Rotary Attachment - Irregular vs. Regular?

[Doug Fisher]

I am looking at buying a rotary attachment for my laser and have pretty much decided on a chuck type design. I have seen some models that are listed as "irregular." Can someone please explain how this type varies from a regular style? My search of the forum didn't provide an answer.

Thanks!

[John Lifer]

Three jaw Chuck is regular, only round items held, 4 jaw Chuck will be irregular,

[Doug Fisher]

Thanks for your reply, John. Can you please explain a bit further? I must not understand the jaw system. Every irregular I have looked at appears to me to only have three jaws like the one shown in the picture below. Isn't a jaw one of the three stair stepped metal pieces that move in conjunction to create the jaw?

3jaw.JPG

Regardless, is there a downside to buying an irregular rotary? Does it work just as well as a regular but just add a bit more versatility?

Thanks!

[Kev Williams]

I'm pretty sure 'irregular' refers to ALL chuck style rotary's, this is because they can hold and rotate irregular shaped objects (tapered items for example), whereas a hot-dog rotary is pretty much limited to straight, 'regular' cylinder shapes.

[Doug Fisher]

Thanks, Kev. That sounds very plausible based on all of the advertisements/listings I have been reading. I just can't see any difference between the chuck systems for those listed as irregular vs. regular yet I have never seen a hot dog roller type listed as irregular.

[Bill George]

From my machine shop experience unless the 4 jaw chuck says self centering, then it might not be and its a pain to get work centered. Most 3 jaw chucks are self centering. PS you can't tell by looking.

[John Lifer]

Bill is right, three jaw is a regular Chuck, four jaw Chucks almost always move independently hence can hold irregularly shaped objects
As far as which is better,I depends on what you are chucking. If mainly round chose 3 jaw regular. Otherwise it take way more time to chuck. Each jaw must be moved separately