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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Orange
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    Question D1-6 camlock lathe chuck recommendation

    Hi Guys,

    my first post,so here goes..

    I have a Colchester Triumph lathe which if you are not familiar is a biggish 400x1500 or thereabouts machine with lots of capabilities. Unfortunately my 3 jaw chuck chuck I like to use a lot is flogged out - with a lot of slop and jaws that don't close properly. I've decided to replace rather than recondition. I can get a Gator D1-6 camlock chuck off H-F but have no idea what their reputation is.

    By way of background - machine work is a means to and end for me - vintage stationary engine reconditioning for my own use etc. I am not a metal worker by trade or even that good but need reasonable accuracy. I had an old and flogged out colchester student with 0.003 run out on the 3 jaw and that was fine for my use (but was too small). The one I'm using now is 0.008+ and doesnt grip small bar well at all. The jaws are not straight.

    Really this is a long winded way of asking for any recommendations on a lathe chuck brand - say 200-250mm diameter and a supplier. The gator on H-F is priced around $620 - which would be OK if it was reasonable quality.

    thanks in advance

    Mike

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    The Gator is apparently the higher end Fuerda brand chuck. There is info over on US machining forums like Home Shop machinist and Practical machinist on these chucks.

    Do not expect good accuracy on a three jaw chuck. About 0.1mm runout on held stock seems to be the average tolerance when new.

    If you want better then Gater them try a Bison, but I think they will be out of your price range. Also keep an eye on the bore of the chuck. A 200mm chuck will probably have a small bore, smaller then your spindle bore.

    As well check the max speed of the chuck. You do not want it exploding. Although a 250mm cast iron chuck should handle 2000rpm.

    And one last thing is the jaw mounting. Some chucks will have jaws which you bolt on (and can reverse them by turning them around) and you can also bolt on soft jaws if you need them.

    Others have the second set of reverse jaws.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    The Gator is apparently the higher end Fuerda brand chuck. There is info over on US machining forums like Home Shop machinist and Practical machinist on these chucks.

    Do not expect good accuracy on a three jaw chuck. About 0.1mm runout on held stock seems to be the average tolerance when new.

    If you want better then Gater them try a Bison, but I think they will be out of your price range. Also keep an eye on the bore of the chuck. A 200mm chuck will probably have a small bore, smaller then your spindle bore.

    As well check the max speed of the chuck. You do not want it exploding. Although a 250mm cast iron chuck should handle 2000rpm.

    And one last thing is the jaw mounting. Some chucks will have jaws which you bolt on (and can reverse them by turning them around) and you can also bolt on soft jaws if you need them.

    Others have the second set of reverse jaws.
    Just to add a bit to .RC's post, on the lathes.co.uk site, the write-up on the Triumph lathe specifically says that a special run of Burnerd chucks specially designed for that lathe, was commissioned and these chucks are now no longer being made. Owners of Colchester Triumph lathes are cautioned to choose wisely when replacing the chuck as heavy workpieces at high speeds potentially can escape from the chuck, and there is a link for advice on finding a suitable replacement. It sounds to me that they would not recommend a cast iron chuck, but possibly a semi steel chuck instead.
    Also a four jaw chuck may be a better choice for you if you only have one chuck, more versatile and more accurate too, as well as getting a better bight on the workpiece, (not so good on hex workpieces though). There would be numerous places to look for a second hand chuck, besides Grays Auctions and eBay, Mick Moyles in Sydney would be worth checking out. Good luck

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Australia east coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    I bought a 200mm D1-6 3 jaw from Mick Moyles. Chinese make, 2 piece hardened jaws so you swap them around rather than inside/outside jaws. Also you can make/buy soft jaws to fit the back parts.

    It's an OK chuck, I have no complaints about it. Can't say what its runout is but it's not excessive. Frankly I don't care within reason as I don't trust 3 jaw chucks anyway, main thing is that they hold straight over the jaws not be bell mouthed. By their nature there's always going to be some runout.

    I second the suggestion of getting a good 4 jaw chuck and using that if minimising runout is really important. Or for bright bar work less than 1.5" diameter, go to a collet chuck.

    PDW

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Orange
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    Thanks guys for the advice,

    I get what you are saying about 3 jaw chucks and have a 4 jaw when needed. But for day to day to day and ease of use a 3 jaw is fine for me provided run out is not excessive and the jaws actually close straight. I think I will give Mick Moyles a call and check out what they've got - hopefully something with a spec sheet giving some details on accuracy and speed rated to 2000rpm. I can hope

    The chuck with the machine now is a Burnerd which would have been great when it was new.

    thanks

    Mike

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Lancaster, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    100

    Default

    I have a Colchester 15"X50", don't know what model that makes it. It is D1-6. My 4 jaw chuck was beat to pieces, so I bought a Gator 4 jaw as a replacement. Entirely satisfied with the chuck, the wrench will be fitted with a longer handle as the one supplied is too small. Used it a dozen times so far and no problems, I would buy again.

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