Mystery Chuck

[wheelinround]

Have you ever seen a Chuck (http://www.ornamentalturning.co.uk/index.htm) like this?

Further details here (http://www.ornamentalturning.co.uk/UNUSUAL%20ENGINE%20TURNING%20CHUCK.pdf)

This chuck at the base is just 5" dia, has a screw mounting to attach to a lathe, although most OT lathes only have a 5 to 6"swing. It extends out on a number of cross slides, each layer has its own index rotary situation.

http://www.ornamentalturning.co.uk/sf012.jpg

[joe greiner]

From the pdf, "My guess is that it was used by a watchcase maker ..."

I agree. The innards of some fine watches and clocks often have swirls of patterns that could be made with something like this. I think such rose engine work seems to have preceded applications to wood.

Cheers,
Joe