4-Jaw Buck Chuck

[thestelster]

I just received in the mail an 8" independent 4-Jaw chuck made by Buck in the US. Used, purchased from a guy in Quebec on Facebook Marketplace.

I have a 14" Pratt Burnerd which has served me well for the past 30 years, except it's getting too heavy to be lifting it up onto a wooden board on the lathe bed.

A while ago, I wanted to get a Bison or a Kitagawa, but at $2,000 new, I couldn't justify it. I decided at the time to get an Atlas 6" for around $500.00. And it worked well enough, though it's a little small for some stuff. And it's nowhere near as nice as my 3-jaw Bison.

So now I have this 8", tight as a drum, no indication of use on the jaw faces, made in the US, smooth as silk, perfectly sized chuck for my needs. $350.00 including shipping!!

I now have to find an 8" D1-5 back plate to bolt it onto.

 

[Susquatch]

Does he have other stuff? Got a Link?

 

[thestelster]

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[thestelster]

I need advice:

Do I get a 6-1/4" adapter (back plate) that fits in the recess of the chuck, or an 8" adapter which I have to turn to fit the recess and the OD will be the same size as the chuck OD?

 

[Susquatch]

Do I get a 6-1/4" adapter (back plate) that fits in the recess of the chuck, or an 8" adapter which I have to turn to fit the recess and the OD will be the same size as the chuck OD?

The first time I did this I got the backplate that fits. It didn't. So I ended up taking an 1/8 off and cutting the register to fit.

The next two times, I bought a full backplate and cut it to fit. Much better experience.

Ya, get the full size backplate and cut it to fit. A no brainer for a guy with your skills!

 

[thestelster]

The first time I did this I got the backplate that fits. It didn't. So I ended up taking an 1/8 off and cutting the register to fit.

The next two times, I bought a full backplate and cut it to fit. Much better experience.

Ya, get the full size backplate and cut it to fit. A no brainer for a guy with your skills!

The 6-1/4" back plate measures 6.38" OD. This chucks recess is 6.312", so I would still need to turn down the outside to fit the chuck. The 8" is 7.99" and is considerably thicker and heavier. Is there any advantage to getting the larger one. Or is there any disadvantage to getting the smaller one. With the smaller one I get the chuck closer to the spindle, and is 10lbs lighter. With the larger one I guess it provides a greater "strength" or more rigidity since it fits the whole diameter of the chuck.

 

[Susquatch]

The 6-1/4" back plate measures 6.38" OD. This chucks recess is 6.312", so I would still need to turn down the outside to fit the chuck. The 8" is 7.99" and is considerably thicker and heavier. Is there any advantage to getting the larger one. Or is there any disadvantage to getting the smaller one. With the smaller one I get the chuck closer to the spindle, and is 10lbs lighter. With the larger one I guess it provides a greater "strength" or more rigidity since it fits the whole diameter of the chuck.

All good points Stel.

Don't forget that you can face off the 8" so the chuck doesn't extend out any more than it would with the 6-1/4" plate. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Don't try parting it...... Ask me how I know!

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Nice chuck. Bigger isn't always better. We used to have a 12" 4jaw at work, and it was never fun swapping chucks.

You need to build a cart with a skyhook.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1778923916217312/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:f8e1dee1-3fb6-4779-bc17-e8069a9d685d

I don't think there's an advantage with going bigger for this one. One could argue increased ridgidity, but I'd guess that's pretty minimal and there's a lot of bearing surface there on the back flat I think you'll be fine. The smaller one will also keep the weight down a bit more too.

 

[Stuart Samuel]

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I mentioned it in another thread, but I picked up from him in person when I was in Ottawa for work. Sent a deposit, all went smoothly. Gave me a tour of his basement apartment shop. Solid guy, from my experience.

 

[thestelster]

I mentioned it in another thread, but I picked up from him in person when I was in Ottawa for work. Sent a deposit, all went smoothly. Gave me a tour of his basement apartment shop. Solid guy, from my experience.

Yes, after I read your recommendation, I checked his site and bought that Clarkson Drill sharpening tool. So, thank you for that!!

 

[EJ’s Shop]

The one face plate I machined a pilot shoulder with a tolerance that allowed me to warm the chuck and cool the faceplate; on assembly, once bolts were tight and both pieces equalized to room temperature the fit was tight.
The box holding the two 12” chucks is bolted to the wall, with cross slide in, I’m able to roll the chuck out onto the cross slide. And at least minimize a little lifting.