How does a Longworth chuck work?

The Longworth chuck features a self-centring mechanism that easily and quickly adjusts to the size of your turning by using a pair of disks which rotate against each other, drawing in and out the attached rubber jaws on a series of opposing arcs.

What is a jam chuck?

Often made as a one-off single-purpose unit, a jam chuck mounts in the lathe headstock and provides a friction-fit cavity or surface that the turning can “jam” against. The tailstock is usually brought into play at the same time to press the work against the jam chuck.

How does a wood chuck work?

Side-grain bowl blanks can work well with either tenon or mortise connections. Side-grain bowls with narrow or small bases may not have enough material to handle the outward pressure of the wood chuck in a mortise configuration. If you turn end-grain bowls, I would advise against using a mortise connection.

What are Cole jaws used for?

Cole jaws are most commonly used to clear away mounting spigots, or tidy up any unwanted mounting marks from turning. But you could always add some decoration to the base of your work to create that extra special finish to your work.

Who invented the Longworth Chuck?

The Longworth chuck was developed in the late 1980’s by Leslie Douglas Longworth of the Hunter Valley Woodturners in Australia. It features a self centering mechanism that easily and quickly adjusts to the size of your turning. Here, let me explain how we made ours and you’ll see how easy it is to make one.

What is a Longworth Chuck?

The Modern Longworth Chuck by RMWoodco is used to hold bowls for finish turning the bottom. Just rotate the two phenolic discs to change the size. The chuck comes with a 3/8″ thick hub on the back to hold it in the jaws of your chuck. The tailstock can be used to help secure the turning.

Do you need a lathe chuck?

While this chuck is convenient it is not necessary for your turning. Most lathes come with a small faceplate. We will look at turning between centers and how to use a faceplate when mounting wood on your lathe. Here are two ways you can turn without using a multi-jawed chuck.