Import 6 Jaw

[old mart]

You might be able to increase the bore by 1/4", but only stripping down the chuck would confirm the wall thickness available.

[nickel-city-fab]

NSF, the poor mans style works well for chucks, about 0.008" will probably be enough, and be sure the bolts allow that much movement, also. The only drawback of the Sanou that I can see is that they only include the inside jaws. The two piece jaw type are not available in the smaller sizes.

Following up to my earlier post, I have found a new Sanou 6-jaw with removable top jaws, in the size I want (125mm) for less than $200.
I can't see any reason to pass that up, I'm just restraining myself
(need to make another backing plate...)

[Bob La Londe]

Following up to my earlier post, I have found a new Sanou 6-jaw with removable top jaws, in the size I want (125mm) for less than $200.
I can't see any reason to pass that up, I'm just restraining myself
(need to make another backing plate...)

Just Do-It.

[old mart]

I would be tempted if the Sanou 6 jaw 125mm was available in Blighty with two piece jaws.

As Bob says "just do it".

[Bob La Londe]

I just did it... except I spent a little more for the 8" 2 piece jaw one from Shars along with a pre-machined backplate. The one from Shars has adjusting screws like a Set-Tru. The premachined D1-5 backplate was only about $20 more than rough blank. Still it all added up with shipping and tax to just over a grand. There was an 8" with backplate on Ebay for about 500 with shipping, but it wasn't set tru, and I just wasn't feeling it. I guess the sales puffery on the Shars site hooked me. Of course I will still check the back plate before mounting.

If it is even half as capable as it claims I will probably never mount the 3 jaw again after I get it all setup.

Like all tools I'm sure I'll use it for a lot of things once I have it, but the big reason for the upgrade was to able to make my own tool holders a little faster and easier. (I do make specialty tool holders myself already.)

[Bob La Londe]

I'm already thinking the 3 jaw will get bolted to a flange plate with bolt holes for use on the mills.

[nickel-city-fab]

I would be tempted if the Sanou 6 jaw 125mm was available in Blighty with two piece jaws.

As Bob says "just do it".

The seller (via Ebay) says they ship worldwide. Also I was wrong on the price -- but its still a great deal.
Take a close look at the sellers last photo. $228 plus very reasonable shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-6-JAW-SEL...IAAOSw~gRV5Fd0

Unfortunately, I have to wait for a bill collector tomorrow, then we will see about getting this 6-jaw afterwards. Medical problems are expensive.

[Bob La Londe]

I'm all excited now...

[RB211]

Soft jaws, or even a 3 jaw chuck you could make "pie jaws" giving you the advantage of a 6 jaw with a 3 jaw.

[Doozer]

Soft jaws, or even a 3 jaw chuck you could make "pie jaws" giving you the advantage of a 6 jaw with a 3 jaw.

Or just use a pot chuck.

-D

[Bob La Londe]

What is a "pot" chuck? Boil a roast and ask somebody else to do the job for you?

[old mart]

I've heard the term "pot chuck", but hopefully Doozer can explain fully to us in due course.

NSF, the chuck is indeed $228, but the extra $159 shipping to the UK and the likely additional duty, taxes and the service charge made by the delivery company tend to put me off.

Bob, that chuck looks delicious, I should "pot" it before it flys away.

[Bob La Londe]

I found a reference to a pot chuck on Instructables of all places. Its just a split busing to hold parts that don't match up to the chuck jaws according to that page: https://www.instructables.com/How-to...0.5%22%20stock.

I've been doing that for years. I just never heard the term pot chuck before. I always just called it a split bushing. They are good for holding things like lead screws to indicate them in and machine the ends too.

[Bob La Londe]

Well, the new 6 jaw finally got installed yesterday. As I mentioned I went with the more expensive one from Shars along with a D1-5 back plate for a set tru style chuck. The back plate wasn't horrible to begin with. It was 5-7 thou out of perpendicular depending on where I indicated it. I turned off a little more than because I was being particular. Then I turned down the central boss. Probably should have done that first, but it doesn't matter. that much. The chuck mates to the plate on a ring about an inch wide around the perimeter. I make things that way with an outer mating ring (jacks tools holders etc) so I understand the rationale. I gently snugged the screws, rough centered the chuck with a ground pin, and then torqued all the bolts to 10lb, and reindicated it. I was able to get about 3 tenths. Then I torqued all the bolts to 45lbs (cross pattern) and it stayed about 3 tenths with the pin. I turn a lot of 3/4 stock for a particular job, so I used a 3/4 pin. I did not indicate other sizes, but I chucked up a couple and spun them up to speed. I can't see the runout I could see on the old 3 jaw. (3 thou is visible if you look at the edge of the part and tune out the rest.) I'll check it at other sizes eventually, but so far I am ok with it.

The 6 jaw body is about 1/4 inch longer then the 3 jaw it is replacing. It remains to be seen if that is an issue.

[Bob La Londe]

After using the chuck a little bit, I have to say a I really like it. The only thing I find a little annoying is the single place to use the chuck key. Its no big deal in middle range speeds (300 and up), but in low gear it takes a little muscle to turn the chuck by hand.