Thread: Interesting Old Chucks

Very similar to the Record Power Rp3000 chuck from the 1990s.

one of them looks like the peter child collet chuck . these pre dated the current scroll chucks and were good to use providing that you got all of the measurements pretty right
jim

Originally Posted by Potts

Very similar to the Record Power Rp3000 chuck from the 1990s.

Yes, the Record RP3000 was very similar, but was a three jaw version of the chucks that emerged about that time.

RP3000 chuck.jpg
Image source: here

Originally Posted by woolclasser

one of them looks like the peter child collet chuck . these pre dated the current scroll chucks and were good to use providing that you got all of the measurements pretty right
jim

Peter Child did use wooden collets that he turned and attached to the Myford three-in-one chuck (p141 of his book), but as far as I know he never manufactured those in metal.

His son, Roy Child, later develop a number of early chucking ideas starting in the early 1970s and these were manufactured by Henry Taylor. As far as I can see, the chuck system that Doragus has is quite different to any of those.

Originally Posted by doragus

I was given the two old chucks shown below. One is a 4 Jaw and the other holds by expanding the outside sleeve. Both work on the principle of forcing a cone into the jaws to expand and hold them.

...

Does anyone recognise them, know who might have made them and will they still be useful.

Thanks for sharing, Doragus.

The nearest to that one that I know of is the Sorby's Precsion Combination Chuck, but I can't find enough detail in any images of it to be sure about that.

Someone who has the Sorby Precision Chuck (I don't have one) might be able to check to see if I am right about that.

Sorby precision chuck.jpg

and

Robert Sorby Precision Chuck - Tool-Hunter.com

The first 6 in 1 'Universal' chuck was developed by Nick Davidson in Sheffield and had the first commercially expanding jaws set that would fit into a dovetail recess. Nick went on to be involved with Craft Supplies in the UK and other suppliers then took over the manufacture of similar fiddly and cumbersome chucks, including the Sorby.

Doragus, if yours is not a Sorby, it could be from one of the other manufacturers who picked up on Nick Davidson's concept. There were many variations.

I think I might have to start a dedicated thread on chuck development history to capture what we collectively know before we have all forgotten whatever we may have known.

Thanks Neil and others for the info. Looks like it is something based on the Sorby idea but it is a lot simpler in construction. (Could it possibly be a forerunner to the Sorby?) The second chuck I referred to as "expanding sleeve" appears to be like the Sorby Pin Chuck but larger diameter. It works on the same principle and could also be an early design. My guess is that both these chucks were shop-made by someone with great skill. Pitty there is no provenance or packaging/markings that might identify manufacturer. Im going to clean them up and check the thread size to see if I have an adapter that will take them on one of my lathes and see how effective they are.
I like your idea about a chuck development history Neil. Your right that we need to try and capture the collectiove wisdom before time wipes it out. I'm in my 70's but I only started turning a few years ago and I don't have the history/knowledge but I'm happy to help where I can.

I have a sorby 6 in 1 chuck, the photo has some of that chucks features. Can't be sure if it is preliminary version, or an incomplete 6 in 1 Sorby chuck.

It certainly looks similar to the 6 in 1 chuck.

Jim

Searching back in the forum archives from around 2011 and found the following entries:
marcopolo

24th Dec 2011, 08:08 AM

After decades of woodwork infidelity, I am returning to my first love and dusting off my old Tough lathe, originally purchased (bed, head and tailstock only) from Western Australia maybe 35 years ago.
While cleaning off the accumulated grime of the ages, I found my old chucks - a Peter Child Coil chuck, a Nova chuck with Cole jaw accessories, a large expanding dovetail chuck, based on a single machined circle of spring steel for outboard use on large bowls or platters and another one, pictured below, which is my problem.
This chuck has four alloy dovetail jaws that separate over a cone as the chuck ring is tightened. It is multi-function as it also works as a compression chuck using a two part split ring as well as a screw chuck when the two halves of the split ring hold the cone in place with a screw in it.
I seem to recall that the expanding dovetails were retained in approximate place by a rubber band.
Does this description remind anyone of any particular chuck? If so, can they remind me of the correct way to set it up?

Frank
Hi, You have a piece of history in your possession. I can tell you a little about the chuck as I was associated with a business that imported a number of these units from Craft Supplies (UK) in the 1970-1980 era. There should be about 50 or more of them lying around in sheds.
Peter Child was an English pioneer woodturner/teacher/designer/author in the 1970's. The chuck was the forerunner of most of the modern woodlathe chucks on the market today. It was quickly superseded by a Precision Combination Chuck manufactured by Robert Sorby & Co. and subsequently a lot more improved designs. Peter Child may have been the designer/inventor hence the name. A spring coil was introduced in design revisions to hold the jaws in place. What you have in the photo is complete except for a "C" spanner and a centre screw.
The basic chuck worked well and there should be no reason why it could not be used again as long as you have patience in assembling it.
Simply fit the base on the headstock,fit the centre cone,hold the four jaws in the outer locking ring with the aid of a rubber band and assemble it on to the threaded base. As you tighten the locking ring ,the jaws expand and lock into a dovetail recess prepared on the back of turned work. Very effective!
A second function of the chuck used the two locking collets instead of the jaws and centre cone.
A third function was to use the centre cone with a long woodscrew fitted from the rear held in place by the two collets and locking ring.
I may have a spare "C" spanner out in the shed, but it would not be difficult to use a short piece of round mild steel inserted into the holes in the outside of the locking ring.
Hope this helps.
rdgs. marcopolo

marcopolo

24th Dec 2011, 08:14 AM

After decades of woodwork infidelity, I am returning to my first love and dusting off my old Tough lathe, originally purchased (bed, head and tailstock only) from Western Australia maybe 35 years ago.
While cleaning off the accumulated grime of the ages, I found my old chucks - a Peter Child Coil chuck, a Nova chuck with Cole jaw accessories, a large expanding dovetail chuck, based on a single machined circle of spring steel for outboard use on large bowls or platters and another one, pictured below, which is my problem.
This chuck has four alloy dovetail jaws that separate over a cone as the chuck ring is tightened. It is multi-function as it also works as a compression chuck using a two part split ring as well as a screw chuck when the two halves of the split ring hold the cone in place with a screw in it.
I seem to recall that the expanding dovetails were retained in approximate place by a rubber band.
Does this description remind anyone of any particular chuck? If so, can they remind me of the correct way to set it up?

Frank

ps A fourth function was to use the base plate alone with three woodscrews inserted from the rear.

RETIRED

24th Dec 2011, 11:37 AM

Gooday Marco polo. I reckon I probably bought one off you. I still have it.

Skew ChiDAMN!!

25th Dec 2011, 06:06 AM

I believe I also have one, fairly complete, still in the wooden box it came in.

'Twas given to me by Rodent (also on these forums) and, from memory, includes a parts listing for two or three different models/sets/whatever.

Sadly, I'll have to get home to check... got a few spare months to wait?

I'm pretty sure the chuck mentioned here is the one I have. Skew ChiDAMNcould you please have a look and let me know. I'll pm you in case you miss this.
Thanks
Chris

Originally Posted by NeilS

I think I might have to start a dedicated thread on chuck development history to capture what we collectively know before we have all forgotten whatever we may have known.

OK, I have now kicked off a separate thread called The development of the woodturning chuck.

If it's of any use, I was in contact with Roy Child about 6 years ago - had some questions about a chuck.

This was the email address.

[email protected]

Hope this helps, Jeff