Donut Chuck ?

[Chip Sutherland]

I traded my old donut chuck years ago and never got around to making one for my 3520B. I have not committed to this yet as I guess I could also just drop a wad of money on a Cole Jaw system. I really like the captured aspect of a donut chuck but I really hate making jigs. I have small Cole Jaws but I need to grip bigger pieces. Plus I have moving the stupid buttons. Looking for others thoughts and suggestions.

PS...I should have added that I have a vacuum chuck setup but some things won't take a vacuum. Not a fan of friction jamb chucks either.

[Sam Force]

While cole jaws have their place, they do come with limitations. A jam chuck or a vacuum chuck I believe would be more versatile.

[Bill Howatt]

Holding things for various operations on a lathe quickly points out there is no one-size-fits-all solution but there likely is a solution that will work for most things you make.
I used a donut chuck for years - had a couple of sizes but several of the pieces with different hole sizes to accommodate different diameters. They're a good, quite flexible solution and easy to make at a low cost.
I got into vacuum chucking and since a lot of my work is bowls, it has turned out to be a great way to go (for me). Takes a bit of time to build if you aren't buying a canned solution and depending on your junk sources it is more expensive.
I've never been a fan of Cole or Longworth methods but they do work.

[Richard Coers]

I do too many natural edge bowls to even think about used cole jaws. I use Oneway vacuum chucks, sometimes with the vacuum and other times just slide up the tailstock and turn all but about the last 5/8". I taper that little plug and then saw it off and sand off the tiny nub. That is an Ellsworth technique

[Edward Weber]

I'm a firm believer of whatever works for you.
I'm a fan of cole jaws but I've also got a vacuum system, and I've made several donut chucks.
There is no one size fits all unless you're only turning one type of project.
Longwoth jaws are the most limited IMO.
They all have their pro's and con's, it's just something you need to do in order to secure your work.

[Robert Hayward]

I'm a firm believer of whatever works for you.
Ed has an excellent donut chuck he made. Can you show everyone a picture of it?

[Randy Heinemann]

Try Ron Brown's site. He has a doughnut chuck with several size doughnuts or you can buy his Longworth chuck with the doughnut rings. It's a little pricey though. Plus, for me (who did buy the Longworth chuck with the rings) I find it time consuming to get the bowl secured without substantial wobble. It means going back and forth tightening the various opposing bolts to balance the bowl. I think there are other ways which are easier, but they usually involve turning the tenon down as much as possible and then cutting it off and sanding the bottom; easier for me than the doughnut chuck method. I own some Rubber Chucky's which really help me get the job done faster (rubberchucky.com). You can, of course, get a vacuum chuck but I think there are hollow forms and possibly some bowls that won't work for. I haven't found a method that works for everything.

[Edward Weber]

Ed has an excellent donut chuck he made. Can you show everyone a picture of it?
If that's directed at me, I'll get some pics today

[Robert Hayward]

If that's directed at me, I'll get some pics today

It was directed at you, and thank you.

[Les Elm]

I made this one a few years back.

[Edward Weber]

Okay, nothing fancy. This is just plywood mounted on a face plate. I made an inner and outer retaining ring. which fit most things I've turned but it's easy enough to turn an extra retaining ring for the in between sizes. The tape is just to protect items that were finished before final turning.
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[Edward Weber]

Simple 1/4"-20 hardware
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Doesn't need to be fancy or complicated.

[Bill Howatt]

I use 1/4-20 carriage bolts - heads can't turn and a little lower and smoother profile to reduce chances of hitting with hand.

[Jim Morgan]

I use 1/4-20 carriage bolts - heads can't turn and a little lower and smoother profile to reduce chances of hitting with hand.

Or all-thread epoxied into t-nuts - pre-drill for the t-nut prongs so they can be slipped in and out.

[alan weinberg]

I own some Rubber Chucky's which really help me get the job done faster (rubberchucky.com).

very helpful. Didn’t know about them and just ordered. Thanks.