one now. Thanks!

 

[Jamie Straw]

I made a Longworth first, but recently made a set like in your link. Actually several sets for custom screw locations. Instead of buttons, I used angle brackets (up to 2" x 2") with short pieces of vinyl tubing on the upstanding legs. I use them most;y for jumbo donuts. I used about 3/4" cabinet-grade plywood for the jaws, and regular cap screws to attach to the scroll chuck - with washers to avoid crushing the wood.

I've also made cast lead jaws for cheap eccentric turning. Similar cap screws with short pieces of brake-line tubing lining the screw holes.

FWIW, you can use different button radii for eccentric turning too, on any Cole jaws. Usually, only 4 or 6 buttons will match the offset circle.

Thanks, Joe. I looked at plans for a Longworth, and it wouldn't be very hard to make. I'm just too into turning right now (and trying to catch up on the green apple and cherry sitting around) to take time out to make one -- a couple of shop-day equivalents probably. The Cole jaws will be quicker. Good tip about being able to use the Coles for eccentric stuff.