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Making A Jam Chuck

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I N T H E S H O P

Making a
Jam
Chuck
T urning a project on the
lathe (like the ring boxes
shown on page 12) presents an
the face-
plate, the
first thing to
try again without much waste.
TAPER. Once you’re satisfied
with the fit, the next step is to
interesting challenge. do is to turn it taper the tenon (about one or two
That’s because the insides of to a cylinder. (I use a square-end degrees) as you cut it to full depth,
the base are scooped out first. scraper.) Then true up (flatten) see detail ‘b.’ This allows you to
Then, after removing the base the face of the jam chuck. “wedge” the base onto the tenon.
from the lathe, the hollowed out TENON. Now you’re ready to To complete the jam chuck,
end needs to be remounted so turn the tenon. The goal is to get there’s one last thing I like to do.
you can turn the bottom. the tenon to fit tight inside the I flatten the angled shoulder
This is the challenging part. base. The only problem is the dif- that’s formed when the taper is
How do you mount the open end ference between a tight fit and cut, see detail ‘c.’
of the base to the lathe without one that’s too loose is less than MOUNT BASE. Now you’re
using a specialized chuck? the thickness of a piece of paper. ready to mount the base on the
JAM CHUCK. The solution is a So the best way to get a good jam chuck. Start by pressing it
simple “jam” chuck. Basically, fit is by feel. To do this, you’ll firmly onto the tenon. Note: As
this is just a block of wood with a need to sneak up on the final size long as the base is secure, it
round tenon. The tenon fits inside of the tenon by making a series doesn’t need to sit flat against
the opening of the base and holds of small cuts, see detail ‘a’ below. the face of the jam chuck.
it in place with a friction fit. One more thing. When you’re Then turn the lathe by hand to
To make a jam chuck, I usually trying to get the tenon to fit in check that the base is centered. If
glue up a block from pieces of the opening, it’s best to cut a short it’s not, just tap the “high” side a
3/ "-thick stock. The block is
4 (1/16") tenon. This way, if you few times with a mallet. Then, flip
simply screwed to the metal face- remove too much material (and the lathe on and off quickly to
plate that threads onto the lathe. the fit is too loose), you can true make sure that the base is secure
Once the block is secured to up the face of the jam chuck and before you start turning.

No. 38 ShopNotes 29

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