Is it OK to post OT (on topic) machining stuff?

[MattiJ]

While we are on the topic of washers, has anyone ever cut a small recess on the tips their lathe jaws to hold washers? I have one chuck with serrations across the jaws every 1/4" or so and I sometimes am able to get thin washers to wedge into the serrations to hold them square but it's a PITA to change chucks just to bore out one washer and if it's not thin, the serrations don't work.

Would work OK if you have extra set of soft jaws. I Wouldn't necessarily bore my normal jaws.

In OP's case I would have most probably just use the serrations in the jaws or swap to OD jaws if they have suitable gripping location. But I like the "mass production" approach for the boring job nonetheless.
Jobs like these would be yet another reason to complete my adjustable spindle bore stop..

[Ridgerunner]

Neighbor came over last week with his latest emergency project for the company he works for. He needed some washers of a precise ID & OD made from some tough material.

I first made a slitted sleeve of thin-wall alum tubing to hold them by the OD in the 4 jaw. Then an acetal plug was turned to the OD size of the washers to help hold them straight while the chuck was final tightened & the ID dialed in.

Very nice solution. If a job can ever pay for it, pie jaws are great for something like this.
Abbott jaws
At Travers Tool
Sherline

[old mart]

I would use a collet like these (grossly overpriced) on the museum's lathe: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/smart-and...y4n:rk:15:pf:0

[wdtom44]

Arcane,

Yes, I use the serrations all the time when dealing with washers. If the washer is too thick for this I hold a flat piece of steel across the front of the jaws and pinch the washer against it while tightening the jaws on the washer.

[loose nut]

Some of you are assuming he has soft jaws. Not everyone has them or can justify the expense.

[Toolguy]

A 5C emergency collet is an inexpensive way to deal with something like this. Here are some examples.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5C-Emergenc...S!-1:rk:9:pf:0

[softtail]

Nice. Yeah washers can be made of hard stuff sometimes.

[RB211]

Joe Pi did a nice video on machining 5c emergency collets, and how to use them to make single piece crank shafts.
https://youtu.be/9sQzedI_Cw4

[DICKEYBIRD]

Thanks for all the great suggestions fellers. Sigh, more cool stuff to buy for a rainy day!

Part of the service I'm able to provide to him (and his company) is the ability to "get stuff done" overnight sometimes and on the weekends. If there's a tooling widget needed that I don't already have on hand for a repair, I just make it myself usually. This one went together quickly using stuff I had laying around which fits my style just fine. I find this sort of solution VERY rewarding!

[Tungsten dipper]

This place will always shows you a different way of doing your job and that's good! BTW Nice job!