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Thread: Cam lock chucks

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Australind , WA
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    1,277

    Default Cam lock chucks

    Hi Guys,
    I had to fit my 4 Jaw chuck to my AL-335 lathe today and had a hell of a time getting the cam locks undone to get the 3 Jaw off. I had to use 2 ring spanners as extensions for the chuck key to get all 3 of them loose. Are they supposed to be that tight? I thought maybe H&F had done them up super tight to stop people nicking chucks in their showroom. Anyway, I just gently snugged up the cams up, when I fitted the 4 Jaw and it hasn't flung off yet, so I guess they are ok.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Perth WA
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    Default

    Hi Steve,
    They have a habit of suddenly letting go when you undo them so watch your knuckles. No mine are not put on as tight as that and I have never lost a chuck. Perhaps somebody put them on with a mallet.
    Cheers,
    Rod

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Millicent, S.A.
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    Default

    G'day Sterob.

    The engineering company I worked for a few years back had cam lock chucks on their lathes. All Taiwanese 4' and 6' bed types. No problems with changing them, never had one come loose. I had a piece of tube which I used on the Chuck lock key for some "torque multiplication."

    Rodm is right though,watch your fingers 'cause they do let go !. Make sure you use your bit of timber under the chuck, otherwise you can damage the bed. They were probably tight from the assembly grease and being new and all.

    One thing I would do if you haven't already done it is centre punch a mark on the chuck and chuck mounting so that you can refit the 3 jaw chuck in the same orientation evertime.

    My lathe at home is an old Brunswick which uses the traditional screw on type so I have no choice here. You have to make sure everything is clean before nipping that up.

    Cheers............Barry.
    Quote "What one man can do another man can do" UnQuote: Anthony Hopkins in the movie "The Edge". "A problem is just a solution in disguise", author unknown.

  4. #4
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    Default

    Ok, maybe it was just some ham fisted employee swung off the chuck key as it was certainly very tight. Makes me wonder how they did it...oh well...
    I remembered to use a bit of wood to protect the bed, a that was one of the first things drummed into me when I first used a lathe.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    Jindabyne
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    Default Camlock Chucks

    Hello People,
    At rhe risk of slightly hijacking the thread. I had a machinist mate round recently and we had a discussion around my AL330G while I showed him my new toy. The Lathe. Eventually I asked how to remove the chuck.

    We loosened the thinges for want of a better word using the key but could not get the chuck to budge. There are allen screws in the Chuck also but he seemed sure they were not part of the equation.

    Was he wrong and what else should we have done to sucessfully remove the chuck? I didn't need to remove it at the time but may want to in the future.

    Help would be greatly appreciated.

    Rod I really haven't done anything productive with the CNC Router but have watched your escapedes with awe.

    Cheers
    Brian
    Creator of Fine Firewood

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Perth WA
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    Default

    Hi Brian

    The keys only turn roughly about 90 degrees to unlock but it can vary a little depending on how the studs are adjusted. They have a ball bearing stop in there so you can hear it click when you have it in the right position. You will see all this once you get it undone but have a look at the studs on your 4 jaw. I am fairly sure you undo them in a clockwise direction but if I am wrong can you correct me Steve or others.

    You have either over turned the key and re-engaged the lock or the factory grease is holding it there so a gentle but sharp tap with a rubber mallet will release it - support the chuck with one hand and protect the ways of course. Not the ideal thing to do but it is the only way I know and it worked for me.

    The CNC machine building has been fun and thanks for your help and encouragement when I started. The little mill I just finished is proving to be the best toy I have got. The rigidity of the mill has helped with accuracy and it is machining all the mounting for mates doing their builds. It is hard to digest that by doing a 30mm diam hole 14mm deep on screen that it actually will be the exact finished article. The bearing just pushes in with no play and somehow it doesn't seem right to be able to make the part so easily.

    Good to hear you have got a new lathe - a nice choice too.

    And you thought you were hijacking the thread.

    Sorry Steve.
    Cheers,
    Rod

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Croydon, VIC
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Outsider View Post
    We loosened the thinges for want of a better word using the key but could not get the chuck to budge. There are allen screws in the Chuck also but he seemed sure they were not part of the equation.

    Was he wrong and what else should we have done to sucessfully remove the chuck? I didn't need to remove it at the time but may want to in the future.
    Once you've got the cam locks loosened off, it should just be a matter of holding onto the bottom of the chuck and giving it a tap towards the tailstock with a plastic hammer.
    'What the mind of man can conceive, the hand of a toolmaker can achieve.'
    Owning a GPX250 and wanting a ZX10 is the single worst experience possible. -Aside from riding a BMW, I guess.

  8. #8
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    Default Camlock Chuck Removal.

    Thanks Article99 and Rod.

    I'm in Melbourne at the moment so I can't try it but I will.

    Cheers
    Brian
    Creator of Fine Firewood

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Katherine ,Northern Territory
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    736

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Outsider View Post
    Hello People,
    At rhe risk of slightly hijacking the thread. I had a machinist mate round recently and we had a discussion around my AL330G while I showed him my new toy. The Lathe. Eventually I asked how to remove the chuck.

    We loosened the thinges for want of a better word using the key but could not get the chuck to budge. There are allen screws in the Chuck also but he seemed sure they were not part of the equation.

    Was he wrong and what else should we have done to sucessfully remove the chuck? I didn't need to remove it at the time but may want to in the future.

    Help would be greatly appreciated.

    Rod I really haven't done anything productive with the CNC Router but have watched your escapedes with awe.

    Cheers
    Just turn them anti clockwise until you hear them click as was stated before they dont turn all the way back only about the 90 deg mark.
    "Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend ,inside a dog it's too dark to read"
    Groucho Marx

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