Home made cole jaws

[Chrisp]

Following on from my home made fingernail jig, I've been meaning to make a set of cole jaws, so with some free time this week here are the results.

4 pieces of 5mm thick aluminium, taped squre together with the diameter and segments marked.

Cut out on the bandsaw and mounting holes drilled.

Fitted to the chuck and turned to clean up the edge.

After drilling 120 holes!

Solid wood doorstops with a taper turned on the lathe.

Adding the mounting hardware.

With the buttons fitted.

From behind.

In use!
I have finished a few bases now and wish I had made it ages ago!
Just over 16" when closed.
Thanks for looking.
Chris.

 

[Blister]

They look good to me :lol:

 

[Chrisp]

Thanks blister

 

[Jonzjob]

They look great Chris, but is there really the need for the holes to be so close together? The cole jaws I have aren't as big as yours, bought from Axminster, and the overlap using them on my K8 chuck means that if one setting is to big then the next one down is correct.

Just a thought if you do any more.

They are a bit of kit that when you need them then nowt else will do aren't they. Good job!!

 

[jumps]

I like the look, and no doubt the function, but will admit that my initial impression regarding the number of holes was in line with John's.

Mine are 3/4" birch ply, and a similar dimension. I also have the same lathe. I'm really close to taking them down in size to enable me to use them over the bed - I don't have dual banjos and it's just one more hassle to set up for turning on the side (fine if you are doing a multiple run though)

As said, clean construction - looks good.

 

[chrisbaker42]

Very professional looking.

 

[paul-c]

hi chrisp
great looking set of jaws
ive been looking at making a set from 3/4 ply
but yours have put them to shame.
well done
cheers
paul-c

 

[Blister]

Chrisp

I would not be worried about the hole spacings as Cole jaws
are not designed for high speed
With the amount of adjustment you have ( for holding ) you will not fall foul of some I have seen
were the chuck jaws are about to drop out on one setting or wont hold on the next setting

Cole jaws are only designed for reversing your work to remove the mounting method

even on professionally made units they have a max rpm recommendation

:wink:

 

[Blister]

hi chrisp
great looking set of jaws
ive been looking at making a set from 3/4 ply
but yours have put them to shame.
well done
cheers
paul-c

ive been looking at making a set from 3/4 ply

paul

I would advise not to make these out of ply as its not strong enough and the risk of injury is to great if it lets go

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Crisp,
Quick question please... where did you get your Ali?

Is there anywhere reliable on-line at reasonable prices?
Jon

 

[OldWood]

hi chrisp
great looking set of jaws
ive been looking at making a set from 3/4 ply
but yours have put them to shame.
well done
cheers
paul-c

ive been looking at making a set from 3/4 ply

paul

I would advise not to make these out of ply as its not strong enough and the risk of injury is to great if it lets go

I've a small set out of MDF and they're perfectly OK. I keep on meaning to make something better but as I only use them occasionally to tidy up a bowl base, or the likes, which is gentle turning, that's a little on the back-burner.

Rob

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Very impressive indeed!

I had been looking at the Nova cole jaws, but they are 10" which is a bit restrictive.

Not sure I understand the objection to ply. Is it a concern that the fixings are more likely to work loose?

Cheers

Steve

 

[boysie39]

I have a set made out of MDF which are added on to the cole jaws which extend the dia. from approx. 7" to 12"
maybe a bit more if you are silly.

 

[paul-c]

hi blister
thanks for the advice
that is not something i would have considered.
but seeing these made my chrisp has made me think about pricing up some ali plate.
this really is a great forum
thanks all
cheers
paul-c

 

[Blister]

Very impressive indeed!

I had been looking at the Nova cole jaws, but they are 10" which is a bit restrictive.

Not sure I understand the objection to ply. Is it a concern that the fixings are more likely to work loose?

Cheers

Steve

Not sure I understand the objection to ply

Steve

Cole Jaws can be used in 2 ways

Clamping down on a exterior surface and expanding into a undercut rim from inside a bowl . both put lots of strain on the small corners of ply that connect to the chuck , then add the weight of the item being turned and the centrifugal force imposed when running at 500 rpm , and KErBOOM !! :shock:

 

[Chrisp]

Hi guys,
Thanks for your replies, as Blister said the spacings do give a bigger amount of flexability without using the limits of the chuck, these will only be used at the lathes slowest speed and only to remove the chucking process, also with cuts towards the headstock for safety.
Jon I'm a bit of a magpie and had these lying around the workshop so couldn't give you a price!
Thanks again,
Chris.